Summer Wedding at Alrewas Hayes, Staffordshire – Specially Crafted for UK Daughters Brides-to-Be

Nathan and Sophie tied the knot in June 2024 at a wonderful countryside estate in Staffordshire. Joined by their closest family and friends, their celebration was one filled with love, laughter, and personal touches. Featuring a neutral and earthy colour palette, take inspiration from how the couple transformed their venue into the perfect backdrop for a dream summer wedding, beautifully captured by James Fear Photography.

James Fear Wedding Photographer

The Proposal

Nathan and Sophie had been dating since 2018. After moving in together and weathering the ups and downs of the pandemic, they both felt ready to take the next step in their relationship. In January 2022, Sophie stumbled upon a champagne sapphire ring in Manchester that captured her heart. Little did she know, Nathan took careful note.

James Fear Wedding Photographer

Months later, while on a trip to Lickey Hills, a peaceful spot they both loved, the couple eventually found a cosy bench to sit on. Nathan suggested Sophie get a treat for their dog, Patsy, from her bag. Much to her surprise, there was the same champagne sapphire ring she had admired months ago! Overwhelmed, Sophie turned to find Nathan down on one knee. With a joyful “Yes!” Sophie agreed to spend forever with him.

The Venue

James Fear Wedding Photographer

For their big day, Nathan and Sophie chose the picturesque Alrewas Hayes, a stunning country estate in Staffordshire. From the moment Sophie stepped into the Orangery, she knew she had found the perfect place for her wedding. Dating back to 1066, this historic venue is rooted in the heart of Staffordshire’s heritage and is even noted in the Domesday Book for its extensive woodland.

Located on the wing of the estate, the Orangery’s curved ceiling makes for a distinctive setting. Arched windows and doors that open onto the courtyard allow for plenty of natural light, offering a wonderful historic backdrop for the couple’s celebration that worked beautifully with their chosen theme.

Read more: Orangery and Glass House Wedding Venues

The Ceremony

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Opting for an intimate ceremony with 68 guests, Sophie’s cousin Megan and her fiancé Lindsey provided a heartfelt moment as they sang her down the aisle. Sophie wanted to add a personal touch, so she also recorded a message that played just before her walk, setting the perfect tone for the couple to exchange their vows.

The ceremony also featured special readings, including one from Sophie’s childhood friend, Amy, who read The Giraffe and The Monkey by Daniel Thompson and a touching piece by groomsman Darren titled “Marriage is a Journey.”

And of course we couldn’t forget to mention that Patsy, their adorable sausage dog, even made an appearance as the ring bearer!

Wedding Fashion

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Sophie looked nothing short of breathtaking in her wedding dress. She wore a stunning gown by Lillian West for the ceremony and later switched into a fun, pearl mini-dress by Havedress for the evening, complemented with pink champagne shoes and personalised pearl jewellery from Etsy to complete the look.

James Fear Wedding Photographer

Nathan looked sharp in a stone-coloured suit from DJ Formal Wear, perfectly complementing the celebration’s neutral, earthy colour palette. The bridesmaids wore a mix of stylish dresses from Topshop, ASOS Design, and Little Mistress, each in soft, muted tones. The groomsmen coordinated with Nathan’s look by donning suits of the same style, paired with earth-toned ties, while Nathan stood out with a bow tie.

The Food

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Food played a major role in Nathan and Sophie’s celebration. Guests raved about the canapés, especially the sausage rolls and mac and cheese balls. The wedding breakfast menu featured a delicious starter of salmon and prawn fishcakes, followed by poached chicken in champagne sauce, and a vanilla cream cheesecake for dessert. To add a fun twist, they served four flavours of ice cream during the reception and topped off the evening with delicious pizzas.

Wedding Entertainment

Music was a highlight of the day, with Synergy providing live entertainment in the evening alongside DJ Dean Knight. The couple’s first dance was to Elton John’s “Are You Ready for Love?” and they added an element of surprise when Sophie changed into her mini-dress for a choreographed dance with her bridesmaids.

Wedding Planning

James Fear Wedding Photographer

Nathan and Sophie spent two years planning their wedding, and while the journey was bit of a roller coaster, the couple found joy in adding personal and sentimental touches to their day. Sophie especially loved creating memories with her bridesmaids, mum, and family.

The couple had an incredible team of wedding suppliers who made the experience smoother and helped bring their dream wedding to life. Sophie had also started her wedding content creation business, Get Garcia’d, during this time, meaning that she saw so many amazing ideas that she could use to inspire the plans for their celebration.

Colour Palette

James Fear Wedding Photographer

Sophie and Nathan chose a subtle and earthy colour palette that reflected their personal style. The mix of neutral tones created an elegant yet warm atmosphere. This understated palette complemented the overall theme of memories and photos, which was particularly meaningful to Sophie. As a Wedding Content Creator herself, she loves capturing and preserving moments, so incorporating elements that allowed them to relive these memories became a heartfelt focus of their wedding.

Favourite Moments

James Fear Wedding Photographer

For Sophie, the wedding day was filled with unforgettable moments. The emotional first look with her father, the laughter shared with her bridesmaids during the morning, and her and Nathan’s private last dance all made the day incredibly special. But the joy of marrying Nathan and the overwhelming love and support from their family and friends is what Sophie remembers most fondly.

Unique Touches

James Fear Wedding Photographer

Sophie and Nathan’s wedding was filled with unique and personal touches that made the day truly special for both them and their guests. For a Mediterranean-inspired vibe, they hosted their wedding breakfast outdoors, creating a relaxed and beautiful setting. Instead of traditional bouquets, the bridesmaids carried charming baskets. Each guest received a personalised Polaroid name card, featuring a photo with either Sophie or Nathan (or both!), along with a heartfelt message written on the back.

Sophie and Nathan also encouraged their guests to capture and share moments throughout the day via a shared Google album and a POV app with QR codes on the tables, making sure every moment was captured.

James Fear Wedding Photographer

The fun didn’t stop there, Sophie surprised Nathan during their choreographed first dance by performing a surprise routine with her dance girls! These unique touches made their wedding day truly personal and unforgettable.

Newlywed Plans

After their magical day, Nathan and Sophie jetted off on a mini-moon to Crete to relax and unwind. They plan to take a longer honeymoon in 2025, dreaming of either a road trip across America or a getaway in Thailand.

James Fear Wedding Photographer

Wedding Supplier Credits

You can also learn more about Sophie’s company, Get Garcia’d, on Guides for Brides.

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