Apton Hall · Rochford, Essex
Hollie & Callum's sunny spring wedding at Apton Hall
Hollie and Callum's spring wedding at Apton Hall in Rochford had everything I hope for on a wedding day: blue skies from first thing, a Stables ceremony, speeches that had the whole room in bits and a golden hour sunset out on the farm. They're very much my kind of couple, and this is one of my favourite weddings I've photographed there. If you're planning your own day at the venue, have a read of my Apton Hall wedding photographer guide too.
At a glance
Venue: Apton Hall, Rochford, Essex
Time of year: May
Getting ready: Hollie in the Beauty Barn, then the Dovecot. Callum and the groomsmen on site
Ceremony: the Stables
Groups: the walled garden, plus the big group shot from the Granary window
Wedding breakfast and speeches: the New Barn
Golden hour: the fields and farm road behind the venue
Evening: the Cow Shed
Coverage: full day, from final makeup touches to the party
The morning
Final touches in the Beauty Barn and the Dovecot
When I arrived, Hollie was in the Beauty Barn having the last touches done to her makeup. While she finished, I took her dress, shoes and the rest of her details across to the Dovecot, so I could photograph the invitations, her shoes, her jewellery and her Jo Malone perfume before anyone needed the room.
Then Hollie and her bridesmaids made their way over, still in their matching pyjamas, and the rest of the hair and makeup happened there.
The boys
Callum and the groomsmen in black tie
Callum and the boys turned up not yet ready, which honestly suited me. It meant I could plan my time around both of them and get the groomsmen once they were changed. They looked very sharp in black suits and black bow ties, and the brick walls and greenery around the courtyard did the rest.
Getting into the dress
The dress, the veil and the first look from the bridesmaids
Back in the Dovecot, the bridesmaids got their first look at Hollie in her dress.
The ceremony
A Stables ceremony at Apton Hall
The ceremony was indoors in the Stables, the main ceremony room at Apton Hall. The old brickwork gives everything a warm colour, and on a bright day like this the light through the windows is beautiful. I like to be in position early for the walk down the aisle, because the best reactions are often from the person waiting at the front.
Confetti and drinks
Confetti and a sunny drinks reception in the courtyard
Confetti went up as soon as they walked out into the courtyard, and then everyone settled in for drinks in the sunshine, with a singer playing outside. This is the part of an Apton Hall wedding where I get a lot of my favourite natural photos: guests catching up, laughing and not thinking about the camera at all.
Couple portraits
A walk around my favourite spots
I took Hollie and Callum off for a walk around some of my favourite spots at Apton Hall: the lawn by the Dovecot, the tree-lined track and the courtyard roses. We kept it relaxed, mostly walking and chatting, and I'm so pleased with how these came out.
Group photos
Family groups in the walled garden, and everyone from the Granary window
The smaller family groups were done in the walled garden, which is quiet and only a short walk from the drinks. For the big group shot of everyone, I went up into the Granary and leaned out of the window while all the guests gathered below.
The wedding breakfast
Dinner in the New Barn
Then everyone headed into the New Barn for dinner, and Hollie and Callum made the kind of entrance that sets the tone for the rest of the evening, with napkins waving all round the room.
The speeches
Laughter and emotion in the speeches
The speeches were hilarious. There was a lot of laughter and plenty of emotion too, and Hollie spent most of them in fits of laughter. They're often one of my favourite parts of the day to photograph, because the reactions around the room tell you as much as the speeches themselves.
Golden hour
Golden hour on the farm at Apton Hall
We were lucky with a gorgeous sunset, so we headed out the back to the farmer's fields and walked down the farm road I always talk about. The land is flat out there, so the sun goes all the way down to the horizon, and the light was as good as it gets.
The party
A brilliant party in the Cow Shed
Back at the venue the courtyard lights were on and people were still sat outside. Then the cake was cut, the first dance was done and the party properly got going, with a sax player on the dance floor. The music was very much my cup of tea, and I'll admit I enjoyed trying out my favourite two-step moves for an hour or two while photographing them. It was a great vibe from start to finish.
Your wedding at Apton Hall
Photography that fits around your day
Hollie and Callum's day shows how I like to work. The boys arrived not ready, so I just moved my plan around them. The groups were done quickly in the walled garden so everyone could get back to their drinks, and I went to find the couple when the light was right for sunset. Nobody had to think about the photography. It happened around them.
I've been photographing weddings for nearly 20 years, and Apton Hall is the venue I know best. If you're planning a spring wedding at Apton Hall, have a read of my Apton Hall wedding photographer guide, or see more of my work in the wedding gallery and on my Essex wedding venues page.
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