Natalie and Gary's military wedding at Tern Hill Hall had a guard of honour, a surprise herd of alpacas (one of them in a military hat), their dog Toby in the portraits and a game with an old military parachute that had every guest running across the lawn. We photographed the whole day.

 

Getting ready at Tern Hill Hall

Natalie got ready at Tern Hill Hall with her two bridesmaids. She practised her walk down the aisle with her bridesmaid and watched from the window as guests arrived. Her reveal with her mum and Gary's mum was an emotional moment for everyone.

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A ceremony in the Orangery

Natalie and Gary married in Tern Hill Hall's Orangery, its glass walls looking out over the gardens.

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A guard of honour, and a surprise

After the ceremony came confetti outside, with a military guard of honour. Then Gary revealed his surprise for Natalie: he'd booked alpacas. They roamed among the guests during the drinks reception, and everyone had the chance for photos with them, including one alpaca wearing a military hat.

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Portraits with Toby

We took couple portraits with their dog, Toby, before the formal photographs of family and the bridal party on the lawn, in the shade. Then we headed further down the grounds for a few more couple portraits before the wedding breakfast.

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Speeches and the parachute game

The speeches came after the wedding breakfast. Then everyone headed outside with an old military parachute for the parachute game: each guest holds the edge and lifts it up and down, and when your name is called you run underneath to swap places before it comes back down. It was brilliant fun, and made for some of the best photos of the day.

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Golden hour and the first dance

The evening light gave us the chance for some golden-hour portraits before everyone went back inside for the cake cutting and Natalie and Gary's first dance.

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Planning a Tern Hill Hall wedding? Our tips

• Marry in the Orangery: its views over the gardens make a bright, beautiful ceremony setting.

• Use the shade on the lawn for formals: in summer, it keeps everyone comfortable and the light soft.

• Explore further down the grounds: a short walk gives you quieter spots for couple portraits.

• Plan an outdoor game: with six acres of grounds, there's room for something memorable, like a parachute game.

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Venue: Tern Hill Hall · Photography: The Newtons Film & Photography · Make-up: Sean Maloney MUA · Florist: The Flower Shop Eccleshall · Violinist: Lesley Locke Violinist · Alpacas: Wildwood Alpacas · DJ: Nick Campbell

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Planning your own Tern Hill Hall wedding? Tern Hill Hall is just down the road from our base in Market Drayton. Photography starts from £2,000 and photo + film from £4,250. Check your date.