A full wedding day at Alrewas Hayes

Alrewas Hayes is a gorgeous wedding venue based in rural Staffordshire, England. I had the pleasure of photographing Rosie and Will's Summer wedding and thought I'd walk you through the most amazing day.

Getting Ready at Alrewas Hayes

I arrived at this picturesque and secluded estate a good two hours before the ceremony, this allows me plenty of time to get some important establishing shots whilst the venue is quiet. I pop through the different rooms to capture the little details before heading to meet Rosie who is getting ready in the Theodore Suite with her daughter and bridesmaids.

This room is beautiful - providing total privacy, stunning views of the grounds, and a huge bathroom under a beautiful oak-beamed ceiling.

It's wonderfully light and airy which suits my style perfectly! Prosecco, beautiful flowers, and sweet moments fill the air as the girls get ready in the manor house.

Next, I meet up with Will in the courtyard as his best man makes some adjustments to Will's suit and buttonhole before the wedding guests begin to arrive. It's a super friendly atmosphere as drinks are served under the large gazebo.

The Ceremony at Alrewas Hayes

As the guests filter into the beautiful Orangery, I grab a quick moment with Rosie and her bridal party for some portraits.

Once more, the Orangery is illuminated by natural light, perfect for wedding photographers, providing your special day with an elegant touch. The ceremony is wonderfully sweet with their daughter insisting on stealing some of the limelight!

Rosie and Will are officially pronounced husband and wife and our married couple lead their family and friends into the courtyard.

The Drinks Reception at Alrewas Hayes

Alrewas Hayes recently installed a large gazebo, meaning your wedding can be enjoyed come rain or shine. We quickly set up a confetti shot and then guests got to enjoy the drinks menus and canapes.

I generally give everyone twenty minutes to congratulate the happy couple before we head into the group shots and couple's portraits. I take this time to pop around the various rooms grabbing some important shots that I may have missed in the morning.

Alrewas offers versatile event spaces accommodating both intimate and large weddings plus corporate events.

Groups Photos

Ideally, I like to keep group photos as short as possible. The real fun at any wedding are the natural, candid shots that really capture the emotion of the day. On this occasion, we grab the bridesmaids and immediate family for a short photo session.

Couple's Portraits

I always look forward to a short session with the newlyweds - typically 10-15 minutes and we're done. If you want longer, no problem - I let the couple decide what they're comfortable with. I give gentle guidance where necessary and we always get the most amazing photos.

The Speeches at Alrewas Hayes

The wedding breakfast took place in the Lakeside - a beautiful tranquil area which would also host the evening wedding reception. Rosie and Will made their entrance (with their daughter closely by their side!) whilst all the staff ensured glasses were primed for "cheers".

The speeches are such a mix of laughter and tears! I love capturing guests totally absorbed, maybe even shedding a tear.

After the speeches, guests tuck into their food (which is exceptional) and I take this moment to go through the day's photos and recharge my batteries.

The Evening Reception at Alrewas Hayes

I love an early evening Summer's night - a time for guests to truly relax now the formalities have been taken care of. I continue to take natural photos as the evening unfolds - evening guests arrive, selfies galore, and drink menus fully sampled and we're into the traditional cake cutting and first dance.

The guests are in good spirits as the band rock their set and I really enjoy capturing weddings where guests let loose on the dancefloor!

Alrewas Hayes Wedding Photos

Alrewas Hayes holds a special place in my heart as a charming wedding venue - where I celebrated my very first wedding :-) The current owners, the Williams family, have provided significant hard work in creating a stunning setting for exceptional events.

This historical country estate is a highly sought-after venue for weddings and corporate retreats. Rosie and Will's wedding day was fun-filled and super romantic. Thanks for having me :-)

Located just outside Burton On Trent, away in the heart of Staffordshire, Alrewas Hayes is also a popular venue for Asian weddings. The Great Barn hosts up to 650 guests, and the Lakeside accommodates up to 150.

The Manor house boasts 11 bedrooms overlooking extensive Staffordshire woodland.

Address: Alrewas, Burton-on-Trent DE13 7DL

About Jordan

Jordan is a professional wedding photographer in Staffordshire. She specialises in light-filled, natural photography offering full-day coverage. To check your wedding date, ask a question and discuss all things weddings, get in touch for a friendly chat.

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