HAWKSTONE HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
AUTHENTIC MOMENTS. RELAXED PORTRAITS. NO STAGING. NO SHOT LISTS. NO CHEESY POSING.
NATURAL STORYTELLING WITH A MODERN EDGE
Modern documentary photography for people who hate fuss!
No staging, no shot lists, no cheesy posing
Your Dream Wedding at Hawkstone Hall & Gardens
Welcome to the enchanting world of Hawkstone Hall & Gardens, a haven nestled amidst the hills of the picturesque Shropshire countryside. In this blog post, we’re going to take you on a journey through the splendid offerings of this Grade 1 listed estate, where dreams come true and love stories are celebrated in style.
1. Spaces That Tell Stories
At Hawkstone Hall, each space is a chapter waiting to be written into your love story. From the intricate details of the Ballroom to the grandeur of The Chapel, every corner echoes with the charm of a bygone era blended seamlessly with modern luxury.
Imagine exchanging vows in The Chapel, where the air is filled with the promise of forever, or hosting a banquet in The Refectory, surrounded by opulence and elegance.
The Bridal Wing, named ‘Brontë,’ adds a touch of magic to your preparations. With panoramic views, individual hair and makeup stations, and a relaxed breakfast buffet, it sets the stage for those precious moments before you walk down the aisle.
And let’s not forget ‘The Cave,’ an exclusive space for grooms, equipped with entertainment to ensure they have a blast while getting ready.
2. Culinary Bliss: A Feast for the Senses
Prepare your taste buds for a culinary journey like no other. Hawkstone Hall & Gardens takes pride in its in-house catering team, dedicated to creating a wedding breakfast that exceeds your expectations.
From canapés to three-course meals, every dish is a masterpiece crafted with bold flavours and chiefly British inspiration drawn from the seasons.
The drinks are equally exquisite, with creative packages and a Cocktail Library that can be customised to suit your theme. Hawkstone Hall believes in not just meeting expectations but surpassing them, ensuring that your wedding feast is a celebration of love and exquisite tastes.
3. The Love Buggy: Navigating Picture-Perfect Moments
Your love story deserves a picturesque backdrop, and the Love Buggy at Hawkstone Hall ensures just that. With minimal walking required, this buggy chauffeurs you to the most scenic spots in the gardens for your wedding photographs.
From the apple orchard to the secret garden and lily pond, every location provides a stunning backdrop for those everlasting moments.
4. Gardens of Elysium: Where Nature Meets Celebration
Immerse your celebration in the beauty of Hawkstone Hall’s 88 acres of meticulously maintained gardens. Choose to exchange vows beside the Lily Pond & Rose Garden or host a drinks reception in The Orchard or on The Lawns. The estate offers a variety of features, including The Walled Garden, The Stew Pond, and The Secret Garden, creating a seamless integration of nature into your special day.
Your guests can wander through paths and trails, discovering the serenity of The Lily Pond, the charm of The Orchard, and the hidden wonders of The Secret Garden. Every step on the estate is a step into a world where celebration and nature dance hand in hand.
5. Exclusivity & Accommodation: Making Memories in Privacy
Hawkstone Hall goes beyond just hosting your wedding; it offers exclusivity and accommodation options to ensure your day is truly yours. With exclusive hire options, you can enjoy a private country estate with no other guests in attendance. This provides the perfect setting for intimate moments, shared meals, and walks undisturbed.
Choose from a range of bedrooms, each individually designed with comfort and style in mind. Whether you opt for the luxury of the principal suites or the elegant alternative of classic bedrooms in The Orangery Wing, you’re assured of a retreat that complements the grandeur of your celebration. Crafting Your Perfect Day at Hawkstone Hall*
Hawkstone Hall & Gardens is not just a venue; it’s a canvas where your dream wedding is painted with elegance, charm, and the beauty of nature. From exclusive packages that cater to your desires to a culinary experience that tantalizes your taste buds, every element is carefully curated to make your special day extraordinary.
So, let Hawkstone Hall & Gardens be the stage for your love story, where dreams unfold, and memories are etched in the walls of this historic estate. Your perfect day awaits, and Hawkstone Hall is ready to make it a reality. Let the celebration begin!
Hawkstone Hall’s Exclusive Wedding Packages
Discover your dream wedding at Hawkstone Hall & Gardens with our thoughtfully curated packages, each promising a unique celebration tailored to your desires.
1. Winter Wonderland (Feb & Mar) – £10,000 approx
Captivate your love in a Winter Wonderland at Hawkstone Hall. Available daily in Feb & Mar 2024, this £10,000 package offers exclusive ground use, a three-course wedding breakfast, Prosecco, and a honeymoon suite.
2. December Delight- £16,995 approx
Embrace the enchantment of December with the £16,995 December Delight package, available Thurs to Sun. Enjoy exclusive ground use, a three-course wedding breakfast, Prosecco, bespoke florals, and a luxury honeymoon suite.
3. New Year’s Eve Extravaganza- £24,995 approx
Welcome the new year as newlyweds with our New Year’s Eve Extravaganza. Priced at £24,995, it includes exclusive ground use, a three-course wedding breakfast, Prosecco, a fireworks display, and a luxury honeymoon suite.
