Irnham Hall Wedding Photography
STEPH & TOM SHOW US HOW IT’S DONE AT IRNHAM HALL
I mean that. If you’re looking for wedding inspiration, check this out. Let’s start with the venue, Irnham Hall, what a place! In a beautiful part of the country lies this incredible estate, ran by the legendary Leila and Jamie Benton-Jones. Steph and Tom’s ceremony was held in the estate’s private church before everyone made their way over to the walled garden for the reception. The walk over to the walled garden is beautiful, huge trees, a private allotment and seasonal flowers line the way and once you hit the garden you’ll find the huge water fountain and a converted summer house, which I think used to be a swimming pool, where you enjoy your wedding breakfast.
I met Steph in the morning, she was staying with her bridesmaids in one of the cottages on the estate, I walked into a room full of ladies buzzing with excitement - prosecco, balloons, hair, makeup and personalised flutes. When it was time to get dresses on I wandered around the corner to the pub to meet Tom, the lads and some of the other guests who were also staying locally in Irnham village. Tom was excited, no visible nerves (yet), in fact the biggest commotion was when the best man (Tom’s younger brother) realised he had lost his speech, and he was stressing over it massively. Whilst this was happening the other fellas offered little more than some banterous heckling. Poor fella, although highly entertaining! He eventually found it and calmed himself down with a couple of pre wedding beers. I headed back over to Steph’s cottage now that they were all ready.
It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, minimal breeze, perfect you could say, and it was nice to be able to take a 5 minute walk through Irnham Village down the middle of the road with the bridal party to get to the church. When I arrived at the church Tom seemed to have something in his eye, oh no wait, he was struggling to contain his emotions, which I admire I have to say. It’s a highly emotional moment 15-20 minutes before you see your bride, I remember it well from my own wedding day.
After the ceremony everyone made their way over to the walled garden whilst we got a couple of portraits around the hall. Steph and Tom were greeted into the walled garden with masses of confetti, always great fun to do, and the more the merrier. It’s always the parents and the grandparents who like to take this seriously, I mean it’s always grandma or grandad who shoves confetti down your back or down your dress, every time, they’re the ones to watch out for! The afternoon was spent playing loads of outdoor garden games like pétanque, crouquet and posing with props behind the huge homemade picture frame and sticking your printed Polaroid into the guest book next to your message. An awesome afternoon, loads of fun and sillyness going on. They decided to break up the speeches between courses which worked quite well actually and every single speech was a cracker, well delivered and meaningful. Very entertaining too (see below).
After the speeches and wedding breakfast came to a close most people went back outside as it was still so warm, the build your own gin and tonic bar was open and the evening started to build. A brilliant first dance which ended up with Steph being carried around the dance floor by Tom and a very energetic evening party with an amazing late night burger van with the best burgers I’ve had in a long time. It wasn’t until very late that Steph decided we should throw the bouquet, I mean it was late, pitch black outside but it was well worth it, I’ve never seen such an explosive reaction by everyone when it was caught. Everyone jumping up and down screaming with excitement.
A beautiful day, so many memories made. Loved every minute, Very well done!
