Dovecliff Hall Wedding Photographer | Georgian Country House Wedding in Staffordshire
Rachel and Matt’s wedding at Dovecliff Hall was one of those days that simply felt good to be part of, warm in both atmosphere and spirit, filled with friendly faces, meaningful moments and a real sense of celebration.
I photographed both bridal and groom preparations, documenting the calm excitement as the morning unfolded. Rachel and Matt met while working together at the Appleby Inn Hotel near Measham, where Matt is a chef, and their shared background in hospitality really showed throughout the day – the focus was very much on people, connection and making everyone feel welcome.
Matt’s proposal was wonderfully personal and perfectly understated. At home, with their baby son wearing a vest reading “Mummy, will you marry Daddy?”, it was a moment that set the tone for the wedding that followed – thoughtful, emotional and full of heart.
They chose the beautiful Georgian country house of Dovecliff Hall in Stretton, near Burton-on-Trent, a venue very local to me and one I’ve photographed many times over the years. Its elegant interiors, sweeping driveway and immaculate gardens make it a timeless choice for couples wanting a refined yet relaxed wedding day.
The ceremony took place in the Orangery, a stunning, light-filled space that is ideal for wedding ceremonies. Soft natural light flooded the room, creating a calm and uplifting setting as Rachel and Matt exchanged their vows. Rachel looked incredible in her fitted lace dress, designed by Louise Bentley from a local Burton bridal boutique, Tracy Lea Bridal, while Matt wore a grey tweed suit finished off with a delicate pink tie perfectly suited to the venue.
Following the ceremony, guests made the most of the sunshine, enjoying drinks outside in Dovecliff Hall’s gardens. The day had a wonderfully unhurried feel, with people chatting, laughing and soaking up the surroundings.
The wedding breakfast and speeches were set up in the dining room, with the dance floor later returning to the ceremony space. Before the speeches, Rachel was visibly emotional seeing the dining room beautifully styled, a quiet, touching moment that said so much about how much the day meant to her.
There were plenty of personal touches woven into the celebrations. Rachel’s brother gave her away in a deeply meaningful moment, followed by a heartfelt speech that had many guests reaching for tissues. A round-robin of advice for the newlyweds added warmth and humour before dinner was served.
As evening arrived, the energy lifted even further. A game of Mr and Mrs before the first dance commenced. A sing off by both the bride and groom. The dance floor quickly filled, inflatable guitars and a saxophone made an appearance, along with retro disco glasses, pure, unfiltered fun and an absolute joy to document. Happy faces, relaxed dancing and genuine laughter carried on well into the evening.
Rachel and Matt are a more mature couple, celebrating their early forties and their wedding felt beautifully confident and true to who they are, warm, welcoming and focused on celebrating with the people they love most. Even some time on, it remains a day I look back on fondly.
Dovecliff Hall continues to be a venue I genuinely enjoy photographing. Its light, elegant spaces and relaxed countryside setting lend themselves perfectly to natural, documentary-style wedding photography and this day was a wonderful example of that.
If this Dovecliff Hall wedding day spoke to you, the quiet moments, the unscripted laughter and the honest, timeless images; I’d love to hear your story. If my relaxed, documentary-led approach feels like the right fit for your wedding, get in touch and let’s chat about how we can capture the real, beautiful moments on your day.
