Highlights from Emma & Andrew’s brilliant Christmas wedding at this stunning Cheshire venue

merrydale manor wedding photography by Mick Cookson

Merrydale Manor Wedding Venue

Merrydale Manor is a bespoke Cheshire venue, as describes itself as ‘one which aims to be the most luxurious and sophisticated venue available in the North West. Set in acres of beautiful countryside and rolling parkland in the heart of the Cheshire countryside. At the time of writing, Merrydale Manor is entering its seventh year and is the perfect setting for couples to tie the knot’.

A country estate… all to yourself!

Merrydale Manor is only ever hired on an exclusive basis, so you and your guests have the entire estate to yourselves. The estate comprises of a grand sweeping driveway that leads you through luscious parkland and manicured gardens. There is an exquisite manor house and a serene lake, providing the perfect views when you’re saying ‘I do’ or to look over as you sip on a celebratory drink!

Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer

Emma & Andrew booked me to be their Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer back in 2019. But Covid put paid to their plans, and cancelled on them for around two years. So, undeterred Emma and Andrew still kept me booked in as their Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer for their Christmas 2023 wedding. Fast forward four years from the initial enquiry, and here we were! I had already photographed Emma’s sisters weddings - both Nicola at Stanley House and Kate at Mitton Hall a few years previously. I was certainly looking forward to my being a Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer for the first time.

Christmas Wedding at Merrydale Manor

Emma & Andrew had chosen late November for their wedding at Merrydale Manor. The whole place was lavishly decorated in the best Christmas decorations I think I’ve ever seen! As their Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer, I wanted to quietly capture the day, as unassuming as possible, allowing the couple and their guests to enjoy this stunning Christmas wedding at Merrydale Manor. I turned up nice and early for the day’s photography, scouting the location (which was gorgeous wherever you looked!), planning my day as a Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer - checking the best backgrounds for my couples photos, and that stunning entrance to the Merrydale Suite for the family group photos. The day was glorious, clear blue skies and perfect low sunlight, with a frosty ground underfoot. Loved it! I met the girls getting ready in the manor, all laughing and excited to be finally here! I split my morning in the manor with the girls, and The Cave with the lads as Emma & Andrew’s Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer. Andrew was on great form, slightly nervous (as most grooms are), but really looking forward to the day. His groomsmen were brilliant fun, keeping the morning running to time, and with some great jokes too.

Natural wedding photography at Merrydale Manor

I loved the day at Merrydale Manor, producing my natural style of Merrydale Manor wedding photography for my clients. All live and unposed, apart from a few family group photos and couples photos, I quietly went about my way documenting Emma & Andrew’s story as their Merrydale Manor Wedding Photographer. With a touch of chic here and there, the wedding photos are as natural as we can get. I’m not one for filtering my photos, as I think styles come and go. My photos are classic, with a longevity to them. No gimmicks, no Instagram type ‘looks’, just clean, colourful photos that will last.

Here’s some of my favourite photos from the day…