A Beautiful Wedding at Fulwood Church with Reception at Thornbridge Hall

Thornbridge Hall Wedding Reception and a Most Joyous Ceremony at Fulwood Church in Sheffield

 

I certainly wasn’t the only one who felt moved by Helen and Jon’s wedding at Christ Church, Fulwood in Sheffield. Helen and Jon are very much a part of the Fulwood Church community and the sheer joy felt by everyone present was very special. And who couldn’t love the wedding reception at Thornbridge Hall?

And so once again I find myself choosing one single word to describe a very special wedding.  Well, finding that one single word to sum up Helen and and Jon’s wedding was in fact really quite easy: “JOYOUS”!  

Getting Ready for the Day

I caught up with Helen, the girls and her mum and dad at the lovely Carriage House in the grounds of Ashford Hall. The photographic story of the day began with laughter and excitement. The girls were sitting around the kitchen table whilst Helen was having her hair expertly attended to by Hannah. And of course there were photographs taken of those all-important details, including the stunning flowers that had already arrived from The Green House in Crookes.

The Wedding at Fulwood Church

This perfect autumn day then made for a colourful drive from the Peak District into the suburbs of Sheffield. Firstly to catch the boys at Fulwood Church. Even before walking into the church I really was taken aback by the amazing autumn colours surrounding the church. The stunning reds of the maples in particular caught the eye. An absolute gift for this particular wedding photographer.

Plenty of photographs were taken of Jon and his groomsmen and the guests arriving.  And of course lots of informals to add to the story, as excited guests were welcomed with great warmth. 

And then to the church gates, where the vicar and I waited with great anticipation for the arrival of Helen and her bridesmaids. I could have chatted with the vicar for ages.  And yes, it was my old friend the blue Vintage VolksWeddings VW camper and even it seemed to be smiling as it approached.

Helen was wearing a beautiful white dress by Cheshire Bridal Wear and the bridesmaids wore a superb deep blue. I won’t try and and describe the dresses in detail as I hope my photographs will do a far better job. But they did look breathtaking!

The Ceremony

Helen walked down the aisle with her father. Capturing the moment when she and Jon first saw each other that day was one of those occasions that are why I so love being a wedding photographer.

The service was a delight. I admit that I couldn’t resist joining in the singing at times, as I “silently” moved around taking photographs. I think I might just have got away with that one.  (Singing in a choir when not being a wedding photographer may have something to do with it.)  It would be so easy to get carried away with describing the whole service in minute detail, but believe me, it was one to remember.

At the end of the ceremony, tea and cake (those cakes looked amazing) were served for the guests.

And so, with some photographs taken in the church grounds under those stunning red maples and loads of confetti, it was off to Thornbridge. But being such a stunner of a day we stopped off on the tops. We just had to take some photographs in front of the gorgeous Peak District views that Jon and Helen so love.

The Reception at Thornbridge Hall

The reception was held at Thornbridge Hall, near Bakewell. This amazing house is just perfect for a wedding or reception. And those gardens are just perfect for a wedding photographer. Guests were welcomed with a drinks reception on the vast lawns. The amazing backdrops of the house and stunning views of the Peak District made it wonderful for a few group photographs and some informals.

Soon the call came for the wedding breakfast. The guests were ushered into the magnificent Carrriage House, ready to welcome their bride and groom and eager for a hearty meal.

Speeches afterwards were enthusiastically received, particularly the joint speech by Helen and Jon. Oh, there was another thing that was almost the highlight of the day. Helen and Jon had bought a barrel of beer from Thornbridge Brewery (who else?) and were learning the art of pulling pints behind the bar. Have to say it looked like they were doing a fine job too.

And then to the dancing.  It seemed that pretty well everyone joined in with the absolutely brilliant ceilidh, hosted by The Heist Ceilidh Band.

And Finally…

So there you have an all-too-brief tale of a dream wedding at Thornbridge Hall and ceremony at Fulwood Church. I hope you enjoy the photographs. I wanted to include all of them, but you just can’t do that in a blog post. If you know anyone else who might enjoy them, please do share the link.

Helen and Jon – your joyous day was amazing. Thanks so much for asking me to be your wedding photographer. So many congratulations! I wish you both so much happiness and a wonderful future together.

hair being done at Ashford Hall before a wedding at Fulwood Church

Five wedding dresses hanging in a window. Bride's dress is white and the four bridesmaids' dresses are blue.

Bride having her hair done with flowers

Groom and best man with dark blue suits and yellow ties at Fulwood Church.

Groom standing in front of Fulwood Church in Sheffield, wearing dark blue suit and yellow tie.

Black and white wedding photograph. Little boy looks up at ushers as they stand by the church door.

Bride and four bridesmaids have just arrived at Fulwood Church. They are sitting in a blue VW camper van.

Bride and her bridesmaids walk up the church path, smiling on the walk to Ecclesall Church wedding.

Black & white wedding photographer captures bride arriving at church, bending to talk to her two flower girls.

Bride in white waits with her father to walk down the aisle in Ecclesall Church in Sheffield.

