Peckforton Castle wedding photography is always a great pleasure in my yearly calendar. Come winter or summer, it’s the kind of venue that looks great all year round and with so many amazing locations both inside and outside the castle. There’s always a very grand atmosphere to a wedding day, like living in your own fairytale for the day. That combined with the excitement of New Year’s Eve will always make for an amazing day and build up to an even better evening party. So when Sarah & Tom got in touch with their wedding plans, I was excited to be part of it.
I started the day at The Lodge by the main entrance to the estate, Tom was there with his guys enjoying breakfast together and getting ready. There was some great banter and the excitement levels were high for what was expected to be an awesome wedding day. Making my way up to the castle, I joined Sarah who was up on her own private floor surrounded by her family and friends. She was having a fab time, opening gifts, enjoying champaign and chatting with her bridesmaids.
Peckforton Castle Wedding Photography
The couple had booked an outstanding set of wedding suppliers including my good friend Stefan from YSD Media for videography and Toastmaster Stephen Sanders who would be tasked with keeping the day running to schedule. Once all the guests were convened in the beautifully decorated Great Hall and the couple was ready, Sarah made her way up the aisle to Tom for their wedding. After a ceremony filled with much laughter and concluding with a unique sand pouring ceremony that celebrates the coming together of two families, the couple made the short walk over to the chapel for a blessing from a family friend.
Drinks Reception In The Long Gallery
The couple gathered with their guests in the Long Gallery of the castle to enjoy drinks together and hugs of congratulations. They had invited an awesome bunch of family and friends, as I wandered around shooting some documentary work I had a great time chatting with them all. I took the couple for a wander round around the grounds of the castle for some portraits before meeting up with their guests back in the Great Hall for some family group shots before dinner.
Wedding Breakfast In The Drawing Room
Toastmaster Stephen roused the guests before Sarah and Tom were welcomed into their wedding breakfast in the Drawing Room of the castle. They enjoyed an excellent round of speeches before a delicious meal and a relaxing early evening of chatting and laughing with each other.
Great Hall Wedding Party With Andy Murphy DJ
After dinner and a brief refresh, the guests made their way back into the Great Hall for the evening party. Another good friend of mine is DJ Andy Murphy who was providing the evenings entertainment. When you hire him, you know the party is going to be amazing and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The couple took to the floor to cut their wedding cake with the sword Excalibur (why not, you’ve got married in a castle!) and then enjoyed their first dance. The family and friends soon joined in and the dancefloor was pretty packed for the rest of the night, their friends throwing shaped and making sure the atmosphere was buzzing.
As the clock struck midnight, the guests let off confetti cannons, toasted the New Year and hugged each other. I was a privilege to be part of and I want to thank Sarah and Tom for having me with them on their excellent wedding day at Peckforton Castle!
Sarah & Tom’s Wedding Suppliers –
Dress – Dress the Bride
Suits – Slater Menswear
MUA – Bridal Hair and Makeup Of Cheshire
MUA – Make You Up
Strings – Didsbury String Quartet
Cake – Cheshire Cake Bakes
Lighting – Hipswing
Selfie Mirror – PartyPods
DJ – Andy Murphy DJ
Videography – YSD Media
About Peckforton Castle
Peckforton Castle was built between 1844 and 1850 for John Tollemache, the largest landowner in Cheshire at the time, by the architect Anthony Salvin. The castle was built by Dean and Son of Leftwich. Stone was obtained from a quarry about 1 mile (2 km) to the west of the site, and a railway was built to carry the stone. The castle cost £60,000.
Although it was built as a family home its design was that of a medieval castle. It has a gatehouse, a portcullis, a dry moat, external windows that are little more than arrow slots, and large towers. In 1851 The Illustrated London News said that it “seems to exhibit the peculiar beauties of Carnarvon Castle without its inconveniences” and in 1858 Sir George Gilbert Scott called it “the largest and most carefully and learnedly executed Gothic mansion of the present”. It is regarded as “the last serious fortified home built in England” and “it was executed to the highest standards and is one of the great buildings of its age”.
Facts About Peckforton Castle
- A Grade-I listed castle estate set within the Cheshire countryside.
- Weddings catering from 10 to 160 guests.
- A unique Grade-II listed chapel for religious blessings.
- A choice of five licensed ceremonies and dining rooms to choose from including the grand Great Hall.
- 48 luxury bedroom suites including’ The Lodge’ a self-contained private house.
- A unique venue with all year round wedding photography locations both inside and out.
How can you get in touch with Peckforton Castle about weddings?
Email – PCEnquiries@BHGUK.com
Call via – 01829 260 930
Website – www.peckfortoncastle.co.uk
Address – Peckforton Castle, Stone House Lane, Peckforton, Tarporley, Cheshire, CW6 9TN
Instagram – @peckfortoncastle
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.