Abbie & Cammeron | Aston Hall Wedding
Abbie and Cammeron have known each other forever. Their parents were friends, they were born in the same hospital a week apart, went to the same schools and got together in their last year of high school. Fifteen years later, on a hot August day, they finally said their vows in the garden gazebo at Aston Hall near Sheffield.
It was a relaxed, happy, sun-soaked day: bridesmaids in sage green, white roses everywhere, a top table that barely stopped laughing through the speeches and a sparkler send-off to finish. Here’s how it all unfolded from behind the camera.
Meet Abbie & Cammeron
Abbie summed it up perfectly on her questionnaire: “We have been together for 15 years but known each other forever.”
Ask either of them about the other and you get the same warmth straight back. Abbie describes Cammeron as kind and considerate, a brilliant dad and a doting partner who “will always stop in the street to try and stroke a stranger’s dog.” She also loves that he “doesn’t care at all about the opinions of others and likes what he likes – even if it is very strange.”
Cammeron describes Abbie as “a strong intelligent woman who has a heart of gold and would help anyone in need” – someone who puts others first at every chance, and a wonderful mum to their two girls. You could see all of that on the day.
The Proposal
This is one of my favourite proposal stories. In Abbie’s words, “It wasn’t a glamorous proposal.” They were young, had no money and were still living with family, so Cam booked them a few nights away. It was December 2012, when half the internet was convinced the world was going to end on the 21st – so that’s exactly the date he picked. “Either very romantic or he thought he wouldn’t have to go through with it… I can’t decide which.”
Abbie was watching TV while Cam had a shower. Then he called her into the bathroom, where he’d written “will you marry me?” in the steam on the mirror, with the ring sitting in an open box just below. As Abbie puts it, “He never actually asked me verbally.” I love that.
Why They Chose Aston Hall
They’d tried to plan the wedding a few times over the years, but with so many opinions flying about it kept feeling overwhelming. A fresh start helped. A few weeks after a move, they spotted a notice for a wedding fayre at Aston Hall, went along and “were stunned at how beautiful it was.” They put the deposit down that same day.
I’ve photographed a few weddings at Aston Hall now and I can see why they fell for it. The white garden gazebo is a gorgeous spot for an outdoor ceremony, the Georgian front of the hall makes a proper portrait location, and there’s plenty of garden to wander through between the ceremony and the wedding breakfast.
Personal Touches
Abbie made a few things herself, but her favourite detail of the whole wedding was the confetti. Every single petal had been saved and dried from the flowers Cam had bought her over the past year. In her words, “It was the only thing I could do that was entirely personal to me.” It’s one of the loveliest ideas I’ve come across.
There were plenty of other little touches too: an “It Was Always You” neon sign above the cake, giant light-up letters beside the aisle, and Find the Guest bingo cards on the tables to get everyone chatting.
Getting married at Aston Hall? I’d love to hear about your plans.
Bridal Preparations
Everyone got ready at Aston Hall, with an early start at six. The prep room had a lovely buzz to it: sunshine through the big sash windows, family popping their heads in, plenty of hugs and a lot of laughing. Hair was by Morgan Parr and make-up by Emily Hobson, and they kept everything calm and on time.
Cammeron was as relaxed as anyone I’ve photographed on a wedding morning, in a light grey check suit with a sprig of dried flowers in his buttonhole. I love black and white for groom prep. It strips away the room and puts all the attention on him.
The Ceremony
The ceremony was at half past one in the garden gazebo, with white chairs set out on the lawn either side of the stone path and big old trees all around. It was a proper summer day, bright sun and blue sky, and the lawns had turned golden after the dry weeks before.
Cammeron could not stop smiling as Abbie made her way down the aisle to him. The gazebo’s white ironwork sits beautifully around a couple, and shooting from inside it gave me all their guests in the background as they said their vows.
Drinks Reception at Aston Hall
Straight after the ceremony we grabbed the bridal party under the trees while everyone was still together: seven bridesmaids in sage green and the groomsmen in grey. Then it was over to the terrace and gardens for drinks.
I spend most of a drinks reception just watching for moments, and there were loads: guests in fits of giggles, big hugs, and one bridesmaid holding court at her table with a story that had everyone in stitches. Abbie even managed five minutes of peace on a Chesterfield sofa with a friend.
Couple Portraits at Aston Hall
For portraits I kept things relaxed and walked Abbie and Cammeron round the grounds. We started near the gazebo, where a breeze caught Abbie’s veil at just the right moment, then walked hand in hand back along the stone path.
Next we went out into the long grass in front of the hall. It had turned gold in the summer heat and, with the hall behind them, it’s one of my favourite pictures from the day. Then we headed to the garden steps below the Georgian front, where Abbie’s lace train spread all the way down the steps.
I finished off with the drone for a view of the whole hall, with the two of them tiny on the path. It shows off just how grand the house is.
Love the twilight pictures further down? Here’s how twilight portraits work.
Wedding Breakfast and Speeches
Light It Up Styling had dressed the room beautifully, with arches of white roses and greenery, tall centrepieces on every table and the neon sign glowing above a three-tier cake trimmed in sage green roses.
Speeches came before the meal, which I always like, because everyone can relax and enjoy dinner once they’re done. Judging by the top table they went down a treat. Abbie spent most of them laughing, and a few guests had their phones out to capture the best bits.
The Evening Celebrations
Evening guests arrived at six, with the cake cut at quarter to eight and the first dance straight after. Samantha Siddall sang, and Ace Parties brought a magic mirror, a candy floss machine and a popcorn machine, so there was always something going on. The dancefloor filled up fast.
As the light started to go, everyone grabbed a sparkler and lined up outside for a send-off. Sparkler exits are chaos in the best way, and this one was full of cheering, hugs and a very happy couple.
Twilight Portraits at Aston Hall
Once the sky had turned deep blue, I took Abbie and Cammeron back to the gazebo where they’d married that afternoon for a few twilight portraits. A bit of light painting gave us a glowing heart around them, and the word “love” written in the air beside the gazebo. It takes about fifteen minutes and it’s one of my favourite parts of the day.
Aston Hall Wedding Suppliers
Abbie and Cammeron, thank you so much for having me. Fifteen years in the making and every bit worth the wait. I loved every minute of your day and I hope these pictures bring it all back.
Planning your own wedding? I’d love to hear from you.
Getting married at Aston Hall? Have a look at my Aston Hall wedding photographer page for more about photographing a wedding there.
Planning your own wedding near Sheffield? Have a look at my Sheffield wedding photography page for the venues I know, my prices and the questions couples ask me most.
