Comberemere Abbey Wedding Photography
All Season Walled Garden Venue
I’m lucky enough to get to photograph at Combermere Abbey quite often. It forms part of my regular rotation of wedding venues in Cheshire. Its outdoorsy charm sings to me and my photography. The best part about it though; it’s backdrop is nature amongst its walled garden. Every wedding looks completely unique, beautiful and timeless.
Planning your special day at Combermere Abbey?
Combermere Abbey is such a beautiful place which I have photographed so many times. I love returning time and time again so why not drop me message and find out a little more?
Behind the Scenes at Combermere Abbey
Through the magic of a 360 camera, I’m able to capture behind-the-scenes content on my wedding days to show my current and future couples exactly what it would like for them to have me along at their Combermere Abbey wedding day
All of these videos and more are captured in the most subtle way making sure to not disrupt the wedding day at all. I feel the connection between a couple and their photographer is a really important factor hence why I wanted to show this part of my work as well. I’m not like every wedding photographer and showing you these behind-the-scenes videos from Combermere hopefully helps me to reinforce that statement.
@adamlowndesphotography Spinning in the arches at Combermere Abbey to make a great wedding photograph for this awesome wedding of Ifaliana & Adam #combermerabbey #combermere #flashphotography #flash #weddingflashphotography #flashatnight #flashportrait #godoxad200 #godox #godoxad200pro #godoxlighting #cheshirewedding ♬ Calm - Faneo sound
@adamlowndesphotography Evening Cigar Portrait with Lani & James at Combermere Abbey, Cheshire. Lit with Hobolite Avants. 1 in Front, 1 Behind. #cheshirewedding #combermereabby #combermere #hobolite #hoboliteavant #weddingphotography ♬ original sound - 𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗺 Lowndes - Photography
@adamlowndesphotography Wedding Portraits captured at Combermere Abbey’s North Wing in front of the gorgeous Mere. I love photographing at this venue. Two photographs, similar poses from different angles. #combermereabbey #combermere #whitchurch #weddingphotography ♬ Echos in My Mind (Lofi) - Muspace Lofi
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who will make your day incredible, special and suited to you, Adam is your man. From our initial Zoom call, Adam put us immediately at ease and it felt more like a chat with a friend than a client/businessman relationship.
He took the best aspects of what personified our relationship and brought them together naturally and effortlessly on our wedding day through his incredible photos. We can’t thank him enough for not only the effort put in, in terms of taking photographs, requests people had and impromptu photos during the day but also for being an absolute trooper before the ceremony and a human Swiss Army knife between both camps. I would highly recommend Adam if you are looking for a wedding photographer, 10/10 no notes.
Lani & James
Comberemere Abbey, 2024
Years of Historic Natural and Architectural Beauty
This 1,000-year-old country estate is in a complete class of its own when it comes to luxurious wedding venues in Cheshire. Bordering the Shropshire border Combermere Abbey is a private estate now owned by Sarah Callander Beckett with it has been in her family for over 100 years.
The Combermere story is one of many sagas and goes back to the 12th century when the Lord of Nantwich, Hugh de Malbank began using the area for a Cistercian monastery. In its heyday, it boasted 22 monks and 22,000 acres of land but all of this came to an end when Henry VIII took a personal vendetta against Catholicism.
Like many monasteries, Combermere was repurposed into a private wealthy family home and the building was extended to house servant quarters and emulate the more familiar gothic architecture you see today. Spending most of it’s years as a private home it was then brought by Sir Kenneth Crossley of Crossley Motors fame at the start of the 20th century.
Facing many hard years Combermere’s most notable use was for serving as an evacuee centre for girls during WWII. Towards the end of the 20th century, it started to decay away from its former glory and was passed down to Sir Kenneth’s granddaughter, Lady Lindsay. In 1992 the current owner, Sarah Callender Beckett took on the estate and began extensive restorations which continue to this day bringing Combermere into the current day whilst respecting its vast heritage.
Although the home and the solid structures of the Combermere Estate houses speak a very architecturally historical story it’s nothing compared to the story the rolling parkland or the ancient woodlands could speak. Combermere’s fusion of outdoor and indoor space is what makes it one of the most sought-after venues in Cheshire and the UK. All of this comes to a head in the vastly magnificent Victorian Walled Garden where all of the main events of any wedding day are hosted. Not many wedding venues can boast the all-season trope but Combermere shouts it from the rooftops and rightly so. Walled Garden weddings differ day to day and even more so season to season making a wedding in Winter just as magical as a Wedding in Spring.
