Cotswolds Wedding Photography - Oodles of love at this Ellenborough Park wedding.
A country house wedding at Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham
"You are my greatest adventure"
— Up, Pixar Animation Studios
I met Elly and Jamie for the first time at a coffee shop in Frampton on Severn and was immediately taken by how lovely they were together. The quote "Love is like a friendship caught on fire” - by Bruce Lee, seemed to describe them best. They had plans for a beautiful church wedding followed by a reception at one of my very favourite wedding venues - Ellenborough Park just outside Cheltenham. They also wanted a photographer who understood them and what was important to them. Someone who would capture the joy of their day in vibrant images, someone unobtrusive but who knows what they are doing. Wedding photography was important to them - they were my kind of people.
Cotswolds Wedding Photography Ellenborough Park, a place to realise your dream country house wedding
So what is it about Ellenborough Park that makes me love working there? It is beautiful, a photographers dream, and the staff are lovely. "You have bewitched me, body and soul and I love, love, love you." - Pride & prejudice, and that is pretty much how I feel about this beautiful Cotswolds country house wedding venue.
A little bit about Ellenborough Park. It is a noble 15th-century English country estate with a fab spa, fine dining and beautiful rolling grounds. It is situated on the edge of the Cotswold Hills between the Cotswolds' highest point and the gallops of Cheltenham's famous racecourse. As they say in their brochure “Don't take our word for it, borrow a pair of Dubarry's from the Boot Room and explore the rolling 90-acre estate for yourself.” Yep, boot room and yeah, Dubarry's - we are not talking about your usual flimsy wellington boots on offer here. This place is luxury personified.
Meeting Elly & Jamie for their pre-wedding shoot
I offer a complimentary pre-wedding photoshoot to every couple who book me to capture their wedding day. It is a chance for them to get used to being photographed by me, for us to have a bit of fun and get to know each other better.
Elly & Jamie chose the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal for their pre-wedding shoot, right next to the church, Saint Mary's, where they were to be married.
There is a blog all about pre-wedding shoots for you to read when you've finished here. Please don't go anywhere just yet. A link to the pre-wedding shoot blog is at the bottom of this post waiting for you.
The Cotswolds Wedding of Elly & Jamie
Let's start as I mean to go on - a wonderful testimonial from the couple. They had a great time and loved their photos. I had a great time capturing their day and producing their wedding story. This job is truly a blessing; doing what I love every day certainly beats my previous life in the corporate world all those years ago I can tell you.
Lovely words from Elly & Jamie
"Paul is the most fantastic photographer. We hired him for our wedding in October, and he was super friendly, personable and quite simply takes the most beautiful photos which you can only smile at as soon as you see them. I don't recommend anyone other than Paul, if you want stunning photos that really show the happiness of the day choose The Lemon House Photography you won't regret it!…"
— Elly & Jamie, Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham
The wedding day
Elly and Jamie wanted photos of both bridal and groom preparation, and with it being a military wedding there were lots to document as part of their story. So they opted for a second photographer for the morning. This is an option I offer as an add-on to my full day package. I hired Kathryn from Capture This Moment Photography, who I work with often, to do the honours and a great job she did too.
Bride, and in this case groom prep, is a part of the day I love to capture. It is often much calmer than people expect or imagine. It is a lovely time for close family to spend time together getting ready, being pampered by hair and makeup artists and perhaps even having a little celebration glass of prosecco.
I look to capture everything going on in the morning, but will always blend into the background and work quietly to catch hair and makeup details and everyone's excitement as the morning progresses. You will love these shots when you look back on them I promise you.
I have a blog of tips covering the morning of your wedding. It's called "A letter to the Bride," and there's one for groom there too. You'll find the links at the bottom of this post.
A military wedding ceremony at Saint Mary's, Frampton on Severn
Saint Mary's is on the bank of the Gloucester and Sharpness canal which is local to Elly's parents. Jamie is a military man, so it was a military ceremony with all the associated adornments. We were blessed with lovely weather for this Autumn Wedding.
The ceremony was everything it should be and more - a beautiful service, a church full of family and friends and some rousing hymns.
Gloucestershire Wedding Photographer - A dream reception at Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham
Elly and Jamie fell in love with Ellenborough Park; I certainly know why, it is one of my favourite wedding venues. The locations for photographs are just fabulous, and we certainly took advantage of this during the afternoon and evening.
The wedding breakfast was sumptuous, with truly lovely speeches - heartwarming in fact, as there was a video message from Jamie's grandfather - an ex-military man - which brought a tear to many eyes (possibly even this photographer but I'm not saying).
Then it was onto the first dance where there were more happy tears. A pizza oven kept the evening guests happy and suitably fueled for the dancing.
The end to a perfect Cotswolds Wedding
I left at around 10 pm after taking what has become a signature shot at Ellenborough with backlighting of the couple in the 19th century stone gazebo. A truly magical wedding in a magical venue. I enjoyed capturing every aspect of this wedding story for Elly & Jamie, I hope you enjoyed re-living just some small parts of their day with me and that it has helped give you some inspiration for your wedding.
If you are thinking of Ellenborough Park as your venue, then please do give them a call and have a walk round the house and the grounds - it is quite a setting.
If you are looking for a wedding photographer who knows Ellenborough Park well, then please give me a call I'd love to hear all about your plans.
Not getting married at Ellenborough Park but like what you've seen? Then do get in touch. I love talking weddings, and would be delighted to have an informal chat about your plans and to outline how I work to capture your wedding story.
Further information that you may find useful for your wedding planning
5 Reasons why you should have a pre-wedding shoot.
Tips on getting the best from your wedding photographer.
Thoughts and tips for The Bride and for The Groom
Ellenborough Park Weddings, Cheltenham
Please browse through my blogs below for lots more information, inspiration and tips to help make your dream wedding come true.
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
— Emily Brontë, Wuthering Heights
