ROCKBEARE MANOR
A Rockbeare Manor Wedding Photographer
ROCKBEARE MANOR WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALEX TOZE
I have been fortunate to photograph many stunning weddings at Rockbeare Manor, I even had the honour of shooting their first ever wedding back in August 2016. It has easily become one of my favourite wedding venues to photograph in Devon .
The venue is simply stunning, that goes without saying, I am sure anyone would have the same reaction when they first see the Devon Manor House as they make their way up the long drive way. It quite simply takes your breath away.
THE HOUSE
When photographing weddings at Rockbeare Manor, you know you are in for a treat, Big open rooms, light flooding in through the tall windows, luxurious decor and furnishings and tons of character throughout, Rockbeare Manor delivers every time no matter the weather. There are many rooms throughout the building that provide their own photographic opportunities, even the bedrooms are individually styled. During times of epic weather, sunlight comes streaming in and even on overcast days, there is so much light to play with, you could easily get away with not needing to get outside at all should the weather be on the rough side.
Bride/Groom prep is one of my favourite times of the day to photograph at Rockbeare Manor, Couples are spoiled with the rooms they have available to get ready in. The Bridal Party tend to use the Drawing room at the front of the house, this is pure luxury with loads of light, huge mirrors to play with and enough room for the whole party and the makeup/media crews. That and the awesome balcony overlooking views of endless Devonshire countryside, it really is a treat for all. In addition, next door is Room 1, a huge room which is perfect to have a bit of quiet time and composure before the day really gets going,
Groomsmen tend to get spend the latter end of getting ready in the billiard room, with its traditional yet contemporary decor and the snooker table with its lighting which is an impressive feature. This offers the perfect location to capture the sprucing up, a bit of rivalry on the table and it’s close enough to the entrance to start the meeting and greeting of family and friends..
From the dining room where a lot of the ceremonies take place to the ball room where the wedding breakfast and partying is held, everywhere is light, airy and spacious, a welcome theme which is awesome for photography that continues throughout this stunning venue..
Outside and looking back at the house, it really is something and ever more so at night when the house is lit up, this makes for a perfect opportunity for back-lit portraits or long sparkler tunnels with an awesome backdrop.
THE GROUNDS
Another treat at Rockbeare Manor is how it’s landscape changes with the seasons, No matter what time of year a wedding takes place, as long as the weather behaves, look in any direction and there is no end to photographic opportunities. From the flower meadow in the spring to the glowing colours in the trees over Autumn, even winter can bring epic scenes over the Devonshire countryside, There is also a lake in the parkland, I have yet to venture down there with couples but this is something I plan to do in the future.
If the weather isn’t playing ball, there really isn’t any reason to worry at all. As above the rooms are all so stunning, there is no shortage of options to choose from when it comes to photography.
Highlights for me are the spring flower meadow, the sunsets out the front of the house, the secret walled garden (yes there really is), guests being able to kick back and enjoy the sunshine in the gardens in the summer and the walk to the big oak tree.
THE CEREMONY
There are plenty of options for couples when deciding where to actually tie the knot at Rockbeare Manor. Most frequently, they take place in the dining room where the natural light is in abundance which fills this stunning room which features a huge chandelier and an epic fireplace. For those wanting to venture outside, ceremonies under the sun take place on the terrace of the South Pavilion. This offers amazing views of the house and grounds all around and it is really special to photograph the bridal party as they make the long walk to the terrace. There are other options for ceremonies for those with larger parties, I have seen them take place in the Ball Room and outside the front of the house but I have yet to photograph these set ups, hopefully that will change in the future.
THE OCCASION
Being a wedding photographer it’s vital that you can work with the venue to ensure plans combine and considerations are given to give couples the best possible experience on their day. At Rockbeare Manor, there is always a friendly welcome and time to talk when I arrive to ensure we know what is what and when things are likely to happen (formalities etc). The team run an extremely tight ship behind the scenes to make sure everything is as amazing as it can be, all the while being there for anyone that needs it, not only for the couple and their guests but for the other suppliers to the wedding, All in all this is a real gem of a venue, oh and the food is amazing, always! :)
If you are interested in seeing more of my Rockbeare Manor wedding photography or have any questions, please do get in contact, it would be fantastic to hear from you.
You can get more information direct from Rockbeare Manor, here on their website.