Alice and Mike's wedding at Groobarbs Field Kitchen in Cheshire had a wedding sports day, sunflower-field portraits, their dog Toby as (slightly distracted) ring bearer and one of the biggest glitter balls we've ever seen. It started with a pre-wedding shoot on Formby Beach.

 

Pre-wedding shoot at Formby Beach

We first met Alice and Mike, and Toby, for a pre-wedding shoot at Formby Beach. Running through the dunes and jumping off logs, they got comfortable in front of the camera, and by the end they were much more relaxed about the wedding photographs to come.

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Getting ready at home

Bridal preparations took place at Alice and Mike's home with their parents and bridal party. Both mums received thoughtful presents, with plenty of tears. Alice's dress hung in their garage gym, the only place at home it could hang properly. Mike had prepared a box of gifts for Alice, including a "Just Married" T-shirt with their wedding logo, and Alice's first look with her dad brought them both to tears.

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A celebrant-led ceremony

The ceremony took place at Groobarbs Field Kitchen with a celebrant and pianist. Toby took his ring-bearer role seriously, though he wandered through the guests before reaching the front. Alice and Mike exchanged their own vows, friends and family gave readings, and after their first kiss a banner with their logo and new married name dropped behind them.

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Sports day and sunflowers

Outside, guests enjoyed confetti, garden games, mini golf and table football before a full wedding sports day, with egg-and-spoon races and medals for the winning team. We took Alice and Mike, and Toby, into the sunflower field for their couple portraits.

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Speeches, food and the glitter ball

The speeches included a celebration of Alice's dad's birthday. Groobarbs is known for food grown on the farm or sourced locally, which made the meal another personal part of the day. Then the party began beneath a giant glitter ball, with friends and family filling the dance floor.

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Planning a Groobarbs Field Kitchen wedding? Our tips

• Book the sunflower field for portraits: in season, it's the standout photo spot on the farm.

• Plan outdoor games: mini golf, a sports day and garden games gave us the most natural guest photos of the day.

• Do a pre-wedding shoot: an hour together beforehand makes the wedding-day photos far more relaxed.

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Venue: Groobarbs Field Kitchen · Photography: The Newtons Film & Photography · Make Up: Brides By Ange · Hair: Hair by Nadia · Celebrant: Paul Bytheway, Stand By Me Ceremonies · Ceremony Music: Helen Bytheway Singer · Wedding Banner: Banner Department · Florist: Millie Buds · Mini Golf: Original Tee · Outdoor Games: Hitch & Putt · Marquee: Shades Canvas · Wedding Dress: Aurora Bride · Photo Booth: Picture Blast UK · Soul Band: Soul Federation · Lighting: Hip Swing

 

Planning your own Groobarbs Field Kitchen wedding? We photograph and film weddings across Cheshire. Photography starts from £2,000 and photo + film from £4,250. Check your date.