Real wedding · Hoar Cross Hall

Harry & Hannah

A spring wedding at one of Staffordshire’s grandest country houses, just down the road from Lichfield. Dark wood staircases, a jaw-dropping church and a wedding car with a few more wheels than usual.

Venue
Hoar Cross Hall
Location
Hoar Cross, Staffordshire
Season
Spring
Style
Country house, classic
Harry and Hannah smiling at each other in front of Hoar Cross Hall, their guests gathered on the steps behind

A grand country house wedding, close to home

Hoar Cross Hall is a red-brick Victorian mansion tucked into the Staffordshire countryside, about twenty-five minutes from my base in Lichfield. Inside it’s all dark oak panelling, sweeping staircases, stained glass and chandeliers. Outside there are formal gardens, clipped yew hedges, tree-lined avenues and fields running off into the distance.

Harry and Hannah made the most of all of it. A ceremony in the beautiful church beside the hall, a huge group photo on the front steps, portraits through the gardens and out to a field of yellow rapeseed, and a party that went on long into the night.

And then there was the wedding car: a gleaming green Scania lorry, complete with white ribbons. Easily one of my favourite arrivals ever, and it made for some brilliant photographs in front of the hall.

The morning

Getting ready at the hall

Hannah got ready in one of the hall’s bedrooms, with the dress hanging in the window and the bridesmaids’ blush gowns lined up along the wall. The light through those tall windows is gorgeous. Meanwhile Harry and the groomsmen were getting sorted downstairs, ready for the day.

The details

Blush, silver and something sweet

Hannah’s colours were blush pink and silver: chiavari chairs with soft pink sashes, silver place names, candles and a “Love is Sweet” sweet cart for the guests. Simple, elegant and very at home in the hall.

The ceremony

A church to take your breath away

Hannah walked down that grand staircase on her dad’s arm, past the bridesmaids watching from the balcony above. The ceremony itself was in the church next to the hall, which is one of the most stunning interiors I’ve ever photographed in: carved stone, glowing gold screens and huge stained glass windows. Afterwards it was out to the front of the hall for confetti, cheers and a group photo with every single guest.

Just the two of you

Portraits through the gardens

The gardens at Hoar Cross Hall are made for wandering. We walked through the clipped yew hedges and the long tree-lined avenue, found an old stone wall and an iron gate looking out over a field of rapeseed, and of course went back for a few with the lorry.

Into the evening

Speeches, dancing and a lot of noise

A big entrance into the wedding breakfast, speeches full of laughter, a first dance on the black and white dancefloor, and then the party properly got going.

A guide for couples

Getting married at Hoar Cross Hall?

A few things worth knowing, and some photos to consider when you’re planning your day at Hoar Cross Hall.

Visit Hoar Cross Hall
Where it is
Hoar Cross, near Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (DE13 8QS). Around 25 minutes from Lichfield.
The building
A Grade II listed Jacobean-style mansion built in the 1860s, now a spa hotel. Next door is the Grade I listed Church of the Holy Angels, a Victorian masterpiece by G.F. Bodley.
The spaces
Oak-panelled rooms, a grand staircase, bright function rooms for the wedding breakfast and evening, and extensive formal gardens.
Good to know
Check the latest ceremony options, timings and guest numbers directly with the venue.

Photos worth planning for at Hoar Cross Hall

  1. The grand staircase

    A wonderful moment as you head down to the ceremony. Ask your bridesmaids to wait on the balcony so they’re in the shot.

  2. The church

    One of the most beautiful ceremony spaces in Staffordshire. Check the rules on photography during the service with the vicar before the day.

  3. The front steps

    Big enough for every guest, with the hall behind. If you want a photo of everyone, this is the place, and it only takes a few minutes.

  4. Yew hedges and the avenue

    Close by and lovely for a short, relaxed walk together. Ideal if you don’t want to be away from your guests for long.

  5. The gate to the fields

    Look out over the countryside. In spring the rapeseed glows yellow, so it’s worth the short walk if your wedding is in April or May.

Credits

The people who made the day

Photography
Rob, RE7 Photography
More real weddings See the gallery
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