4. Ultimate Winter Bliss – £24,995 approx
Experience the ultimate in winter weddings with our £24,995 Ultimate Winter Bliss package, available on select dates in 2024. Enjoy exclusive ground use, a three-course wedding breakfast, Prosecco, bespoke florals, an in-house DJ, and access to the bridal preparation suite and the cave.
These packages promise not just a celebration but an immersive experience at Hawkstone Hall & Gardens, where every detail is crafted to bring your unique vision to life. Your love story deserves the grandeur of this historic estate, and Hawkstone Hall is poised to make it a reality.
Hawkstone Hall Wedding Photography
My driving force on your wedding journey is to document your story, your friends and your family in a creative yet authentic way. From the time you book with me to the final delivery of your images, I am there for you and your story.
Throughout the wedding day, I document beautiful moments in a very natural and unposed manner whilst adding creativity to deliver images that are unique to you and your story.
I love the feeling of leaving a wedding and feeling part of the family – there’s nothing better. It’s been said numerous times “it was like having a friend capture our day” – that’s the way it should be.
You will find me right in the action, at close quarters, you won’t see me skirting the wall with a long lens. I believe in documenting your story from within. I can usually be found laughing with your guests, often I’m the one making people laugh.
Being close really helps your friends and family feel comfortable with me and allows me to document moments that I wouldn’t otherwise capture if they were uneasy.
Looking to host a Hawkstone Hall Wedding?
If you love my work and style and value an authentic and natural approach, please get in touch asap. I work throughout the UK and internationally for destination weddings so no matter the location please get in touch.
" Ray was absolutely incredible and I would 100% recommend. On the day, he brought all the laughs and positive vibes, effortlessly putting all our guests at ease. The photos are absolutely incredible. Ray also created a highlight film for us which was amazing! He recorded so many great moments and it meant we didn’t need to book a videographer/content creator too. He really is amazing and we would definitely recommend. "
— Emma + Callum, Woodlands Hotel
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER
Right, let’s start by saying you’re not just buying ‘nice photos’ – we live in a world with so many nice instagram feeds, but it’s not just aesthetics. I’ve seen loads of photographers who have a large majority of their instagram feeds/website from content days, workshops etc. (no pressure, no time constraints, models, perfect setups)
A nice instagram grid or website doesn’t tell you if they can handle chaos, keep you from shitting your pants before you go down the aisle, read the room, move portraits later in the timeline as you booked a live singer for the reception and you actually want to listen to them. That stuff doesn’t live on pretty feeds – It lives in experience. (350+ weddings over 10 years, I got you covered)
The real risk isn’t just bad photos, it’s a bad fit. Feeling awkward, being dragged around, missing the good bits because someone was too busy staging ‘the perfect shot’. So here’s the meat and bones of it: don’t ask yourself ‘do we like their photos?’ – instead ask yourself ‘do we trust this person to show up on the day and smash it out the park’ (read my reviews).
Once you realise that, you stop scrolling for the prettiest grid and start looking for the person, the vibe, the energy you want to spend your entire day with, someone who will sing along to the fresh prince of bel air during bride prep, someone who will knock out some body popping on the dance floor before capturing the bridesmaid whacking out the perfect worm – and if that ends up being me – happy bloody days!!
I don’t direct the day, I document it!
Real moments over fake poses
My goal on your wedding day is simple, to tell your story creatively and authentically. From the moment you book until your gallery is delivered, I’m there for you, documenting every moment in a natural, unposed way while adding a touch of creativity to make the images truly yours.
I love leaving a wedding feeling like part of the family. Couples often say, “It felt like having a friend capture our day,” and that’s exactly how it should be. You’ll usually find me right in the action, laughing with guests and capturing moments from up close. I believe the best photos come from being fully immersed in the day, not hiding at the back with a long lens. When your friends and family feel comfortable with me, that’s when I can document the most genuine moments.
That’s why connection matters so much. I want to capture your wedding from within, like a friend who just happens to have some very expensive cameras.
" The BEST photographer and person ever. Ray really knows his stuff and his expertise and skills made for a seamless day. Ray provided hybrid coverage (photo + film), we are honestly both speechless. We knew the pictures would be good but they really were like something out of a magazine. How he had time to also capture the day via video. I’ll never know! Everyone at the wedding commented on how special Ray was and how he felt like part of the family! There wasn’t a person he didn’t make smile, he’s a true legend "
— Jasmine + Tom, Newton Hall
I also offer KICK-ASS highlight films. have a watch of this one.
FEATURED WEDDINGS
WHY NOT TAKE A GOOSEY GANDER
RAW, UN-STAGED, AUTHENTIC MOMENTS. THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR. IT'S A WEDDING DAY, NOT A PHOTOSHOOT!
Work with me
I’d absolutely love to work with you, I love working with couples who understand my approach, love my work and just want to have a relaxed and fun wedding day. I work with about 20-25 couples per year and I’d love for you to become one of the few, so please fill out the contact form to get the ball rolling and we can jump on ZOOM, have a chat and go from there.
I’m eternally grateful for your time checking out my work etc. I understand there are thousands of photographers and if you do want to work with me… thanks so much you bloody legends!!