Just before Christmas last year I had the great pleasure of photographing Hayley and Graham’s beautiful winter wedding at the Belle Epoque in Knutsford 🙂

Hayley and Graham are such a fantastic couple, so easy going and happy, and it was a real privilege capture their wedding day for them. The Belle Epoque is also one of my favourite venues and in the winter it transforms itself in to a cosy little Christmas wonderland with open fires and festive decorations. This was always going to be an amazing day!

Here is Hayley with the story of her wedding day:

How did you both meet?
We met as most couples do at work Christmas party. It was 70’s theme and Graham came in white platforms and a big afro wig!

How did Graham propose?
Graham proposed on Christmas Day 2011, he had told me that my main present hadn’t arrived in the morning. We were hosting Christmas day so in the afternoon all of my family arrived I was busy in the kitchen and he called me into the living room. He had a big box in his arms. I opened one box then another and another until I saw a boodles ring box. I opened it and inside was a little card that said ‘Good things come to those that wait’. When I turned around he was on one knee by the Christmas tree. It was perfect. My family are so important to me so it was lovely that they were included and it is my favorite time of year.

How did you find wedding planning?
We didn’t set a date for about 18 months but once we did I wrote a list and booked all the big things within a week. During the 18 months I had been to see a few venues but knew where I wanted it to be. Most of the wedding planning was done within a month and then I didn’t have to worry about anything until it came closer to the day. My advice is write your list, know your budget and go with your gut instinct, its your day and don’t let anyone else influence what you want to happen.

Why did you choose the Belle Epoque?
We wanted a Christmas wedding that wasn’t your generic hotel wedding. We wanted an intimate wedding with atmosphere, The Belle Epoque gives you something different with the fires and the fairy lights and baroque features it was everything we wanted.

What was your favourite part of your wedding day?
I haven’t got a favourite part, I may be biased but it buzzed all day! Having the 3 children with us made it extra special that they were a part of it. I also loved Graham’s speech very ‘Love Actually’ but also very Graham. Once everyone had left Graham and I had one last dance to Passenger ‘Let her go’. It was very symbolic just me and him exactly how it started all those years ago.

– Thank you so much Hayley, here are my favourite photographs from your amazing Christmas wedding 🙂