bride grooms forest embrace tarporley cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers

Back to Blog Georgia and James’ Wedding

Peckforton Castle Wedding

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

004 bride groom under peckforton castle archway cheshire oxfordshire wedding photography

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

001 bride escorted towards groom groomsmen peckforton castle ceremony cheshire oxford wedding photographer

002 bride groom exchange vows peckforton castle ceremony cheshire oxford wedding photographers — 001 bride escorted towards groom groomsmen peckforton castle ceremony cheshire oxford wedding photographer

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

002 table arrangements great hall peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photography

005 grooms top table reception speech peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photographers — 002 table arrangements great hall peckforton castle cheshire oxford wedding photography

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 — 04 peckforton castle church cheshire oxfordshire wedding photographers

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.