Last year as weddings started again after the lockdown many photographers found themselves super busy. Luckily I’m part of a supportive community of photographers who all help each other out however we can. Check out Ninedots if you’re interested. As a result, I took on more second-shooting jobs than I usually would last year. One such job was helping out the very talented Jonathan Coates. It was a huge pleasure to join him at this beautiful Prestwold Hall wedding.

Below are some of my favourites from the day as I captured the groom prep and then followed Jonathan as he covered the rest of the day. I love seeing how other photographers work and with Jonathan’s strong documentary style and off-camera flash, it was great to see how he works. Also big congratulations to Jonathan who was a regional winner in The Wedding Industry Awards this year.

Prestwold Hall Wedding Venue

Prestwold Hall is a stunning Grade 1 listed stately home. It’s surrounded by beautiful formal gardens and set in 2500 acres of rolling parkland. It has a number of function rooms as well as accommodation and even its own chapel within the grounds. I love that you can get married in the chapel and then just stroll through the beautiful gardens up to the majestic hall.

I love the history behind these stately homes and Prestwold is no exception. It has been the seat of the Packe family for almost 400 years and remains in the family today. It was originally owned by Sir Christopher Packe who was Lord Mayor of London in 1654. After his involvement with Cromwell, he was disqualified from holding public office and retired to Prestwold Hall. He died there when he was 84. Since then it has remained in the family and was one of the first private venues to be licensed for events. In the last 30 years, it has hosted more than 5000 weddings. What an incredible legacy.

For another grand country house wedding see Tamara and John’s wedding at Delamere Manor.