Third time’s a charm for Lauren and Stephen after Covid lockdowns forced them to rearrange their wedding twice. Thankfully they were able to finally exchange vows in what turned out to be a beautifully calm and relaxing day at Wortley Hall.
This was my fourth wedding at Wortley Hall, though interestingly enough my first that wasn’t in October. So I was nice to see the gardens in full bloom as opposed to at the end of autumn.
Coronavirus restrictions meant Lauren and Stephen could only invite a maximum of 30 guests to their wedding, though I think they would agree that limitation actually made for a much more pleasant and intimate day.
So without further ado, here’s a selection of highlights from the day.
As a wedding photographer based in the Sheffield area I naturally find myself photographing weddings at Wortley Hall quite often.
If you’re thinking about getting married at Wortley Hall then you are probably excited about the grounds, or the prestige of the Foundry Dining Room.
All the websites, brochures, photos and visits can only tell you so much. I figured I have a pretty unique perspective on how wedding days go at Wortley Hall, so I thought I would share it to give you a little extra insight.
The Bridal Suites
There are a few bridal suites at Wortley Hall. Those I have seen have been spacious and very nice to be in.
If you are getting ready here before your wedding then you will find yourself well looked after. One of the rooms is particularly large, as I discovered when Lisa brought along her 9 bridesmaids and 9 flower girls.
Your Wedding Ceremony in the Library
Ok, I’ll be honest, I made that name up. I call this room the library because there is a wall of books at the back.
Basically this is the ceremony room, so if you are having your wedding service at Wortley Hall then this is the room where all the serious things will happen.
After the ceremony you and your guests will be invited to go out into the grounds via the patio doors, unless the weather isn’t ideal, in which case you’ll be heading into the main hallway.
Once all your guests are clear the staff will quickly whip away all the chairs and this room becomes an open reception area, complete with a table of drinks towards the back, plus a piano if any of your guests fancy tinkling the ivories.
Heading into the Grounds of Wortley Hall
I don’t think I need to say much about the grounds because I have no doubt that they are amongst the main reasons you are looking at Wortley Hall as a wedding venue.
So instead of talking about them, I’ll show you some photos instead.
I know at Wortley Hall you’ll likely have your heart set on some epic outdoor photos, and time outside in general. I’m here to tell you that it isn’t the end of the world if you can’t go outside. There are plenty of nice spots to get indoor photos.
The Other Hall
Look it’s not my job to learn the names of every room in every venue. Basically Wortley Hall has another hall and that is most likely where your evening reception will take place.
Be warned it is a bit of a trek to get to, and I guarantee your guests will need to be escorted the first time they try to find it. I often spend a good few minutes helping people find their way.
The Other Hall is a grand yet somehow cosy room with a stage and a nice spot at the back for a buffet, gift table etc. There is also a smaller room off to the side which should be available to you for a photo booth or kids room perhaps.
Would I Recommend Wortley Hall as a Wedding Venue?
Absolutely, yes I would.
This is a beautiful venue, steeped in history yet run like a modern wedding venue. The staff are extremely friendly and very accommodating and I always leave Wortley Hall weddings feeling like my couples had a great day.
Oh and I happen to know a wedding photographer too, if you’re looking :-).
By the time Jess and Martin’s wedding day came around it was like photographing a wedding for old friends.
I had first met them at Becky and Jordan’s wedding the previous year. Martin was Jordan’s best man. It seems they were suitably impressed with me at the time so they went on to book me for their own wedding.
It wasn’t much later that I had a call from another couple, Rochelle and Paul, who had heard about me through Jess and wanted to talk to me about photographing their wedding.  Thanks to Jess’ recommendation they went on to book me. Suffice to say, Jess and Martin were guests at the wedding so we got another chance to catch up before their big day.
As it happened I was also available to attend their rehearsal at the church, and then, by complete coincidence I happened to be photographing a different wedding at Wortley Hall the day prior to theirs, meaning I bumped into a Martin and a few others from their party when they popped in to set up a few last minute details.
So, we were pretty well acquainted by the time the morning of the wedding came along, which really does help.
What was also a refreshing surprise was how many of the guests I already knew from Becky and Jordan’s wedding as well as Rochelle and Paul who were also guests. It can get a bit lonely being a wedding photographer, getting to know a whole new bunch of people at every wedding. Don’t get me wrong, I love meeting new people, but a few familiar faces is always a treat.
Getting Married at Wortley Hall?
Have a look at my in depth guide to getting married at Wortley Hall. Read Now
Beth & Will’s Game of Thrones Themed Wortley Hall Wedding
Fans of Game of Thrones, I want you to start humming the theme song now, just to set the tone.
This is a wedding that had been in my diary for over 2 years. I first met with Beth and Will back in June 2016.  I had worked with Beth’s sister Erika when she was doing the Bridal party’s make-up for Emma & Lee’s wedding.  Erika and I got along well so she recommended me to Beth, and the rest just fell into place.
So, I knew all about where and when the wedding was going to be, and this wasn’t my first time at Wortley Hall, so I thought I knew what to expect. Â
However, I was not aware of the Game of Thrones theme. As a fan of the show I was very excited when Beth told me about it. The Foundry Dining Room at Wortley Hall is already a very impressive room that feels almost like a GoT set, so with the subtle extra touches and amazing autumnal flowers (prepared by Beth’s mum!) the room looked spectacular.
It was great to spend the day with Beth, Will and their families. I felt very welcome right from the start, plus it was great to see Erika again after all these years!
Getting ready was a family affair. Naturally Erika did the make-up, and Beth’s Mum is actually a wedding hairdresser so took care of all of that.
Being in the one place all day meant the bone-chilling cold outside was not much of a concern. We did spend a bit of time in the gardens for portraits and group photos, but it only took me a few minutes to regain the feelings in my fingers afterwards.
Getting Married at Wortley Hall?
Have a look at my in depth guide to getting married at Wortley Hall. Read Now
The Gallery
I guess since a picture is worth a thousand words, I may as well quit whilst I’m ahead and let the photos do the talking. This is a small selection from the gallery, hope you enjoy looking.
