Beautiful Wedding Photography at Combermere Abbey

manchester wedding photographer

Edwin Stemp

“Your wedding day at Combermere Abbey is bound to be a fairy-tale event, filled with romance, joy, and the timeless charm of this historic venue. Such a special day deserves to be documented beautifully. I specialise in natural, creative documentary-style wedding photography that captures genuine moments without intrusion. With Combermere Abbey’s gorgeous backdrops and my unobtrusive approach, you’ll get heartfelt images that let you relive every chapter of your day for years to come.”

Why Combermere Abbey is a Dream Wedding Venue

Combermere Abbey fruit tree maze photographed with a drone during a wedding

Combermere Abbey offers an unrivalled blend of history, romance, and natural beauty that makes it a dream location to tie the knot. Nestled on the Cheshire-Shropshire border, this private country estate is steeped in history and surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Here are a few highlights that make Combermere Abbey such a fantastic wedding venue:

  • Enchanting ceremony setting: An Edwardian Glasshouse in the walled garden provides a bright, light-filled space for your ceremony. With a blossoming tree at its centre and walls of glass, it brings the outdoors in and is flooded with natural light – a photographer’s dream for capturing your vows.

  • One-of-a-kind fruit tree maze: Just outside the Glasshouse lies the world’s only fruit tree maze, a unique garden feature made of apple and pear trees. This whimsical maze adds character to the venue and doubles as a fun backdrop for photos (or even an al fresco ceremony among the greenery!).

  • Stunning gardens and parkland: The Abbey is set within over 1,000 acres of rolling parkland, ancient woodland, and manicured gardens. A serene mere (lake) glistens on the grounds, offering picturesque waterside views. From the vibrant flowerbeds to towering trees, every corner is picture-perfect.

  • Elegant reception space: After the “I do’s,” celebrate in the stylish Pavilion, a contemporary reception hall on-site. This space features a chic lounge, bar, and outdoor terrace, allowing guests to mingle indoors and out. Its wall of windows and modern decor provide a lovely atmosphere for dinner and dancing – and great photo lighting once the party kicks off.

  • Privacy and comfort: Combermere Abbey is an exclusive-use venue, meaning you and your guests have the entire estate to yourselves. With no interruptions and even luxury cottages on-site for getting ready and overnight stays, you can fully relax and immerse yourselves in the day. This secluded, intimate environment helps create candid, emotional moments that are wonderful to capture.

With so many stunning features in one venue, it’s easy to see why Combermere Abbey is beloved by couples and photographers alike. Every backdrop – from historic architecture to lush gardens – comes together to create a truly magical setting for your wedding memories.

Combermere Abbey wedding venue photographed with a drone

Capturing Every Moment, From the Ceremony to the Celebration

Bridal prep at Combermere Abbey
first dance at Comberemere Abbey wedding

From the first look to the final dance, I’ll be there to photograph every moment of your Combermere Abbey wedding day. My goal is to tell the complete story of your celebration, so you can relive it through your photos.

Bridal preparations and anticipation: The excitement begins long before the ceremony, and I love capturing those early moments. Whether you’re getting ready in one of the charming on-site cottages or a nearby suite, I’ll document the laughter, happy tears, and little details – the delicate lace of your dress, the bridesmaids’ reactions, the groom’s nerves as he straightens his tie. These candid preparation shots set the scene and emotion of the day.

The ceremony magic: When it’s time to walk down the aisle to the Glasshouse (or perhaps an outdoor garden ceremony), I blend into the background and discreetly photograph every exchange of glance and every tear of joy. The Glasshouse’s natural light and intimate setting allow me to capture the look on the groom’s face as he sees you, the emotion during your vows, and that triumphant just married smile in the first kiss. If you have a shower of confetti upon exiting into the walled garden, I’ll be ready to snap those colourful, joyous moments too!

Joyful celebrations: As you and your guests enjoy the day, I continue capturing the festivities organically. During the cocktail hour on the lawn or amid the maze and gardens, I’ll catch guests congratulating you, clinking glasses of champagne, and kids playing on the grass – all the unscripted interactions that make your wedding uniquely yours. Moving into the Pavilion for the reception, I photograph the details you’ve worked hard on (centrepieces, cake, decor) as well as the big moments like the cheers and laughter during speeches. When you share your first dance under the twinkling lights, I’ll be there for those romantic twirls and dips. And as the night goes on, from energetic dance-floor moves to a sparkler send-off under the stars, I won’t miss a beat. Every chapter of your day – ceremony, reception, and everything in between – will be captured in a way that brings back the feelings and fun whenever you look at your photos.

Aerial Perspectives: Stunning Drone Photography of the Estate

wedding group photo captured with a drone at Comberemere Abbey

One special offering I bring to Combermere Abbey weddings is drone photography. The ability to capture aerial perspectives adds a breathtaking, cinematic dimension to your wedding gallery. Combermere Abbey’s grounds are so expansive and scenic that they truly shine from above.

Imagine a bird’s-eye view of your ceremony in the Glasshouse, with the symmetrical fruit tree maze encircling the venue – a pattern only fully appreciated from the sky. I can also capture a wide shot of your entire wedding party gathered in the gardens, the vast green parkland stretching beyond. The estate’s mere and woodlands, the sweeping driveway up to the Abbey, the neatly landscaped hedges and lawns – all of these look spectacular in drone shots. These images give a sense of scale and grandeur, showcasing the full beauty of the estate that surrounds you on your big day.

