After capturing the detailed shots of the Caswell House wedding, it was time to photograph the ceremony. The guests began to arrive in their colourful dresses, navy suits, and fancy fascinators, taking their seats in the elegantly decorated Barn at Caswell House. During this time, I like to get candid photos of the guests as they meet old friends and family. This is a great time to get some photographs because the bride won’t be in the room now, so she will miss all these moments and appreciate looking back on these.
The lights were dimmed at the ceremony, allowing ample natural light to stream through the beautiful stone-framed windows. The flower girl and bridesmaids walked down the aisle first, dazzling the guests with their vibrant dresses and enchanting smiles. As the photographer, I captured everyone walking down the aisle, the guests’ reactions, and, most importantly, the groom’s response. Hannah, also known as the bride, now walks down the aisle arm in arm with her father, and WOW, Luke’s (the groom’s) reaction was astonishing; you could see how delighted he was to marry the love of his life. The groom’s reaction is essential for any wedding album, so I focus sharply on him to capture the perfect shot. During the ceremony, I typically remain in one spot or move from one location to another.
After the vows were exchanged and everything was made official, Hannah and Luke walked back down the aisle into the bar area, where everyone cheered for the happily married couple. This was a wonderful opportunity to capture photos of the bride and groom walking down the aisle together. The photos were completely natural, filled with genuine smiles and laughter.
Now, it was time to orchestrate the confetti shot. The guests formed a line outside the barn, holding their confetti, eager to toss it into the air for Hannah and Luke. While this was being organised, Hannah and Luke enjoyed a glass of prosecco at the bar, taking some time before the rest of the day unfolded. Once all the guests were arranged in a lovely (if not perfectly straight) line, it was time for the Bride and Groom to walk through it and avoid any confetti in the eye (I’ve seen this happen). The confetti shot is fantastic for your wedding album; the photos are vibrant, the emotions are genuine, and the pictures are unposed. As an Oxfordshire wedding photographer, the confetti shot is my favourite part of the day.
The wedding breakfast can be awkward for a wedding photographer, and timing is crucial for my presence. I always advise my couples to schedule the speeches either before or after the meal instead of spreading them throughout the entire dining experience. Hannah and Luke heeded this advice and delivered their speeches before the meal, allowing me to capture the guests’ laughter during the speeches without disturbing them as they enjoyed their delicious food.
After the wedding breakfast, all the guests left the barn and returned to the bar, where they discovered a photo booth set up. The guests enjoyed the photo booth, all using it to capture some funny pictures. I even sneaked in and took photos of them having their pictures taken. After this, Hannah and Luke did a great job at cutting the cake and proceeding to throw it at each other, which made some great photos.
The first dance captures the final images I took as an Oxfordshire wedding photographer at a Caswell House wedding and signifies the conclusion of this blog post. The atmosphere during the first dance was wonderful; all the guests joined in and danced to their hearts’ content. Hannah and Luke showed some impressive moves, and the lighting inside the barn was perfect for my photographs!
