Sam & Andrew
A December wedding at a moated Tudor farmhouse near Stafford, dressed for Christmas, with sage green everywhere and a row across the moat.
- Venue
- The Moat House
- Location
- Acton Trussell, near Stafford
- Season
- Winter, at Christmas
- Style
- Tudor beams, sage green, festive
A Christmas wedding at a moated Tudor farmhouse
The Moat House sits beside the canal in the village of Acton Trussell, just south of Stafford. At its heart is a Grade II listed timber-framed farmhouse from the 1500s, still surrounded by part of its original moat, with black and white gables, oak beams and a library lined with old books.
Sam and Andrew got married there in December, and the whole place was dressed for it: a tree in the library, wreaths on the beams and fairy lights everywhere. They carried the season through in sage green, from Andrew and the groomsmen’s three-piece suits to the bridesmaids’ satin dresses and a sage green cake.
Short winter days and grey skies didn’t matter one bit. We had a row across the moat, two very good dogs in flower collars, a sparkler tunnel in the dark and a live band that kept the dancefloor full.
Getting ready, by the Christmas tree
Sam got ready in The Moat House library, surrounded by bookshelves and a glowing Christmas tree, with her lace gown hanging beside it. The bridesmaids’ sage satin dresses hung from the old wooden bookcase. Out in the grounds, Andrew and the groomsmen got ready in the gazebo, before walking up to the house past the black and white gables.
Sage green, eucalyptus and candlelight
Embroidered floral shoes, a monogrammed ring box and eucalyptus stationery set the tone. The oak-beamed ceremony room was dressed with sage chair sashes, greenery and candle lanterns down the aisle, and the reception had a sweet table and a three-tier sage cake with white roses.
Under the old oak beams
The ceremony was in the oak-beamed ceremony room in the old farmhouse, with wreaths and fairy lights strung across the timbers. Andrew’s face as Sam walked in said everything. Then rings, a big kiss with a dip on the way out, confetti outside and the whole crowd squeezed into one group photo.
A row across the moat
December light doesn’t hang around, so we made the most of it: by the front door, on the little jetty and on the paths around the moat. Then Andrew rowed Sam out across the water in a wooden boat, with the house behind them. The dogs, in their flower collars, got their moment too.
Sparklers, a photo booth and a live band
Once it was dark, everyone lined the drive for a sparkler tunnel. Back inside there was a photo booth and some very questionable hats, then the cake, a first dance and a live band that had everyone up dancing.
Getting married at The Moat House?
A few things worth knowing, and some photos to consider when you’re planning your day at The Moat House.
Visit The Moat House- Where it is
- Acton Trussell, about four miles south of Stafford and close to junction 13 of the M6. Around 35 minutes from Lichfield.
- The building
- A Grade II listed timber-framed farmhouse, the oldest part from the early 1500s, within the remains of its moat and beside the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
- The spaces
- The oak-beamed Colin Lewis Suite for smaller ceremonies, the larger Acton Suite with canal views, the Orangery, a lakeside pergola for outdoor ceremonies and a library for getting ready.
- Good to know
- Check the latest ceremony options, timings and guest numbers directly with the venue.
Photos worth planning for at The Moat House
The library
Bookshelves, leather chairs and, in December, a Christmas tree. It’s a lovely room to get ready in, so hang your dress there and keep the clutter to one side.
The front across the moat
The black and white gables reflected in the water are the classic Moat House photo. It only takes a couple of minutes from the house.
The moat
Ask your venue coordinator about the little rowing boat. A few minutes on the water makes for a photo nobody else’s wedding will have.
The front door
A good spot for confetti and a group photo straight after the ceremony, while everyone is together.
The drive after dark
Long enough for a full sparkler tunnel. In winter it’s dark by around half past four, so you don’t have to wait until late.
The people who made the day
- Venue
- The Moat House
- Photography
- Rob, RE7 Photography
- Make-up
- Helen Pearson Makeup Artist
Planning your own wedding?
Tell me your date, your venue and a little about your plans, and I’ll let you know if I’m free.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a friendly conversation.