A Beautiful, Warm Wedding at The Manor Rooms, Drewton Estate
The Manor Rooms Wedding Photography. Ah, this wedding. Helen and Lewis’ big day at The Manor Rooms on the Drewton Estate was nothing short of perfect—warm, relaxed, and filled with so much laughter. And yes, there was a lot of sun, unusual for England! But it was the perfect setting for their special day, and I’m so excited to share some highlights!
Getting Ready
I arrived at lunchtime to get the day started—Helen’s ceremony wasn’t until 3pm, so there was plenty of time to soak in the atmosphere. Helen was getting ready in the farmhouse right next to the venue, surrounded by her bridesmaids and mum. The ever-talented Charlotte Mallinder was finishing up Helen’s makeup when I arrived; he really knows how to bring out the best in her brides!
Helen is a huge fan of William Morris prints so I made sure to use a beautiful tray with a similar print from the farmhouse as a background for her detail shots. It was one of those little touches that just made everything feel more personal.
Helen’s dress was gorgeous, and I hung it in a pear tree to get the perfect shot—because why not? It was a bit of a challenge balancing on tiptoe to get the angle just right, but it was worth it. We also had the floral genius Hannah from Elder and Iris to thank for the stunning bouquets. Seriously, if you’re ever in need of floral inspiration, go check her out. The colour palette of sage green and white was so fresh and elegant.
The Ceremony
Lewis was also getting ready nearby, in a different cottage on the estate, and my associate, Jane Beadnell, joined him for a couple of hours to capture those moments with his groomsmen and family. As if the day wasn’t already perfect enough, their adorable Golden Retriever, Romy, was with them and stayed with them all day long. Romy, by the way, was an absolute angel—she fell asleep during the ceremony (that’s a wedding guest goal right there).
The ceremony itself took place in the Garden Room, a gorgeous, light-filled space that was perfect for the occasion. The natural light made it all feel airy and relaxed. After the vows, we all headed outside to the terrace for the confetti moment; it was very confetti-heavy – just how I like it! The couple was showered in love (and confetti), and we also got a cheeky group photo on the steps leading down to the garden.
Reception
Once we got through the confetti chaos, it was time to take Helen, Lewis, and Romy for a little drive through the estate for some portraits. We went further into the woods, where the light was magical, and the views over the countryside were idyllic. Jane stayed behind to capture candid shots of the guests, which is always a nice balance on the day—getting lots of those relaxed, unposed moments as well as a few more formal ones is key.
Back at the venue, I grabbed some sneaky detail shots of the wedding breakfast setup. The venue’s mezzanine allowed me to take a lovely overhead shot of the whole room, and it looked absolutely stunning. Everything about the space just worked—rustic, elegant, and totally welcoming.
Speeches & Party Time
The speeches were short, sweet, and surprisingly moving—Lewis, Helen, and their families really nailed it with the heartfelt moments. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house (and yes, there may have been a few sniffles from me). Then, of course, it was time to tuck into the food, which was delicious!
Once dinner was done, the sun started to set, so Mike (the fantastic videographer from Swanland Media) and I snuck Helen and Lewis out into the wheat field next to the venue for some relaxed, golden hour portraits. Seriously, the light was insane. We got some of my favourite shots of the day!
Then came the cake cutting—cue a slightly dramatic moment when the knife actually broke while they were cutting the cake. But hey, it’s not a wedding until something goes hilariously wrong, right?
And after that, the first dance. The crowd joined in quickly, and before we knew it, the party was in full swing. Dancing, laughter, and some seriously questionable dance moves ensued. It was a perfect end to a perfect day.
Helen and Lewis, your day was beautiful in every way, and I’m so happy to have been a part of it. Congratulations!
Suppliers:
Venue: The Manor Rooms
Florist: Elder and Iris
Makeup: Charlotte Mallinder Makeup
Second Photographer: Jane Beadnell Photography
Videographer: Swanland Media
Hair: Mirror Image Hair
If you’re looking for a photography for your wedding at The Manor Rooms please do get in touch!