Janet Wareing Photography

A Stunning Summer Wedding in Chester - St Columbas Church and Willington Hall - Alex and Rob

On a beautifully clear summer morning, I arrived in Chester to photograph the wedding day of Alex and Rob.

Our day was to begin by capturing the preparations, both of the bride and groom. It's a great pleasure of mine to be able to offer both the bride and groom a look behind the scenes at their new spouse's wedding preparations - it's a touching (and often funny) insight into the happiness of closest friends and family coming together to prepare for such a momentous day.

It had been over a year since I had initially met with Alex and Rob for their wedding photography consultation; and they had kept in touch with updates on their developments in the intervening months. I couldn't help but feel invested in their day.

Alex's preparations were to be at her family home, which was a hive of happy activity when I arrived, family and friends all getting ready under one roof, just perfect for a documentary wedding photographer - there was no shortage of lovely moments to capture as their story began to unfold.

Meanwhile, over in Liverpool, my partner in crime was getting himself ready to knock on the door of Alex and Rob's home, and meet the groom and his groomsmen.

He was in for a fun-filled morning!

These guys have been friends since school, have shared many experiences together and definitely have a sense of humour in common!

Alex made her entrance to the wedding in a 1 of a kind vintage Rolls Royce, stepping out of it in her delicate bead and lace adorned dress, she could not have looked more perfect.

The happiness of these two as their eyes met at St Columbas Church was clear to see.

The couple had a traditional Catholic ceremony, surrounded by their closest friends and family.

After an epic confetti exit, the two climbed back into the classic car and were whisked away to Willington Hall, to meet their guests and celebrate.

The hall was the perfect setting for their laid-back afternoon of fun.

Alex and Rob had brought lawn games for all of their wedding guests to enjoy, and even created their own home made photo booth complete with props and backdrop - they had made sure their guests would be thoroughly entertained.

With the doors of Willington Hall's glorious Orangery opened wide, the guests spread onto the lawns to enjoy the sunny weather, play croquet and toast the wedding.

As the day wound on, the guests gathered to eat and followed their meal with touching speeches, pausing to remember together those who were sadly unable to be with them and to reminisce on wonderful memories that brought the couple to this place in time.

Personal touches really made Alex and Rob's wedding precious, along with everything the couple themselves had created, family had worked to make the wedding wonderful.

Hand stitched napkins sat waiting for each guest at the wedding breakfast and all friends and family were asked to write a message to the couple on a square of fabric, to be made into a quilt for the newly weds to use, all carefully made by Rob's mum.

After cutting their cake, topped with ring-bearing cartoon figures of their favourite animals, Alex and Rob kicked off the night's celebrations with their first dance.