Alice & Stephen - A Very Merry Colshaw Hall Winter Wedding - Cheshire Wedding Photographer
“And then, he saw her. Standing before him, as radiant and as beautiful as the sunshine, was his Dream Monkey. At first he could not speak. But then, from somewhere deep inside himself, he found a voice. “I have traveled the world to find you, and to give you my heart,” he said. “But now that I am finally with you, I see how foolish I have been. You are so beautiful, so perfect. And my heart that was once smooth, so bright and so new is now not something that I could even bring myself to show you,” and he turned to go. “Let me see it,” said Dream Monkey. She took his heart and held it up to the light. “Nothing to me is more beautiful. Every fissure tells a story. Every blemish makes you more real. All my life I have been waiting for a heart like this; a heart that speaks the truth.” ”
As a wedding photographer, I'm blessed to witness countless love stories unfold and Alice & Stephen's winter wedding at Colshaw Hall was one of those unforgettable days that perfectly captures the essence of love crossing continents. It was a crisp winter morning in Knutsford – classic British weather that keeps you on your toes. As unpredictable as the weather was, one thing was certain: the joy of Alice and Stephen’s big day couldn't be dampened, and it was an absolute delight to capture.
Alice and Stephen’s love story began 7 years ago at Clemson University in South Carolina. Alice, venturing from the UK on a golf scholarship, found her counterpart in Stephen, a quintessential Southern gentleman. Now a professional golfer who travels the globe, Alice’s heart remains tethered to the simplicity of their love, a constant amidst their whirlwind life. It’s a story of two worlds beautifully intertwined, much like their wedding day, where family and friends from the USA and UK gathered at the picturesque Colshaw Hall.
Our day commenced with an emotional 'first look' between Alice and her grandparents, their faces alight with tears of joy and pride. This poignant moment set the tone for what was to come. Not long after, Alice and Stephen stood hand-in-hand, exchanging private vows that were both heartfelt and humorous, beautifully capturing their journey together. Fortunately, the makeup artist was close by, ready to expertly handle the tears that flowed freely.
The ceremony itself was a celebration of love, laughter, and unity. Their vows had barely been spoken before Stephen received a punchline-induced chuckle from the guests. As they exited the ceremony, a spirited confetti toss enveloped them in a cloud of color as friends and family erupted with cheers. Despite the fickle weather, the joy was palpable, with moments of rain only providing an opportunity to grab an umbrella, steal a kiss, and continue on the path of celebration.
The reception was a feast for the senses with extraordinary desserts that were almost too beautiful to eat – almost. As the day yielded to night, sparklers lit the way for the newlyweds, leaving trails of light that mirrored the spark between them. As the music played on, the couple, along with their loved ones, took to the dance floor in a joyous celebration that carried through to the night.
As I left the wedding, basking in the glow of what was truly a beautiful day, I felt a great sense of fulfillment. Alice & Stephen's wedding was the perfect ending to another banner year of documenting love stories. Their wedding at Colshaw Hall reminded me yet again of the power of love to bring people together, regardless of distance. Here’s to Alice and Stephen, their story, and many more love stories waiting to be told.
Thank you to the MEGA Colshaw Hall staff for taking such exceptional care of us all yesterday, my partner in videography crime Matt Grainger for being an absolute legend, Barretts Event Catering for feeding us gorgeous food, and all of the incredible vendors who made yesterday one for the books: The Word is Love, Rock & Meadow, Elliot from Salt Hoylake, Jeanette MUA, Hipster Band etc etc etc.
Here’s a sneak peek of what we got up to…
