I find a lot of Londoner’s choose to have weddings in the Cotswolds, but for Alex & Ali it wasn’t just the quintessential English charm this area has to offer that drew them to it, but the fact Ali attended Cheltenham Ladies College and wanted to find somewhere typically Cotswold to have her wedding. There are a stunning variety of Cotswold wedding venues to choose from with Kingscote Barn making the top of Ali’s wish list. Set on a hillside valley, with beautiful views you can see why she chose it.
This wedding had it all from big blue skies to thunderous downpours and rainbows. All the emotions you’d expect on a wedding day with nervousness, laughter and tears in quick succession. Not one but two best men, neither with a bad word to say about the groom and a rhyming MC like no other. Cute kids boogied on down in the drinks reception whilst the wedding party took to the dance floor fuelled by cocktails and the Chip Shop Boys right through the night.
At 2:3o in the afternoon whilst photographing Kingscote Barn, the last thing I thought I may need was an umbrella. Pretty much any bride having a wedding in the Cotswolds can’t ignore this venue for it’s beautiful setting……..but that’s on a good day right!? Clouds were forming and by the time I reached the church there was a distinct change in the atmospheric pressure (get me all meteorological).
Little did I realise at the time of photographing this lantern, it would take the place of my umbrella (which I foolishly left in the car) during the frantic moments leaving the church in a monsoon! It’s surprising how much shelter it provides you know.
St Mary the Virgin, Beverston Gloucestershire.
This church is located in a charming position overlooked by Beverstone Castle (a medieval stone fortress) and has Grade II listings which is evident from a lot of the architecture surrounding the area.
Some were laughing at the MC’s jokes, others clearly not finding it quite so funny ;-)
“Make way, we have guests wishing to come through”
The star of the show (second to the bride….or maybe third to the groom) was Ali’s brother who had just flown in from operations overseas and wasn’t sure he’d even make the 4pm wedding ceremony. Clearly checking his watch with the vicar, he was rather pleased with his timekeeping.
I guess mum was pleased to see him too?
Great bridesmaids wedding hairstyle with the plats.
I love a veil over a brides face as she walks down the aisle – very mysterious.
It wasn’t until after I downloaded all the wedding photos I noticed capturing this moment.
Alex, Ali (and the vicar for that matter) requested no photos during the ceremony, so coverage is limited inside the church, besides these few shots at appropriate times.
I can’t recall what the music was (albeit a little abrupt starting and finishing – DJ lessons for that usher next time) but clearly Alex thought it appropriate to bust out some moves as he left the church!
It wasn’t until taking this photo then looking outside I realised why it had become so dark inside. A monsoon was underway.
When rain strikes at a wedding I usually have a jacket or umbrella to hand…… on this occasion I came prepared with neither. Likewise most guests made the same judgement based on the earlier summers day weather so made do with shared jackets for the ladies and a dousing of rain for the gents.
Unsurprisingly no one hung around long outside Beverston Church, preferring to get going and over to Kingscote Barn for the wedding reception.
Inside Kingscote Barn decked out with mammoth flower displays.
Someone was up particularly late icing these I believe…. (well done Ali)
On trend for 2013 – naked wedding cakes. No hiding a flat sponge behind icing with this one.
Guests enjoyed a few drinks under cover at Kingscote Barn as the wet weather passed over. This left just enough time for a few groups photos prior to informal speeches and cake cutting.
‘The Hens’
Whilst not everyone wishes for rain on their wedding day, it does usually present some fantastic light later in the day if it clears. Moody skies, golden light, rolling Cotswold hills….sealed with a kiss.
Possibly the best MC a wedding has ever had. If you’re looking for ideas on how to match this guys performance, start with writing your entire wedding day announcements in poetry – good work.
First speech of the day was an informal affair prior to dinner with Ali’s dad in the Barn reception.
One thing I will say for speeches in this area – it’s always cosy as a photographer. I do however love the sense of being in the moment here surrounded by glasses for the toast.
If you’re going to carve your own meat, you need an apron with your face on it right?
The laughter….
….and the tears.
Alex & Ali had a few moves on the dance floor…..I was especially impressed by this one (but where have her legs disappeared to?).
I think we know who’s wedding I’ll be photographing next!
If you are having your wedding at Kingscote Barn, please drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you. You can see more Kingscote Barn weddings on my blog, as well as many more weddings in the Cotswolds.