Capturing Winter Magic: A December Wedding at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel

28/12/2023

Ever wondered what a December wedding at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel looks like?

As the frosty breath of winter danced through the air, love took center stage at the picturesque Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Callow End. I had the privilege of capturing the enchanting moments that unfolded amidst the timeless charm of this historic venue.

bride and groom on dancefloor surrounded by dry ice on their winter wedding day at stanbrook abbey

A Fairytale Winter Wonderland

Stanbrook Abbey was full of festive decorations which complimented the wedding colours perfectly. The couple had chosen deep reds and greens for their colour theme, gorgeous flowers and some lovely personal touches.

Bride’s Manor

Nestled in the elegant Bride’s Manor, the bride prepared to embark on her journey down the aisle. She was surrounded by the warmth and support of her closest friends and family.

bride laughing photogrpahed through mirror at stanbrook abbey on winter wedding day

The Groom

One couldn’t help but be captivated by the groom’s stylish choice of attire. He wore a dashing burgundy suit jacket that exuded both sophistication and a hint of festive flair. It perfectly complemented the seasonal ambiance. The guys enjoyed their time getting ready in the Groom’s Room with the wonderful Gavin to entertain them. (The Modern Conman – magician and master of ceremonies).

The Bride’s Reveal

As the bride made her way down the sweeping staircase of Bride’s Manor to greet her Dad and her waiting bridesmaids, there were both tears and laughter from everyone. I love the moment when a father catches sight of his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time. It is my favourite moment of the wedding day and one I was honoured to capture for them.

A Breathtaking Civil Ceremony

The ceremony itself was a sight to behold, set in the grandeur of the Callow Great Hall. As the couple exchanged vows and promises of forever, the joyous cheers of their loved ones filled the air, mingling with the delicate flutter of confetti tossed merrily up the aisle.

I love this photograph of the groom and his dog, Wallace – truly man’s best friend! At this point, the bride had no idea that Wallace was at the wedding – read on to find out what happened!

a groom standing at the altar in callow great hall at stanbrook abbey with his dog

As the bridal party made their way into Callow Great Hall in their bottle green dresses and tuxedos, the room fell silent. The Christmas tree formed the perfect backdrop as they walked down the aisle.

As the couple exchanged vows, the winter sun peeked through the stained glass windows above them. This is such a beautiful space to photograph a wedding ceremony.

bride and groom laughing after their wedding ceremony in callow great hall at stanbrook abbey hotel

Couple Photographs in the Cloisters

It’s no secret that the cloisters at Stanbrook Abbey are a huge selling point when it comes to wedding day photographs. Today was no exception, with the deep reds in the flowers and the groom’s outfit really popping against the white arches.

A Big Surprise named Wallace!

As the newlyweds stepped out into the crisp winter air, they were greeted by an unexpected guest—their beloved dog, Wallace, who had been lovingly brought to share in their special day as a surprise from the groom. The sheer delight on the bride’s face was a moment of pure, unfiltered happiness that I was privileged to capture…there may have also been a few tears!

bride and groom crouched with their dog in the coisters of stanbrook abbey hotel on their winter wedding day
bride and groom standing with their dog in callow great hall in front of christmas tree at stanbrook abbey hotel

Drinks Reception

The festivities continued with a lively drinks reception in the inviting ambiance of St. Anne’s, where friends and family mingled and toasted to the newlyweds amidst an atmosphere of joy and camaraderie.

The Wedding Breakfast

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, the celebration moved to the elegant Pavilion. It was a vision of greens, reds and golds, courtesy of venue stylist Secret Garden Wedding Services, that perfectly captured the enchanting spirit of the season.

The couple entered to huge applause. Against this backdrop of timeless elegance, guests savored a sumptuous wedding breakfast, followed by three very entertaining speeches.

Onto The Dancefloor

But perhaps the most magical moment of all came during the first dance. A personalised dancefloor adorned with the couple’s names shimmering underfoot, while clouds of dry ice swirled around them, casting an ethereal spell over the dance floor.

bride and groom dancing with dry ice on floor around them with lights in the background at stabrook abbey hotel

And as the evening drew to a close, there was one final, heartwarming surprise. A sentimental dance shared between the newlyweds and their beloved grandparents. This was a touching tribute to the enduring power of love and family.

Are you getting married at Stanbrook Abbey?

You can see more amazing weddings at this luxury Worcestershire wedding venue on our Stanbrook Abbey Photography Page. You’ll also be able to view our full wedding portfolio here.

If you’d like to chat with us about your wedding photography please get in touch to check availability and discuss the best options for your day.

Visit Stanbrook Abbey’s website by clicking here.

Check out some of the other wonderful suppliers form this wedding day here:

Dress The Bridal Room Broadway / Suit Ziggi Menswear / MUA Olivia Rose MUA / Hair Elegance Bridal Hair Design

Kate portrait Still Light Photography director and photographer

Hey there, I'm Kate

I totally understand how important it is to feel comfortable with the person behind the camera on your wedding day, so you can learn more about me and my team on our ABOUT page.

Here's a few quick facts for you to start with...

BA (HONS) IN FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY

12 YEARS PHOTOGRAPHING WEDDINGS

LIVES WITH 4 RESCUE CATS

LOVES TO TRAVEL THE WORLD

SIDELINE IN EQUESTRIAN PHOTOGRAPHY

COUNTRY MUSIC FAN GIRL