“He has captured our day so beautifully, we can feel the joy, excitement and energy when looking through them.”
– Julia and Paul
I’ve always enjoyed shooting weddings as a Cotswold wedding photographer because of the beautiful beauty of the area plus the unique lighting produced because of the famous Cotswold Stone.
The buildings give off an almost honey-toned appearance to make for great image tones.
This wedding at Mickleton Hills Farms, for Julia and Paul was no different. The light throughout the day was to die for. Wherever I shot, the quality always seemed perfect.
I’m sure this won’t be the last time I’m booked as a Cotswold wedding photographer especially as this is a new and upcoming farm barn wedding venue and also the first time I got to shoot a wedding there.
Morning Preparations
Julia got ready in the Wool Store cottage while Paul got ready next door in the Shepherd’s Snug cottage.
This allowed me the opportunity to photograph both preparations to help get a more complete story of how the morning went.
As both cottages overlooked the main courtyard, they could sneak a few peeks as different guests arrived, which naturally added to their excitement for the day ahead.
As Julia presented herself in her dress before her maids and father, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room! Paul was in for a treat.
Wedding Ceremony
As the ceremony time arrived you could tell Paul was getting more and more nervous, while trying to keep himself occupied with his guests.
Once he saw Julia all his nerves disappeared as they both relaxed together and started to enjoy the day with their guests.
Drinks Reception
The beauty of this venue is the privacy of their 40 acres to provide the perfect backdrop for wedding photos.
The many open spaces meant their guests could wander around while enjoying the scenery, chatting with different friends.
Cotswold Wedding Photographer Bride and Groom Photos
I then took Julia and Paul for a brief “walk-about” photo session, so I could get some natural photos of them together. Their session took exactly 7 mins, which included walking from each area to the next. (Yes I checked the timestamp of the images!)
I never like to take my couples away too long from their guests as I want them to enjoy their company as much as possible. Plus I don’t focus on making it a “portrait session” as not many like their photo taken.
Instead I’ll suggest something like “lets walk over there”, while I’ll move around them as they walk and talk to get the best angles and expressions.
I’ll occasionally stop them to say “just cuddle up and talk about how your’re enjoying the day so far. Who have you met or spoken to?” etc. That, along with a quick “just look this way” prompt to get a “looking at the camera” shot, then it’s over and back to their guests.
Cotswold Wedding Breakfast and Evening Reception
The fun really ramped up another notch from the wedding breakfast onwards. Paul and Julia had a rousing entrance to the breakfast room as they danced their way in!
Then the party really started with The Revolutionaires playing a set to get everyone in the party mood and on the dance floor.
The day ended with some freshly prepared pizza prepared by The Wild Oven in another of the venue’s many courtyards, as the guest mingled around the fire pit in the open barn with it’s festoon lighting.
Feedback For Their Cotswold Wedding Photographer
We could not be happier with Clive and his photos! He was an absolute dream to work with, clearly communicating in the lead up to the wedding so we knew exactly what to expect and this is precisely what he delivered.
He has captured our day so beautifully, we can feel the joy, excitement and energy when looking through them. It fills us with such happiness. We can’t recommend him enough!
Wedding Suppliers:
Dress: Georgina Scott Bridal
Venue Styling: Claires Weddings
Hair: Stacey at hairandmakeupbylaurenandstacey
Makeup: Rosie Ames at rosequartz.beauty
Band: The Revolutionaires
Pizza: The Wild Oven
If you’re planning a relaxed fun wedding in the Cotswold and looking for a Cotswold wedding photographer who specialises in a natural, documentary style of coverage, I’d love to hear from you.
