Abbey & Chris’s Manor Hill House Wedding Photography

The last time I was invited to do Manor Hill House wedding photography it was a winter wedding on the day before Christmas Eve. So, when Abbey and Chris asked me to be their wedding photographer in May 2022, I was delighted to discover it was going to be a summery outdoor wedding ceremony.

It’s always exciting to visit a wedding venue at varying times of year to witness the changes in atmosphere and explore where the light flows, and what seasonal experiences the venue has to offer.

My day as Abbey and Chris’ Manor Hill House wedding photographer started with a quick exploration of the wedding ceremony space, before joining Abbey and her friends in the Bridal Suite.

Doing all-day wedding photography means I have the opportunity to really capture the Big Day, including photographing all those special details: the bride and bridesmaids’ dresses, the balloons and jewellery, and even the poem inscribed on the sole of Abbey’s wedding shoes.

As the ladies enjoyed a delicious continental breakfast of crudité, hummus, meats and pastries (courtesy of the talented Manor Hill House catering team) I quickly explored the venue to find other details to photograph before the guests arrived.

The Order of the Day was illustratively displayed on a wooden pallet and featured all the upcoming highlights – including the ceremony at 2 pm, cake-cutting at 4 pm, a photo booth at 7:30 pm and the first dance at 9 pm.

Manor Hill House’s outdoor ceremony space is pretty unique. It’s both cosy and refreshing, and it almost feels as if you’re experiencing a wedding at home.

The afternoon was bright and sunny, and the setting intimate with smiles all around. With chairs laid out on the front lawn leading up to the wooden pavilion overlooking the Worcestershire countryside, Abbey walked down the grassy aisle to join her husband-to-be, Chris.

Together they exchanged rings and made their vows beneath the bough of white florals hung around the pavilion, and exited as newlyweds to rounds of applause and vibrant flurries of multi-coloured petals.

Having been a Manor Hill House wedding photographer before, I knew where all the best photography locations were, but it was great to see them in a different light.

The balcony of Manor Hill House is the best option for taking large group photos. So, with everyone gathered on the lawn, I headed on up and photographed Abbey, Chris and their family and friends. A sensible pose to start with, followed by a fun one – which is always great to experience.

Next came the traditional group photographs before the newlywed session.

Whilst the front lawns provide a wonderfully spacious setting, lush trees and rustic fences completing the countryside aesthetic, the best location for Manor Hill House wedding photography is without a doubt the adjoining wheat field. It is absolutely stunning – especially during the spring months when the wheat is young and green. Blue skies and large fluffy clouds gave an added touch of drama, and the newlyweds looked fantastic and totally relaxed together. A must-visit for wedding photographers and couples alike!

Abbey and Chris’ wedding breakfast took place in the main marquee. For their top table, they chose to hire my Flower Wall (which was later used as part of their wedding photo booth). The white wisteria, roses and hydrangeas all added to the romantic ambience – and you’d never know they weren’t real flowers unless you got up close!

See here for details on how to hire the flower wall for your wedding day.

The table arrangements all had a New York theme – the places Abbey and Chris visited during the time they got engaged – including Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge and the Statue of Liberty.

The wedding breakfast itself sounded delicious and included a selection of ice creams and sorbets from the Manor Hill House ice cream trike (supplied by nearby Churchfields Ice Cream Farm in Droitwich).

Now, I love photographing a wedding cake – and on the odd occasion I discover a really fantastic wedding cake made of cheese! Abbey and Chris’ cheese tier selections featured brie, cranberry Wensleydale, Cornish Yarg and cheddar, all decorated with berries, flowers and figs. A real show-stopper!

When the cake had been cut and the speeches and toasts given, everyone headed out onto the balcony for drinks. Evening brought with it golden sunshine, and with the photo booth all set up and ready to go, and paella being served, the guests were able to both relax and get into the party spirit.

An additional part of my day being a Manor Hill House wedding photographer included taking behind the scenes photos of everyone enjoying the photo booth. It’s a great accompaniment to any disco, and is guaranteed to keep your guests entertained.

Beneath fairy lights and boughs of ivy, Abbey and Chris danced their first dance in the marquee, and soon enough everyone took to the dancefloor to party the night away.

I couldn’t resist doing one last newlywed photo shoot later on in the evening. Outside the blue skies had dwindled into a dramatic sunset, and we took a moment to take a few last photos in the wooden pavilion before visiting the stables too.

Thank you to Abbey and Chris for inviting me to do your Manor Hill House wedding photography. I had a really wonderful time, and I wish you both every happiness for the future!