Setting the Scene: Andy and Laura's Wedding at Hogarths Stone Manor
Andy and Laura married at Hogarths Stone Manor, in the Worcestershire countryside, in August 2022. This Tudor-style manor is known for its landscaped gardens and elegant interiors. It's a popular wedding venue for couples wanting historic character with modern comfort. With a restaurant, lounges and several event spaces, the whole day can happen in one place. I'm Paul Hickey of Once in a Lifetime Photography. This is how I covered their day as their Hogarths Stone Manor wedding photographer, rose garden to bubble guns.
The airy Garden Room is a light, versatile space that suits most wedding styles, with views over the gardens. The venue says it holds up to 200 guests. Hogarths Stone Manor also has indoor and outdoor ceremony options and an in-house team that runs the day.
The staff are experienced and attentive, and they work well with suppliers. Receptions can stay indoors or spill out into the private walled garden, where guests can enjoy drinks and garden games.
Andy and Laura chose Hogarths Stone Manor for its scenery, setting and facilities. As their wedding photographer, I photographed a day full of laughter and family. This post takes you through the highlights of their wedding and the details that made it theirs.
About the Couple
Andy and Laura met through mutual friends at a local event and connected straight away. They share a love of exploring the countryside and eating out. That led to plenty of dates and adventures.
After several years together, Andy decided to propose. He planned it around their love of nature and quiet places. On a crisp autumn day, during a walk in their favourite park, he knelt and asked Laura to marry him. She said yes through happy tears.
Andy and Laura's bond is built on shared values and on supporting each other through life's ups and downs. Their wedding at Hogarths Stone Manor brought together the family and friends who have been part of that journey.
The Wedding Venue: Hogarths Stone Manor
Hogarths Stone Manor sits in the Worcestershire countryside near Kidderminster. Beyond the Tudor-style frontage and landscaped gardens, there's a private walled garden. It's a quirky spot for drinks and lawn games.
Andy and Laura chose the venue for its setting and its indoor and outdoor ceremony options. The staff kept the day calm and well organised. A dedicated wedding coordinator also helps with planning beforehand.
The gardens, Tudor-style architecture and interiors gave plenty of photography spots through the day. The option of exclusive use gave Andy and Laura privacy and a day that suited their Cadbury purple colour scheme.
Pre-Wedding Preparations
On the morning of the wedding, preparations began in the bridal suite overlooking the gardens. Laura started with hair and make-up alongside her maid of honour, Kelly, and her mother. The suite was relaxed and full of laughter. They shared stories over prosecco and orange juice.
I photographed the hair and make-up and the details of Laura's dress, shoes and accessories. I also caught the friendship between the women in the room. This part of the day is always a favourite of mine. It's full of candid, heartfelt moments that set the scene for the wedding.
Around lunchtime, Andy and his groomsmen arrived, looking dapper in their wedding attire. The groomsmen wore Cadbury purple ties, top pocket handkerchiefs, and grey long-tail suits, matching the wedding's colour scheme. Laura's bouquet, crafted from artificial flowers and adorned with individual jewellery pieces, added a personal touch to her ensemble. At the same time, her slim-fitting white dress had a long train. The maid of honour's beautiful purple bridesmaid dress completed the coordinated look of the bridal party.
With everyone ready, attention turned to the ceremony.
Andy and Laura's Ceremony
Andy and Laura's ceremony blended tradition and personal touches, held outdoors in the gardens of Hogarths Stone Manor. The manor's Tudor-style architecture and landscaped gardens made a romantic backdrop.
As guests took their seats, a string quartet played softly. Floral arrangements in the wedding's Cadbury purple lined the aisle. They led to a decorated table at the front.
Laura walked down the aisle with her father in her elegant white dress. The smiles and teary eyes of family and friends showed how much the moment meant.
A close friend of the couple led the ceremony, which made it personal. Andy and Laura exchanged vows that moved everyone in the room. Their first kiss as a married couple drew applause and cheers.
After the ceremony, Andy and Laura led their guests to the rose garden behind the Drawing Room for drinks. There were canapés, house wine, group photos and a confetti moment. The rose garden was a relaxed spot for mingling. Its greenery and blooms added to the celebration.
Cadbury Purple in the Drawing Room
The wedding breakfast was held in the Drawing Room. Laura arranged the Cadbury purple chair covers, sashes, table runners and flowers herself. The styling made the room warm and inviting, and very much theirs.
Guests enjoyed a wedding breakfast with a menu for every taste. Then came speeches from the father of the bride, the best man and Andy himself. Each speech mixed stories, laughter and a few tears.
The Evening Reception
After the meal, guests went back out to the rose garden before the evening began. I used the time for portraits of Andy and Laura around the grounds. Golden hour gave soft, warm light.
As the evening went on, the celebration moved to dancing and entertainment. The highlight came when guests fired battery-powered bubble guns. Andy and Laura shared a moment under a shower of bubbles. It gave some of the most playful photos of the day.
Andy and Laura's outdoor wedding at Hogarths Stone Manor was full of love, laughter and family. Days like this are why I love wedding photography.
More weddings at Hogarths Stone Manor: a Greek-inspired wedding and Emma & Reece's cloudy-day wedding.
Planning a wedding at Hogarths Stone Manor? Want relaxed documentary coverage with creative evening portraits? I'd love to hear from you. I'm Paul Hickey of Once in a Lifetime Photography, a recommended supplier at the venue.