I’ve photographed quite a few weddings at Fanhams Hall this year so it is about time that I included one of them here on the blog! Fanhams Hall is a gorgeous Hertfordshire wedding venue. I can’t think of any other place that offers so many amazing locations for wedding photography all within one venue like Fanhams does.
The hall itself is a beautiful Jacobean mansion, a historic and grand setting for weddings, this is where my day started. I arrived early and made my way upstairs to the bridal prep room. Jess and her bridesmaids were enjoying a morning of pampering and prosecco. Everyone was happy and excited for the day ahead!
As I began to snap away Holly and Mary-Jane of Wilde Hill Florists arrived with Jessica’s bouquet. It was safe to say that the bride was absolutely thrilled with their work!
I left the prep room for a few minutes, joining the florists as they went up to The Long Gallery to add the final touches on their flower arrangements for the ceremony. Everything looked beautiful, and as always, it was a pleasure to photograph their work.
Experienced Fanhams Hall Wedding Photographer
It was lovely to see sisters Helen and Rachel of Alexander Wedding Belles on hair and makeup too. Our paths often cross on wedding day mornings and it is always so nice to shoot alongside them whilst they do their fabulous work!
The boys were getting ready in another room adjacent to The Long Gallery. They were having a great laugh, not least since they were changing into traditional kilt outfits. This was something that not all of the guys were familiar with so there were some hilarious moments! Once dressed they all looked amazing, particularly groom Liam who looked super smart. The pop of red in the tartan, ties and pocket squares looks great in the photos and the outfits suited the elegant venue perfectly.
Back in the bridal prep room Jess was helped into her dress by her mum and sister. She looked stunning with glamourous loose flowing curls like a classic Hollywood actress. Her dress was a strapless a line gown made with beautiful guipure lace complete with detachable armlets to which she added a long flowing veil. It was a timeless and elegant look.
Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer
When Jessica was ready we arranged a first look for her dad, which proved very emotional for everyone and such a special moment. Immediately after this Jess did another reveal for her grandmother and her bridesmaids. Lots more tears, big hugs and makeup retouches!
As the guests gathered in the elegant Long Gallery Liam anxiously awaited the arrival of his bride, best man at his side providing excellent moral support! Then, Jessica made a beautiful entrance on her father’s arm. He beamed with pride throughout the whole walk (and the entire ceremony too!).
Hertfordshire Wedding Ceremony Photographer
Led by registrars from the Hertfordshire Registration Service, the ceremony was a pleasure to photograph. There were beaming smiles and tears of happiness. When the couple were announced as husband and wife a roar of cheers and applause filled the room.
Outside on the historic terrace we arranged a fun confetti run for Jessica and Liam. Then, with a little help from the lovely staff at Fanhmas I popped upstairs to get a great shot of the whole wedding congregation from one of the upper floor windows!
It would rarely be a British wedding day without a little rain. It started to get a little cooler and wetter outside so the guests retreated in to the cosy library for drinks and canapés. We held off from the family photos for a half hour until things cleared up. You often have to work a bit flexibly like this on a wedding day, our unpredictable weather being what it is!
With those family photos in the bag, Jess and Liam were chauffeured into the vast Fanhams gardens aboard a golf buggy so that we could grab some couples photos together. This is always such a fun thing to do at Fanhams Hall!
Storytelling Wedding Photography in Hertfordshire
There are so many stunning locations to use throughout the gardens here. The formal gardens and fountains always look immaculate, there is a long walkway covered with hanging wisteria, and there is even a Japanese tea house complete with reflection pond and stunning traditional red bridge. But, it is the tall pines that are my most favourite area to photograph. They look great in all conditions, on this day which was heavily overcast, the light was naturally soft. We used this to our advantage and made wedding portraits that were richly saturated with lovely deep contrast.
After a nice walk together in the gardens we whisked Jess and Liam back to the mansion house to re-join the guests and the reception drinks.
I busied myself taking images of the beautiful table set up and decorations. Then the guests made their way into The Great Hall for the wedding breakfast and those all-important wedding speeches.
With guests seated, Jessica and Liam were announced into the room amidst whoops, cheers and napkin waving by everyone! It remained very overcast outside making it darker inside the hall so I set up flash lighting around the room. I do this so that I can snap away and still get really lovely shots despite the darker conditions. This is a skill that is really important for weddings during the winter months (or any time of year dependant on the conditions).
Winter Wedding Photographer
With evening guests arriving it was time for Jess and Liam to cut their wedding cake. A pretty 3 tier semi naked cake adorned with big sunflowers to match Jess’s floral theme. And then, with the cake carefully moved from the dance floor the couple danced their first dance together as husband and wife.
The band kicked off the party with some classic tracks and had the dance floor filled. I love this part of the day, it’s so much fun bopping around the dancefloor grabbing endless candid moments!
Fanhams Hall Wedding Photography
Towards the end of the night I asked the guys if they would like to pop outside to do a last picture together. Then I went ahead to set up some portable studio flash outside. We used one of the big arched entrances to the manor house and had great fun making some dramatic photos before getting Jess and Liam quickly back inside to the fun (and warmth!) of the party!
It was such a privilege to photograph this epic wedding day with Jessica and Liam, congratulations and thank you so much for everything!
If you are planning a wedding at Fanhams in Hertfordshire or somewhere further afield, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to chat to me about how we can capture lots and lots of beautiful photos of it!
