Toni and Louis’s Bridgerton style Thornton Manor wedding story.
A beautiful transatlantic lakeside wedding in Cheshire, inspired by the hit Netflix show…
I recently finished Matthew McConaughey’s Greenlights, which is one of the best autobiographies/memoirs/self-help books I’ve ever read.
McConaughey uses the metaphor of breadcrumbs in the book to explain the beauty of delayed gratification. The crumbs he is referring to are the decisions that we make that have an impact on our future.
These crumbs come in the form of integrity, doing the right thing, and doing a good job! This is the beauty of delayed gratification, he explains.
Why am I mentioning this on a wedding blog post? Because I’m proud to say that most of my wedding photography bookings come from word of mouth recommendations.
This was the case with Toni and Louis. The couple currently resides in San Diego, California. Toni has an Australian cousin (Jenna and Michael), whose wedding I photographed in 2013.
Toni and Louis were looking for a documentary wedding photographer with a natural style, and I came highly recommended from across the ocean. #greenlight #crumbs
Here is their Thornton Manor / Bridgeton style wedding photography story…
Thornton Manor Hosts A Bridgerton Style Wedding
Hi! We are Toni & Louis! I am a network marketer at MyMonat and Louis is a Football Coach. We live in San Diego, California.
I’m originally from Skelmersdale, Lancashire and Louis is originally from Farnham. I moved to California when I was two and Louis didn’t come across the pond until 2016!
We officially met in 2016, and we quickly realised we had been in the same place at the same time many, many times, including a festival in England. We knew we were supposed to meet.
Fast forward to 2019, Louis and I were on holiday with my family in Cabo, Mexico! He popped the question overlooking a gorgeous marina!
At dinner that night we decided we were going to get married in Cabo in 2021!.. if you have seen our photos you know now life had other plans for our Cabo wedding.
A Cheshire wedding for an American bride
2020 came and went along with a newborn, a pandemic, and not seeing our families in England for over a year. We changed our wedding venue and date 3 times and in the January of 2021 decided we were going to get married in England.
After ANOTHER failed wedding date and venue we stumbled upon Thornton Manor in Cheshire, England. Instantly I was blown away and just knew this was our venue.
The wedding was still up in the air literally until a week before the wedding pending our Covid tests from travelling internationally!
I coined this wedding the “Bridgerton Wedding” because, for us Americans, the venue and the vibe were exactly like the grand Netflix show.
Lakeside Wedding at Thornton Manor in Cheshire
Because of the “unknown times” we’ve been living in, we had a small wedding of 60 people. Unfortunately, my friends in the US had to attend via FaceTime, but it was such a beautiful perfect day.
It had rained for 3 days leading up to the wedding and 3 days after the wedding, but our day was probably the best weather of the year. We got so blessed.
The ceremony took place outside at The Dell Pavilion. The Lakeside Marquee was the setting for our wedding reception. Our day at Thornton Manor flowed really well. The three venues complimented each other perfectly.
Wes, our wedding photographer captured the venue perfectly. As the sun was setting we nipped off for some couples portraits. It was the perfect time to spend a moment together and make use of the grounds.
I absolutely adore my wedding pictures. Living in America, we don’t get to see our UK family as much as we’d like. Wes captured everyone looking happy, natural and relaxed.
We moved the entire wedding to England so my Grandad could be there, he sang to open our dinner reception and by far made all the stress and change of plans worth it. Everything came together so perfectly.
One luxury estate | Four exclusive venues
Thornton Manor is a large grade II* listed Elizabethan-style manor house in the village of Thornton Hough, Wirral, Merseyside, England. Built-in the mid-nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
Surrounded by an oasis of rural calm and beautifully presented countryside, the venue offers four exclusive locations for weddings. The Manor House, The Dell Pavilion, The Lakeside Marquee and Walled Garden Marquee.
*Since this Toni and Louis wedding and at the time of writing this blog, sadly Thornton Manor, in Wirral, has been devastated by a huge blaze as 10ft high flames ripped through the Thornton Manor House, in Cheshire.
Please contact Thornton Manor for more information.
Thornton Manor Wedding Suppliers
Venue: Thornton Manor
Photographer: Wes Simpson Weddings
Dress: Watters
Hair: Purehair
Makeup: Sarah Jayne
How to get the best wedding photos in Cheshire
Here are my top tips for great wedding photos:
Light is one of the most important factors to consider when taking good photos. The light will be different depending on the time of year and even the time of day, giving your wedding photos a completely different look.
Do not make a shot list. Attempting to recreate Pinterest inspiration images can stifle creativity, but most importantly, your wedding day is uniquely yours, so focus on creating your own memories rather than recreating someone else’s.
Select a photographer whose work you admire and with whom you have a good working relationship. I truly believe that as long as people are relaxed and having fun, they can look good in photos.
Thornton Manor Wedding Photographer
Are you planning the “Bridgerton wedding” of your dreams? Getting married at Thornton Manor in Cheshire or elsewhere and want a documentary style wedding photographer to capture your special day?
If are you looking for a relaxed and creative wedding photographer who will capture who you are and the most important moments in a natural, effortless manner. Then I may be the best photographer for you.
Check out my approach to wedding photography, highlights for inspiration, and my blog for the most up-to-date wedding news and ideas.
