Peckforton Castle Wedding Photographer

The Perfect Venue for a Fairytale Cheshire Castle Wedding. 

If you’re dreaming of a genuine castle to say ‘I do’ in, with turrets, towers, a drawbridge and rolling countryside as the backdrop, Peckforton Castle is one of the best wedding venues in Cheshire. Perched on top of its own hill, this stunning, historic sandstone castle is located in Tarporley, in the heart of beautiful Cheshire countryside in North West England. A Victorian Gothic fortress, the castle is one of the most sophisticated and sought-after luxury wedding venues in Cheshire for couples dreaming of a truly unforgettable wedding day.

Why Peckforton Castle is one of my Favourite Cheshire Wedding Venues

This is more personal, not just because I’m a North West wedding photographer. I’m a sucker for a castle, the grandeur and history feel so luxurious and dreamy to me, and it’s the kind of venue I’ve always dreamed of getting married at myself (hopefully one day!) It’s a truly luxury, romantic wedding venue and the perfect place for a magnificent celebration with endless photo opportunities. From the moment you approach the gate lodge and drive up the sweeping long driveway towards the castle, you feel like a Disney prince or princess, stepping into a magical fairytale.

As a Manchester-based wedding photographer covering mainly Cheshire and the wider North West, it is one of my favourite luxury wedding venues to photograph at, mainly due to the incredible backdrop the castle provides for couple and group photos and the idyllic setting – click here to see some real weddings at Peckforton Castle. Whether we use the entire castle for your group photos, walk towards the long-sweeping driveway and the arched stone entrance for some stunning couples photos, or venture into the forest that surrounds the castle, there are endless opportunities for photos you will cherish and want to show off on your walls and in albums. And don’t worry, if the UK weather decides to not cooperate, inside there are countless beautiful spots for fabulous wedding photos, with the gorgeous spiral stone staircase and huge stained-glass windows in the Great Hall, to the many architecturally beautiful reception rooms and bedrooms.

Wedding Photography at Peckforton Castle: What to expect

As a wedding photographer who specialises in natural, relaxed, candid wedding photos, Peckforton Castle offers so many wonderful spaces for beautiful photos. The natural light pouring in through the Great Hall as you say your vows and the fabulous Minstrels Gallery above, make for dramatic and romantic candid wedding images and a beautiful backdrop for authentic emotional moments. I always switch between cameras throughout the day to ensure you have a variety of photos, both wide and up close and my wide angle lens is perfect for the Minstrel Gallery photos.

Post-ceremony, it’s time for your confetti photos followed by a group drone photo of everyone before you head for your drinks reception. We’ll take some time to do some group and couples photos during your drinks reception, and I’ll be busy in between capturing lots of documentary style wedding photos of your guests having a wonderful time. Peckforton Castle is equally perfect whether you’d like more natural couples photos or some more editorial couples photos too, and we’ll go for a wander together as I capture some timeless images for you to cherish. We can also get some drone photos of you both outside the castle too, with the rolling Cheshire countryside in shot.

The rest of the day usually involves a lot of candid moments captured; I won’t stop you to retake photos or ask you to perform for the camera, I photograph your day as it naturally unfolds, in a documentary style, with all the joy, laughter and happy tears. As the light of the day starts to fade, golden hour portraits are always beautiful, so we can run outside for a few minutes to snap some last photos of just the two of you; a lovely chance to also have a few minutes just the two of you.

Ceremony & Receptions Spaces at Peckforton Castle

There are 5 different options for ceremonies and receptions at Peckforton Castle. The Great Hall is a spectacular room for ceremonies and gorgeous photos, with its imposing windows with natural light streaming through, high ceilings and dramatic architecture. The Drawing Room is found just off the long bar, and as the largest reception room, it’s a great choice for your wedding breakfast, while The Hexagonal Room and The Library are perfect for a smaller more intimate gathering. There is also the Chapel available, if you’d like to have a blessing after your main ceremony, or indeed have your whole ceremony here. Head down to the Wine Cellar and you’ll find an amazingly unique space for your late-night partying into the small hours and a fab way to end your special day.

With 48 bedrooms, you can choose to hire the whole venue if you’d like all your guests to stay the night, perfect for celebrating late into the night. The Bridal suite with its fabulous four-poster bed is a fairytale suite, the perfect room for your first night as a married couple. For the night before your special day or for hen or stag 

parties, The Lodge is the perfect self-catering spot for seclusion and celebration, with multiple bedrooms and living space as well as your own outdoor jacuzzi and outdoor seating. A truly special space for your pre-wedding celebrations.

Celebrity weddings at Peckforton Castle

Unsurprisingly, Peckforton Castle has been the venue of many celebrity weddings over the years including footballers Rio Ferdinand, Wes Brown, Jamie Vardy and Fabrice Muamba. It’s also famously where US stars Ciara and Russell Wilson exchanged their vows. Given the fairytale magic and luxury the castle exudes, it’s easy to see why it’s become such a popular venue for so many famous faces and is such a favourite for luxury wedding photographers.

Choosing the Right Peckforton Castle Wedding Photographer

As with all castles, it can be quite dark inside due to the stone walls and ambient lighting, which makes it important that you choose a wedding photographer who has experience photographing weddings at the castle. Having experience of the venue also means I know the best spots for group and couples photos, both for sunny days and wet weather. Your photos are your forever memories so it’s important to choose an experienced Peckforton Castle wedding photographer.

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Peckforton Castle Wedding Galleries

Click the photos below to take a look at some of my favourite Peckforton Castle wedding photos from full weddings days I’ve had the privilege of photographing. From emotional ceremony moments in the Great Hall to timeless couples portraits in the castle grounds, I hope these give you a feel for what your day could look like.

Peckforton Castle FAQs

Is Peckforton Castle a licensed wedding venue?

It is indeed! Cheshire registry office can support you with all the specifics

Do Peckforton Castle just do civil ceremonies?

Peckforton Castle is licenced for civil ceremonies. You can also have a blessing in The Chapel after your ceremony, which sits right next to the main ceremony space.

How many guests can I have if I get married at Peckforton Castle?

Peckforton Castle cater for up to 165 guests for your ceremony and wedding breakfast, and up to 350 guests for evening reception.

Can you stay overnight at Peckforton Castle on your wedding day?

Of course! There’s the bridal suite or a variety of other rooms to choose from, 48 in total. There’s also the Lodge whicih sleeps up to 10 people. You can also stay the night before your wedding so you’re there ready for morning prep.

How much does Peckforton Castle cost?

This varies depending on the number of guests and how much of the castle you’d like to use. Weekdays offers are sometimes available and the wonderful team will help you craft the perfect wedding of your dreams, so do get in touch to enquire with them.

Do you need an experienced photographer for Peckforton Castle Weddings?

Yes. As it’s a castle, it is quite dark inside, so booking an experienced Peckforton Castle wedding photographer is definitely recommended as not all photographers can manage dark light well. Click here to view my wedding photography & video highlights packages

How many photos will I receive from my Peckforton Castle wedding?

Every wedding is different, but full-day Peckforton Castle weddings are always a minimum of 500 images, usually more like 700, delivered via a personalised online gallery within 8 weeks. You also receive a sneak peek of edited photos within 72 hours.

Is Peckforton Castle near Manchester?

Yes, Peckforton Castle is very near to Manchester. Depending on where in Manchester you’re based, it’s roughly an hour’s drive to Tarporley in Cheshire, North West England, so very accessible.