Francesca & Darren - A Rowdy & Romantic Colshaw Hall Wedding - Colshaw Hall Wedding Photography

I fall a bit in love with every love story I’m lucky enough to capture. Because as your wedding photographer I’m constantly moving, viewing the day through my camera but also getting stuck in and helping out where I’m needed. My duty of care is ALWAYS, above all else to YOU, the magical and beautiful humans who entrust their memories to me. I’ve become weirdly skilled at several things (that have nothing to do with photography): pinning a buttonhole on a jittery groom in 3 seconds flat, finding a near-invisible loop to bustle a wedding dress, carefully cutting the hanger straps out of a bridesmaid dress when she’s already wearing it, blowing confetti out of intricate hairstyles, wrangling a 10-man-strong groomsquad and even getting them to jump on command!

That last one I learned about in October 2019 at the AMAZING Colshaw Hall wedding of the utter dreamboats that are Francesca & Darren. Darren is a lad’s lad who ADORES his friends - and is equally adored by the raucous crew I got to spend the day with. Rather than having to choose a best man and couple of ushers, Daz opted for 3 best men and 6 groomsmen. I was initially a bit nervous about having to gather the tuxedoed crew together for some quick portraits (in the rain, no less) - especially once the bar opened - but I needn’t have been concerned: these guys knew they were there for Darren and did well by him. We had a good laugh and that quickly set the tone for the rest of the day - these dudes brought the fun!

So of course it made sense that Francesca’s (slightly more reasonably sized) bride-squad was just as silly and FUN! I had a BALL hanging out with the girls before Francesca dressed in her STUNNING lace gown - she had chosen her equally gorgeous sister Rebecca as maid of honour alongside school friends Hannah, Kati & Jacqui and you really could see just how close-knit these gals are. There is something extraordinary about friends becoming family as you become an adult and I really felt that rung true at yesterday’s wedding. There was just so much damn JOY emanating from the place.

After an emotional ceremony and a confetti exit for the ages, the wedding party got down to the serious business of celebrating. With some heartfelt speeches and giddy toasts, the stunning Peel Suite glowed with a bold ‘Mr. & Mrs. Strand’ sign by my pals at The Word is Love, soft white and green florals from Country Flowers and twinkling fairy lights by Luminate. Francesca & Darren managed to steal pockets of quiet moments, first when we explored the house then later, taking advantage of a dry spot in the weather and lighting up Colshaw’s breathtaking setting, I was spoiled for wedding photo magic with these longtime lovebirds.

I must say a huge thank you, of course, to Shelly & Lucy (and the extended Colshaw team) for running such a smooth ship and looking after me so well, toastmaster extraordinaire Ian for KILLING IT as per usual (at his 100th wedding of the year!!!), Barretts for the feast and everyone involved for making the day so awesome. But mostly to the new Mr. & Mrs. Strand for being so wonderful amd welcoming me so warmly into their extended family. I loved every minute. Here is Francesca & Darren’s Colshaw Hall Wedding! xx