Jodi & Adam’s Keele Hall Wedding

There are some weddings where you leave with a camera full of photographs and a head full of memories and Jodi and Adam's wedding at Keele Hall was definitely one of those.

The day started at the Courtyard by Marriott on the Keele University site. When I arrived, we actually found Adam downstairs — and immediately thought, “What are you doing here?!”

His answer? He needed coffee!

He’d already been told off by Jodi, who was getting ready upstairs, because when she had returned from the hairdressers, she'd had to get her brother to move Adam on before he accidentally caught a glimpse of her!

It was a very fitting start to a wedding day that would be full of laughter and fun.

I then met Jodi and captured some getting-ready photographs. I felt so privileged to be with her on the morning of her wedding. Her bridesmaids did her makeup, which made those photographs feel even more personal and special. Her mum was there too, and the celebrations had already begun with a few glasses of bubbly!

Jodi received a heartfelt letter from her husband-to-be, as well as a special gift from one of her bridesmaids. Then came a lovely moment with her dad, who arrived for a first look before they headed off to the ceremony.

Once I had captured all those morning moments, I dashed over to Keele Hall, where I found Adam waiting rather nervously for his bride.

Jodi arrived in her brother’s Tesla and had some lovely photographs taken on the cobbles with him and her dad before making her way towards the ceremony.

The song Jodi had chosen to walk down the aisle to played about six or seven times before she actually arrived — which definitely didn't help Adam’s nerves!

But eventually, Jodi made her entrance and absolutely wowed the crowd. She looked incredible, and you could see the relief and happiness on Adam’s face as he finally saw his bride.

A Keele Hall ceremony in the Italian Gardens

The ceremony took place outside in the Italian Gardens at Keele Hall, with the Hall providing the most incredible backdrop.

After they said their “I do’s”, we made the most of the setting for some lovely confetti photographs before the newlyweds took a few moments together while their guests enjoyed drinks in the gardens.

Then it was time for the group photographs. We used the steps near Keele Hall to create different levels within the group shots, which worked really well for getting everyone arranged and making the photographs feel varied.

Once the group photographs were finished, it was time for the couple portraits. We worked our way around the grounds, starting at Freshers Gate and gradually making our way back towards the guests. We stopped at some of my favourite spots along the way, the main entrance steps, underneath the arches of Keele Hall and then up on the embankment with the Hall behind them.

Speeches, laughter and a little bit of mischief

After the photographs, it was time for the wedding breakfast and speeches.

The speeches are always one of my favourite parts of a wedding to photograph — not necessarily because of the speeches themselves, but because of the reactions they create!

I like to hide away at the side of the room with my 70-200mm lens and discreetly capture all those little moments: the laughter, the tears, the surprised faces and the completely unplanned reactions from guests.

After the speeches, the glorious weather meant everyone headed back outside.

I spent some time photographing the guests enjoying themselves before heading down towards the lake with Jodi and Adam for some more couple portraits.

While we were there, they bumped into some friends who were busy looking for fish, which resulted in even more laughter. We took the opportunity for some relaxed photographs by the lake, as well as a few with Keele Hall in the background.

And honestly, this couple were SO much fun.

There was laughter all day long — including Jodi getting a piggyback back towards the Hall! It genuinely felt like the laughter never stopped.

Cake, dancing and a surprise spin

As the evening guests began to arrive, it was time for the cake cutting.

And this wasn’t just any cake — it had been made by Adam’s dad, making that moment even more special.

Then came their first dance, followed by a surprise pickup and spin for Jodi! Their friends were soon invited onto the dance floor, and the laughter continued well into the evening.

A day full of laughter

If I had to sum up Jodi and Adam's Keele Hall wedding in just a few words, it would be fun, laughter and so much love.

From the coffee incident at the hotel and the prosecco-fuelled morning, to the nervous wait at the Hall, their ceremony in the Italian Gardens, the photographs around the grounds, the speeches, the lake and the dancing, it was such a joy to document.

One of my biggest takeaways from this wedding was just how much these two laughed together. And I think that’s one of the things I love most about wedding photography: capturing those genuine moments that couples might not even realise are happening.

Thank you so much, Jodi and Adam, for trusting me to be part of your special day. It was an absolute pleasure to photograph your wedding and to spend the day surrounded by so much laughter, fun and love.

And Keele Hall really did provide the perfect setting for it all.