DoubleTree by Hilton Chester Wedding Photographer
Planning your wedding at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester? You’ve chosen one of the most photogenic wedding venues in Cheshire. Built around Hoole Hall, an 18th-century manor house, it has 12 acres of landscaped gardens, a Victorian walled garden, a grand staircase and a beautifully converted barn. That gives you a different backdrop for every part of your day.
I’m Philip Antrobus, a Cheshire wedding photographer, and I have photographed several weddings at the DoubleTree Chester. I know where the light falls at each time of day, where to go when it rains and how to get your photos done without taking you away from your guests for long. My style is relaxed and natural: real moments, genuine laughter and a few beautifully composed portraits of the two of you.
DoubleTree Chester at a Glance
- Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester (Hoole Hall)
- Address: Warrington Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3PD
- Setting: 18th-century manor house in 12 acres of landscaped gardens
- Ceremony spaces: Abbey Suite, Ballroom & Conservatory, Yerburgh Suite and the garden pagoda
- Capacity: from intimate weddings up to around 220 guests for a wedding breakfast
- Guest rooms: around 219 bedrooms and suites, plus a spa and free parking
- Distance: about 10 minutes from Chester city centre, close to the M53
About Hoole Hall and the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester
Hoole Hall dates back to the 18th century and was later extended with a striking glass conservatory, added around 1850 and now Grade II listed. Today the hall is the heart of the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester. Its red-brick Georgian frontage, sash windows and pillared front door make a classic backdrop for group photos. Behind the hall, the old Victorian stable block has been turned into the Abbey Suite, and the gardens include a restored ha-ha wall, open lawns, mature trees and a walled garden.
It feels like a country house wedding, but with the practical benefits of a large hotel: rooms for your guests, a spa for the morning of the wedding and an experienced events team.
Wedding Ceremony Rooms at the DoubleTree Chester
The Abbey Suite
The Abbey Suite is where most of the DoubleTree Chester weddings I photograph take place. It’s a converted Victorian stable barn with exposed Cheshire brick, original roof beams, arched windows and a ceiling full of fairy lights. It photographs beautifully: the brick adds warmth, and the windows along both sides fill the room with soft light, which is perfect for natural ceremony photos. The Abbey Suite holds around 110 guests for the day and has its own private bar and garden.
The Ballroom and Conservatory
For bigger weddings, the Ballroom opens into the Grade II listed Conservatory. It’s a bright, elegant space for up to around 220 guests for a wedding breakfast, with even more in the evening. The glass conservatory is also one of the best rainy-day photo spots at the venue.
The Yerburgh Suite and the Garden Pagoda
For a smaller wedding, the Yerburgh Suite inside the manor house looks out over the gardens, duck pond and fountain. On a fine day, the pagoda in the grounds is a lovely place for an outdoor ceremony.
The Best Wedding Photo Locations at the DoubleTree Chester
After several weddings here, these are the spots I always come back to:
The Grand Staircase in Hoole Hall
The dark wooden staircase with its white columns is one of my favourite places inside the venue. It’s perfect for a bride’s first look with her dad, a dramatic bridal portrait or a quick bridesmaids’ photo before the ceremony.
The Front of Hoole Hall
The Georgian front door makes a perfect frame for confetti, the big group photo and family formals. The lawn in front of the hall is wide enough for every guest to fit in one photo.
The Lawns and Mature Trees
Walk a few minutes from the hall and you get wide, romantic portraits with Hoole Hall in the background, framed by the old trees. It’s the shot that tells everyone exactly where you got married.
The Victorian Walled Garden
The walled garden is a hidden gem. The old brick walls, climbing plants and lavender beds give a soft, sheltered backdrop for couple portraits, and it’s often quiet even on busy days.
The Fairy-Light Wall in the Evening
When evening comes, the Abbey Suite’s wall of fairy lights makes a magical backdrop for your first dance. Outside, the lit-up front of Hoole Hall is perfect for a night-time portrait with sparklers.