Bride in white waits with her father to walk down the aisle in Ecclesall Church in Sheffield. Father looks at his daughter.

Bride walks down the aisle at her wedding in Ecclesall Church and is greeted by the groom.

Bride looks at her groom laughing and smiling in church wedding. Black and white wedding photography.

Shot from above, looking down on church ceremony at Ecclesall Church. Showing long flowing white dress from behind.

Black & white wedding ceremony at Ecclesall Church. Bride's mother looks on.

Bride smiles at groom during her church wedding ceremony.

Father

Bride and groom face each other and say their vows. They hold hands during wedding ceremony at Fulwood Church in Sheffield.

Black and white by wedding photographer John Mottershaw. Huge smiles from bride and groom towards the vicar during their ceremony.

Black and white by wedding photographer John Mottershaw. Bride and groom exchange rings during their ceremony at Fulwood Church.

Black and white by wedding photographer John Mottershaw. Bride and groom exchange rings during their ceremony at Fulwood Church.

Celebrant blesses the marriage during a church wedding ceremony.

Black and white wedding photograph in church. The couple embrace after the first kiss.

Black and white wedding photograph in church. The couple embrace after the first kiss and smile happily.

Close up of the hymn sheet at a wedding, being held by the bride as she sings a hymn.

The congregation sing at a church wedding

The congregation sing at a church wedding in Sheffield. Black and white wedding photographer.

Informal wedding photograph. The bride and groom talk to his mother in church.

The smiling group photograph in church as the bride and groom sign the register with witnesses.

The bride and groom smile happily as they walk up the aisle after their church wedding ceremony, in this black and white photograph.

Large group photograph of all the guests taken from above in Fulwood Church in Sheffield.

Wedding party with tea and cake in the church hall, with colourful bunting.

The bridegroom and his guests chat with tea.

Ladies chat with tea after a wedding.

Guests chat with tea after a wedding.

A bride and her bridesmaids pose for the wedding photographer. Colourful autumn colours surround them.

A bride and her bridesmaids pose for the wedding photographer. Colourful autumn colours surround them.

A bride and her bridesmaids chat informally. Autumn colours surround them.

Full length photograph of bride and groom next to a beautiful deep red maple tree with autumn leaves.

Romantic wedding portrait of bride and groom next to a beautiful maple tree with deep red leaves.

Confetti thrown at a wedding at Ecclesall Church in Sheffield.

Wedding photograph of a bride in a long dress stands looking at her groom with stunning views of the Peak District hills behind them

Wedding photograph of a groom looking at his bride, with stunning views of the Peak District hills behind them

Black and white wedding photograph of a bride and groom looking at the camera, with stunning views of the Peak District hills behind them

Wedding photograph of a bride and groom sitting on a white gate, looking at the camera, with stunning views of the Derbyshire Peak District hills behind them

Wedding photograph of a bride and groom sitting on a white gate, with their reflection in the side of a blue camper van

Wedding photograph of the whole wedding party at Thornbridge Hall in Derbyshire, with rolling hills behind them.

Wedding photograph of the bride and groom with parents at Thornbridge Hall in Derbyshire.

Bride with a long flowing white dress, posing with her groom for their wedding photographer in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall.

Black and white photographs of a bride looking up at her groom for their wedding photographer in the grounds of Thornbridge Hall.

Bride and bridesmaid walk across the lawn of Thornbridge Hall in the evening sunshine.

Bride's father makes a speech at Thornbridge Hall.

Bride and groom make a speech together in the window at Thornbridge Hall in Derbyshire.

Black and white wedding photographer: bride listens amused to the speeches at her wedding.

Black and white wedding photographer: groom listens amused to the speeches at his wedding.

Black and white wedding photographer: the best ma's speech at Thornbridge Hall.

The dining room at a wedding at Thornbridge Hall.

The bride and groom talk to their guests after the meal at their wedding at Thornbridge Hall.

The bride and groom laughing, as they talk to their guests after the meal at their wedding at Thornbridge Hall.

Black and white wedding photography. A bridesmaid holds her baby at a wedding at Thornbridge Hall.

Colourful wedding photographs of the carriage House at Thornbridge Hall from the courtyard in the evening light.

A bride and groom serve pints of beer behind the bar at Thornbridge Hall.

The beginning of the dancing at a wedding at Thornbridge Hall. The bride is lined up for the ceilidh.

Black and white photograph of the dancing at a wedding at Thornbridge Hall. The bride and groom take centre stage.

Black and white photograph of the dancing at a wedding at Thornbridge Hall. The bride and groom take centre stage in the background.

 

 

 

 BACK TO BLOG INDEX

 

 

PLEASE DROP ME A LINE!

If you’d like a friendly chat about your wedding photography, whether you’re planning a wedding at Thornbridge Hall or maybe Woodthorpe Hall, The Maynard, Losehill House, Kenwood Hall or any other venue, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d really love to hear about what you’re planning!

Please say hello – I’d love to hear about your wedding!

Please fill in all fields marked with *  (and the numbers box please – it helps reduce spam).  Many Thanks.

13 + 3 =

reportage wedding photograph of bridesmaids looking at bride's wedding ring.