Foxtail Barns
Wedding
Photographer
As a Foxtail Barns wedding photographer I always feel like a proud uncle whenever I hear couples or fellow wedding suppliers raving about Foxtail Barns. From documenting the wedding venue build 2 years ago right through to photographing over 45 weddings there (and counting!) I feel like I’ve been with Foxtail Barns every step of the way and, it’s safe to say, they really are smashing it on the Staffordshire weddings scene.
This stunning barn wedding venue can be found in the countryside between the Staffordshire towns of Leek & Cheadle (and only 10 minutes from my house!) Foxtail Barns is nestled within the Consall Hall Estate, a huge 70 acres of landscaped gardens, woodlands and all manner of unique and rare species of plants and trees. It’s an amazing spot that’s also home to the Tawny Hotel - an idyllic retreat made up of luxury lodges, treehouses and cabins dotted amongst the trees surrounding the 3 lakes. Perfect for a post wedding stay. Not to mention the Plumicorn fine dining restaurant which is a favourite of mine! I’m always so tempted to book a few nights away here myself, even though I live just a few miles from Foxtail Barns and the Tawny Hotel!
Dream
Team
Supplier
With it's unique modern design and an amazing setting it’s easy to see why Foxtails has quickly become one of Staffordshire’s best and most sort after wedding venues. Built and owned by Ensarb Ltd - the family run events business behind The Ashes Barns, Mill Barns, Pendrell Hall and the brand new Whistle Barns - you know you’re going to be well looked after. With these hugely successful wedding venues under their belt it almost goes without saying that the Ensarb and Best Day Ever teams are great at what they do. Nothing is too much trouble and they all have only one goal in mind, for their couples to have, well, the best day ever! Foxtail Barns is their second purpose built venue, and has been designed from the ground up to be the perfect barn weddings venue. It offers three unique and stylish spaces for a wedding day and, as its exclusive use, couples get the whole place to themselves, so no worries about wedding crashers or guests ending up at the wrong ceremony!
I’m also the Dream Team Handpicked Supplier for Foxtail Barns and the other four Ensarb venues, which I am very proud of. Here’s what the team at Foxtails have to say… "Our Dream Team have worked with us many times and never fail to impress us or our couples with their incredible talent; they consistently offer exceptional quality at a fair price and they're delightful to work with. We love James because he's a talented Foxtail Barns wedding photographer who loves his job, offers great service to our couples and he's lovely to work with. You'll spot some of his stunning images on our brand new Venue Handout for Foxtail Barns if you visit."
Modern
Barn
Wedding
Venue
I absolutely love the styling of Foxtail Barn. Think rustic red brick barn, combined with modern, industrial design and loads of light. The team really has thought of everything too. From a cosy welcoming bar area right through to a private Dressing Room for your morning wedding preparations. The Dressing Room is located within the old barn, just next to the Orangery (where the wedding ceremony takes place). The Foxtails Dressing Room is spacious, with a dedicated pampering area complete with dressing tables and Hollywood mirrors as well as a more private changing room at the back. When guests arrive they head straight into the main bar area, with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the courtyard and Walled Garden. Full of comfortable seating, guests can relax with a drink while they wait for the ceremony to begin, or wander out into the walled gardens to soak up the atmosphere.
The Orangery, with its picturesque views out over the Walled Garden, is a beautiful spot to say your vows. It’s filled with light thanks to the contemporary glass roof and walls and can seat up to 150 guests. Straight after the ceremony you and your guests can head out into the courtyard and Walled Gardens for confetti, drinks and all those hugs and well wishes. I love the original 18th century red brick walls that surround the garden, they make a great backdrop for family group photographs and some couple portraits. The gardens themselves are filled with herbs and wildflowers and make an excellent spot to set up some lawn games. The Dutch party barn is where the wedding breakfast takes place, as well as, as the name suggests, the evening party. The barn is lovely and spacious, with a double height vaulted ceiling and huge windows. It’s got cool, industrial styling with huge contemporary chandeliers and fairy light canopy.
Foxtail
Barns
Photos
For a relatively new venue in the heart Staffordshire - Foxtail opened in July 2021 - there is a lot of history behind it. Back in the 1960s Consall Hall Estate was a family home and the Podmore family spent many years renovating and developing the grounds around the Hall. Their son, William Podmore, was a keen landscape photographer and photographer who spent decades transforming the grounds. He has left an amazing legacy behind, the gardens are incredible. They are spread over 70 acres and include six lakes, follies, bridges and summerhouses. There is so much to see there and I’ll never get tired of exploring. After William Podmore passed away in 2018, Ben and Sarah Reeves (the fabulous duo behind Ensarb) and William Scott-Moncrieff of Basford Hall took over the project and began the build that is now Foxtail Barns and The Tawny Hotel. They are so passionate about the gardens and have lots of exciting, sustainable plans for the future.
Living just ten minutes down the road from Foxtail Barns it’s my local Staffordshire wedding venue and my home from home, I’ve shot there a lot! Luckily I love it! Surrounded by the Consall Hall Estate and Gardens there is no shortage of amazing places for wedding portraits and I'm still discovering new beauty spots every wedding. Couples also get the use of Foxtails golf buggy, so we can jump in and head over to the Gardens at any time. It’s a great excuse to get away from the hustle and bustle of a wedding reception and grab a few moments alone. I never keep couples away from the party for too long though, within 30 minutes or so I’ll have you back mingling with your loved ones. As you can probably tell, I could rave about Foxtail Barns for ages! If you’re thinking of getting married there then you’re making a great choice. Take a look at some of the weddings I’ve photographed there to see how amazing the venue looks.
If you are looking for the perfect Foxtail Barns wedding photographer and like what you see, lets chat! Head on over to my contact page and we’ll take it from there.
James Andrew Photography.
Award winning photographer available for weddings in Staffordshire, across the UK and for destination weddings worldwide.
THE STORY OF YOUR WEDDING DAY IN A NATURAL CREATIVE WAY,
CAPTURING PHOTOS FULL OF LOVE, LAUGHTER AND EMOTION.