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Cotswold Wedding Photography Louise is a professional photographer based in the Cotswolds and specialising in Weddings & Portraits. Louise lives in Blockley, Gloucestershire, near Moreton-in-Marsh and Stow-on-the-Wold close to many of the Cotswolds' most beautiful wedding venues. As a wedding photographer, Louise loves getting to know the couple & feels privileged to be part of their very special day. She has a friendly & relaxed style which enables her to get the best out of the people she photographs. Louise also offers contemporary, fun family portraits either at her Cotswolds studio in Blockley or at a location of your choice. Louise is a member of the SWPP, the Society of Portrait & Wedding Photographers - a worldwide trade association for professional photographers.

Josie & Callum | Middle Aston House Wedding

July 15, 2019 admin

Josie and Callum’s Harry Potter themed wedding started with Josie & her bridesmaids getting ready at home, so I joined them there for some getting ready photos.

Make up was by Jennifer Grayburn, and hair by Emma from Kenny’s Hair Boutique.

The beautiful flowers were by Georgina at Nicholson Nurseries.

Josie really did look stunning

Josie’s dress & veil was from Banbury Bridal Boutique and Bridesmaid dresses from Marks & Spencer.

The ceremony was at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Bicester on a very hot day in early June (they were lucky – it rained for 2 weeks non-stop after this!!)

The men’s suits were from Victor Boss

Josie’s wedding ring was from Rosalyn’s Emporium, and Callum’s from Tiffany & Co.

Josie arrived in a lovely vintage Rolls Royce (called Brum) with her Dad – the car was from Allerston Taylor & Regency Carriages.

The Marilla String Quartet played before the ceremony and during the signing of the register.

Josie, her mum & cousin Melanie made the confetti themselves by getting friends & family to collect rose petals.

And the Rolls took them to Middle Aston House in the Oxfordshire countryside for their reception

A stunning location, with beautiful grounds and a lake for guests to enjoy

They really went to town with the Harry Potter theme – Josie & Callum did all the venue styling themselves, and it looked amazing with such attention to detail. The chair covers were from Dean’s Chair Covers & Events.

There was a slight incident with a football being kicked in to the lake – luckily there was a rowing boat on hand, and despite it’s slightly squiffy rowers, they managed to rescue the ball!

Josie & Callum’s wedding was on the same day as the Champion’s League final, so as Callum is a big Spurs fan – they had that on a big screen. Unfortunately it didn’t work out for Callum and his Spurs fans…

But he didn’t let that spoil the fun evening!

The cake was by The Barefoot Bakery

The DJ was Bluemark Entertainment

What a fabulous day!

Cripps Stone Barn, Weddings

Vicki & Tom | Stone Barn Cotswolds Wedding

July 6, 2019 admin

I started Vicki & Tom’s wedding day in May at the cottage the girls were getting ready in. It was such a lovely happy, chilled morning! The girl’s hair was done by their friend from Love Bubble Events, who also did some of the styling of the venue. Makeup was done by Katy Pheiffer – and Vicki looked absolutely stunning.

The beautiful bouquets, and flowers at Stone Barn were by Beth from Go Wild Flowers

The boys were getting ready in another barn, so I did a quick trip over there to get some photos of them

Back with the girls for putting the dress on and final touches

And then off to Cripps Stone Barn – one of my favourite wedding venues here in the Cotswolds. It just has everything – surrounded by beautiful countryside, huge inside, and the famous indoor BBQ – delicious food!

The bride arrived and there was a lovely ceremony by the fireplace in the stone barn

CONFETTI! To kick off the celebrations!

I like to do any group photos before the guests sit down for their wedding breakfast – while everyone’s still looking smart!

The BBQ was fired up and the wedding breakfast served, and carved by a guest on each table

After the food came speeches, silly games and a racey slideshow!

There was just time for more photos as the sun went down, before the cake cutting and dancing started. The gorgeous cake was by Erika from Erikas Cakes, and the DJ was the wonderful Will from Cotswold DJ. A fabulous day for lovely people.

The Barn at Upcote, Weddings

Caitlin & Trev – Barn at Upcote Wedding

June 18, 2019 admin

The weather in May this year (2019) was actually quite nice compared to the rain which was to come in June! So Caitlin & Trev’s Barn at Upcote Wedding was more like a summer’s day than spring!

The Barn at Upcote is a perfect wedding venue in the heart of the Cotswolds near Cheltenham. Surrounded by Cotswold hills and access to private gardens for photos by the lake, it’s just stunning.

I was with the girls in the morning getting ready in a nearby cottage

The girls looked gorgeous with hair & makeup by Stacey from ST Beauty Services, and their beautiful flowers by Polly from Felt Like Magic.

I arrived at the barn armed with presents for the groom

We did confetti straight after the ceremony, and then everyone was able to be outside for canapes and drinks

The chicken wanted to see inside the beautiful barn as well!

There were garden games

and fire pits

Then the first dance which was done to a song sung beautifully by a friend of theirs, making it very special

I just LOVE seeing people enjoy themselves on the dance floor!

