Jack & Megan | Bartle Hall Wedding
- Aidan Blunt Cinematic Videography
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
After a couple of days of torrential rain, it seemed the traditional buried sausages had done their job because by Saturday morning the sun was shining and Bartle Hall Hotel was looking fantastic.
Jack and Megan are huge fans of The Office, so before the day even began they had already given me a mission. They wanted some short interviews with the bridal party and groomsmen throughout the day, inspired by the famous talking head scenes from the show. It made for some hilarious moments and added a really personal touch to their teaser film.
WATCH THE BARTLE HALL HOTEL WEDDING TEASER
A Venue That Never Stops Improving
Every time we return to Bartle Hall, there seems to be something new.
The latest addition is a beautiful covered walkway linking the hotel to the evening reception room. Complete with wooden beams and climbing honeysuckle, it already looks as though it has been there for years. It also provides a fantastic sheltered location for photos and video, whatever the weather.
Naturally, we couldn’t resist using it for one of the day’s standout shots, with Jack and Megan pulling off a perfect dip kiss beneath the walkway.
Morning Preparations
The day began with Megan getting ready in Thicket Lodge, where she had spent the previous evening with her bridal party.
True to its name, the lodge feels tucked away from the main hotel and offers plenty of privacy for a relaxed wedding morning. After capturing some preparations and a few interview clips, we headed over to the bridal suite at Bartle Hall itself to film the dress.
Rather than taking the usual dress shot that everyone has seen a hundred times before, we decided to try something a little different. We took the dress out onto the front bedroom balcony and used the drone to capture it from below before rising up over the building to reveal Beacon Fell on the horizon.
It’s always nice to find new ways to film familiar wedding details and Bartle Hall Hotel gave us the perfect backdrop to be a little creative.
Meanwhile, Sarah was preparing for Jack’s arrival.
As soon as he arrived, we discreetly hid a microphone inside his tie. It’s something we do at every wedding because it allows us to capture crystal clear vows without microphones being visible in the photographs. Better still, we can remotely turn it on and off from the camera, ensuring everything stays as discreet as possible.
A Ceremony Full of Personality
Guests took their seats while Liz Hendry provided beautiful live music ahead of the ceremony.
One of our favourite moments happened before Megan had even reached the front. The flower girl suddenly decided walking wasn’t quick enough and sprinted down the aisle at full speed, causing laughter throughout the room.
The ceremony itself was filmed using three camera angles. This not only allows us to capture reactions from every angle, but also enables us to remove interruptions and transitions from the vows when editing the feature film, creating the feeling that the couple are speaking directly to each other uninterrupted.
A small detail, but one that makes a huge difference in the finished film.
Sunshine, Canapés & Countryside Views
After the ceremony, guests gathered outside for one of the best confetti walks in Lancashire.
Bartle Hall’s front entrance creates the perfect setting, allowing us to capture the confetti from multiple angles, including one of my favourite shots looking out from inside the hotel as the couple emerge through the doorway.
Drinks and canapés followed on the lawn while Alex Birtwell provided live music and entertainment. Alex would go on to host much of the day and keep the atmosphere flowing effortlessly from one part of the celebration to the next.
The speeches took place in the Coaching Barn before guests were treated to an incredible wedding breakfast featuring beef rib that certainly seemed to go down well.
Weddings can be a small world sometimes. Jack’s sister is also a wedding photographer and we’d only recently worked alongside her at a wedding at Beeston Manor. She spent much of the day giving us some gentle ribbing on camera whenever the opportunity presented itself.
Unfortunately for me, that came back to haunt me later when I managed to slip over on the grass during the evening whilst filming. Naturally, her comments suddenly became even funnier and there was only one option really… we had to include them at the end of the teaser.
Making the Most of Bartle Hall
One of the reasons we enjoy filming at Bartle Hall so much is the variety of locations available.
There are beautifully maintained gardens, mature trees, hidden pathways, and countless opportunities for natural photographs and video throughout the grounds.
Even when the weather isn’t ideal, the tree lined pathways and now the new covered entrance provide fantastic alternatives without needing to rely on umbrellas.
Fortunately, we didn’t need them.
With the sunshine continuing into the afternoon, we headed around the rear of the barn for some relaxed couple footage and a few less relaxed bridal party shots.
At one point the groomsmen launched Jack into the air, creating some brilliant slow motion footage and proving once again that wedding parties are never quite as calm as they appear.
We also took the opportunity for another drone shot, this time a rocket launch style reveal starting directly above the couple before rapidly climbing into the sky to showcase the venue and surrounding countryside.
A Perfect Evening Finish
As the evening arrived, guests enjoyed home fired pizzas and a martini station while the celebrations continued.
Alex Birtwell and his brother provided the evening entertainment before gathering everyone together for the cake cut and first dance.
The dance floor quickly filled and the atmosphere remained exactly as it had been all day.
Relaxed.
Fun.
And full of laughter.
Looking back, the end of the teaser probably sums the day up perfectly. Lots of laughter, plenty of personality, and absolutely nobody willing to let a videographer quietly recover from falling over without reminding him about it.
The perfect ending to a brilliant wedding and another fantastic day at Bartle Hall.
Suppliers
Venue Bartle Hall Hotel
Videography Aidan Blunt Cinematic with Sarah
Photography Jess Hazelhurst Photography
Ceremony Music Liz Hendry
Host & Musician Alex Birtwell
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