A Walled Garden for All Seasons
I often describe Combermere as a timeless wedding venue. With services lit by natural light in the Edwardian Glasshouse, drinks receptions served amongst the historic natural beauty of the Victorian Walled Garden and wedding breakfasts catered to exactly in The Pavillion you just can’t get more beautiful wedding photographs which will look like they were taken yesterday at any other wedding venue. The whole character of the place is devised from nature and nature never goes out of fashion.
With the option of getting ready on site available to all couples, you’re never far away from your big day on the morning of your wedding. No rushing out of the door or having to go back for something it’s all their with you and a saunter up the long drive is the only travelling you’ll have to commit to meaning there’s so much more time to enjoy your wedding day.
Four ceremony options at Combermere Abbey provide enough choice to satisfy even the pickiest of couples. The Edwardian Glasshouse nestled to the rear of the Victorian Walled Garden is the favourite amongst brides and/or grooms as it provides the simplest option and only indoor option onsite. If you’re lucky enough to have the British weather on the side when you say “I Do” then you can choose to marry outdoors and opt for several prearranged positions including the Fruit Maze and the Garden Arbour for a more intimate occasion. For those couples looking to things in a more traditional fashion then there are several churches nearby which often host couples of the Estate. With St Mary’s and St Michael’s Church, Burleydam and Audlem Saint James The Great Church being the closest.
From here your day opens up onto the lush lawns and beautiful gardens surrounding you. Sipping champagne beneath blue skies whilst your guests enjoy outdoor entertainment or lawn games is a very popular way to enjoy your drinks reception. Should the blue skies not be on your side then The Pavillion at Combermere Abbey hosts a communal area with a large bar run by Gorilla Events for you and your guests to enjoy. Custom cocktail requests are encouraged and the expert team at Gorilla Events are expertly set up to handle any outlandish drinks ideas.
Moving on to your wedding breakfast, the large Pavillion offers super adaptable space for any wedding size and can be laid out in any old way to satisfy your wedding planning needs. The communal area remains separate for those people wanting a bit more of a lounge into the evening whilst the dance floor is either already set up or moved in within the evening giving a great party atmosphere for you and your guests.
Meals are served by either Olive Tree or Pickled Walnut who’ve been working alongside Combermere for many years so you can rest assured you’re in great hands when it comes to enjoying a dining experience you’ll remember forever.
As is becoming the norm for wedding venues Combermere has its own accommodation options giving your guests the great option to roll off of the dance floor and into their beds. With many different layouts and a private Honeymoon Suite, you’ll find accommodation to suit any needs.
Don’t just take my word for how great Combermere Abbey is, they’ve been recognised with awards for several years by independent panels. Most notably, they won the Hudson award for Best Wedding Venue in 2016.
Photographing Amongst the Most Natural Setting
Combermere is hands down one of the best indoor civil ceremony venues in the country let alone the county to photograph in. Any photographer will tell you the trials of photographing within a dark church. It brings an air of atmosphere for sure but the ease of shooting within the Edwardian Glasshouse is just something which makes the job so much easier allowing me to focus on every little moment unfolding before my lens.
With the beautifully simplistic natural backdrops of nature and the rustic Victorian Walled Garden walls, your wedding photographs will never cease to look stunning at Combermere. Spacious pathways, archways and lush lawns give great backdrops for your formal portraits and big group photographs.
Then when it comes time to have your own photos taken you can escape in style in a vintage Crossley to explore more photograph opportunities at the Abbey, enchanting lake and beautiful brick stables before returning to your guests. If disappearing from your guests isn’t your thing then you can easily just saunter through the gardens and capture incredible photographs around each turn. The Yew Tree Avenue is one definitely not to be missed from the shot list!
To be able to do my job to the best of my abilities I need to be working alongside some other kick-ass suppliers and events teams. Combermere has the event team side of things sussed and every wedding I’ve attended there is truly magical which makes being a Combermere Abbey wedding photographer one of the best jobs in the world.
Meet Adam Lowndes
A Comberemere Abbey Wedding photographer
No matter your race, colour, creed, or sexuality, you are everything to me. I wouldn’t live this incredible photography dream job without you. I can’t help but be your absolute wedding hero.
My couples are usually super down to earth and are planning a relaxed fun wedding day surrounded by all those people they love. I love a party! So when it comes to weddings I can’t help but get wrapped up in the magic of your day. Getting so stuck in with your wedding allows me to translate so much more feeling into my photographs. At some point, you’ll want a few awesome photographs of the two of you. These photographs will take minutes and not hours so we can get straight back to the party. Oh and those family formal portraits, don’t worry about them, they’ll be zero hassle.
With my super extraverted personality I’ll be one of the most excited guests from the moment I arrive. It won’t take your wedding party long to assume we are lifelong friends.