Megan & Mason | Aston Hall Wedding
Megan loves green. She loves panelling too, so the first time she and Mason walked into the new Virage suite at Aston Hall and saw those soft green panelled walls, with ivy climbing all over the old house outside, the hunt for a venue was more or less over.
They got married there at the end of June with a small gathering of their closest friends and family, and the green ran right through the day: sage dresses for the bridesmaids, green sashes on the chairs, green ties on the boys and a white blossom arch glowing against the panelling. Add a proposal in front of a Disney castle and tables named after the Walt Disney World parks, and you’ve got a wedding that could only ever have been theirs.
Slushies by the Canal and a Proposal at the Castle
Megan and Mason first crossed paths in late 2021, and their first date came a little while later. Mason took Megan to Toby Carvery, her favourite, and afterwards they wandered down by the canal with slushies and a bag of American snacks. Not a bad way to start.
They’ve found plenty in common since. They share a love of Disney, and Walt Disney World in Florida most of all. Mason sat Megan down to watch every Marvel film, which she’d never seen, and now she’s a fan too. They’re both competitive and love a game, although by their own account it’s Mason who always wins.
So it fits that Mason proposed at Disneyland Paris, right in front of the castle before the crowds arrived, on a trip with family. The only snag was the ring box, which wouldn’t fit in his shorts pocket. He had to pick his moment to get it back from his dad, hide it in his hand and then wait for the perfect moment to get a photo. It all came together in the end.
Green Panelling, Ivy and the Virage Suite at Aston Hall
“It’s a great combination of the old-fashioned house and estate and the modern side of the Virage suite, all combined together.”
Megan & Mason
That mix is exactly what they were after. The ceremony and the party were both in the newer Virage suite, with its green panelled walls (Megan loves both green and panelling, so it ticked two boxes at once), and just outside there’s the old house itself, covered in ivy, with lawns and gardens stretching out in front. You get a modern room for the day and a proper old estate to wander round for pictures.
Light It Up Hire looked after the venue dressing, and the room looked lovely. White blossom trees lined the aisle, a big flower arch with an Always & Forever neon sign stood at the front, every chair had a sage sash and a little bunch of white flowers, and giant light-up M&M letters sat by the windows. The tables were named after the Disney World parks, a nod to the trip they love most.
They kept it to a small gathering of the people closest to them. In their words, most of the choices they made were based on what they like and the things they enjoy, and you could feel that all day.
Got a favourite colour you’d happily build a whole wedding around? I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
Fizz, Pyjamas and a Bed Full of Bridesmaids
Megan stayed at the hotel the night before, so the morning was easy and unhurried, with Mason arriving around midday. Her dress hung on the wardrobe door, all lace on top with a long, soft skirt, while Megan sat in her white pyjamas with a glass of fizz and the bridesmaids gathered round.
At one point they all piled onto the bed together for a drink, which is one of those moments I always hope for during preparations. Nobody is posing, everyone is chatting, and you get a picture of a group of friends rather than a line-up.
Hair was by Loved Up by Lucie and makeup by Emily Hobson Makeup Artist. Once Megan was in her dress there was a last spritz of hairspray, the earrings went in and a final little adjustment at the neckline, and she was ready.
Down the Aisle Between the Blossom Trees
The ceremony was at half past one in the Virage suite. Megan walked in between the blossom trees towards Mason, who was waiting at the arch in a light grey suit and a green tie, with a room full of the people who matter most to them on either side.
I love working through the blossom in this room. Tuck yourself off to one side, let a few of the white flowers soften the edge of the picture, and the two of them sit in a soft haze of white right at the front.
They held hands for their vows, shared a first kiss to a big cheer from everyone watching, and then walked back up the aisle as husband and wife.
Hugs on the Lawn and Everyone in Front of the Ivy
Out on the lawn afterwards it was hugs and congratulations all round, with a drink in hand and the guests making the most of the gardens.
Then we gathered everyone together for one big group picture in front of the house, ivy climbing all over the walls behind them, followed by a few with the bridesmaids in their sage green dresses. That colour against the green lawn and trees was made for this garden.
Bandstand, Long Grass and Garden Steps at Aston Hall
Aston Hall gives you loads of variety for portraits without going far. We started at the little cream bandstand on the lawn, worked our way round to the steps in front of the house, popped inside for a couple by a tall window, and finished out in the long grass beyond the gardens.
At the front of the house the garden steps are perfect for a long train. Megan’s spread right down them, lace edge and all, with the old hall rising up behind.
Round the side of the hotel the light was warm and soft, and the two of them couldn’t stop laughing.
Out past the gardens there’s a stretch of long grass with a big open sky above it, and it’s one of my favourite spots here. It’s quiet, there’s room to move, and it gives the two of them a few minutes on their own in the middle of a busy day.
Soft, Hazy Skies and Plenty of Room to Roam
The sky stayed bright but hazy through the afternoon, which is lovely for portraits. Nobody is squinting, there are no harsh shadows across faces, and the greens of the grass and trees stay rich rather than washed out. It meant we could use the whole estate, from the bandstand to the meadow, without hunting for shade, and every spot looked different from the last.
My Favourite Picture from Megan and Mason’s Day
This one. A gust of wind caught Megan’s veil while the two of them stood out on the lawn by the bandstand, and it streamed out behind her in a long white ribbon. They’re small in the picture and the trees and the bandstand do the rest, but it sums the afternoon up for me: green everywhere, a bit of a breeze, and the two of them completely wrapped up in each other.
If the bandstand and that long grass have you picturing your own portraits, there are more real weddings on my Aston Hall wedding photographer page.
Speeches Under the Blossom Arch
Speeches came before the meal, with Megan and Mason at the top table under the blossom arch and that glowing neon sign. Mason stood up for his and had the room smiling, while Megan spent most of it looking up at him.
Speeches are one of my favourite parts of the day to photograph, because so many of the best pictures are out in the room: guests laughing, smiles passed between tables, bridesmaids grinning at every line.
At one point Megan stood at the arch on her own while guests grabbed pictures on their phones, which made for a lovely moment of its own.
A First Dance, Then Everyone on the Floor
Evening guests started arriving at seven, and not long after came the cake and the first dance, with Aston Hall’s own DJ looking after the music.
Once the first dance was done the floor filled up fast. The bridesmaids were straight on, Megan danced with just about everyone, and the party was in full swing.
Who Made Megan & Mason’s Day at Aston Hall
Megan and Mason, thank you so much for having me. From the green panelling to the sage dresses to that blossom arch, you filled the day with the things you love, and it was a joy to photograph. I hope these pictures take you straight back to it.
Planning your own day around the things you love? Let me know your date and I’ll check I’m free.
Getting married around Sheffield? My Sheffield wedding photography page has more venues nearby, my prices and answers to the usual questions.
