Looking for some location inspiration for your pre-wedding shoot? In our 7 years as wedding photographers we have shot at some beautiful locations for pre-wedding shoots in Cheshire and surrounding areas. Here’s a list of our top 5 to give you some ideas!
- Dunham Massey, near Altrincham
- Formby Beach, Southport
- Old Pale Hill, Delamere Forest
- Heaton Park, Prestwich
- The Roaches, Staffordshire
Our favourites locations for your pre-wedding shoot near Cheshire
1. Dunham Massey, near Altrincham
Dunham Massey is a fantastic location for a pre-wedding shoot as it offers a variety of locations. Not only can we make use Dunham Massey’s beautiful National Trust grounds, but we can also take a walk through the gorgeous Dunham Village and take in it’s open fields and farmland as well as quaint country lanes. This is our top location for pre-wedding shoots! It takes around 90 minutes to make our way from Dunham Golf Club, taking lots of lovely walking shots and the occasional posed shot as we go. Then we finish up at the National Trust park itself to take in some wide scenes of the house, the lake and last but not least….the deer park! Fran and Danny hadn’t visited Dunham before their pre-wedding shoot with us and were blown away with how beautiful the village was in the evening summer light.
2. Formby Beach, Southport
Another of our absolute favourites is Formby Beach on the Sefton coastline. Another National Trust location, Formby attracts thousands of visitors each year because of its picturesque landscape and offers tonnes of variety for a pre-wedding shoot. You have the beach and sand dunes as well as a beautiful woodland and a lovely walk between the two scattered with long grasses and wildflowers. We had a fantastic afternoon with Hannah and Alexei for their pre-wedding shoot at Formby on this gloriously sunny summer afternoon. See Hannah and Alexei’s Hyde Bank Farm wedding here!
3. Old Pale Hill, Delamere Forest
Old Pale Hill is a walking trail in Delamere Forest near Macclesfield. As you make your way to the peak, you are rewarded with endless skies and views for miles. The path is walkable with a couple of steep inclines. There is a shortcut back to the car park so you don’t have to be super fit to manage it! Naomi and Ben chose this location for their pre-wedding shoot because it’s where the couple got engaged so had very special meaning to them. Along our route we got some beautiful sunset photos of the couple walking through Old Pale Hill’s glorious wildflower meadow. We also got this silhouette shot of the couple sharing a kiss at the summit. Take a little peek at Ben and Naomi’s back-garden marquee wedding on the blog here.
4. Heaton Park, Prestwich
Heaton Park is a vast public park in North Manchester offering a tonne of photo opportunities for your pre-wedding shoot. Home of Heaton Hall, a grade I listed, 18th century country house offers a stunning backdrop for photos. It is a photographer’s dream with its light, sandstone brick and gravel path. Light surfaces help to bounce light all over your lovely faces! One of Heaton Park’s most iconic landmarks is the Temple. Boasting views across the whole of Manchester and providing a fabulous backdrop for couples photos. Maggie and Ped chose Heaton Park for their pre-wedding shoot as they both visited the park as children so it held special meaning to them.
5. The Roaches, Staffordshire
A little bit further a field though well worth the trip, the Roaches is a stunning location for a pre-wedding shoot in the Peak District near Leek. With dramatic rock faces and panoramic views, the Roaches offers an incredible backdrop for engagement photographs. We love the light that this location offers like this photo of Laura and Hayden from their pre-wedding shoot at the Roaches. We met with the couple late in the afternoon to make the most of that beautiful warm golden hour sun!
Our top tips for a successful pre-wedding shoot
- Choose a location that has special meaning to you both. Perhaps it’s where you met or where you proposed? Or maybe it’s the park near where you bought your first home together. Be creative!
- Book your session for late in the afternoon/early evening to make the most of low, warm sunlight.
- Think about practicalities! Choose a location that is in a reasonable walking distance and not too strenuous to reach!
- Plan your outfits. Think about how your outfits will complement each other and how they’ll work with your chosen location. For most outdoor locations we recommend avoiding black clothing as it can look a little flat. Also try to avoid patterns. Colours that look amazing in most settings are white and light blue! Also think about shapes when planning your outfits. Dresses or loose fitting clothes can add movement to photos as they float when you walk or run!
- Enjoy it! The number one factor which will make or break your pre-wedding shoot photos is you! If you feel relaxed, confident in your outfit and are present in the moment with each other your photos will show exactly that!
Did you find this article helpful? We hope it’s given you some inspiration for your own pre-wedding shoot! We’re so lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world and as an engaged couple, you have so many great locations to choose from on your doorstep!
If you’re thinking of having a pre-wedding or engagement shoot then get in touch with us, we’d love to hear from you!
