Bowcliffe Hall Wedding Photographer

West Yorkshire Wedding Photographer Tom Roberts, of Champagne Shutter Photography, at Bowcliffe Hall, Wetherby

See Champagne Shutter Photography’s Video at Bowcliffe Hall

Bowcliffe Hall really does stand out as a very special wedding venue, with a huge variety of settings for wedding photography from formal to relaxed to fun!  There are so many details to capture that raise a smile.  I couldn’t have felt more welcome, given how friendly, attentive, genuine and capable all the staff were!

Despite the country house setting, Bowcliffe offers myriad artworks that owner Jonathan Turner (JT) aims to raise a mischievous smile with, or for those not tongue-in-cheek, to transport us to another era, from the mock-ups of old black and white road signs in the grounds, to memorabilia of the early nineteenth century motoring and aviation world throughout the hall, especially adjacent to, and in, the Morning Room, and as you traverse to the Bowcliffe Drivers’ Club.

The grounds include options from the southern terrace for post-ceremony drinks and canapés, to the south and west lawns, the former an option for marquee or tipi settings, the latter an outdoor ceremony option, alongside the Chapel. Whilst the Chapel is not licensed for civil ceremonies due to its size, it can be used for intimate additional blessings and vows with up to 12 guests, or merely as a sedate and contemplative spot during the fray of your day.

Wedding photographs & portraits at Bowliffe Hall - Imagine the range of fun to be had here, with camera angles from below, and above, using the play of soft light from above, of bridal train splayed on the staircase, standing, sitting, recumbent, as bride, groom, couple, group - Vanity Fair-cum-Vogue vibes if ever there was!

A plethora of mesmerising artworks saturate every nook in Bowcliffe Hall - why does this lady immediately have me thinking of Annie Lennox?

The Ballroom

What was the original drawing room of Bowcliffe Hall, now fully restored, The Ballroom features an Art Deco bar, oak dance floor and a gold gilded ceiling, able to accommodate a ceremony of up to 120 guests, 85 for wedding breakfast and an evening reception of 150.

The Bowcliffe Room

The Morning Room

The Morning Room is typically where bridal party preparation with your makeup artist is undertaken. With beautifully broad south-facing Victorian sash windows, this will make for the most elegant portraits.

Some brides don't wish to prioritise this part of the day, whilst others do. I will always respectfully allow for your modesty during preparation, but using the latter part of this time, when makeup is complete, allows me to direct and orchestrate a few elegant poses in these windows, closed eyes in the sunlight, make artist's brush at eyeshadow. Call me a nerd, but perfume sprayed, suspended in the air, in the window light, by a fast shutter speed, especially in black and white, will be a timeless wedding photograph for your album! Prior to these final touches, this will also be my opportunity to grab details shots - flat lays of invites, bouquets, rings, dress, shoes. This way, those in your bridal party have time to comfortably adjust to my presence as photographer without feeling immediately intimidated by a big lens.

The Bowcliffe Drivers' Club

You can hear the rhythm of jazz as you enter the 1920s décor of The Bowcliffe Driver's Club, paying homage to motoring memorabilia in an oak panelled space that is both intimate and luxurious.

It can accommodate up to 35 dinner guests and a reception of up to 85, with the French doors opening out onto the south terrace for drinks and canapés.

The Bowcliffe Drivers' Club is an invitation only private members club, but saying "I do" at Bowcliffe Hall affords you a year's membership thereafter!

The Blackburn Wing

The contemporary Blackburn Wing is a 2000 sq. ft. "tree house" - a structure on stilts, 'suspended' or nestled amidst the woodland views in the grounds beyond Bowcliffe Hall's southern terrace and lawn.

A copper and glazed structure emulating the shape of an airplane's wing, it honours former resident of Bowcliffe, Leeds-born Robert Blackburn, aviation pioneer and manufacturing founder of Blackburn Aircraft from 1914 to 1963.

The Blackburn Wing can accommodate a ceremony and/or wedding breakfast of up to 60 guests and a drinks or evening reception of 120. As with many spots at Bowcliffe Hall, it could be used for one element of your wedding day, such as ceremony, in combination with reception elsewhere, or both!

Every couple is different – and whilst it’s all well and good me extolling the virtues of a what I think about portraying your day at a venue, we must make a genuine connection to tell your story!  Check out Champagne Shutter Photography - my approach here.  Information from me on other venues can also be found on my website and blog.

For a friendly chat about your bespoke wedding photography plans, get in touch or reserve a Zoom call with Tom at Champagne Shutter.  Alternatively, give me a ring on 07738 620485 or email via tom@champagneshutter.com.  You’ll also find me on Hitched.