Some couples take months to choose their photographer. Ann-Marie and Paul took about five minutes.

I met them at a wedding fair at Ashfield House. I’d finished chatting to another couple when they walked straight up and said, “We want to book you.” We hadn’t spoken before, but they’d had a look through my albums and slideshow while I was busy. I jokingly asked if they wanted to check out the other photographers in the room first. They didn’t. They booked a few other suppliers that same day too, so they clearly knew exactly what they wanted.

They’d already been to other weddings at Ashfield House, and one viewing was enough to convince them it was the place. Their brief for the day was simple: fun, upbeat and wholesome. They delivered on all three.

Red brick exterior of Ashfield House wedding venue in Standish, framed by overhanging tree branches, with a wrought iron balcony above the bay window

Welcome sign reading "It's a nice day for a White Wedding" with P and A-M 31.07.26, on an easel in the Ashfield House hallway beside the vinyl record table plan

A wedding built around music

Ann-Marie and Paul love live music and indie rock, and it ran through every part of their day at the end of July. Each table was named after one of their favourite bands, the top table was The Main Stage, and vinyl records were everywhere: the table plan, the table names, and even the guest book. Instead of a traditional signing book, they left a stack of records for guests to write their messages on.

Add disco balls in every corner, a Get Inked temporary tattoo station so guests could look the part, and their own photobooth corner stocked with rock wigs and inflatable guitars, and you get the idea. Even the favours fitted the mood, with little Meant to Bee honey jars at every place setting. Their friend Armandine acted as their unofficial wedding planner, helping design the stationery, theme and room layouts, before Jill from Let’s Party by Jill brought it all to life with the styling, flowers and decor.

Getting ready

I started the morning upstairs with Ann-Marie and her crew, while the boys were getting ready nearby, so I could move between both. Ann-Marie had one style of dress in mind before shopping, but when she went looking with her daughter Steph at Trudy Smith Bridal in Ormskirk, she found something different and knew it was the one. One of my favourite moments of the morning was Paul’s dad seeing her in the dress for the first time. His face said it all.

Bride Ann-Marie in white pyjamas laughing with a bridesmaid in blue pyjamas, holding a gift of flowers and a present bag in the sitting room at Ashfield House

Black and white photo of a bridesmaid wiping away tears after opening a gift, with bride Ann-Marie smiling beside her on the sofa during bridal prep at Ashfield House

A ceremony that was a little different

The ceremony in the Ceremony Room was led by celebrant Vikki Harris, with Paul’s friend Scott stepping in as co-celebrant for the vows. Axl, their cocker spaniel (named after the Guns N’ Roses frontman), made a surprise entrance first, trotting down the aisle with the rings.

Ann-Marie followed, arm in arm with her son and Paul’s dad, while Morgan the wedding pianist played a piano version of Sweet Child O’ Mine. Fitting, given who had gone before her. The ceremony opened with a shot of bitter and a shot of port in memory of Ann-Marie’s mum and dad, which was a lovely way to include them from the start.

To decide who would say their vows first, the whole room got involved in a game of Play Your Cards Right, shouting higher or lower. Axl later signed the wedding papers with his paw. It set the tone for the rest of the day: relaxed, a bit daft, and lots of laughing.

Bride Ann-Marie holding her white and red rose bouquet on the grand staircase at Ashfield House, under a brass chandelier beside an oil portrait

Bride Ann-Marie walking up the grand staircase at Ashfield House before the ceremony, seen from above with the brass chandelier reflected in the mirror behind

Drinks, food and speeches

The weather was on their side, so after a confetti exit the drinks reception spilled outside with cocktails, beer and canapés while guests explored the grounds. Plenty of time for natural candid shots of friends and family catching up.

The wedding breakfast in The Reception Room was soup, roast beef and sticky toffee pudding, and I heard more than a few comments about the generous portions. Paul kicked off the speeches standing on his chair, which set the tone nicely. His dad, Steph and best man Andy followed, and between them they covered funny, emotional and sincere.

Ann-Marie and Paul walking hand in hand through a shower of petal confetti thrown by guests in the sunshine outside Ashfield House

Best man Andy with a bottle of beer chatting to guests during the drinks reception at Ashfield House, as a friend reaches over to his ear

The evening

Their first dance was to Does Heaven Even Know You’re Missing by Nickelback, a song with real personal meaning for them both. After that, The New Man Rockets took over and had the dance floor full all night, with Andy joining in on inflatable air guitar. The DFC Experience kept it going on the decks, mixing their chosen songs with his own picks and taking requests.

Ann-Marie and Paul said the thing guests enjoyed most was the warmth and laughter throughout the day. From behind the camera, I’d agree. It was one of those weddings where everyone seemed to be having a good time from start to finish.

Guests laughing at the Get Inked temporary tattoo station in the hallway at Ashfield House, one holding a Get Inked water spray bottle

Guest pressing a temporary tattoo onto her friend's shoulder at the Get Inked station, as other guests laugh and film on their phones

Planning your own Ashfield House wedding? Have a look at my guide to Ashfield House wedding photography for more on the rooms, the gardens and the food, or get in touch to check my availability.