Hampton Manor is a wedding venue I’ve had the pleasure of returning to time and time again. Situated in 45 acres of woodland and just 15 miles from Birmingham City Centre, it’s a wonderful countryside haven. Last March I was invited to do wedding photography at Hampton Manor for Mark and Phil.
Hampton Manor combines modern and contemporary design with a rich heritage dating back to the mid-1800s. On the morning of Mark and Phil’s wedding I took the time to capture the various rooms and artisan décor before heading to join the couple in one of the 15 individually decorated bedrooms as they prepared for the big day. The creativity in these rooms is abundant, the style staying true to the Arts & Crafts era the manor was originally built in. Mark and Phil looked incredibly smart in their blue and grey suits, each with a beautiful succulent buttonhole.
Despite having been a Hampton Manor wedding photographer several times in the past, I was surprised and delighted to be able to photograph part of the Manor I hadn’t seen before.
The Birches is a rustic and unique civil ceremony barn just across from the main house in a woodland glade. Although unassuming on the outside, the interior of The Birches is the perfect embodiment of a secret garden. Originally decorated by Passion for Flowers, the whole aesthetic is naturally stylish and lovingly designed, and there were lots of details for me to photograph from the glowing array of tea lights to the line of planted succulents and terracotta pots by the window. All these details provided Mark and Phil with a cosy and intimate private civil ceremony.
After signing the register, the newlyweds and their guests returned to the manor for champagne. Hampton Manor is wonderfully bright and photographic, and I soon whisked Mark and Phil away for a relaxed photoshoot. One of my favourite photos is of Mark and Phil standing behind the bar and beaming with smiles beneath the hanging lights.
As evening came the guests arrived for a cocktail reception with a live band. Mark and Phil had a fingerprint guestbook as a memento for their special day where the guests could press their finger into an inkpad and add their fingerprint like a leaf to a drawing of a tree and then sign their name. There was also a Fujifilm instax camera where the guests could take their own photos of the evening and take instant printouts home. I had a great time doing wedding photography at Hampton Manor and capturing family and friends whirling and having fun on the dancefloor.
Thank you to Mark and Phil for asking me to join in your special day. I always love doing wedding photography at Hampton Manor. I had a great time and I wish you both all the very best for the future!