Then evening food, shots and sparklers…the end to a perfect day

Ellenborough Park, Weddings

Kelly & Tom | Ellenborough Park Hotel Wedding

May 31, 2019 admin

Kelly & Tom’s Easter wedding at the beautiful Ellenborough Park Hotel started off with Kelly & the girls getting ready in the hotel.

Ellenborough Park has it’s own chapel, perfect for ceremonies, and that’s where Tom & Kelly were married surrounded by all their friends & family.

It was extremely hot for Easter weekend, absolutely gorgeous weather for a wedding, and so everyone had drinks & canapes outside the chapel on the lawn. I love Ellenborough Park because there are so many beautiful spots for photos – the horse, the swing, the gazebo, and the hotel itself makes a stunning backdrop.

Their wedding breakfast was in the De La Bere Court was decorated beautifully with flowers and the ‘Mr & Mrs’ letters. This was where they danced the evening away as well.

There was a lovely sunset so we did some more photos later as well – a fantastic wedding with a lovely couple at one of my favourite wedding venues in the Cotswolds.

Mickleton Hills Farm

Mickleton Hills Farm Styled Shoot

May 15, 2019 admin

I was lucky enough to be involved in my first styled shoot at the amazing Mickleton Hills Farm just outside Chipping Campden here in the Cotswolds (and round the corner from where I live in Blockley!). This was all coordinated and styled by The Cotswold Wedding Company and was such a lovely day working with some amazing local wedding suppliers.

Mickleton Hills Farm is the perfect wedding venue, based around the original 18th century barn, surrounded by beautiful Cotswold countryside, and recently refurbished and expanded by the lovely owners David & Sammy. They built a new barn, so that the ceremony and wedding breakfast are separate (save all that turning the room round palaver!), and a new play and games area at the back.

We started with bridal hair and makeup, expertly done by Natasha Louise Hair & Makeup in the Wool Store, which is the gorgeous honeymoon suite at the venue.

All the absolutely stunning flowers were done by Flowers by Dawn Keitley – which included a bridal bouquet, buttonholes, flowers in the ceremony room, and amazing table centre pieces for the wedding breakfast.

The ceremony room chairs were decorated in white lace sashes provided by The Cotswold Wedding Company as well as the hexagonal backdrop with flowers.

The ceremony was performed by Lynn Tierney Ceremonies – such a lovely celebrant who will tailor your ceremony to your wishes creating a truly personal and unique day for you.

One of the elements Lynn can do is tying the knot in a hand fasting ceremony.

A Wine Ceremony, where the bride & groom drink from a single glass of wine, symbolises drinking from the cup of life and sharing life’s experiences.

Our bride and groom also ‘jumped the broom’ in a ceremony which dates back to centuries of tradition and is an important wedding custom in many cultures. It has its roots in the Celtic, Welsh, Scottish, Druid, African, Gypsy and some aboriginal cultures.

Couples celebrate this rich cultural heritage, irrespective of race, religion, and nationality.
The most important thing is it’s significance;
– Honouring and respect of ancestors, their legacy, and rich family heritage.
– Coming together of both families, and commitment to each other as wife and husband.
– It represents strength, love, togetherness, loyalty, and respect which is essential for a successful marriage.

Catering was done by Ross & Ross Events

The wedding cake was supplied by The Cotswold Cake Bee

Suit hire was Beaus & Balls Formal Menswear Hire and the dress Essence of Australia.

The new barn was styled for the wedding breakfast by The Cotswold Wedding Company with linen hire from Plato Catering Hire, beautiful wedding stationary from Hand Drawn by Katie, and of course the flowers by Dawn Keitley. It really did look stunning

The new play/games area at the back is perfect for little page boys to play in!

A really fabulous day at a stunning venue with wonderful wedding suppliers! (love those light bulbs!)

Cripps Stone Barn

Sonya & Matt – Stone Barn Costwolds Wedding

May 8, 2019 admin

Sonya & Matt’s Stone Barn Cotswolds wedding started for me with the girls getting ready in a lovely nearby cottage. Sonya’s bridesmaids kept everyone entertained and laughing all morning with their hilarious antics! Olivia (Olivia Mills MUA) was also in stitches most of the time whilst expertly doing their hair & makeup!

Their ceremony was in Cripps Stone Barn – beautifully decorated as always by Beth from Go Wild Flowers – with her amazing foliage ring suspended from the ceiling.

It was a lovely ceremony which had laughter and hankies (as all good ceremonies should), and the reception was kicked off with confetti throwing under the twinkly lights of Stone Barn.

They were such a good crowd and there was lots of laughter & fun throughout the day. The food was amazing as always from the huge indoor barbeque at Stone Barn – three whole lambs cooking on it! The cake cutting & first dance kicked off the evening’s entertainment which was from Henry Marten’s Ghost – a lively Irish band who had everyone jigging around!

