A Winter Romance: Nancy & Saul’s The Old Palace Chester Wedding
There’s something quietly magical about a winter wedding at The Old Palace Chester: crisp air, soft light, historic architecture warmed by candlelight and laughter. When Nancy and Saul chose December for their wedding, it meant a day that was elegant, intimate, and full of heartfelt moments. Their celebration at The Old Palace was everything that makes this venue a favourite for couples seeking timeless romance and charm.
About Their Day
As a wedding photographer, I cherish days like this, the kind that feel like a story unfolding in a film. Their wedding was the perfect showcase for The Old Palace Chester Wedding experience: from the rich history of the manor to the love between two people and the warmth of friends and family gathered together.
Morning Preparations: Calm before the Celebration
The wedding day began with calm excitement as Nancy and her bridesmaids gathered in the Morning Room at The Old Palace Chester. The Morning Room is designed for those delicate, quiet moments before the ceremony, with light flooding through the windows, soft chatter, mugs of tea, and the flutter of dresses. With hair styled by Beautiful Hair & Glamour and make-up by Nicola Allen MUA, the atmosphere was gentle and joyful. Bridesmaids helped, laughter floated in the air, and the first hints of winter sunlight filtered softly through the room.
Meanwhile, Saul prepared closer to home before making his way to Chester. There’s always something touching about the groom’s preparation: the final touches, the steady calm, the quiet anticipation. Moments like these, calm, meaningful, and full of hope, are among the reasons The Old Palace Chester Wedding photographs feel so real and alive.
As Nancy stepped into her dress from The Brides View, the moment felt quietly magical. Seeing her ready, glowing, framed by the classic interiors of the morning suite, set the tone for the rest of the day.
The Ceremony in The River Room
When the time came for the ceremony, guests drew into The River Room, a light-filled, elegant space that looks out across the terrace and the River Dee. The River Room is one of the crown jewels of The Old Palace. With natural light, high ceilings, and river views beyond its windows, it quickly becomes the heart of any wedding day. For Nancy and Saul, it was the perfect place to say their vows.
Family and friends gathered, warmth filled the room despite the December chill outside, and soft smiles and happy tears marked the moments as they pledged themselves to each other. As a photographer, capturing these heartfelt vows, these small glances and touches, is exactly why I love The Old Palace Chester Wedding days. Everything about the room, from its light to its calm atmosphere, allows emotion to show beautifully in every frame.
After the ceremony, they stepped onto the terrace amid laughter and cheers. The river glinted in the winter light, and the air was crisp, but the warmth of their love and the joy of their friends made it feel cosy and full of promise.
Drinks Reception in the Peploe Lounge
Once the formal part of the ceremony was complete, guests moved into the Peploe Lounge & Bar for drinks and mingling. The Peploe Lounge is intimate yet elegant a space where people can laugh, chat, raise a glass, and relax before the evening begins. With soft lighting and plush seating, it felt like returning to a warm, familiar home rather than a grand event venue.
It’s these kinds of relaxed, unscripted moments that make The Old Palace Chester Wedding so magical. I love capturing friends reunited, quiet smiles shared over a drink, and little tokens of joy that often go unnoticed but become treasured memories later on.
Winter Portraits: Garden Terrace
As a photographer, one of my favourite parts of any wedding day is when the couple steps away for portraits, a few quiet moments alone, just the two of them. With a December wedding at The Old Palace Chester, this is pure gold.
Nancy and Saul braved the winter air, wrapped in warmth and love, and we wandered out to the Garden Terrace. The gardens and riverside walkway at The Old Palace deliver a kind of romantic serenity that’s hard to match. The bare branches, soft winter light, and dramatic reflections on the water combined to create images that feel timeless.
On the Garden Terrace, we framed them against stone walls and winter foliage. We captured quiet moments of laughter and the sense of a new journey beginning. This is the heart of The Old Palace Chester Wedding photography, where photos don’t just record a day, but evoke a feeling.
Reception & Evening Celebration in the Ballroom
As the light faded and evening settled in, guests gathered in the Ballroom beautifully decorated for dinner and celebration. The Ballroom at The Old Palace Chester is grand yet welcoming, elegant yet comfortable. With its period architecture, high ceilings, and space for up to 150 seated guests, it feels like stepping into a film set.
Flossy Pots Events had transformed the room beautifully. Tables were dressed with seasonal florals by Fierce Florals, candles flickered gently, and the rich interiors glowed with warmth and class. The homemade cake by Cake On The Lake stood proudly on its stand, a labour of love that added personal charm to the celebrations. The warm interior, soft light, and subtle decorations made it ideal for The Old Palace Chester Wedding photography, each frame capturing light, laughter, and connection in equal measure.
Throughout the meal, guests enjoyed good food, heartfelt speeches, and warm conversation. For me as a photographer, these candid moments are just as important as the showpiece shots. Dining rooms can be full of life, emotion, and personality, and at The Old Palace, every glance, every laugh, every raised toast felt genuine.
Dancing, Celebration and Night-time Magic
After dinner, the party unfolded. The DJ, Craig Elliot, guided the energy into the evening with music, laughter, and dancing. Moments of joy, of release, of shared happiness filled the night. The Ballroom became a stage for celebration, memories, and festive joy.
The soft glow of lights, the chatter, the music, the movement, these are the images that will remind Nancy and Saul of how much love and fun filled their day. From the first dance to the final song, I snapped candid, joyful, real moments. The Old Palace Chester Wedding nights like this are my favourite to document, full of warmth, energy, and connection.
About Old Palace Chester Weddings
There are so many reasons The Old Palace stands out as a wedding venue especially for a December wedding. Its riverside location beside the River Dee gives atmospheric views and the promise of beautiful portraits in any season. The historic Georgian manor, built in 1751, brings timeless elegance and character to every photograph.
The venue’s flexibility is also a major strength. With multiple rooms, including the Morning Room, River Room, Peploe Lounge, Garden Terrace, Ballroom, and 23 ensuite bedrooms, The Old Palace offers everything you need from getting ready to the final dance.
Its combinations of river views, historic interiors, private gardens and modern amenities make it perfect for couples seeking privacy, elegance, and the ability to tailor their day exactly how they wish, which is exactly what Nancy and Saul did. Their December wedding was a beautiful example of how you can embrace winter’s mood and still create warmth, joy, and unforgettable memories.
And for me as a photographer, The Old Palace Chester Wedding always offers something beautiful: natural light, architecture, warmth, and love all wrapped up in a story that belongs just to the couple.
Contact The Old Palace Chester
Address: Little St John Street, Chester, CH1 1SN
Phone: 01244 564380
Email: enquire@oldpalacechester.co.uk
Old Palace Chester offers exclusive use, riverside views over the River Dee, historic Georgian architecture and 23 ensuite bedrooms.
If you enjoyed this wedding blog, I’d love to hear all about your wedding plans! Please check out my About Me page for information about who I am and why I do this with my life. Then if you like the sound of everything, simply get in touch via the Contact page.