We first met with Karen and Danny at Carey's Manor Hotel in the New Forest to discuss their wedding day, as soon as we saw a picture of their chosen venue we were excited.  Karen and Danny were planning a truly relaxed wedding deep in the Hampshire Countryside in a country mansion, 'Cain Manor'

Cain Manor is a beautiful oak-frame Elizabethan Manor House set on the top of the North Downs on the Surrey and Hampshire borders. Facing west, Cain Manor has a commanding view over Surrey's Golden Valley which literally glows in the sunset!

The wedding day finally arrived on the Saturday 13th March we made our way down the pine wooded lane towards Cain Manor.  We soon saw Danny (Groom) his Best Men and Ushers.  Some family and friends were already at the house as they had stayed over the night before.

We made our way to The Brides Room, where Karen was getting ready, along with the Bridesmaids and Flower Girl.  We captured some details and some lovely getting ready shots before we headed to the ceremony room.

The manor house is centred around a glorious barn-style ballroom with beautiful wooden floor, beamed ceilings and tall windows.

The Bride made her entrance and Karen and Danny's wedding ceremony began!

The ceremony was beautiful and the sun shone into the room at all the right moments.  Danny's mum had arranged for a Chimney Sweep to wish the couple luck for their future together.  When Karen and Danny told me about this I was completely unaware of the tradition, which dates back to Victorian times.

As the newly weds left the ceremony room they were greeted by the soot smeared chimney sweep who Karen kissed on the cheek to grant her and Danny good luck.

A receiving line was then formed for Karen & Danny to greet all their guests and Champagne and Pimms were shared.

Chimney Sweeps and Weddings

"Any bride coming from church who meets a chimney sweep is believed to secure for herself and her husband good luck and happiness for the rest of her life says a very old superstition and may account for the popularity of these gentleman at 'smart' weddings. The bride is, of course, required to kiss his grimy face to ensure her fortune. Why sweeps are believed to be lucky - a belief strongly held in Britain and also noted in Europe and America too -  is not easy to explain, but it has been suggested that a sweep once saved the life of an English king and to show his gratitude, the monarch doffed his hat and bowed low to his savour however, as there was no way the king and his courtiers could again recognise the man because of his grimy countenance, and no one wished to gibe offence to a man who had performed such a noble act. It became common practise to show respect to all sweeps - and from this grew the idea that they were lucky.  Consequently it is said to be lucky to meet a chimney sweep on his rounds, and any horse racing enthusiast who comes across one on his way to place a bet is sure to enjoy success.  To absolutely ensure the luck you should touch the man, or better still shake his hand. (interestingly, before his marriage in 1947 to princess Elizabeth-now queen Elizabeth- Price Philip left his apartment in Buckingham palace to shake hands with a sweep who just happened to be loitering nearby!) That commodity in which the sweep deals, soot, is also recorded as another marriage omen. If some of it should fall down the chimney while the wedding feast is in progress this unfortunately means that the couple will not enjoy the best of luck in their life together."

We snuck away with the Bride and Groom to take some romantic shots in the grounds of the manor and inside.

 

Karen and Danny then rejoined their guests to enjoy more Champagne and canapés as guests celebrated their wedding ceremony and through confetti over the couple before we all made our way to the ballroom for the wedding breakfast.

The tables were decorated with vases of Arum Lilies and the tables were covered with deep red rose petals.  We left the wedding party to enjoy their meal and headed away as the sunset over Cain Manor and the North Downs.

Wedding Photographs with thanks and congratulations to Mr and Mrs Hazel!

Wedding Suppliers

 

Venue:

Cain Manor

Address Churt Road, Arford,

Nr Grayshott Hampshire GU35 8SR

Tel: 0845 130 9966

Email: Info@CainManor.co.uk

This superb ballroom is complemented by two beautiful reception rooms affording spacious entertaining space for your reception. The Banqueting Hall transforms itself into a superb Ballroom for the evening while the comfortable drawing room and library provide quieter space for those wishing to chat rather than dance.

Licensed for Civil Marriage and Partnership Ceremonies inside or outside for up to 120 people seated and with 14 exquisite bedrooms, Cain Manor is truly a perfect and romantic venue for your Wedding Day.

Chimney Sweep

Martin Dellow

B.E. Dellow & Son

Chimney cleaning specialists

Address: 13 Elston Rd, Aldershot, Hants, GU12 4HX

Tel: 01252 644750

Mobile: 07713830574