The Swan Hotel Bibury

Nathan & Emily | Swan Hotel Bibury Wedding

April 9, 2019 admin

My first wedding of 2019 was a very blustery day in Spring in one of the Cotswolds’ most beautiful villages, for Nathan & Emily’s Swan Hotel Bibury wedding. We were keeping our fingers crossed all morning that it didn’t rain as Emily had her heart set on photos in the pretty Arlington Row…it didn’t!

Emily’s face was such a picture when she came downstairs to her Dad and the page boy (ring bearer), and they had a lovely ceremony in the hotel.

This was followed by drinks, canapes and confetti in the yard outside. Emily then braved the wind for photos in the village. All credit to Emily, not many bride’s would have done that, it was pretty blustery! Because of the wind, we had some great veil action, but also nearly lost it in the river! The fairly short walk from the hotel up to Arlington row is actually quite long when you’re wearing high heels and a wedding dress, and being blown to bits! That’s British weather for you…but as I said…it didn’t rain!

It was a really lovely day and a pleasure to photograph for such lovely people.

Cotswold Weddings

Cotswold Wedding Photography: Roundup of 2018

January 7, 2019 admin

As we start 2019, I’ve done a roundup of my Cotswold Wedding Photography in 2018 and here is a very small selection of all the wonderful weddings I was privileged to photograph last year.

We had some quite extreme weather thrown at us, with The Beast from the East (which kept coming back) in the Spring, and the hottest summer on record turning green grass yellow.

I was back at lots of my favourite local venues and also at some fabulous new ones, and after photographing over 40 weddings I am now enjoying a quieter January & February before the fun starts again!

Some of my most local venues are Blackwell Grange in Shipston on Stour, and the amazing Hyde House in Stow-on-the-Wold. One of my favourite churches to photograph is St. James Church in Chipping Campden. I love The Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh, Charingworth Manor, and was excited to photograph my first wedding at the fabulous new venue Lapstone Barn also in Chipping Campden.

Other amazing venues include Eastington Park, Stanton House Hotel, and Rousham House & Gardens.

Some lovely new barns for me: Jenners Barn, Stratton Court Barn & Winkworth Farm.

And I was back at the lovely Wool Barn in Frampton upon Severn.

My first time at the amazing Elmore Court with it’s wonderful Gillyflower reception area, and also my first time at The DeVere Cotswold Waterpark Hotel with it’s beautiful lake views.

I was back at the stately Eynsham Hall near Oxford.

A stunning marquee on a very hot day.

And back at some trusty favourites of mine Cripps Stone Barn and The Barn at Upcote near Cheltenham

A couple of Christmas weddings at The Greenway Hotel & Spa and Charingworth Manor rounded the year off nicely for me. Happy New Year!

Hyde House, Hyde House Stow

Howard & Cheryl | Hyde House Wedding

December 15, 2018 admin

Howard & Cheryl had their whole Cotswolds wedding at Hyde House – always a good idea as they have everything you could possibly need, and guests don’t need to go anywhere else! Especially now they have the new Grange barn for ceremonies…and photos later!

Cheryl and her Bridesmaids got ready upstairs in the barn, with hair done by Samantha Middleton from Redmill Hair, Banbury; and make up by Nicole Bessell from NB Makeup. While the boys were busy getting stuff ready downstairs, fixing balloons and sorting out tiny little jam jars…they did all the decorations themselves, and the end result looked amazing – especially the table centre pieces which each told a little story of the people on that table, very clever indeed.

This was my first ceremony in The Grange and I loved it, it’s so light and spacious in there, great for photos. It was decorated beautifully with flowers by Flower Thyme, and all the bouquets were stunning as well with very unusual colours. The weather wasn’t behaving, so we had to delay confetti until it had stopped raining later, but that did give us some dramatic skies for photos!

The speeches were hilarious, with Cheryl very bravely getting up to do the first speech and making everyone ‘Whoop’ every time she mentioned their name.

They even managed to get outside to eventually do their pinata in the dark, which had been hanging on the tree all day!

They danced the evening away with music from DJ Cotswold Discos Entertainment.

Fabulous day with fabulous people and thank you for asking me to photograph it!

Blackwell Grange

Kayleigh & Dan | Blackwell Grange Wedding

December 2, 2018 admin

It was such a pleasure to photograph Kayleigh & Dan’s Blackwell Grange wedding – Kayleigh was so super-excited about absolutely everything, it was very infectious! Blackwell Grange is a beautiful all in one barn venue surrounded by fields and stunning scenery here in the Cotswolds.

The Potting Shed is a wonderful area for getting ready (and very close to everything, so Kayleigh could keep popping out to see the amazing cake and flowers arrive!) The Thatch Barn is where Kayleigh & Dan had their lovely ceremony. The little page boy Jacob very bravely led the wedding party in to the barn holding his ‘Here Comes the Bride’ sign, and gave the rings to Kayleigh & Dan during the ceremony – a very important job!

Their dog Pippa made a guest appearance during the reception for some photos. Being a gin lover myself I very much approved of the gin bottle table decorations and the whole room looked amazing, with some very funny and emotional speeches after the wedding breakfast.

We had some dramatic skies at sunset and I had such fun photographing their lovely day at such a lovely venue.