I always love returning to be an Elmore Court wedding photographer. This beautiful historic stately home and grounds was established as a home in the 13th century and has views over the Cotswold countryside and River Severn. Liana and Stephen chose a spectacularly
romantic location for their lovely summer wedding.
On the day, Liana and her bridal party got ready in Elmore Court’s master suite which made the perfect space for the bridal party. I say party they were more of an army. Eight bridesmaids (I loved the co-ordinated robes ladies!)
Stephen and his grooms party were gathered in another of Elmore Court’s spacious suites and things were looking just as busy with the seven of them. I loved the image I got of them in the bathroom with Stephen in the tin bath. Here, take a look!
Lianna looked amazing in a gorgeous lace detailed dress with a plunging neckline and a pretty trumpet shape skirt that fanned out giving her an amazing silhouette in all of my images. Her long curly her was arranged into a beautiful mermaid plait and she absolutely beamed infectiously all day (Us Gloucester wedding photographers do love a smiley bride!)
Experienced Elmore Court wedding photographer
Her look was perfectly complemented with a bouquet of beautiful wild flowers in spring colours.
Stephen also looked very smart in a petrol blue three-piece suit and a fantastic floral tie that worked so perfectly with the styling on the day. In fact, the whole grooms party looked very smart in petrol blue suits and I loved the personalised pocket watches guys.
I also loved the way the bridesmaids were all in different coloured and styles of dresses that all worked in perfectly with the colour scheme of the wedding. In can be tempting to stick all of your bridesmaids in one colour and one style that works better for some than others. It was clear that Liana had given her bridesmaids a lot of consideration with dresses and the result looked perfect.
The wedding ceremony was held in Elmore Court’s majestic Hall and Liana was walked down the aisle by her father. The great mullioned window lights the room with a rainbow of colours from its heraldic stained glass. The light it throws around the room is every Gloucester wedding photographer’s dream, as we can play with the light to create even more beautiful images.
Documentary wedding photography at Elmore Court
The wedding ceremony was wonderfully personal and included a trio of singers. When they sang ‘stand by me’ all of the guests spontaneously joined in and it was a really uplifting and unexpected moment.
After the ceremony, everybody headed outside to the sunshine and there was a really fun confetti moment that I captured perfectly. Here take a look!
This was followed by some group images before everybody enjoyed an outdoor drinks and canapes reception. There was live musical accompaniment from the trio of singers and I kept on doing various group images of the wedding guests. I loved the image I got of the grooms party holding Stephen. It was clear from the fun atmosphere that Liana and Stephen have really lovely family and friends.
There were lawn games for the young and not so young and as guests happily drank, nibbled, chatted and played; I quickly whisked Liana and Stephen away for a few minutes for a romantic photoshoot around the grounds and gardens of Elmore Court. I always encourage my couples to go for a mini photoshoot in the day. It’s a chance to take a breather, be in the moment, and have some time alone, before re-joining everybody again. Couples often report that looking back it was their favourite moment of their wedding day and it is often my favourite too.
Storytelling Elmore Court wedding photography
Liana and Stephen were so chilled and a joy to work with which shows in the images I got. The images with them amongst the sunflowers and leaning up against the wall of the walled garden and laughing together were amongst my favourites of the day. Here, take a look!
Which leads me nicely to another reason why I always love capturing wedding photography at Elmore Court and that is because it offers me an endless array of stunning backdrops both inside and out, when photographing weddings.
The wedding reception was held in The Gillyflower which is Elmore Court’s purpose-built ballroom/marquee/place for serious partying. The room had been dressed exquisitely, in European style long tables. It looked like it had jumped out of the pages of a bridal magazine shoot. Long wooden tables were decorated with wild flowers and arts and crafts styling that gave it a wonderfully cosy rustic vibe that so suited the style of Liana and Stephen’s wedding. The naked wedding cake set out next to the sweet cup cakes looked amazing too.
Now, as a busy Gloucester wedding photographer, I’m used to the bride and groom making an entrance to the wedding reception but at Liana and Stephen’s wedding the entire wedding party got an entrance. So, the excitement built up with Liana and Stephen arriving last to rapturous applause.
Award winning Elmore Court wedding photographer
The speeches were before the meal which is always a good idea as the speech-givers can then relax for the rest of the day and it’s better for the photographs as the tables still look immaculate. I’d like to tell you who did a speech but it would be quicker to say who didn’t do one. Everybody had something to say and all speeches were very received. There was even a tribute from the bridesmaids.
After a sumptuous wedding breakfast guests happily milled about exploring Elmore Court and meandering their way back outside into the sunshine. I love this time of day at weddings as the sun is at its lowest creating a gorgeous soft light that works great with wedding photography. I got a few more gorgeous portrait images of Liana and Stephen as well as some fun candid images with their guests.
Evening celebrations started with the cutting of that delicious looking cake, a romantic first dance for Liana and Stephen and a lovely father and daughter dance as well. These guys were not alone on the dancefloor for long as Liana and Stephen’s guests were keen to get the party started. And with a live band to entertain everybody the dancefloor remained full all night.
A gorgeous family friendly full of love and laughter for Liana and Stephen. Getting to shoot wedding photography at Elmore Court and getting to photograph weddings like Liana and Stephen’s are what make being a Gloucester wedding photographer the best job in the world.
I’ll leave the last words to Liana and Stephen. Here’s what they had to say about working with me.
“Wow, Keri and his team were incredible. They captured the day so seamlessly; they captured beautiful moments (including moments when we were not even aware they were there). They were organized, calm and approachable and made us feel at ease throughout the whole day. For a non posey couple, Keri's approach was perfect. We couldn't be happier with the photos! They really are beautiful and something to keep forever! We would definitely recommend to any couple!”