It was a sunny day in May 2022 when I was invited to do Swinfen Hall wedding photography for Richard and Jen. Located in the Staffordshire countryside near Lichfield, Swinfen Hall is an idyllic Georgian manor house with 100 acres of parkland to enjoy and explore.
My day as a Swinfen Hall wedding photographer started with photographing the manor itself. It’s a strikingly elegant Grade II listed building, with a sweeping driveway and period features that look stunning from every angle.
I joined Jen and her bridal team in the Samuel Johnson Luxury Bridal Suite. Part of my All-Day wedding photography package includes photographing the wedding morning and all the last preparations for the big day, from the floral bouquets to mornings snacks, to the wedding hair and makeup.
With clementine and cranberry Bucks Fizz on the go, wedding makeup artist Louise and her team set to work. Louise Marie Makeup is based in Sutton Coldfield, like myself. It’s always great to meet other local West Midlands wedding suppliers on the day, and to be part of the team.
Swinfen Hall has several stately rooms to choose from for civil ceremonies. Richard and Jen’s took place in the beautiful oak-panelled ballroom. After exchanging vows and wedding rings, they headed back down the aisle and out into the sunshine as newlyweds. They opted for bubbles instead of traditional confetti, which made for a few fun photos!
The front entrance to the manor was the perfect place for a large group photo of Richard and Jen, and all their family and friends.
Richard and Jen’s newlywed photoshoot was definitely a highlight of my time as a Swinfen Hall wedding photographer. After a few traditional portrait sessions, we slipped away from the celebrations for a private newlywed photoshoot and explored the spectacular grounds.
One of the best locations for Swinfen Hall wedding photography is the rose arbour. Wherever you are at Swinfen Hall, it’s easy to get lost in its tranquil elegance and imagine yourself back in the Georgian era.
With the manor looking stunning in the afternoon sunlight, we snapped a couple of photos on the manicured lawn beside the pond with the hall in the background. One of my favourite photos of the day is of Richard and Jen standing together on the stone steps overlooking the grounds.
Sometimes couples opt for the simple option of numbering their wedding reception tables, but I love discovering the names of those that are given a theme. For Richard and Jen, it was the names of pubs, including: The Old Joint Stock, The Horse & Jockey, The Dog & Duck and The Gardener’s Arms. What a fun idea!