Lisa and Louis’ Alrewas Hayes wedding had a theme of relaxed glam, which was very fitting to the two of them as a couple – a total joy to photograph. They’d met whilst working in airlines, so were both well-versed in the glamorous jet setting lifestyle, but their number one favourite thing to do in life is spend time with the people they love, so they wanted to make sure everyone was going to have fun!
I actually first met Lisa and Louis when I photographed their friend’s wedding, so it was lovely to come together for their own Alrewas Hayes wedding day. And what a day it was!
Alrewas Hayes wedding venue
First things first: let’s discuss the setting for Lisa and Louis’ love-filled day, Alrewas Hayes wedding venue. The Grade II listed Georgian Manor House is the heart of the 100 acre estate, and needs to be on your radar if you’re looking for grand, romantic wedding venues in the Staffordshire area.
That’s what Lisa and Louis were looking for – and what they found. “We loved everything about Alrewas Hayes!” Lisa explains. “We loved how old the building is with modern twists, and there is attention to detail everywhere you turn. The decor of the Orangery is one of our favourite parts of the venue, as is the Courtyard. We loved the long drive up to the venue, and how far back it is set from anything else. We knew we wanted a church wedding, so the fact it is so close to the local church is also perfect. The marquee for the evening was the perfect size and I loved the layout. We also wanted a venue that offered accommodation, and Alrewas Hayes has the most gorgeous rooms I’ve seen!”
The wedding day
Once I’d arrived, I quickly saw what Lisa and Louis had seen in the venue, and fell totally in love too. The space was the perfect space for entertaining, and really spoke to their theme of relaxed glam: around every corner there was a new beautiful backdrop that would be perfect for photos, as well as a feature that meant people could really relax and feel at home.
It’s also a space where everyone always feels together, without feeling completely cramped. “We loved that after the church, the wedding cars could drive into the centre of the courtyard where all our guests were waiting.” Lisa and Louis added, and this ended up being one of my favourite parts of the day: when they pulled up in their vintage car, to the sounds of the cheers of all of their loved ones, ready to envelope them in a huge hug. It was just gorgeous all around!
But perhaps my most favourite feature of not all – not only the venue, but the whole Alrewas Hayes wedding – is the giant mural that we posed in front of for photos (though there was so much to love, it’s a very tough call.) The painting perfectly encapsulated the grandeur and warmth of the day, with a romantic Renaissance feel.
A contemporary take on the classic bridal look
Lisa’s bridal outfit also had a certain romantic Renaissance feel to it, and it’s accurate to say I was completely obsessed with it. She wore a one-sleeved Veni Infantino dress and cathedral-length veil embellished with 3D lace flowers and sparkle, which cascaded over her dark, slicked back bun and tiny shoulders. I kept telling her she looked like she had just walked out of a Spanish wedding in a small town with narrow streets, sun shining and bells ringing!
In another contemporary take on a wedding classic, the bridesmaids also stunned in white strapless dresses from Jarlo. I love white bridesmaids dresses, as they look super chic and elegant; plus, as Lisa and Louis were going for a white, gold and green theme for their Alrewas Hayes wedding, it kept the flashes of colour impactful. (Depending on the general colour scheme and vibe of your wedding, another underrated bridesmaids’ dress colour is black, like you can see here.)
Gold, green and white
Green and white is a brilliant colour scheme to keep things classy and elegant, while the gold woven throughout the day added an element of luxe and glamour to the occasion. (For more white and green wedding inspiration, check out Laura and Nick’s wedding day here.)
On each table stood a clear hexagonal tile bearing the table name printed in gold calligraphy and featuring eucalyptus leaves, with place names to match. The tables were all named after some of the different places that Lisa and Louis had visited together, and guests found their seats according to a globe-shaped table plan asking them “Where in the world are you sitting?”
Another golden (in both ways) element of Lisa and Louis’ Alrewas Hayes wedding was their wedding cake. Though the three-tiered creation looked like it was carved from marble, I can confirm it was not only edible but totally delicious, too! Each tier featured a marbled grey pattern and gold leaf detail that resembled an agate slice. Instead of a cake topper, Lisa and Louis went for a super luxe hoop option that framed the whole cake, and decorated it with white and blush flowers and greenery.
All in all, it was a wonderful day for two even more wonderful people. The couple were so relaxed, trusting of me, and just lovely humans, and their family and friends were also so welcoming.
Lisa and Louis, thank you for having me!
Planning your own Alrewas Hayes wedding?
If you’re planning your own Alrewas Hayes wedding and are looking for relaxed, nostalgic storytelling to capture your day, then I’d love to hear about all the magic you’re looking to create. Or perhaps you’re not sure where you’re getting married yet, but know you want a photographer that can immortalise your best memories: I’d still love to chat. Either way, you can get in touch here – I can’t wait to hear from you!
Working along side:
Venue: Alrewas Hayes https://www.alrewashayes.com/
Wedding Dress Designer: Veni Infantino for Ronald Joyce, bought from Lula Ann https://lulaannbridal.co.uk/
Veil: Ronald Joyce https://www.ronaldjoyce.com/
Groom’s suit: Tru Clothing https://truclothing.com/
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Jarlo https://www.jarlolondon.com/
Hair Stylist: Louise Delaney / Luna Lounge
Make Up Artist: Minnie Bella https://www.instagram.com/minniebella.makeup/
Music: Apollo Anthems https://www.apollo-music.net/
Florist: Primrose Flower Boutique http://primroseflowerboutique.com/
Wedding Transport: His and hers wedding cars http://hisandhersweddingcars.co.uk/
Ice cream: Lanzas Ice Cream Van https://www.lanzasicecream.co.uk/
Balloon wall: Little Events https://littleevents.co.uk/
Other Blogs You Might Like:
