A Suffolk Manor House Wedding - And Maybe a Slightly Regrettable First Kiss Moment
I’m a huge fan of old stuff, pretty things, and Woodhall Manor is just a big old pile of that. As a pretentious artist, the opportunity to very easily make your photos look incredible by just vaguely pointing your camera in any direction is extremely alluring. I’ve been lucky enough to work here a few times, but honestly, it’s a wonder I’m actually allowed back. To my shame, the first time I did, I very nearly fell in the fountain and then later embarrassed myself in front of a gardener by pretending to know more about grass than I actually did.
Abi spent the morning getting ready with her bridesmaids, her mum, and her soon-to-be mother-in-law. Emma Poppy Hair and Makeup did some impressive stuff I’m not even going to try and discuss in detail because much like grass, I’m fairly ignorant when it comes to this department. The key takeaway here though is that everyone looked amazing in a really elegant, understated kind of way. I always think the last thing you want with makeup is for the makeup to be noticeable or for your hair to be so over the top that people start mistaking you for Amy Winehouse.
Abi’s dress was an Essence of Australia gown from Claire Bridal Studio. I’ve come across quite a few Essence of Australia dresses now, and they’re always impressive. It’s also probably no coincidence that a lot of those dresses seem to come from Clare bridal studio. Again, I’m going to just casually move on here because I’m only going to embarrass myself.
Ethan and the groomsmen had already suited up elsewhere and arrived at Woodhall Manor ready to go. They spent a bit of time playing pool downstairs before it was time to go and do wedding things.
Outdoor ceremonies at Woodhall are predictably picturesque. They hold them on a beautifully manicured courtyard lawn underneath a dovecote; home to real doves who occasionally like to join in with the ceremony by making little dove noises at the appropriate moments.
This ceremony had a slightly moist theme; both Abi and Ethan were already in tears before things had even gotten underway, which set off a chain reaction among the guests. By the time they were saying their vows, there were people crying all over the place.
Ethan also delivered one of my favourite first-kiss moments after he instinctively wiped his mouth straight afterward, giving off hilarious year six “eww, girl germs” vibes.
As they made their way back up the aisle, Abi and Ethan opted to do their confetti throw right then and there rather than heading off and looping back for a formally staged confetti moment. Personally, I love it when couples do it this way as I often think it feels a bit more natural and I love anything that makes things feel less contrived.
After the ceremony, everyone gathered at the back of the manor for welcome drinks. One of the members of the band Stallions and the Bear (not a typo, I double-checked) played an acoustic set for a bit of atmosphere while we all ate tiny, delicious canapés.
The ballroom was set up for the wedding breakfast, and it looked absolutely incredible as per usual, with floral arrangements by Tigerlily Flowers. There was also a fairly impressive cake in the foyer from Two Magpies Bakery, who I hadn’t realised did wedding cakes, but I’m absolutely delighted to discover that they do. There’s a Two Magpies in Framlingham town square, and no exaggeration, I spend several hundred pounds a year there.
Abi and Ethan also had tiny, personalised wooden games as wedding favours, which I thought was a brilliant idea. Guests had all sorts of little puzzles and games to keep them entertained between courses and speeches. It was a really unique touch and a great way to keep people engaged together.
After dinner, guests enjoyed some time in the garden as the sun started to set. At one point, I noticed a group of Woodhall Manor staff behind the bar frantically blowing up inflatable props for Woodhall's photo booth, which made for an unexpectedly hilarious contrast to the rest of the elegant surroundings.
After a few dances, we slipped out for a short walk around the grounds as the sun set. My approach to couples portraits is always super relaxed. No forced posing, no awkward staged moments. I just let them wander around wherever they like, chat, and enjoy each other’s company while I quietly catch stuff happening however they happen. That way, the photos actually remind couples of them spending time together in that moment, rather than of the awkward feeling they experienced being directed into an unnatural pose and forced grimace that doesn’t feel like them.
I hung around a little longer into the evening and caught some lovely moments as guests enjoyed the summer evening.
These two were really fun people to be around and as with many of my couples I honestly felt like I’d been invited to a friend’s wedding which is such a lovely way to spend your summer. A major upgrade to my last job where I frequently got assaulted or covered in a stranger’s body fluids.
