A little while ago I wrote a blog post rounding up the 10 key questions to ask your photographer and having read this article about the simply terrible service that this poor couple received I thought it might be time to raise it again.
Sadly the trade of a photographer is not a protected one and anyone can claim that they are qualified to cover your big day but this is simply not the case. If you are in the market for a ‘tog at the moment then please do take a moment to read through these questions. They may save you a lot of heart ache.
When it comes to venues that offer opportunities for stunning wedding photography I can think of few that come close to the characterful Hollin Hall. Set in Kerridge and just a stone’s throw from Bollington, Macclesfield and the Peak District National Park this hall’s classic Victorian features add a genuine sense of occasion to any wedding. Boasting elegant, high ceilinged rooms, grand fireplaces, a wrought iron pagoda and a wonderful staircase there is no shortage of places to create great images.
This timeless venue has a range of options when it comes to the spaces it can offer you. From the grand and airy Hollin Suite that can seat 120 people to the far more cosy and intimate Davenport Suite that seats 20 there really is no shortage of choice. The kitchen here is also particularly good with a culture of embracing local suppliers and cooking traditions. As their website puts it, they specialise in “uncomplicated dishes using fresh, high quality ingredients that speak for themselves.”
If you are looking for ways to keep your guests entertained there is no shortage of local activities available. Nearby there are stunning walking routes, a number of golf courses, clay pigeon shooting, horse riding, archery and fishing. For those wanting retail therapy the Trafford Centre is not far away with a great choice of shops and independent retailers.
Another big advantage of Hollin Hall is that it offers superb accommodation for both you and your guests. With a wide range of rooms available, including a beautiful bridal suite with a four poster bed, it takes away the worry of where your guests are going to stay or how they get home! All in all I can heartily recommend Hollin Hall, it has a genuine charm that is hard to beat.
Photography by Adrian Spencer of Will Hey Wedding Photography, a professional wedding photographer based in the High Peak near Buxton and Stockport and covering Derbyshire, Cheshire, Manchester and Sheffield.
The Tithe Barn is a stunning venue tucked away in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire and dates from the early 1600′s. This charming barn has recently undergone a painstaking £750,000 restoration and conversion into a unique setting for weddings and receptions of up to 120 guests. Created with an eye for detail the barn boasts beautiful traditional features, such as exposed stone, oak beams and flagstone floors, and can provide two magnificent spaces which can either be combined together or used separately.
Set adjacent to the barn is the breathtaking Browsholme Hall which is the oldest surviving family house in Lancashire having been the ancestral home of the Parker Family since 1507. As you would expect from such a venue it is steeped in history and is the perfect romantic setting for any any wedding reception. Based in the Hodder valley the barn also boasts 700 acres of parklands, woods and lake which give some incredible opportunities for stunning wedding images.
To me the big difference between Browsholme Hall and other chain run establishments is that you get a genuine feeling of the heritage and history of the venue. Because it is family owned, cared for and run you get a sense that this is more than just a job to them, you are a guest in their home of 500 years and that means a level of service that you simply can’t put a price on.
Photography by Adrian Spencer of Will Hey Wedding Photography, a professional wedding photographer based in the High Peak near Buxton and Stockport and covering Derbyshire, Cheshire, Manchester and Sheffield.
