Your Cheshire and Merseyside Wedding - July/August 2020 (Issue 52)

FAMILY VALUES We’re all really understanding the value of family at the moment, and professional portrait sessions are a great way to spend time together. They allow you take part in the fun rather than being the one behind the camera and absent from the resulting shots. You’ll create some fabulous memories of your family growing up, that you’ll have to treasure forever, and even display on your wall. Rycraft Studios’ 45-minute outdoor family photoshoots are the perfect solution in the current climate, and photographer Matthew has chosen a beautiful spot in Southport complete with a range of backdrops. Your images can then be printed or you can purchase the digital images. The shoots are priced at £59. Register online at www.rycraftstudios.co.uk to receive a £10 discount, weekly exclusive offers and be the first to see available dates. www.rycr aftstudios.co.uk WELCOME BACK! Rookery Hall Hotel is delighted to announce that it will be reopening its doors from 4 th July for stays including breakfast, dinner and everything in between. The team is thrilled to be welcoming guests once more and has been working hard to ensure you can enjoy the Handpicked Hotels experience comfortably and safely. While new measures will be in place to ensure your health and safety your enjoyment is paramount, as ever, and the team are well-equipped, well-trained and ready to extend a very warm welcome. So, if you feel the need to spread your post-lockdown wings, take in some much-needed change of scenery, and even scope out Rookery Hall as a potential wedding venue, find out more at www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/rookeryhall IN AN ENGLISH COUNTY GARDEN Cheshire wedding venue Arley Hall & Gardens has been shortlisted for Historic Houses’ Garden of the Year 2020. Since 1984 the association has asked its members and supporters to vote for their favourite garden, with the shortlisting process introduced last year. To be in with a chance, the gardens must be open to the public, and it’s the visitors who’ll ultimately decide the winner. Arley Hall’s gardens are amongst the finest in Europe and have been lovingly created over the last 250 years by successive generations of the same family. Their long history, paired with traditional design, and modern additions makes them abundant in atmosphere, interest and vitality. The best-known feature is undoubtedly the herbaceous border, thought to be the first of its kind planted in England. You can vote for Arley Hall & Gardens for this year's Garden of the Year at www.historichouses.org/goya2020.html, an d find out more about hosting your big day at this spectacular location at www.arleyhallandgardens.com WORDS OF WISDOM As for many for of you, the rug was well and truly pulled out from underneath the wedding plans of Andy and Karen Boyle’s couples. The pair who together form Andy Boyle Photography, have spent much of their time chatting with couples about rearranging their wedding. We caught up with Karen to get her advice on how you adapt in the face of changing plans. She says, “With so many couples having to make new arrangements, it’s not always possible to keep everything exactly as you’d planned it. If you can allow yourself to be flexible, you can reduce stress and inconvenience. Remember, details and things are exactly that – what’s really important is that the two of you arrive as two and leave as one. “If possible, have a weekday wedding close to your original date. Your venue will find it much easier to accommodate you and it might even save you a few bob! Registrars are going to be super-busy, so perhaps consider doing the legal bit a few days before your wedding, and have your ceremony performed by a celebrant on the day. “As for your photographer and other suppliers, contact them as soon as possible with your proposed new dates. Hopefully they’ll be able to accommodate you, but if not, they’re bound to be able to recommend someone who can, and there may even be some virtual wedding fairs that can offer you inspiration.” Despite having to down tools as far as weddings, the pair have been making the most of lockdown by capturing doorstep portraits, to raise funds for their local hospice. They’re also working hard to get their studio prepared and reopen for family and baby shoots. One of the first will be for a wonderful nurse, who won a free photoshoot. Over 150 people nominated the NHS heroes for this ‘Thank You’ draw.” Stay up to date with Andy Boyle Photography at www.andyboylephotography.com www.and yboylephotography.com YOUR ESSENTIALS 9