Kelly and Jake’s Stubton Hall wedding was a proper summer day, with a singer, an ice cream cart on the lawn and a dance floor that didn’t empty all night. As their wedding photographer, I spent the whole day at this beautiful Regency country house just outside Newark. It’s one of those venues where every corner looks good!

Getting ready at Stubton Hall

I arrived at eleven to find Kelly and her bridesmaids in matching white pyjamas in one of the hall’s green bedrooms. Hair and makeup was in full swing. As a wedding photographer, there’s nothing better than walking into a morning like that.

Her dress was hanging at the end of a corridor lined with old paintings, which is the kind of spot you can’t plan for. Meanwhile in the other wing, Jake was putting on his white tuxedo jacket and looking very calm for a man about to get married.

Then, just before the ceremony, Kelly’s dad saw her in her dress for the first time. I don’t think he said a word and he didn’t need to.

A Regency country house near Newark

Stubton Hall sits on the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border, only a few minutes from Newark. The house is Grade II listed and was rebuilt in 1813 to designs by Sir Jeffry Wyatville, who also worked on Windsor Castle and Chatsworth.

There are around 23 acres of parkland, with old cedar trees, a long ornamental pond and a terrace. That means a huge variety of backdrops without ever leaving the grounds. It’s a great venue to photograph, whatever the weather.

The ceremony was at two o’clock and a singer performed as guests took their seats. Kelly walked in with her dad and the second she saw Jake she was beaming. A few vows and one first kiss later, they walked back up the aisle to cheers.

Confetti, ice cream and portraits in the grounds

First came confetti at the front of the hall. After that the drinks reception spilled onto the lawn, where an ice cream cart did a roaring trade in the July heat.

The bridal party photos were a lot of fun, especially when the groomsmen lifted Jake off his feet! Everyone was soaking up the sun.

Then it was time for the two of them. We started on the grand staircase, then headed out to the cedar trees and the long grass in the park. Finally we finished on the back steps and by the ornamental pond.

Stubton Hall's Regency front and portico near Newark on the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire border

Ceremony room at Stubton Hall set with a white floral arch for the wedding

White floral arch detail and a mirror welcome sign in the ceremony room

Wedding dress hanging in a doorway in the hall and the bridal shoes

Wedding stationery, rings and the white rose bridal bouquet laid out on the morning

Bride Kelly having her makeup done in a green bedroom at Stubton Hall

Bride Kelly having her makeup finished on the morning of her summer wedding

Bride and bridesmaids in matching white pyjamas laughing together on the bed

Bride in her lace wedding dress in the green room at Stubton Hall before the ceremony

Groom Jake in a white tuxedo jacket getting ready in the other wing of the hall

Bride's dad seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time just before the ceremony

Singer performing before the ceremony and the groom waiting by the floral arch

Kelly walking down the aisle with her dad at Stubton Hall as she sees Jake for the first time

Bride walking down the aisle with her dad at Stubton Hall as the groom sees her

Bride and groom holding hands under the white floral arch during the ceremony

Kelly and Jake smiling at each other during their vows in the beautiful ceremony room

First kiss at the Stubton Hall wedding ceremony with family and friends cheering

Bride and groom walking back up the aisle together as husband and wife

Kelly and Jake kissing in the doorway of Stubton Hall as their guests throw confetti

Bride and groom with bridesmaids and groomsmen on the lawn at Stubton Hall

Groomsmen lifting the groom off his feet and bridesmaids laughing together on the lawn

Ice cream cart on the lawn at Stubton Hall during the drinks reception in the July heat

Kelly and Jake on the grand staircase at Stubton Hall during their couple photos

Kelly and Jake sitting on the grand staircase inside the Regency hall

Bride and groom walking together in front of Stubton Hall near Newark on their wedding day

Groom kissing the bride under an old cedar tree in the parkland at Stubton Hall

Kelly and Jake in the long grass under an old oak tree in the park

Bride and groom on the back steps of Stubton Hall by the terrace

Bride and groom by the ornamental pond at Stubton Hall in the summer light

Kelly and Jake walking along the long ornamental pond in the grounds

Speeches, first dance and a packed dance floor

Food came first in the wedding breakfast room, which was filled with white flowers, while glowing MR & MRS PEARSON letters waited on the dance floor. Then came the speeches, with plenty of laughs.

Their first dance was at half seven and after that the floor never emptied. There were shots at the bar, novelty hats and sunglasses.

At some point Kelly even swapped her heels for a pair of pink Crocs. That’s my kind of wedding!

Photographer’s tips

Tips for a Stubton Hall wedding

Allow 15 to 30 minutes for couple photos.The cedar trees, the park, the back steps and the pond are all a short walk away, so a quick loop covers the best spots.
Use the grand staircase.It’s one of the best spots inside the venue and a great backup if the weather turns.
Find the shade on hot days.In summer the cedar trees give soft, even light for portraits, even in the middle of the afternoon.
Check your sunset time.In midsummer it’s after nine, so ten minutes out in the park in the evening can give you golden light.

The team behind the day

Suppliers

VenueStubton Hall
MakeupThea Elizabeth MUA
HairKayleigh Robinson
DressBellamme Bridal
FlowersChambers Florists
SuitsCavani
GroomsmenMoss
CakeMade by family

Wedding breakfast room at Stubton Hall with white flowers and tall centrepieces

Glowing MR & MRS PEARSON letters and a white rose centrepiece in the reception room

Top table sign and the wedding cake made by family in the reception room

Guests cheering the newlyweds into the wedding breakfast in the reception room

Wedding speech and guests laughing at Stubton Hall during the wedding breakfast

Groom laughing during the speeches at the top table in the wedding breakfast room

First dance in front of the glowing MR & MRS PEARSON letters at Stubton Hall

Kelly and Jake close together during their first dance as friends watch

Kelly hugging a friend and guests dancing as the party begins in the hall

Groom dancing at the evening party at Stubton Hall in his white tuxedo jacket

Guests dancing by the DJ booth on the busy dance floor late in the evening

Guests doing shots at the bar during the evening reception at Stubton Hall

Kelly singing along with her friends under the lights at the wedding party

Kelly dancing with guests in front of the glowing letters at the party

The bride's pink rubber clogs on the dance floor and a guest dancing

Guests dancing together as the party carries on into the night at the reception

Guest in a novelty cap dancing at the summer wedding party in the hall

Jake celebrating with his arms in the air at the wedding party

Groomsmen celebrating together late at night at the wedding reception in the hall

Groomsmen singing and celebrating on the dance floor in their suits at the evening party

Bride's friends dancing under the lights at the evening reception on the dance floor

Guests dancing and hugging late at night as the party winds on

Bridesmaid dancing with her arms up under the party lights at the hall

Bride and groom celebrating on the dance floor at the end of their Stubton Hall wedding

Kelly and Jake, thank you for having me. What a day.

Getting married at Stubton Hall or anywhere in Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire? Have a look at my wedding photography packages or get in touch to check your date.

Lincolnshire wedding photography Wedding photography packages Check your date