Sudeley Castle Winter Wedding Photography | London Documentary Wedding Photographer

It sounds a cliché, but I have genuinely always wanted to photograph a wedding at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe, especially as I grew up in Gloucestershire and used to drive past it on a daily basis fifteen years ago (wow that makes me feel old!). So when Becci and Tom got in touch, I was delighted!

Tom and Becci with the ruins of Sudeley Castle in the background

I felt even more fortunate that I was photographing in Sudeley Castle after they explained they weren’t even from the area. It was chosen because it was their favourite place in the whole of the UK that they had visited together. They had simply fallen in love with both Sudeley Castle, and the Cotswolds. It is easy to see why. The chapel is beautiful and atmospheric, the grounds are full of beautiful and unusual opportunities for the couple shoot, and the dinner set up is absolutely stunning.

BECCI’S WEDDING PREPARATION AT SUDELEY CASTLE COTTAGES

Becci was getting ready in one of the quaint Cotswold cottages just 2 minutes from Sudeley Castle. After struggling at first to find a spot to photograph the dress, a bit of furniture rearranging left enough space to photograph the wedding dress hanging from one of the large windows.

Becci’s elegant wedding dress

Wedding preparations in one of the cottages by Sudeley Castle

Final touches for one of the bridesmaids

Becci reading a card from Tom

Beautiful wedding rings

The bouquet

ARRIVING FOR THE WEDDING AT SUDELEY CASTLE CHAPEL

The great thing about Becci getting ready in Winchcombe, so close to Sudeley Castle was that I had plenty of time to get to the Chapel early and photograph the pre ceremony buzz of Tom waiting nervously, and some of the guests arriving.

It was very, very wet and unbelievably cold, but not enough to dampen the spirits of anyone. Not even Becci, who had to be extra careful not to ruin her intricate white dress before even getting to the “I do’s!”. The poor bridesmaids ended up having to huddle in pre-arranged blankets… Well done to Becci here on her meticulous organisation skills!

Arriving at Sudeley Castle in the pouring rain

The weather – the biggest gamble at a winter wedding – didn’t manage to dampen spirits!

Tom’s best man making sure he looked the part inside Sudeley Castle chapel

Bridesmaids keeping warm – priority number one!

Becci trying to keep her dress from getting covered in mud, as she walked through Sudeley Castle gardens

THE WEDDING CEREMONY IN SUDELEY CASTLE CHAPEL

Becci and Tom had opted for a humanist ceremony, allowing for much more personal vows. Tom’s downfall. Cue the first of many, many, many, many tears during the day! Some of his friends even had bets on how many times it would happen. When I left shortly after the first dance, I believe he had reached six!

The chapel at Sudeley Castle has a beautiful interior, and coupled with the very classy flower selection, made for some fantastic photography opportunities.

Tom cries…for the first time!

The beautiful wedding ceremony in Sudeley Castle’s Chapel

The groomsmen say a few words during the wedding ceremony

One of the readings, with the beautiful wooden details inside Sudeley Castle Chapel in the background

Sudeley Castle chapel is an absolutely stunning venue for the perspective of a wedding photographer!

The newlyweds in front of Sudeley Castle Chapel

HOCKEY GUARD OF HONOUR & CONFETTI

As a hockey player myself, the idea of a hockey stick guard of honour is certainly going straight in the “ideas for my own wedding” folder!

The hockey stick guard of honour

Becci and Tom making their way out of the chapel

NEWLY-WED COUPLE PHOTOSHOOT

Photographing a winter wedding is always challenging with sunset being so early, but on the plus side, the bleak winter trees perfectly complimented the crumbling backdrop of Sudeley Castle. We made the most of this during the newly wed photos just after their ceremony in the chapel. I have to give a lot of credit to both Becci and Tom here for not only braving the 2 degrees temperature, but also managing to not show how cold they were in the photos! I could have photographed in the grounds all day, but understandably Becci and Tom wanted to get back into the warmth of Sudeley Castle.

Entering Sudeley Castle gardens for the wedding photos

Sudeley Castle made a stunning backdrop for Becci and Tom’s wedding photos

Pretending not to be freezing cold!

Top marks to both for braving the freezing winter weather!

THE WEDDING RECEPTION

I understood the other reason why they were so keen to get back to the reception once we arrived. There were cupcakes to be decorated, a pianist to be wowed by and even the opportunity to draw your own portrait which would end up on a commemorative tea towel!

Wedding reception activities at Sudeley Castle

Questionably accurate self-portraits for the wedding tea towel

Cupcake decorating

These are the moment that make being a wedding photographer worth it – capturing the smiles and laughter that the bride and groom may not have even witnessed on the day!

I couldn’t believe it when I noticed that Tom and Becci had written personal messages to every single one of their guests. It must have taken hours and hours, but seeing people’s smiles (and tears!), I can honestly say it is one of the most moving little touches I have seen at a wedding! Naturally, the reactions made for great photos too.

Reading the thoughtful messages

The type of emotional moments that I always strive to capture as a wedding photographer

Welcoming the bride and groom to the wedding breakfast

Reviewing this wedding, I am starting to realise it was a wedding of firsts! 6 lots of tears, personal messages to each wedding guest, hockey guard of honour after the wedding ceremony…and the groom getting booed when standing up to give his speech!! I think his friends quickly decided to put on hold the relentless piss-taking of Tom, and by the end both his speech, he had won over his audience and had everyone in fits of laughter!

Father of the bride’s speech

Tom giving his speech!

A moment of pure embarrassment…

A toast to Tom and Becci…

So much laughter and shock during the speeches

Getting married at Sudeley Castle, I guess that Tom and Becci saw it only fit to use a sword to cut the cake!

It is usually easy to tell whether the dance floor is going to be a busy one, and this one was guaranteed from the start. Tom and Becci danced a fun routine to “I Will Follow You Into The Dark” by Death Cab for Cutie, and the dance floor was then absolutely packed until I left. There was barely any room to move and dance, let alone take photos, but being surrounded by people’s flailing limbs and getting in among the action always leads to the best photos anyway!