When it comes to planning your wedding, there are sooooooooo many venues to choose from. From grand country estates to private gardens, the options can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. And all we really want to do, is get married with as little fuss as possible. One venue that often gets overlooked is the local village hall. That’s probably not surprising. Some of them are a tad fugly and a little rough around the edges. I think that’s partly why I love a village hall so much! The potential these quirky venues have is mind blowing. Especially when a passionate bride or groom get their hands on unravelling the village hall’s potential to be something special. In this blog post, I’ll explain why choosing your local village hall for your wedding can be a great decision, especially when it comes to cost, decor, and FOOD!

Saving Money On A Wedding

One of the biggest advantages of choosing a village hall for your wedding is the cost. Traditional wedding venues, such as hotels or country estates, can be quite expensive. Especially when you add the pesky ‘wedding tax’. Not only do you have to pay for the venue itself, but you often also have to pay for catering, decorations, and other costs that can add up super quickly. On the other hand, village halls are typically run by local councils, so the cost to rent the space is much lower. This can be a great option for couples on a budget who still want a beautiful and memorable wedding.

Freedom To Do As You Choose

Another advantage of choosing a village hall is the freedom to decorate the space however you like. Many traditional wedding venues have strict rules about what you can and can’t do with the space. For example, some venues may not allow you to use certain types of decorations or may charge extra fees for certain services. With a village hall, you have much more freedom to create the wedding of your dreams. You can choose your own decorations, flowers, and other details to make the space truly your own.

One of the best things about getting married at a village hall is the freedom to choose your own wedding celebrant. Many venues require that you use their in-house wedding planner or officiant, which can be limiting. But with a village hall, you can choose the person who will be leading your ceremony. This is a great opportunity to select someone who you have a special connection with, whether it’s a family member, a close friend, or a professional celebrant. This makes your wedding ceremony more personal and meaningful.

FOOD, Sumptuous Food!

Another great thing about planning a village hall wedding, is the freedom to choose who caters for you and your wedding party. This can be a huge advantage over traditional venues where you are usually limited to using their in-house catering. With a village hall, you can choose your own caterer, which means you can select a company that specialises in the type of food you love. This also allows you to get a better price and to make sure the food is to your taste. Oh and lets not forget, many village halls wont charge you a corkage fee. So, you can stock up on your favourite drinks and supply them throughout the day without breaking the bank.

There are many reasons why you should consider getting married at your local village hall. Not only is it a cost-effective option, but it also gives you the freedom to decorate the space however you like, choose your own wedding celebrant, and select your own caterer. So, if you’re looking for a unique and affordable wedding venue, be sure to check out your local village hall!

A Real Local Village Hall Wedding In Photos

Here’s a wedding I photographed at the Mellor Parish Centre for Mike and Zoe. They planned their own village hall wedding celebration after getting married at their local church. As you can see, they were able to personalise the day to suit them. Without costing the earth.

Please enquire now if you are considering a village hall wedding. I’d love to be your photographer!

The post Why You Should Be Planning A Village Hall Wedding appeared first on Karl Chester, Manchester Wedding Photographer Best Suited For Relaxed, Fun, Alternative Bride & Grooms.

My hour or so spent driving north was nothing compared to Tom’s parents who flew in from Australia for their boy’s big day! They had spent many family holidays in Clitheroe and Tom had such fond memories of the area he couldn’t imagine getting married anywhere else. Luckily Rose agreed – she fell in love with the Inn at Whitewell as soon as she set eyes on it – and they planned a super relaxed wedding in the countryside. 

Weddings at The Inn at Whitewell

The Inn at Whitewell is the perfect spot for a wedding – or to enjoy an ale or two following a hike! Surrounded by picture perfect countryside and with views stretching for miles I can see why it was such a hit with Rose and Tom. 

Originally built as a manor house back in the 1300s it became an Inn around the 1700s and is now a hugely popular pub, hotel and wedding venue. I love how they’ve combined the rustic charm of the country pub with the wedding marquee, a blank canvas for couples meaning they can really put their own stamp on it. Tom and Rose, with the help of The Countryside Florist, had filled the marquee with cream florals and dark green foliage, it looked so good. 

Following their church wedding ceremony Tom, Rose and their guests made their way over to the Inn’s gardens, as the newly weds happily chatted away to their family and friends I captured all the smiles and laughter. I love these moments at a wedding reception, there’s always hugs, giggles and lots of fizz and beer which keeps everyone happy! 

Wedding photography in the Forest of Bowland

Whilst I’m primarily a documentary wedding photographer I do love stealing my couples away for a few moments during their wedding reception. It’s a great chance for them to enjoy some time together away from the crowd and that’s when I capture some beautiful portraits for them. Tom and Rose jumped into their wedding van (yes, really!) and we all drove up into the hills. We really wanted to make the most of the incredible fells and breathtaking scenery and soon found the perfect, secluded spot. Luckily the three of us are all big fans of walking and exploring the countryside but I kept in mind that Rose was in her (stunning!) Laure de Sagazan wedding dress and heels so didn’t want to have too big a trek! These two are so laid back and down to earth, they were just over the moon to be married and to be out enjoying the surroundings of the Inn at Whitewell, I think we could’ve spent hours out there but we had a party to get back to! 

Back at the Inn at Whitewell it was time to crack on with the celebrations. Tom and Rose had planned an evening do with a difference. There were some confused faces when guests were handed headphones but soon everyone donned a pair and got themselves ready for a silent disco! If you’ve not had chance to experience one of these then where have you been?! Everyone wears a set of headphones and picks from a number of different channels, each set to a different playlist. You could be bopping along to the Spice Girls while next to you your Auntie Barbara is rocking out to Queen! It makes for great photos – and yes, I got my own set of headphones of course! 

Tom and Rose had the fun filled, super chilled day they had been planning and I loved every minute. I can’t wait until I head back to the Inn at Whitewell for another wedding and in the meantime I’ll be taking my wife up there for some good food, excellent ale and a wander around the Forest! 

Check out some other gorgeous weddings on the blog.

The post The Inn at Whitewell Wedding Photography appeared first on Karl Chester, Manchester Wedding Photographer Best Suited For Relaxed, Fun, Alternative Bride & Grooms.