TARPORLEY, CHESHIRE.
Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Rowland were rumoured to be among the American celebrities to have attended the fairytale wedding of R & B star Ciara to NFL quarterback star, Russell Wilson at Peckforton Castle. This awesome Cheshire wedding venue was also chosen by football’s Premier League and England striker, Jamie Vardy, when he married sweetheart Rebekah. Their star-studded guest list included Louis Tomlinson of One Direction fame.
Our stars for the day, Georgia and James, were no less stunning. The couple had put together a team of top wedding professionals who were able to stage a truly magical day. Georgia’s fabulous wedding gown was complemented with a hair creation by Carol Ellis Thompson and makeup by Cathryn Kerwin-Rawlinson. Providing beautiful floral artistry was Flowers at the Dutch Barn and the exquisite 4-tier wedding cake was skillfully crafted by Chester’s Boutique Bakery.
Peckforton Castle’s Historic Past
Peckforton Castle stands in a wooded area close to Peckforton Hills. The forest has been granted a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Built between 1844 and 1850 as a family home for John Tollemache, it was designed in the style of a mediaeval castle at a cost of £60,000. Tollemache, Cheshire’s largest landowner at the time, used stone from a nearby quarry and commissioned the building of a railway to transport the red sandstone rock.
Peckforton Castle boasts a dry moat, Grade II Listed private chapel, portcullis and a bridged gatehouse. The castle has large towers with exterior windows no larger than arrow slots!
During World War II, the castle housed physically handicapped children evacuated during London’s blitz. Between the early 1970’s to the early 1990’s, Peckforton Castle was a location for shooting films such as Dr. Who , Sherlock Holmes and Robin Hood.
In 1988, new owners purchased Peckforton Castle for £1million and planning permission was secured to turn it into, what is now, a 4-star hotel specialising in weddings and corporate events.
The Ceremony
The Great Hall, Peckforton Castle
Peckforton Castle hosts civil wedding ceremonies and their four licensed rooms can cater for any number of guests from 10 to 165. The Great Hall was chosen by Georgia and James. A truly breathtaking room, The Great Hall is adorned with beautiful stained glass windows, a magnificently carved and lofted ceiling, and with the original tiled floor. The minstrels gallery is a wedding photographers dream, allowing the second shooter to capture great images looking down on the ceremony. For colder days, a roaring log fire would look very welcoming. The Great Hall also gives an opportunity for the bride to make a spectacular entrance through Peckforton Castle’s original main entrance.
The Wedding Breakfast
The Drawing Room, Peckforton Castle
The largest of all the function rooms, The Drawing Room is positioned off Peckforton Castle’s long gallery. Georgia and James’ beautiful floral displays were complemented by three imposing windows draped with luxurious red velvet curtains. Natural sunlight floods the room. Chandeliers and wall-hung tapestries add to the aura of this historic room.
04 peckforton castle church cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 02 knight statue peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers 03 peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers 05 guest book sign peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 06 brides dressing gown bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 07 bride checks bouquets bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 08 brides bouquet peckforton castle bridal preparation oxford wedding photographers 08 brides makeup bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers 08 brides mirror reflection bridal preparation peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographer 09 makeup artist photographs bride peckforton castle bridal prep cheshire oxford wedding photography 10 bride grooms good wishes card bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographer 10 brides hairstylist applies spray bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 10 smiling bridesmaid bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photography 11 bride receives good wishes note bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 12 bride opens wedding day gift bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 12 bridesmaids check phones peckforton castle bridal prep cheshire oxford wedding photographers 13 brides hanging gown bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographer 14 bride prepares wedding dress bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers 15 bride spreads wedding dress bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photography 16 bridesmaid buttons brides gown peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 16 bridesmaid dresses bride bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photography 16 love bracelet peckforton castle bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 16 smiling brides mirror reflection peckforton castle bridal preparation cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 17 bride fastens diamond earring bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers 17 brides beaming smile bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographer 17 happy bride completes bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers 18 bride holds floral bouquet bridal prep peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photography 19 smiling bride holds bouquet peckforton castle cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 20 bride flowergirls bridal prep tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 21 tearful flowergirl tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 22 groom fastens tie tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 23 groomsman fastens waistcoat groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 24 smiling groomsman holds jacket groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 25 groom groomsman preparation tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 26 groom fastens cuff links tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 27 smiling groomsmen groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 28 groom folds pocket handkerchief tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 29 groom places groomsmans pocket handkerchief tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 30 grooms pocket watch groom prep tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 31 groom groomsman fasten pocket watches tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 32 groomsman fastens corsage flower groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 33 grooms corsage flower groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 34 groom preparation tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 35 groomsmans mirror reflection groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 36 groomsmen smile groom prep tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 37 grooms party check pocket watch chains groom