Caswell House - Oxfordshire Wedding Photography

Continuing my run of sharing weddings from last year, this one takes us back to mid-October. Wedding weather is never predictable and as a photographer, I normally plan for the worse and then anything better is a bonus. I don't think that many people at Alex and Paul's wedding would have expected the weather to be quite as good as it was on this gorgeous Sunday in Autumn: warm sun, blue skies - perfect. And given how cold it is outside as I write this, anything that offers a bit of warmth is a good thing.

Caswell House and Barn is a beautifully renovated farm with the typical warm Cotswold stone construction for which the area is known. I joined Alex, her bridesmaids, mum and lovely son in the attached guest house which is a great place to prepare for the day ahead. Alex was the picture of calm as the flurry of activity built around her for the day ahead.

This isn't a severe case of camera shyness, just a groom ensuring he doesn't see the bride before the ceremony. Best man added to block the view even further.

Mid-Autumn and an incredible sky. Beautiful at this time of the year and Caswell House offers a nice space to be outside.

This is the first of two quite similar images of Alex drinking water in this room (second much further down the post).

Calm, excited, nervous, back to calm again, then excited... - emotions flow quickly at this stage and bridesmaids and mum Jules are on hand to keep things level. Could a mother look any more proud?

The late autumn sun was especially stunning this day and the light during the afternoon was exceptional. It was simply perfect and the ideal time for a walk around the grounds and gardens of Caswell House. Bathed with a warm, golden glow Alex and Paul's portraits are beautiful.

Everyone was suitably impressed by the photographs of Paul that his two Best Men circulated. I've purposely kept the images below at a fairly small size to save any further embarrassment. If any model agencies would like to get in touch with Paul, please contact me and I'll pass your details on.

Here's part two of the water photographs. Same room, same glass. I'm sure Alex would have managed perfectly well on her own, but it's good to know that a bridesmaid and your new mother-in-law are around to help.

I've been really looking forward to sharing this wedding. Beautiful people, venue and weather combined to celebrate love, with many incredibly emotional moments which I was honoured to record. Alex & Paul, congratulations again to you both.

The suppliers:

Venue: Caswell House (we have a sample album at this venue and regularly work here)
Wedding Dress:  Sassi Holford. Ordered from Pantiles Bride, Tunbridge Wells
Hair: Kate Hopes, www.wedding-stylist.com
Make-up: Rebecca Louise
Grooms Suit: Cameron Ross. Pantiles Groom, Tunbridge Wells
Flowers: Flowers By Hilary
Cake: Marks & Spencer
Wedding Stationery: Bride & Grooms own making with various bits purchased from Cox and Cox and www.notonthehighstreet.com

Kingston Bagpuize Wedding Photography - Nicky & Trevor

Kingston Bagpuize House in Oxfordshire is a beautiful venue that my words will not do justice to. The photographs from Nicky and Trevor's wedding day should go much further to illustrate just how gorgeous this family home is. Yes that's right - it's lived in as a family home.

As with most documentary wedding photography commissions, the day starts with bridal preparations. It is an important and significant part of the wedding story. It marks the transitional stage before marriage where a bride has closely loved friends and family around her, preparing for the most important event of her life.

For a wedding photographer, it is a very intimate space to be part of. As a wedding photojournalist I am given access to this personal time and have the responsibility to document it with sensitivity and discretion. It is not the place to be dictating events or poses. It is an opportunity for beautiful images.

On to the location for the wedding ceremony and it would be difficult to imagine a more picturesque and secluded location than Shifford Church in Bampton. Set in amongst fields it is just about the only thing visible on the landscape.

No rain but it was certainly windy outside the church. Maybe not ideal for bridal party and guests, but those skies certainly make a dramatic photograph.

After travelling back to Kingston Bagpuize, the afternoon reception continued in the amazing rooms of the house. From the books on shelves below the windows, through to centuries old paintings and contemporary family photographs you can feel the authentic history in every room.  

The grounds of the house offer a rich choice of locations to take a walk and create some beautiful bridal portraits. These were approached with a non-directing, documentary approach so as not to interrupt the flow of the day or create uncomfortable poses. It allows natural, authentic and very beautiful photographs to form themselves.

The Summer House is stunning. Naturally aged woodwork adds to the vintage, historical feel of the venue.

After the brief portrait walk, Nicky & Trevor were presented ahead of speeches and dinner. Whilst the guests were eating we were treated to the full three-course meal in the drawing room. Great food in luscious surroundings. Fantastic!

It was a wonderful, intimate occasion and a pleasure to be able to document Nicky & Trevor's wedding.

Kingston Bagpuize House is a beautiful venue and lends itself well to both photojournalism and fine-art wedding photography. With tall windows on every aspect, there is natural light in abundance which enables the photographer to create wonderful images. Adrian and his team are wonderful hosts who ensure a smooth and luxurious service to wedding couples and guests.