York Wedding Photographer Champagne Shutter Photography, at Carlton Towers

There’s nothing I love more than piloting my car down the driveway of a stately home – my car bears a National Trust sticker on windscreen and National Trust blanket on back seat – perhaps both betray that I was the little lad that, when taken to such houses as a child, really did love wandering round, imagining from the right room or window that I was surveying my 250-acre estate! I still love a visit like this with just the same childish enthusiasm, a little shoulder shrug of glee, followed by a cream tea! Though as you’ll find out below, Carlton Towers boasts even more of my favourite things than this…

This stately home wedding venue dates from 1086 and has been within the same family since 1301. Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard moved in from London in 1990 to begin extensive restoration, after some 20 years unoccupied. There could be nowhere more unique for wedding photography straight from a period drama. A wedding photographer’s dream, ivy-clad, it has even stood in for Windsor Castle on our screens.

The gothic architecture makes for the perfect backdrop and setting for wedding photographs, whether inside, or alongside Gerald and Emma’s vineyard (also available to tour). The Walled Garden Vineyard produces cool-climate grape varieties including Pinot Noir.

I can’t think of a setting better embodying a sense of opulence!  Or for more grand wedding photography…

More on Champagne Shutter’s approach here

Planning your wedding at Carlton Towers means exclusive use of the State Room and/or Venetian Room for ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception, the house and gardens, the Baroness Tower Room – the couple’s suite, and 15 further guest rooms, chiefly named after family ancestors. This makes for accommodation for up to 31 guests, inclusive of the couple, plus 4 additional cottages on site, one with a double bedroom, 2 with 2 doubles, and a 3-bedroom accommodating up to 8, all in the estate park a 5-minute walk from the main house. Whilst your hosts live in one wing, the guest rooms reside in the Batchelors Wing, Nursery Wing and Clock Tower, exquisite décor throughout.

Choose from the Candlelit, Elegance and Intimate Packages (pending minimum guest numbers ranging from 30 to 60 and minimum room bookings of 7 to 10, depending upon package choice, rooms starting at £225 B&B).

Florist – Anna Boyes

The Blonde & The Blooms

Besides weddings, Carlton Towers offers one-off dining events and historic tours, whilst the tearoom (based in the stables) is open Fri-Sun 10-4 without reservation for brunch to lunch (do book ahead for afternoon tea though). Private dining and cookery workshops (and beyond to foraging) are just a couple of the options amidst parties, events, meetings, team building and even use as a filming location. 

There’s more: tasting events, wine tastings, afternoon hampers, artisanal markets, arts performances, product launches.

Why Choose Champagne Shutter Photography?

I firmly believe in the right balance of friendly with a professional eye for detail.  You are investing in expertise to ensure elegant heirloom wedding photography to keep forever after your wedding, worthy of the album, but the best wedding photographs gain their elegance through your comfort with your wedding photographer, so that I can orchestrate the odd tweak, where needed, with no awkwardness.  That’s why I pay close attention to your bespoke plans in our consultations leading up to your wedding, and ensure a pre-wedding photography session to further aid your comfort.  It’s from a genuine and authentic connection that the best wedding photography emerges.

With Tom at Champagne Shutter Photography, depending upon your chosen package, you gain:

Unlimited coverage, usually circa 11 hours

From the curlers going in, to the party in full swing: preparation, to dancing coverage, just beyond cake cut and first dance, including twilight couple’s portraits

Arrival to cover details and latter stages of preparation

Ceremony

Groups shots

Family shots

Couple Portraits

Couple’s portraits session at twilight, blue hour, sunset

Initial consultation meeting plus further planning consultation meeting to finalise your itinerary and requirements

Complimentary pre-wedding shoot (circa 2 & ½ hrs) to allow couples to get to know Tom’s approach, so you are comfortable in front of the lens prior to your wedding day – subject to mutually convenient date, (ideally but not exclusively mid-week) – provides photos for wedding save-the-dates, invites, website, or wall art

Skilled curation and editing of your online gallery (circa 600+ images on average)

Couple’s online gallery - download web resolution photos for online use, full resolution photos for prints & wall art orders – couples & family can “favourite” a selection of images to curate ideas for album design, if they wish

Albums are available as either part of an integrated package or as an additional option later

Guests can enter a password-protected gallery to access and order social media downloads, prints, and wall art, from canvas, to framed, acrylic or metal prints

Couples can opt for two photographers – a second photographer is important if you want to cover more candid photos of friends during afternoon and evening receptions, when I am occupied with portraits elsewhere, and if you want to cover both of your preparations ahead of the ceremony, especially if you wish to integrate videography too!

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’s approach here. Information from me on other venues can also be found on my website.

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.

Get in touch now for a chat with Tom to plan wedding portraits and discuss wedding photography packages