Ben and Ruth's black and white wedding

Ben and Ruth Woolrych

Where: Peckforton Castle

Photography: Andrew John Photography

We’d done the rounds of hotels and stately homes but we wanted somewhere where ours would be the only wedding (I didn’t want to see another bride in the loo!) and our guests could stay. Peckforton Castle ticked every box we had and Tarporley village is beautiful, so we signed on the dotted line at the first visit.

Me and my bridesmaids stayed at the castle the night before and got up at 7.30am for champagne and breakfast. Suzy arrived to start our make up and Olivia the hair. I wanted a simple, classic bun and the girls had curls pinned up with pearls. Everyone looked gorgeous.

I wanted an elegant but relaxed wedding and love the simplicity and contrast of black and white. My bridesmaids wore black dresses and the simple black bows on the stationery and tables reflected the bow on the back of my dress.

The church looked stunning, our Revered Keith relaxed the guests and while walking up the aisle was nerve-wracking, the ceremony itself was simple but beautiful. The flowers filled the church and the choir really boosted the hymns and entertained the guests during the signing of the register with some gorgeous choral music.

Driving up into Peckforton Castle, knowing we had the place to ourselves and the party could get started was a fabulous feeling. The venue was brilliant, nothing was too much trouble and every guest commented on what a venue it was. I would recommend it to anyone, everything flowed so smoothly.

Food was fantastic and the wine flowed, sticky toffee for the boys and lemon and raspberry tart for the girls went down well. I couldn’t sit still long enough to eat so I had a wander round all the tables saying hello to everyone! I’m glad I did that as I then didn’t feel like I’d missed anyone out.

My dad’s speech was a tear jerker. Ben was up next and took the opportunity to talk for 25 minutes without me interrupting! The best man was Ryan, Ben’s younger brother who used the limelight to tell some pretty embarrassing stories.

THE DETAILS Photography: Andrew John Photography, 01704 569999, andrewjohnphotography.co.uk

Venue: Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, 01829 260930, peckfortoncastle.co.uk

Dress: Caroline Castigliano, 0113 234 0990, carolinecastigliano.co.uk

Groom: Groom, Wilmslow, 01625 419777, groomhire.co.uk

Venue dresser: Green Earth Flowers, Poynton, 01625 859525, greenearthflowers.co.uk

Hair, Olivia at Terrance Paul in Hale, terrancepaul.com

Make-up: Suzy Showman, suzymakeup.com

Cake: Anne’s Patisserie, Flint, North Wales, 01352 763562, annespatisserie.co.uk

Transport: Platinum Wedding Cars, Manchester, 0161 794 2025, platinum-weddingcars.co.uk

Flowers: Green Earth Flowers, Poynton, 01625 859525, greenearthflowers.co.uk

Jewellery: Phillip Stoner, Spinningfields, Manchester, 0161 833 1751