Karen & Guy — A Winter Wedding at Stirk House Hotel, Lancashire

A mid-January wedding at Stirk House in Lancashire.
4pm start
Red hearts. Helium balloons. Children’s laughter.
A family celebration unfolding gently in winter light.

Red heart and white balloons as the bride’s sister smiles at Stirk House — Red hearts rising.
A sister’s smile begins the day.

Arrival at Stirk House

I arrived as Karen, Guy, and their closest friends filled the rooms with red heart balloons and white floating orbs. Laughter carried down the corridors. A balloon escaped. The groom reached up to rescue it. Relaxed personalities revealed themselves instantly. The kind I love to photograph.

Helium heart and white balloons tied to gift boxes at Stirk House — Balloons waiting patiently.
Small details filling the room with joy.

Bride concentrating as she ties white balloons in the bridal suite — Quiet focus.
Hands preparing the celebration.

The couple resting arms on the bannister watching guests arrive — Watching the day unfold.
Together before it begins.

The Bridal Suite

Upstairs, soft January light poured through the windows. Karen and the children moved between brushes, dresses, and excited energy. Colours stayed true. Skin tones natural. A memory preserved as it was, not re-imagined. A purist approach. Timeless, long after editing trends fade.

Chaos in the best way. Everyone helping. Everyone present.

Bridal shoes on the stone window sill at Stirk House — Shoes waiting by the window.
Soft light through leaded glass at Stirk House.

Mother of the bride tying her daughter’s bridesmaid dress laces — Helping hands.
A proud smile shared.

Wider view of mother tying bridesmaid dress in the bridal suite — Family gathering close.
Everyone playing their part.

Bride in satin dress talking with her two daughters — Satin and soft voices.
A mother’s calm moment.

Bride and daughters looking through the leaded window at guests arriving — Looking out to the day.
Anticipation behind the glass.

Monochrome image of bride and daughters at the window — A different expression.
The same quiet excitement.

The Ceremony

Warm stone walls. A gentle quiet before vows.
Guy and his son shared small glances that said everything.
Children carried rings. Readings were spoken softly.
Family closeness filled the room. Unposed. Unforced. Real.

Groom crouched talking to his son the ring bearer in monochrome — Father and son.
A moment of reassurance.

Groom and son seated front row smiling before the ceremony — Raised eyebrows.
Nervous joy on display.

Bride enters with her daughters, smiling at her groom — The entrance.
Eyes meeting across the room.

Couple smiling at their son during the ceremony — All attention on family.
Love filling the room.

Wider view of daughters smiling and guests seated in the aisles — Shared smiles everywhere.
A room united.

Bride and groom reacting with smiles during the registrar’s words — Eyebrows raised.
A moment of realisation.

Natural smiles from bride and groom during the ceremony — No posing.
Just happiness.

Ring bearer beginning his role in the ceremony — A serious responsibility.
Small steps, big moment.

Guy placing the ring on Karen’s finger — Special words spoken.
Hands gently joining.

Bride placing the ring on her groom’s finger — Promises exchanged.
A circle completed.

Monochrome smiles as the couple realise they are married — All smiles.
The moment lands.

Bridesmaid daughter giving a reading — A daughter’s voice.
Words from the heart.

Mother watching proudly as her daughter reads — Pride in a glance.
A mother’s love.

First kiss as guests and cameras capture the moment — The first kiss.
My quiet Leica watching.

Signing the register and a kiss — Ink on paper.
A kiss to seal it.

Daughter looking across the ceremony room — Curious eyes.
Taking it all in

Family gathered candidly at the signing table — Family close together.
A natural moment.

Couple beginning their exit from the ceremony room — Relief and laughter.
Stepping into married life.

Guests applauding as the family exit — Applause rising.
Love filling the stone room.

Couple greeting guests after the ceremony — Hugs and handshakes.
Warm congratulations.

Moving Through the House

The cold stayed outside. Guests followed the couple. Glasses clinked. Conversations gathered. We stepped briefly into the doorway for natural portraits. Chairs. Sofas. A breath of winter air. Then back inside to warmth.

Guests taking photos as candid moments unfold — Everyone capturing memories.
I capture them too.

Relaxed couple portraits indoors at Stirk House — No expectations.
Just the two of them at Stirk House.

Couple kissing naturally for themselves — Not for the camera.
Just for each other.

Monochrome portrait of groom smiling as bride looks at him — His smile.
Her gaze

Bride resting legs across groom’s legs on sofa in black and white — Comfort together.
Relaxed and close.

Couple facing each other outside in monochrome — Winter air.
Quiet connection.

Cheeky colour portrait of the couple — A playful glance.
Laughter between frames.

Family and Friends

Casual group photographs. Children close at their parents’ sides. Friends relaxed. Nothing rigid. Just an hour of mingling, laughter, and stories weaving together.

Bride and daughters in monochrome, one blowing a kiss — A blown kiss.
A family’s warmth.

Full family fun group seated on sofa in black and white — Everyone together.
A family celebration complete.

Evening Moments

No formal wedding breakfast. Speeches came later, in the evening. A family affair from start to finish.
First dance. Then cake. A topper of the whole family. White icing. Chocolate Maltesers. Smiles all round.

A January Story

Available light. Honest atmosphere.
Chaos, love, emotion, happiness.
A winter family wedding at Stirk House, captured as it truly felt.

An Lovely Email from the Couple

Hi Tim, Hope you’re well? The pics are brilliant they are exactly what we wanted. We will put the music cd in the post to you for the dvd please could we have 3 extra copies… Also could we have some prices for prints for different sizes people keep asking. . . and can people order direct from yourself online?

Venue Information — Stirk House, Lancashire

Stirk House is a historic country house wedding venue in the Ribble Valley, Lancashire. Stone interiors, soft natural light, and intimate rooms create a calm setting for relaxed family celebrations. This wedding forms part of my destination portfolio, photographed from my base in Leeds.