Yorkshire Wedding Photographer Tom Roberts, of Champagne Shutter Photography, at Waterton Park Hotel & Spa

Waterton Park Hotel and Walton Hall, Wakefield, makes for an idyllic lakeside backdrop for wedding photographs, both beautiful and dramatic.

Formerly a Medieval moated hall, the current Walton Hall was built in 1767 and was home to traveller and naturalist Charles Waterton.  A prominent taxidermist, Waterton built high walls around his 25 acre estate, establishing what was essentially a wildfowl and bird sanctuary.  The estate changed hands after his death in 1865, and by the 1940s was requisitioned for government use in the evacuation scheme, becoming a maternity hospital until the ‘60s. Renovation to create a country club took place in the ‘70s.

The modern hotel ‘on the mainland’ offers several options for ceremony spaces or reception, whilst the original Walton Hall, on the island, couldn’t be more fairy-tale for intimate wedding ceremonies too!  Crossing the bridge for couple’s portraits will allow you to feel like you’re enjoying a cosy intimate elopement!  Of course, we might let the others on for group wedding photographs too!

Day guest capacity is 140, allowing for 200 in the evening.

Though larger ceremonies, wedding breakfasts and receptions can be held in Waterton Park Hotel, the images above show a smaller set up in Walton Hall - as you can see, the lake really does surround the hall on all sides, especially beautiful with this faux blossom décor, from a local supplier, and these beautiful hanging tea light pendants and crystals.

A range of 8 wedding packages are available, from Intimate and Twilight beyond…

Wedding accommodation rates in the four-star hotel for 2024 start at £110 for a single room, to £145 for a standard double, £165 executive double, or £175 for a family room, all inclusive of breakfast.  2025 pricing ranges from £115 to £180.  The Gamekeeper’s Cottage is also available for £300.

Tom at Champagne Shutter Photography is local to Wakefield. Check out Champagne Shutter’s wedding gallery and packages here.

Why Choose Champagne Shutter Photography?

I firmly believe in the right balance of being friendly, along with a professional eye for detail.  You are investing in expertise to ensure elegant heirlooms to keep forever after your wedding, 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 can 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, inc. 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

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

Every couple is different – and whilst it’s all well and good me extolling the virtues of 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.

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.