Summer Wedding at Mottram Hall – Hannah & Louis

Hannah and Louis’ summer wedding was one of those days where the party seemed to start before anyone had even reached the dance floor.

The day began at Mottram Hall, where both Hannah and Louis were getting ready with their families and friends. I was with Hannah and her bridesmaids for bridal prep, while my good friend Matt covered Louis and his family. Having two photographers meant we could tell both sides of the story as the morning unfolded, without either of us needing to disappear halfway through the day.

There was plenty going on, as you'd expect.

Once everyone was ready, it was time to head to St Teresa's Church in Wilmslow in the wedding cars.

The Catholic ceremony was beautiful and personal, without a full Mass, and Hannah and Louis were surrounded by their family and friends as they said their vows and became husband and wife.

Then it was back to Mottram Hall.

The Champagne Bar was ready for the newly-weds and their guests, giving everyone the chance to grab a drink, catch up and enjoy the fact that the formal bit was done.

We then headed outside for the confetti.

With the grand entrance to Mottram Hall behind them, Hannah and Louis were showered with confetti before we gathered everyone together for the big group photograph. We worked through the family photographs quickly too — parents, grandparents and all the important combinations Hannah and Louis had asked for.

Then everyone was free.

This is always the aim for me. Family photographs are important, and I want you to have those photographs with the people who matter most. But there's no reason they need to take half your afternoon. We get the list done and move on.

For Hannah and Louis' couple portraits, we took a quick wander around the Mottram Hall grounds.

No elaborate posing. No disappearing for an hour.

Just a short walk, some beautiful surroundings and a bit of time for the two of them to enjoy being newly married. We made some portraits they'll be able to put on the wall, then got them straight back to their guests.

The wedding breakfast took place in Mottram Hall's beautiful St Andrew Suite, which has its own bar — always a useful feature when you've got a wedding party ready to celebrate.

And this lot were ready.

In fact, they were so ready to dance that the dance floor was already filling up while the DJ was still setting up.

That's always a good sign.

Once the music properly got going, there was no stopping them. The bubble machine was working overtime, the guests were bouncing, and the DJ absolutely smashed it.

The dance floor stayed busy long into the evening, with only one important interruption.

The hog roast.

Because even the most committed wedding dancer needs feeding occasionally.

After a quick refuel, it was straight back onto the dance floor and the celebrations carried on into the night.

Hannah and Louis' wedding was a brilliant example of why I love photographing weddings as they happen. There was no need to manufacture moments or keep pulling people away from their guests. The important photographs were done, the portraits were quick, and the rest of the day was spent doing what a wedding is actually for — being with your favourite people and having a seriously good time.

And if your guests are already dancing before the DJ has finished setting up, I think you've probably got the party part of the wedding sorted.