I recently was invited to provide Dan and Lisa’s Pendrell Hall wedding photography. Set amidst six acres of landscaped gardens in Codsall Wood near Wolverhampton, this West Midlands wedding location offers an exclusive use no corkage venue with elegant and authentic Victorian décor that oozes character and romance.
I hadn’t done wedding photography at Pendrell Hall before so I was eager to soak up the atmosphere and explore. Upon arrival the Hall made an immediate impression, and I started the day taking wide landscape photos of the Country House against an epic late summer skyscape. I then joined Lisa and her ensemble in the ‘Love is Enough’ bridal suite. A mirrored wall and plenty of daylight flooding in through the period stone windows made for a great preparation space, and the hair and makeup team from Urban Hair soon began working their magic.
Across the hall, Dan and the boys were getting ready in The Pimpernel Suite – a dressing room specifically designed for the Groom and his Groomsmen. This was an equally stunning room, and Dan looked fab in a blue herringbone tweed suit with a white rose buttonhole. It’s usually at this point that I take a few photos of the wedding rings, so it was a great surprise when Dan opened the box to reveal a pair of Haribos! Of course, he had the actual rings – a beautiful pair from Warren James.
As the guests arrived, I headed back for the final bridal prep. Lisa looked gorgeous in a lace sleeve gown, with a bouquet of white and lilac roses and veronica (aka purple illusion). She then descended the oak staircase on her father’s arm – a wonderful place for father and daughter photos just before heading to the civil ceremony. The original Arts & Crafts period oak staircase is definitely something special. A memorable highlight for any Pendrell Hall Wedding Photographer.
The civil ceremony took place in the Morning Room which is stylishly decorated with timber wall paneling and an oak inglenook (which isn’t a word you hear nowadays!) otherwise known as a chimney corner. Dan and Lisa looked radiant together as they said their vows, their smiles further brightening the room. There was a moment of shared laughter when the rings were revealed – and no, they weren’t Haribos!
With the marriage certificate signed, the newlyweds enjoyed a celebratory glass of champagne in the Drawing Room before heading out onto the private driveway for confetti and formal group photos. The lush green lawns and red brick façade of the house made for a great afternoon doing wedding photography at Pendrell Hall. And we were just in time for the sunshine too!
The surrounding woodlands and fields provided a wonderfully peaceful setting for Dan and Lisa’s newlywed photo shoot. One of my favourite locations for doing Pendrell Hall wedding photography was the vintage-inspired English Garden Bandstand situated on the lawn. Had the heavens opened it would have been a great place to seek shelter. I remember a red admiral butterfly came and landed on Lisa’s bouquet during the photo shoot – a rare and fantastic moment!
The lightness of each room truly makes it a pleasure to do Pendrell Hall wedding photography, and The Ballroom was no exception with its stained-glass skylights and high paneled ceiling. Dan and Lisa chose their adventures in London as their reception theme. Each table was named after a place they had visited in the capital city: Abbey Road, Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square included. Photos of the couple on their travels and two wooden ducks dressed up in bride and groom outfits brought the whole look together.
After the speeches and toasts, the Ballroom was transformed into a dance floor for the evening. Knowing that hundreds of people must have danced in this room over the last century made it both a fitting and romantic space for the newlywed’s first dance. When the cake had been cut and the disco was in full swing, the remainder of the evening was spent taking fun long exposure photographs and capturing the spinning guests. I had a really great time being a Pendrell Hall Wedding Photographer and I hope to have the pleasure of visiting this venue again in the future.
Thank you, Dan and Lisa, for inviting me to do your Pendrell Hall wedding photography. It was a truly wonderful day and I wish you both every happiness for the future.
