Blakelands Country House Wedding Photography: A Complete Guide
Capturing Magical Moments at Blakelands Country House
As a wedding photographer specialising in documentary storytelling and creative night portraits, Blakelands Country House in South Staffordshire countryside offers the perfect canvas for my approach. This historic venue provides a wonderful blend of elegant indoor spaces and beautiful outdoor settings, allowing me to capture genuine moments throughout your wedding day while creating those magical evening portraits that become conversation pieces in your home.
Having photographed many weddings at Blakelands, I've gained intimate knowledge of this stunning venue - from the most picturesque spots for portraits to the perfect timing for golden hour photos in the walled gardens. My experience here allows me to anticipate the flow of your day, ensuring I'm always in the right place at the right time to document those precious, fleeting moments.
The Magic of Blakelands Country House as a Wedding Venue
Blakelands Country House is one of Staffordshire's premier wedding venues, with its Queen Anne house dating back to 1722. Located on Six Ashes Road, this venue perfectly blends historical charm and modern amenities. The main house exudes character with its impressive architectural features, while the surrounding ten acres of walled gardens, paddocks, and lakes create a picturesque backdrop for your wedding day.
The venue offers exclusive wedding use, meaning the entire property is yours for the day. Your family and friends can enjoy the stunning surroundings without interruption, creating an intimate atmosphere for your celebration. With 13 en-suite rooms, including the elegant Bridal Suite, Blakelands can accommodate your closest guests, making it convenient for everyone to enjoy your special day without worrying about transportation.
Best Photography Locations at Blakelands
One of the reasons I love working as a wedding photographer at Blakelands is the variety of stunning backdrops available throughout the property:
The Walled Garden - Perfect for colourful ceremony photographs and romantic couple portraits, especially in summer when the flowers are in full bloom
The Courtyard - Ideal for capturing candid moments of guests mingling during drinks reception
The Orchard and Lakes - Offers beautiful natural settings for creative portraits
The Maltings Barn - Provides a rustic yet elegant backdrop for your evening reception photos
The Main House - Features elegant interiors with wonderful window light for bridal preparations
For those signature evening portraits I'm known for, the front of the main house illuminated at night provides a spectacular backdrop for creative lighting techniques. The stone walls and archways throughout the property also create perfect framing for dramatic night portraits using off-camera flash.
Working with Your Wedding Photographer at Blakelands
Planning your photography timeline at Blakelands requires understanding how the venue flows throughout the day. As your wedding photographer, I work closely with the venue's experienced team to ensure seamless coordination.
Based on my experience, I recommend:
Morning preparation photos in the Bridal Loft, where the natural light is beautiful
Pre-ceremony portraits take advantage of the main house's elegant interior
Ceremony photos capturing both your reactions and the stunning backdrop
Post-ceremony confetti shots in the courtyard
Family group photos in the walled gardens (weather permitting)
A couple portraits split between afternoon golden light and evening creative sessions
I always conduct a pre-wedding venue visit with my couples to walk through these locations and discuss their preferences. This ensures we create a photography plan that captures everything important to them.
The Wedding Breakfast Experience
Blakelands is renowned for its exceptional catering, led by Head Chef Richard Kenny. The wedding breakfast is a highlight of the day, served in either the Maltings Barn or the Lodge Restaurant, depending on your guest numbers. The venue prides itself on traditional English meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
As your wedding photographer, I discreetly document these moments – the reactions during speeches, the laughter shared between guests, and the details you've carefully planned. Having photographed numerous weddings here, I've developed a friendly relationship with the catering team, allowing me to anticipate key moments while remaining unobtrusive.
"The food at our Blakelands wedding was exceptional! Paul captured all the reactions during the speeches perfectly."
Evening Reception Magic at Blakelands
The Maltings Barn transforms beautifully for your evening reception, with its rustic beams and warm lighting creating the perfect atmosphere for celebrations. This is when my creative photography skills come alive, capturing the energy of your party and creating those signature night portraits that make my coverage unique.
We'll slip away for 15-20 minutes between the first dance and evening festivities to create dramatic evening portraits. The house's illuminated façade, the garden pathways lined with lights, and the barn's rustic exterior all provide perfect backdrops for creative night photography using my specialist lighting techniques.
Seasonal Considerations at Blakelands
Blakelands Country House transforms throughout the seasons, each offering unique photographic opportunities:
Spring - Blossoming trees and new growth in the walled gardens create colourful backdrops
Summer - The gardens are in full bloom, perfect for outdoor ceremonies and drinks receptions
Autumn - The grounds explode with warm colours, creating a magical setting for portraits
Winter - The main house decorated for Christmas creates a cosy, intimate atmosphere
I've photographed weddings at Blakelands in all seasons and weather conditions, so rest assured that whatever the forecast, we'll create beautiful images that tell the story of your day.
Real Wedding Stories at Blakelands
Katy and Tom's summer wedding at Blakelands stands out in my memory. With the sun shining brightly, their outdoor ceremony in the walled gardens was a photographer's dream. The couple spent time planning personal details that reflected their relationship, from custom table settings to surprise musical performances during the speeches.
"Paul captured our day perfectly," Katy shared afterwards. "He knew exactly where to take us for the best photos at different times of day, and the evening portraits he created are stunning – they're the ones everyone comments on when they see our album."
Another couple, Heidi and Daniel, chose Blakelands for its fantastic combination of elegant indoor spaces and beautiful grounds. Despite some rain during their spring wedding, we used the covered walkways and beautiful interior spaces, proving that Blakelands is a fantastic venue in any weather. Their evening photos, with dramatic skies and creative lighting, became their favourite images from the day.
Planning Your Blakelands Wedding Photography
When planning your wedding at Blakelands, I recommend:
Schedule a venue visit together so we can discuss specific photo locations
Consider the timing of your ceremony about the best light for photographs
Allow 20 minutes for a couple of portraits during golden hour if possible
Plan for an evening portrait session to take advantage of my creative lighting expertise
Discuss your timeline with both myself and the Blakelands team to ensure everything flows smoothly
The venue staff at Blakelands are invaluable, and nothing is too much trouble for them. Working collaboratively with their team ensures your day runs perfectly, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment while I document your story.
Why Choose Me as Your Blakelands Wedding Photographer
My documentary approach and creative artistic vision make me the perfect photographer for Blakelands Country House weddings. I understand how to work with this venue's unique features and lighting conditions to create a comprehensive story of your day.
From morning preparations in the Bridal Loft to your evening reception in the Maltings Barn, I'll capture genuine moments while creating show-stopping creative portraits that have become my signature. My knowledge of Blakelands means no special moment will be missed, and you'll have a beautiful collection of images that truly reflect the magic of your wedding day.
I'd love to discuss how to capture your Blakelands wedding through natural documentary coverage and creative artistic portraits. Let's create something magical together.
Ready to Book Your Blakelands Wedding Photographer?
Blakelands Country House Wedding Photography Services
Civil Ceremony Wedding Photography
Half Day Wedding Photography
Custom Wedding Photography