Dorfold Hall Wedding Photographer | Fran & Jack
A Beautiful Country Hall Inside & Out
About 20+ years ago I became friends with a boy in my primary school. Come to the end of primary school our paths diverted and we went our separate ways. Our lives passed and crossed here and there but it wasn’t until Jack got in touch to plan his and Fran’s Dorfold Hall wedding that I finally go to catch up on the 20+ years which had passed. This is the beauty of this job; not only do I get to see new amazing couples I meet share such an emotional day but I also get to strike a chord with those from past parts of my life.
I’d never graced the grounds of Dorfold Hall before so was really excited to stamp my name upon it. Jen, Ceri, and the team there made me feel right at home straight away which I’m always forever thankful for as it helps me embed myself so quickly in the day. I have to say it’s an incredible place with beauty inside and out.
The Dorfold Hall day was an absolute riot full of emotion and laughter throughout. I couldn’t have asked for Fran and Jack to be easier to work with than they were. I find myself more and more these days just being able to start shooting without any prior talk about it, I usually just stroll in, make myself at home then start shooting. It’s amazing how over time my approach has changed so much.
A Cheshire Wedding Gem
I loved being a part of Fran & Jack’s intimate wedding plans at Dorfold Hall and would love to do it again. I often venture further afield to photograph weddings and I don’t charge for the pleasure. I find it incredibly exciting actually and really relish the opportunity to shoot within a new space and a new wedding adventure.
My style of wedding photography is built on a great relationship with my couples. All of my weddings are different and unique; even if I was to shoot again at Dorfold Hall. Time on your wedding day is really important to me as I’m sure it is for you too. So if I can help it I don’t really want you to miss a thing and would love you to remember as much as possible. This caring and relaxed approach to my wedding photography is the reason why so many couples recommend me. They always say it feels like a friend is taking their photographs and not a photographer.
The History Of The Hall
Passing under the Nantwich Aqueduct which carries the Shropshire Union Canal Main Line you’ll head west out of Nantwich town and almost immediately around the first bend of the B5341 Chester Road, you’ll see the grand entrance for Dorfold Hall. Wedged between Henhull, Swanley, Edleston, and Nantwich Town; Dorfold Hall is an 800-acre idyllic English countryside stately home estate complete with a gorgeous home, beautifully renovated annexed buildings, and gorgeous gardens.
This stately home is a Grade I listed mansion of the Jacobean Revival architectural style sitting within Acton in Cheshire. Nikolaus Pevsner, a famous scholar in the history of architecture claimed Dorfold Hall to be one of the two finest Jacobean homes within the UK.
As you approach the forecourt of Dorfold it’s impossible to miss the stunning stone sculpture of a Mastiff and her pups. This stunning stone sculpture was imported from a Paris exhibition and is the work of Pierre Louis Rouillard.
The main hall as it exists today was built between 1616 and 1612 but there have been recordings of a manor on the site during the reign of King Henry III circa 1216-1272. It now sits in the same family it has done for over 400 years since its inception. The current custodians, Charles and Candice Roundell along with their two sons and a small but mighty team of events managers and groundskeepers keep the Hall looking spectacular enabling it to be one of the premier wedding venues in the area.
In 2018 ambitious plans were submitted to build upon the current village of Acton providing more homes, a village green, and a pub from a piece of the estate. To enable them to do the Roundell’s and their team at Dorfold have worked tirelessly to create an incredible wedding venue including a huge investment into a permanent purpose-built wedding structure in keeping with the look and feel of Dorfold. In the past, Dorfold like Combermere Abbey has relied on a marquee set up within its stunning grounds.
The Dorfold estate is also home to Nantwich Showground which has been used for all manner of events in the past including the Nantwich Country Show and an annual fireworks display for Bonfire Night.
Your Wedding Day At Dorfold
A wedding day at Dorfold is incredible, to say the least. The renovation of their current buildings has allowed guests to stay on-site in utter luxury and also get themselves ready there during the morning.
Or maybe you’d like to get ready elsewhere then arrive in style along the tree-lined avenue leading up to the hall.
If you’re looking to contain your whole day at Dorfold then this is easily done as their stunning Coach House is licensed to host a beautiful wedding ceremony which is based to operate under the Your Ceremony registrars.
For those wishing to marry within Christianity, you have a few nearby churches to say your “I Do’s” within, including St Mary’s Church Acton, St Michael’s Church Baddiley, and the grand St Mary’s Church in the heart of Nantwich town.
Taking your wedding reception drinks upon the formal grass lawns at the rear of the property is the most beautiful way to relax after your big moment in the spotlight. If you need an extra bit of privacy then a short walk down the garden to the absolutely spectacular arcadia which is a miniature walled garden growing flowers along a pathway towards a quaint bench.
The Dorfold Hall team are currently working around the clock to deliver their brand new event space, L’ Écurie. Appropriately named The Stable after being built upon the old derelict stable block. This will provide a dedicated large purpose-built event space for you and your guests to relax within during your wedding breakfast and your evening meal.
Photographing Amongst Rolling Cheshire Countryside
Being a wedding photographer at Dorfold Hall is the stuff of dreams. It would seem that not only have they considered their pairing of historic with contemporary stylings but also how these will result in light traveling within their spaces. Resulting in the venue being absolutely beautiful to photograph.
I love working alongside Jen, Ceri, and the rest of the events team at Dorfold Hall. We all seem to be singing from the same hymn sheet when it comes to putting our couples at the foremost position of our considerations.
Whether it’s photographing within the main Hall, the Coach House, the walled garden, the formal lawns, the Clock Tower, or the soon to be built L’Écurie it’s all just magical, and framing my couples within it is such a gift to me.
Dorfold Hall Wedding Photography