Weston Hall Wedding – Amy and Al
Weston Hall Wedding Photography
I photographed Amy and Al at the very grand Weston Hall. A joyous day with smiles and happiness throughout. Here’s is their story:
Host your Wedding and Reception in an Elegant Country House
Weston Hall allows you a choice of venues for your special day. The Westminster space contains two fireplaces, exposed oak ceiling beams, and lovely chandeliers. Create the dinner of your dreams in this bright room, arranging your desired floor plan and leaving room for dancing and drinks. The Shrewsbury room is an equally versatile space for a ceremony or dinner, and similar to the Westminster, can be set up with a separate bar and a dance floor. In the Shrewsbury, large windows overlook the grounds and are complemented by elegant curtains and lush carpeting.
The Talbot offers a more intimate setting, with a fireplace, a black and white tiled floor, mullioned windows and a large wooden dining table overhung by a chandelier. The Talbot is ideal for a small civil ceremony or for a casual wedding breakfast, or for whatever you have in mind for this dazzling room. The Conservatory is another smaller space, located adjacent to the Westminster room. It is an airy room with windows out to the grounds. Whether using the Conservatory as a separate buffet space or as a children’s play area, this space is another way that Weston Hall allows you to have as many options as possible in designing your event.
Finally, the Terrace is a lovely outdoor spot with groomed shrubberies and plants, fountains and covered tables for dining and drinks, weather permitting. Relax and unwind with your friends and family in this enchanting outdoor haven.
Accommodation and Amenities
Weston Hall has eight bedrooms available for guests, including a honeymoon suite, so that your wedding party can stay on site if desired. The bedrooms are all on the top floor of the Hall, affording guests literally the best views in the house. The guest rooms are all individually designed and uniquely furnished, with vaulted ceilings, exposed oak beams, fireplaces, seating areas, four poster beds, and more.
Breakfast is served daily for guests. Additionally, your wedding party can enjoy a meal in the Cellar restaurant which uses local meat and produce to serve excellent English fare. Enjoy dishes such as smoked duck breast, baked brie, or scallops and desserts including lemon cheesecake and pecan and toffee bread & butter pudding. The Cellar also serves a cosy Afternoon Tea, with an assortment of savory snacks, sandwiches, scones and pastries. Tea is offered daily until 5 pm. The tea menu can be enhanced with a glass of champagne or beer as well.
History of Weston Hall
Weston Hall’s origins date to 1550 when the property was first built as a Dower House, a dwelling built specifically for the widow of an estate owner. The Hall has undergone many changes since the mid-sixteenth century, all of which add to its rich and interesting history. In 1660, Weston Hall was extended as three high-pitched gable roofs were added. A fourth gable was added in the late nineteenth century when Shrewsbury Settled Estates purchased the property.
In 1950, the property was sold again and converted into multiple flats. By the late twentieth century, it had fallen into disrepair. Restoration work began in the 1990s when a local businessman renovated the building and introduced function rooms and a restaurant. Finally, the current owners opened Weston Hall in November 2012 as a beautifully restored country house with a restaurant, eight guest rooms, and multiple venues for private events, including, of course, weddings.
Location of Weston Hall
Just five miles off the M6, Weston Hall is easily accessible from across the United Kingdom. It is located just outside of the town of Stafford in Staffordshire in the Midlands. In around one hour, one can reach Weston Hall by car from either Birmingham Airport or Manchester Airport. Driving from London takes approximately three hours. The nearest train station is Stafford Station which boasts trains to London in under two hours’ running time and is located a 10-minute drive from the Hall.
Explore Staffordshire
The nearby village of Weston boasts the Saracen’s Head pub which includes an outdoor beer garden and plenty of local ales. The pub is a one-minute walk from Weston Hall, so you shouldn’t get lost on the way. Another local attraction is Amerton Farm & Craft Centre which includes a children’s barn, wildlife centre, gift shop and restaurant. Amerton Farm can be reached within a five-minute drive of Weston Hall.
Stafford, originally founded around 70 CE, is a picturesque town for your guests to explore before or after the wedding. They can visit Stafford Castle, built around 1090 by the Normans, and St. Chad’s Church, constructed in the twelfth century. The Ancient High House is a museum set in the oldest timber-framed townhouse in England. The Shire Hall Gallery, originally built as a courthouse and city offices, is now an art gallery with rotating exhibitions. Stafford was first connected to the rest of England by rail in 1837 and continues to attract visitors today.
Stoke-on-Trent is the largest town in Staffordshire, with a population of around 262,000 people. The town is famous for its pottery and is the ceramics capital of the UK with multiple museums and galleries still focused on the trade today. Alton Towers, the UK’s largest amusement park, is also a draw to Stoke-on-Trent. Another popular attraction in Staffordshire is the Uttoxeter Racecourse, home to 25 annual meets including the Midlands Grand National. The racecourse is about a 15-minute drive from Weston Hall.
Weston Hall Wedding Photographer – Becky and Sam
Weston Hall summer wedding
Weston Hall in Staffordshire is a wonderful wedding venue that has recently undergone a renovation. I met Becky and Sam there a few weeks before their wedding and it was the first time I had been to this venue. I have to say I can see exactly why couples choose to get married here. It’s a stunning building that really easily combines modern and traditional styles together. There are four floors including a cellar bar with a variety of drinks on offer including two real ales. The brickwork offers a stunning colour that is lit up at night resulting in a very grand piece of architecture that offers an almost gothic look to it. The staff there were also excellent and they made sure the wedding went without any hiccups. When you get married at Weston Hall you get exclusive use of their outside patio which is carefully landscaped and a wonderful place to enjoy a drink and a canope after the wedding ceremony.
Becky and Sam booked me to be their wedding photographer last summer. They came to visit me in my gallery before it was fully finished and I liked them the moment we first met. Becky is a very bubbly bride full of smiles and with a very sharp sense of humour. She looked beautiful on her wedding day and looked to enjoy the whole day from start to finish, taking everything in her stride. Sam is a true gentlemen, very genuine and the kind of guy that you can’t help but want to be around. Put them together and photographing weddings like this is a joy.
We had a really lovely day at Weston Hall and the weather was lovely all day. This was actually the first time I had seen a Super Moon and seeing it that day gave me the idea for what I eventually turned into my supermoon silhouette of my children later in September. As the evening went on it was obvious that this was going to become a very clear evening so I waited around until it was dark enough and then captured a beautiful photograph of Becky and Sam outside Weston Hall with a stunning starry sky.
I hope you enjoy Becky and Sams wedding photographs as much as I enjoyed taking them. If you are looking to book a wedding photographer and you are interested in my availability and rates be sure to contact me here.