Incorporating a few drone photos means you’ll have stunning aerial shots to complement the ground-level moments. Clients love having that wow-factor image of Combermere Abbey at sunset, with golden light washing over the treetops and the newlyweds standing amid the gardens. Rest assured, safety and privacy are paramount – I operate the drone responsibly (fully licensed and venue-approved) so it never disrupts you or your guests. The result is simply amazing angles and epic views that enhance your wedding story. If you’re excited about dramatic, sweeping shots of your venue, drone photography is the perfect add-on to consider for your Combermere Abbey wedding coverage.

The Maze and Gardens: Picture-Perfect Backdrops for Romantic Portraits

wedding portraits at Comberemere Abbey

One of the highlights of Combermere Abbey is wandering its enchanting maze and gardens for your romantic portraits. After the ceremony, I love to steal a few moments with just the two of you, giving you a breather together and capturing some beautiful couple photos in these idyllic surroundings.

A stroll through the fruit tree maze is often a must-do! This maze isn’t just a quirky feature – it’s a wonderful spot for creative shots. We might take an overhead drone photo of you two hidden in the maze’s winding paths, waving up at the camera or sharing a kiss among the greenery. On the ground, the maze’s arching fruit trees create a dreamy, intimate atmosphere. I’ll photograph candid moments of you walking hand-in-hand, laughing as you find your way out, or maybe a gentle embrace at the maze’s heart. These images feel like something out of a storybook, highlighting the playful, romantic spirit of the day.

Beyond the maze, Combermere’s gardens and grounds offer endless backdrops for portraits. The Walled Garden bursts with seasonal flowers and neatly trimmed hedges, providing pops of colour and elegant scenery. Perhaps you’ll cuddle on a rustic bench under an arbor of roses, or pose for a wide shot with the historic Abbey facade or the tranquil lake in the distance. If timing allows, we can venture to the edge of Comber Mere (the estate’s lake) for a breathtaking waterside portrait, especially stunning at golden hour when the sky turns soft and the water reflects the sunset. Tall ancient trees, manicured lawns, and even the charming orchard contribute to the variety of scenes – from grand and epic to secluded and intimate.

Throughout your portrait session, my approach is relaxed and fun. I’ll guide you into natural positions that feel like you, encouraging you to interact with each other rather than stiffly pose. This way, we capture genuine affection – the way you make each other laugh, that newlywed sparkle in your eyes – all against the picture-perfect backdrops that Combermere Abbey provides. The result is a collection of romantic portraits that are not only gorgeous in composition but also authentic to your personalities and love story.

Natural and Unobtrusive Documentary-Style Photography

wedding ceremony
wedding confetti

Great wedding photography is about more than pretty scenery – it’s about telling your story. I believe the best way to do that is with a natural, unobtrusive approach. What does that mean for you? It means you get to be fully present on your wedding day while I handle documenting it candidly in the background.

I take a documentary-style (also known as reportage) approach to photographing weddings. Rather than constantly directing poses, I let moments unfold organically and capture them as they happen. You’ll often forget there’s a camera pointed at you, and that’s exactly how I like it! This style is perfect for a venue like Combermere Abbey, where there are so many genuine emotions and little stories happening throughout the day – from a nervous squeeze of the hands before the ceremony, to Grandma’s tears of happiness, to the kids giggling their way through the maze. My job is to notice and freeze those moments forever, without interrupting the flow of your celebration.

Some key benefits of my natural, documentary-style approach include:

  • Authentic memories: Your photos will be filled with real emotions – genuine smiles, happy tears, spontaneous hugs and dance floor antics. Looking back, you’ll see the true spirit of your wedding, not a series of stiff posed shots.

  • Stress-free experience: No need to worry about endless formal photo sessions or a bossy photographer. I blend in with your guests, capturing candid moments discreetly. You can enjoy each moment as it comes, knowing I’m quietly preserving it all. (Of course, we’ll still do a few classic group portraits and couple shots, but we keep them fun and efficient!).

  • Unobtrusive coverage: I use minimal flash and equipment, working with the venue’s beautiful natural light whenever possible. This means I won’t turn the Glasshouse into a photo studio or blind your guests with flashes. My presence is low-key, so the focus stays on you and your celebration.

  • Creative storytelling: With an artistic eye, I compose images that not only document events but also convey the atmosphere. From wide shots that showcase Combermere’s grand setting to close-ups of emotional expressions, your gallery will be a balanced mix of creative visuals. Each photo, candid or posed, is taken with intent to contribute to the narrative of your day.

In short, my approach ensures you get beautiful, story-driven images without any added stress. You get to savor your wedding day at Combermere Abbey, enjoying every laugh and kiss, while I take care of capturing the magic as it naturally happens.

Let’s Talk About Your Combermere Abbey Wedding

You’ve chosen an incredible venue – now let’s make sure you have incredible photos to match. If you’re planning a wedding at Combermere Abbey and feel my candid, documentary approach is just what you’re looking for, I’d love to chat with you about your plans. Get in touch to check my availability for your date and to tell me about the day you’re envisioning. I’m happy to answer any questions, give advice from my experience at this venue, and ultimately ensure that your photography is one less thing to worry about.

Your wedding memories are priceless, and my mission is to preserve them in the most authentic and artful way possible. Let’s work together to capture every laugh, tear, and joyful moment of your Combermere Abbey wedding. Contact me today, and let’s start planning how we’ll document your beautiful love story at this stunning venue!