Hayley & Marco
A glamorous late summer wedding at Fairlawns in Aldridge. Blush pink and crisp white, a garden ceremony under blossom trees, and some of the best golden hour light I’ve had all year.
- Venue
- Fairlawns Hotel & Spa
- Location
- Aldridge, West Midlands
- Season
- Late summer
- Style
- Glamorous, classic
Glamour, gardens and golden hour
Fairlawns is an independent hotel and spa in Aldridge, just outside Sutton Coldfield and a short drive from Lichfield. It was originally a family home, and it sits in around twelve acres with landscaped wedding gardens, a white pergola walk and a patch of silver birch woodland at the back that catches the evening light beautifully.
Hayley and Marco’s day was glamorous from start to finish. Hayley wore a sweeping strapless ballgown, Marco went for a white tuxedo jacket, and the bridesmaids were in soft blush pink. Inside, the Garden Room was dressed with white blossom trees, chiavari chairs and pink chair sashes, all filled with sunlight from the big glass walls.
There were happy tears from Hayley’s dad, a wall of confetti outside, speeches full of laughter, and then some of my favourite golden hour portraits I’ve ever taken, in the woods as the sun went down.
Getting ready at Fairlawns
Hayley and her bridesmaids got ready in the hotel, with matching robes, a round of cocktails and a big pile of bouquets, shoes and perfume waiting on the side. A gorgeous floral hair piece finished off Hayley’s look. Out in the gardens, Marco and his groomsmen were sorting buttonholes and checking the rings, with a cold beer or two. Then came the moment Hayley’s dad saw her for the first time.
Saying it in the Garden Room
The ceremony was in the Garden Room, with an aisle running between white blossom trees and big windows flooding the room with light. Marco was beaming as Hayley walked in on her dad’s arm. After the vows and a very enthusiastic first kiss, they signed the register and walked straight out onto the terrace for fizz in the sunshine.
Confetti and a lot of cheering
Everyone gathered in the wedding gardens for a group photo, then the bridesmaids let loose with a cheer, and the confetti came out in force. It’s a brilliant space for it: plenty of room, greenery all around and a backdrop that looks great in every direction.
Blush, blossom and a few lovely touches
Round tables dressed in white and silver, blush chair sashes with a white rose, a floral table plan and a “Pick a seat, either side” sign. Giant light-up MR & MRS letters were waiting on the terrace for the evening.
From the pergola to the woods
We started under the white pergola and on the garden swing seat, then saved the best for last. As the sun dropped behind the silver birches, we headed into the woodland for twenty minutes of glowing, backlit golden hour light. Honestly one of my favourite sets of the year.
Speeches, cake and a full dancefloor
Speeches full of laughs, cutting the cake, a first dance under soft purple lights, and then everyone piled onto the dancefloor for the rest of the night. A few last photos of Hayley on the terrace under the festoon lights finished the day off.
Getting married at Fairlawns?
A few things worth knowing, and some photos to consider when you’re planning your day at Fairlawns Hotel & Spa.
Visit Fairlawns Hotel & Spa- Where it is
- 178 Little Aston Road, Aldridge, Walsall (WS9 0NU), on the edge of Sutton Coldfield. Around 20 minutes from Lichfield.
- The spaces
- The Garden Room for civil ceremonies and the wedding breakfast, a partly covered terrace overlooking the wedding gardens, and a separate evening space with a dancefloor.
- Guest numbers
- Around 120 for the ceremony and meal, and more in the evening. Check the latest with the venue.
- Good to know
- It’s a hotel with a spa, so you and your guests can stay over, and you can get ready on site.
Photos worth planning for at Fairlawns Hotel & Spa
The Garden Room
Huge windows and blossom trees make it bright and airy. Lovely for the ceremony, whatever the weather.
The terrace
Right outside the ceremony room, perfect for drinks and candid photos of your guests.
The wedding gardens
Plenty of space for a group photo of everyone and a big confetti moment.
The white pergola
A pretty frame for a few relaxed couple portraits, just a short walk away.
The silver birch woods
If you can, step out around sunset. The backlit golden hour light here is something special.
The people who made the day
- Venue
- Fairlawns Hotel & Spa
- Photography
- Rob, RE7 Photography
Planning your own wedding?
Tell me your date, your venue and a little about your plans, and I’ll let you know if I’m free.
No pressure. No obligation. Just a friendly conversation.