Real Wedding · Staffordshire
Standon Hall Wedding Photographer
Faye & Liam, an autumn wedding in full
Faye and Liam married at Standon Hall on a golden October day, a luxury venue near Eccleshall with a Harry Potter thread woven through the whole celebration. I was there from the morning preparations through to the last dance, and what follows is their autumn wedding, told the way it unfolded.
If you are planning your own day here, I hope this gives you a real feel for what Standon Hall creates. You can see more of my wedding photography in Staffordshire across the county, and read on for Faye and Liam’s day from start to finish.
Stage 01 / The Morning
Bridal Preps at Standon Hall
I arrive at this grade II listed building around two hours before the ceremony. It is how I always like to start, with time to get a feel for the venue, photograph the bride getting ready, and say hello to the groom and his team. Standon is not your typical wedding venue either, a lovely mix of original period features and a warm, modern interior that makes you feel right at home.
After a scout around the building and the beautifully landscaped gardens, I meet Faye and her bridal team having their hair and makeup done. Faye and Liam are devoted Harry Potter fans, so there are subtle nods to the series throughout, along with a scattering of pumpkins for the late October mood. A few candid and posed frames here, then I head to the Pebbles suite to find Liam and his groomsmen, a touch of cufflink and tie fine-tuning, and we are almost ready for the ceremony.
Standon wears its Harry Potter theme beautifully without ever tipping into kitsch, the references are there for those who look, woven through the styling alongside the autumn pumpkins and the venue’s own period character. By the time the finishing touches are done, the morning has that lovely settled hum to it, everyone ready, the day about to begin.
Stage 02 / The Vows
The Ceremony at Standon Hall
I join Liam in the ceremony room as he waits for his bride. It is a beautifully lit space, the chandeliers and foliage adding to an already enchanting setting. The light here makes my job easy, and there is a real sense of anticipation as the room settles and the first notes begin.
Faye looks simply beautiful as she walks down the aisle with her dad, and with so much natural light pouring in, the moment is an easy one to capture. It is a thoughtful service, full of heartfelt vows and plenty of happy tears.
Vows exchanged and rings on, Faye and Liam are married. They turn to their friends and family as husband and wife, and the room lifts with applause before everyone spills out to celebrate.
Stage 03 / Confetti & Cocktails
The Drinks Reception at Standon Hall
Before the guests get their reception drinks, we nip outside for the confetti shot. Then I give everyone fifteen minutes or so to do their thing, the congratulatory hugs and well wishes for the bride and groom that make this part of the day so warm.
Guests mingle both inside the botanical bar, where an acoustic guitarist plays, and outside in front of the magnificent mansion. Signature cocktails in hand, everyone settles into the easy rhythm of the afternoon.
While the guests relax, I slip into the Bookends suite where the wedding breakfast will take place. The Harry Potter theme is in full swing, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and Slytherin tables, and I capture the finer details: the venue decor, the fine art, the antique fireplace, the table settings and personal touches that make the day theirs.
Stage 04 / Groups & Portraits
Group Photos & Portraits at Standon Hall
We head outside for the group photos, where the landscaped gardens give incredible backdrops. I keep this part of the day on the shorter side, so Faye and Liam get to spend more time with each other and their guests.
Then we take a romantic stroll around the serene grounds for the couple portraits. Every couple is different, so I let Faye and Liam decide how long we spend here. My style is relaxed and easygoing, though I can never resist a few artfully posed frames, and the landscaped gardens complement them perfectly.
Planning Your Day
Photos like these at Standon Hall?
If you like how Faye and Liam’s day comes across, take a look at my wedding photography services and the way I work across the day.
View Pricing & PackagesStage 05 / The Feast
The Wedding Breakfast at Standon Hall
Guests are called in for their wedding feast and welcome Faye and Liam into the candle-lit Bookends suite. In true wedding day tradition, we go straight into the speeches, which is often one of my favourite parts of the day. You are never quite sure what you are going to get: awful jokes, heartfelt moments, raised eyebrows and the odd embarrassing story.
Happily there were none of the latter, and friends and family raised a toast to the happy couple in the warm candlelight of the Bookends suite.
Stage 06 / As Night Falls
The Evening Reception
An autumn evening settles over the venue and the day eases into its slower, golden rhythm.
As the autumn evening falls, the day takes a slower pace. Guests drift between the Pebbles suite and the botanical bar, dressed in fresh florals, as the evening arrivals begin to appear. I keep capturing the natural, relaxed moments before we head back into the Bookends suite for the time-honoured traditions of the cake cutting and first dance.
The dance floor is always a fun time for a wedding photographer. It becomes the focal point of the evening, and there is nothing quite like watching the reserved day guests transform into the ones who close the place down. Cake cut, first dance done, the night belongs to everyone now.
From the Couple
“Everything was relaxed and easy. Thank you, Jordan!”
— Faye & Liam
Final Thoughts
Faye & Liam’s Standon Hall Wedding Photos
Standon Hall is a luxury wedding venue steeped in history and character, set just outside the quaint market town of Eccleshall. With its striking interiors, picturesque gardens and attentive team, it makes an elegant, characterful backdrop for a wedding, and Faye and Liam’s autumn day, Harry Potter theme and all, shows exactly what it can be.
From the morning preparations to the candle-lit Bookends suite and the last dance, it was a joy to photograph from start to finish.
The best days are the ones that feel relaxed and easy, exactly as they should.
If you are putting together a shortlist of your own, take a look at more luxury Staffordshire wedding venues, or read more about how I work.
Jordan Fox
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