Mitton Hall is a legendary venue in the wedding world. As a photographer you know you’re going to get well looked after (the food is delicious, always a bonus!). The grounds make for amazing photos and the best couples get married there! Bex and Tom, I’m looking at you guys!
Bridal Prep at the Family Home
I started the day with Bex and her girls. Tom was getting ready at home with their son Cian so the girls had taken over her parents house. I have a bit of a soft spot for brides getting ready at home, there’s something really lovely about parents and their daughter leaving the family home together on a wedding day. Bex had been a planning queen and had come up with lots of little touches for the day. Including a ‘father of the bride’ whiskey tumbler for her Dad so he could have a tipple before they set off. Turned out he really needed that drink as he was overcome with emotion when he saw Bex in her dress for the first time. In fact, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. I may have had to sneakily wipe away a tear or two myself!
Second Shooters and Groom Prep
Meanwhile, my second shooter was hanging out with the boys. Tom was pretty chilled out and little cheeky chappy Cian stole the show. He looked so dapper in his wedding suit! A mini replica of his Dad’s, complete with watch chain. Tom didn’t scrub up too badly either! I love that Bex had put together a ‘groom’s survival kit’ for him. Including socks to stop him getting cold feet and some miniature gins to calm his nerves!
Lancashire Wedding Church Ceremony
Bex and Tom had chosen a more traditional wedding ceremony at St Lawrence’s a quaint church in Longridge. The heavens opened as Bex arrived but she was escorted into the church by some ushers wielding umbrellas. They’re always handy to have around – both ushers and umbrellas!
Mitton Hall wedding portraits
Now that Tom and Bex were officially husband and wife it was time to celebrate! The rain was still coming down (good old Lancashire weather!) but Mitton Hall is the perfect venue for a slightly wet wedding. The three of us took some time out to explore the Hall and get some portraits. Then, as the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, we dashed outside for some photos of the two of them and the all important confetti shot. Always one of my favourite parts of the day.
Dancefloor Couture were on hand to get the party started in their inimitable style. Tom and Bex had a break from the dancefloor for a few night-time portraits (a bit of a speciality of mine!) and then we left them to enjoy the rest of their night.
Getting Married at Mitton Hall
As you can probably tell I’m a huge fan of Mitton Hall weddings so if you’re getting married there then get in touch with me. I’d love to hear all about your plans!
Supplier Role Call
Flowers – Flowers With Passion
Dj – Dance Floor Couture
Make Up – Abby Holt at Halcyon Days
Dress – Enzoni from Lulu Browns
Suits – Whitfield & Ward
History of Mitton Hall
This stunning Tudor mansion house is Grade II listed and over 550 years old. A ‘Manor of Little Mitton’ was first granted by Robert de Lacy to Sir Ralphe de Mitton in 1189, the current house was not built until 1487 but the land Mitune was mentioned in the Domesday book. By the Tudor period the De Mitton family were no longer lords of the manor and the house was built by the owners at the time the Caterall family. The family held the house until Elizabeth Caterall married Thomas Shireburne. The house was sold in 1664 due to the shireburnes financial insecurity. The house was purchased by Alexander Holt a London goldsmith. Descendents of the Alexander Holt, the Aspinall family remain Lord of Mitton Manor to this day. The hall was leased to a number of people including John Hick (of Hick Hargreaves engineers of Bolton) in 1874. For a period during the Second World War the house was occupied by The Third Field Training Regiment. The last tenants moved out in 1966 and the house reopened as a restaurant and Country Club in 1968. The Hall has been run as a hotel and events venue since the 1980s.
Mitton Hall is one of only a few timber framed open hall buildings in Lancashire. The building has had a number of more recent stone extensions which are sympathetic to the original great hall building. The first of these extensions took place in the 1600s and then a another set of extensions were completed in 1844 and then again in 1880. Other minor changes have been added to the house over the last 100 years as each owner has stamped their mark on the house.
The interior of Mitton Hall is laden with original features including fine timbered walls, beautiful plasterwork and fireplaces. The original Great Hall is still the centre of the Hall. In some rooms the modern decor sits beside original features to provide a sumptuous atmosphere. The galleried walkway around the great hall is beautiful and it feels like you have stepped back in time, a criss cross of carved wooden staircases leads off the walkway. A fabulous grand piano sits in the great hall but the huge original stone fireplace is the centrepiece of this versatile space. Look up to see the restored timbers in the roof above. Beautiful carvings can be seen over the bar and in some of the quiet seating areas on the ground floor as well as above some of the fireplaces. Some of the building boasts stained glass windows which lets dappled light into the Great Hall. The building has been sympathetically restored and it feels as though the different eras of this hotel flow together well to provide a beautiful venue. Outside Mitton Hall the beautiful Ribble Valley awaits you with views stretching out for miles across open countryside. The river is a feature of the landscape and can be seen from various parts of the site. Closer to the building there are beautiful lawns, planted borders and mature trees. An array of roses can be enjoyed in the summer and the trees provide beautiful autumn colours, see lambs gamboling in the surround fields in the spring. There are areas for outdoor entertaining, eating and drinking. Furniture has been carefully chosen to reflect the house and sits easily beside the stone work of the hall.