prep tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 38 groom during preparation tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 39 groom receives gift grooms prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 40 grooms watch gift groom prep tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 41 emotional groom receives card tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 42 grooms card groom preparation tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 43 grooms party descend castle steps tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 44 bestman groom await bride marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 44 bestman groom await bride marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 46 groom groomsmen await brides arrival tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 47 guest awaits brides marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 48 bride father of bride descend staircase tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 49 father escorts bride to marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 50 flowergirls spread petals marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 52 tense groom awaits brides arrival marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 53 bride enters marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 61 guests hear marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 62 celebrant conducts marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 63 bride grooms marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 64 smiling bride holds bouquet marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 65 laughing marriage ceremony guests tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 66 bride groom exchange vows tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 67 smiling groomsmen hear marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 68 bride hears grooms vows marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 69 guest photographes bride grooms marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 70 groom holds brides hands marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 71 guests hear bride groom exchange vows tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 72 bestman hands groom ring marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 73 bride places grooms ring marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 74 bride grooms first kiss marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 75 groom kisses bride marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 76 flowergirls happy tears marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 77 bride groom sign register marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 78 marriage register signing ceremony tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 79 videocamera views marriage register signing ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 80 happy bride waves bouquet marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 81 bride groom walk under rose petals shower tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 82 bride groom enjoy rose petals parade tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 83 guests throw rose petals marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 84 bride groom aisle walk marriage ceremony tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 85 waving bridal party tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 86 wedding breakfast table arrangements tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 87 wedding breakfast reception room pecforton castle tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 88 bride flowergirl family portrait tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 88 groom groomsmen lift bride tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 88 groomsmen lift groom tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 89 wedding breakfast floral arrangements tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 90 table floral arrangements wedding breakfast reception tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 91 bride groom formal portrait tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 92 smiling bride holds bouquet beside groom tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 93 bride groom kiss holding bouquet tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 94 groom holds brides waist tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 95 bride enters wedding breakfast reception tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 96 seated guests wedding breakfast reception tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 97 bride grooms top table reception oxford wedding photographer 98 smiling bride grooms top table tarporley cheshire wedding breakfast oxford wedding photographers 99 smiling bride groom hear wedding breakfast speech tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 100 laughing guest hears top table speech tarporley wedding breakfast cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 101 laughing groom enjoys wedding breakfast speech tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 102 groom delivers wedding breakfast speech tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 103 bride grooms mother hear grooms speech tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographer 104 groom places hand on brides shoulder top table speech tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 105 bestmans delivers speech tarporley wedding breakfast oxford wedding photography 106 young guests hear bestmans speech tarporley wedding breakfast cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 107 groom holds cake cutting sword tarporley wedding breakfast cheshire oxford wedding photographers 108 cake cutting ceremony wedding breakfast tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photography 109 bride groom kiss wedding breakfast cake cutting tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 110 bride grooms forest embrace tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers 111 bride grooms forest kiss tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography 112 bride groom hold hands beneath tarporley castle archway cheshire oxford wedding photographer 113 smiling bride groom tarporley castle grounds cheshire oxford wedding photographers 114 bride groom hold hands tarporley castle dancefloor cheshire oxford wedding photographer 115 bride grooms first dance peckforton castle tarporley cheshire oxford wedding photographers 116 bride grooms first dance tarporley castle cheshire oxford wedding photography 117 tarporley floodlit dance floor cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographer 118 bride grooms starry night embrace peckforton castle tarporley castle grounds cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography
If you are planning a grand, lavish wedding then I hope my photographs have inspired you. You can also visit Rachel and Edward’s wedding celebrations, held in the spectacular grounds of Sir Winston Churchill’s former home, Blenheim Palace, for more wedding ideas.