A Real Wedding at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester
This wedding shows the whole venue at its best. Bridal preparations took place in the light-filled hotel suites, and the bride met her dad for a first look on the grand staircase. The ceremony was in the Abbey Suite, dressed with a white floral arch and hundreds of fairy lights.
After signing the register under the flower arch, the couple walked out of the front door of Hoole Hall into a shower of confetti. Then came the group photos on the lawn and a few quiet minutes together in the walled garden. The wedding breakfast and speeches were back in the Abbey Suite, and the night ended with a first dance in front of the fairy-light wall and a sparkler portrait outside the hall.
My Tips for Your DoubleTree Chester Wedding Photos
- Allow 20–30 minutes for couple portraits. The lawns and walled garden are close together, so we can get lots of variety without a long walk.
- Plan the confetti for the front door. Hoole Hall’s entrance makes a brilliant frame, and your guests can line the path for the best shot.
- Keep your group list short. I’d suggest 8–10 family groups. I’ll organise them quickly on the front lawn so you can get back to the drinks reception.
- Ask about golden hour. On a clear evening, slipping outside for a few minutes before sunset gives the warmest, most flattering light of the day.
- Don’t worry about rain. The staircase, conservatory and Abbey Suite give us plenty of beautiful indoor options.
Why Choose Me as Your DoubleTree Chester Wedding Photographer?
- Venue experience: I have photographed several weddings at the DoubleTree Chester and know the venue and its team well.
- Relaxed, natural style: mostly documentary, with gentle direction when it matters.
- Local to Chester: I photograph weddings across Cheshire and North Wales, so travel is never an issue.
- Clear packages: see my wedding photography packages for what’s included.
If you’re still comparing venues, take a look at my guides to The Old Palace Chester, the Grosvenor Pulford, Carden Park and Chester Zoo.
DoubleTree Chester Wedding Photography FAQs
Have you photographed weddings at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester before?
Yes. I have photographed several weddings at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester, so I know the Abbey Suite, the Hoole Hall staircase, the walled garden and the best spots for every kind of weather and time of day.
Where are the best places for wedding photos at the DoubleTree Chester?
My favourite locations are the grand staircase inside Hoole Hall, the Georgian front entrance, the open lawns with the hall behind you, the Victorian walled garden and, in the evening, the fairy-light wall in the Abbey Suite.
What happens to the photos if it rains at the DoubleTree Chester?
The venue is brilliant on wet days. The staircase, the Grade II listed conservatory and the exposed brick and beams of the Abbey Suite all make beautiful indoor backdrops, and the front porch of Hoole Hall gives cover for confetti and group shots.
Where do wedding ceremonies take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester?
Ceremonies are usually held in the Abbey Suite, a converted Victorian stable barn with original beams and Cheshire brick. The Ballroom and Conservatory, the smaller Yerburgh Suite and the garden pagoda are also options, depending on your guest numbers.
How far is the DoubleTree Chester from Chester city centre?
The DoubleTree by Hilton Chester is on Warrington Road in Hoole (CH2 3PD), about 2 miles and roughly 10 minutes by car from Chester city centre, and close to junction 12 of the M53.
Is there accommodation for wedding guests at the DoubleTree Chester?
Yes. The hotel has around 219 bedrooms and suites, a spa and free on-site parking, so most guests can stay on site and nobody needs to worry about getting home.
How do I check your availability for my DoubleTree Chester wedding?
Send me your date through the contact form and I will come back to you quickly. You can also see my wedding photography packages.
How to Find the DoubleTree by Hilton Chester
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, Warrington Road, Hoole, Chester CH2 3PD. The venue is just off the A56, about 10 minutes from Chester city centre and a short drive from the M53 and M56. There is free parking on site.
Check My Availability for Your DoubleTree Chester Wedding
I’d love to hear about your plans. Send me your date through my contact form and I’ll get back to you with my availability and everything you need to know.