As an experienced Oxfordshire wedding photographer, I get to work at the finest Oxfordshire wedding venues and was certainly the case when I captured Clare and Andrew’s spring wedding at Dovecotes Events. They booked us to provide photography and videography for their day. 

Dovecote Events is located at the charmingly named Bo Peep Farm in the heart of rural Oxfordshire on the edge of the Cotswolds.  Offering two distinctively different venues in one place, you can choose from their stunning Dovecote Barn or impressive tipi for your wedding.  

One of the many things I love about capturing wedding photography at Dovecote Events is that there are clearly defined spaces for everything, that seamless link to one another giving weddings there a natural flow.  

On the day, I woke to cloudy but dry weather, and headed over to Clare’s mum’s house to capture those all-important bridal prep images.  The house was a buzz of excitement with the bridal party, Clare’s parents, her son Freddie, the make up artist, the hairstylist and one very unobtrusive Oxfordshire wedding photographer.  Everybody was in great spirits and there were pastries, fruit and a little bit of fizz to get the celebrations started.   Though I noticed Clare’s dad John and son Freddie sensibly kept clear of the girls and hung out in the garage tinkering with John’s Honda motorbike. 

I then headed over to Clare and Andrew’s house to get some images of Andrew and his grooms’ party.  They all looked very smart in grey three-piece suits with brown brogues.  I got some great images of them before they headed off for the ceremony. 

Experienced Dovecote Events wedding photographer and videographer

I then shot back to Clare and her bridal party who by now were ready.  Clare looked amazing in her dress that had lace detailing, a sweetheart neckline and beautiful a line skirt that fanned out giving her a fairytale bride silhouette.  Her hair was styled in an elegant up do with tendrils framing her face.    I took an image of a sweet father seeing the bride moment. 

The four bridesmaids who included Clare’s young niece, wore elegant pale green dresses and there were two very smart young groomsmen, Clare’s son Freddie, and Clare’s nephew.  I got some gorgeous images of the bridal party before leaving for the ceremony. 

The ceremony was held in Dovecote Barn.  It looked amazing all dressed ready for the wedding with strings of fairy lights wrapped around the ancient oak beams and on pretty drapes hanging from the ceiling.  Giving it a really cosy feel.  Clare’s son Freddie was the ringbearer and performed his duties perfectly.  Freddie was an integral part of the day and there was a very touching moment in the ceremony when Andrew promised to take care of Freddie. 

Barns tend to be dark spaces, so as a professional wedding photographer, it’s my job to seek out and play with any available light.  There was a moment in Clare and Andrew’s ceremony when the sun shone through the single window in the barn illuminating Clare’s face.   It produced one of my favourite images of the day.  Here, take a look!

Storytelling Barn wedding photography in Oxfordshire

After the ceremony we headed outside for a fun confetti moment; before enjoying a drinks reception.  And I took my chance to get some great group images.  Clare was keen on having lots of group images of significant people in the wedding party.  And her guests were happy to oblige and were so easy going.  I got some great images that I know Clare and Andrew are thrilled with.

The wedding reception took place back in Dovecote Barn that had been dressed exquisitely ready for the wedding breakfast.  Guests were seated first so that Clare and Andrew could enter to rapturous applause from everybody.  Speeches were before food which is always a good idea and were delivered by Clare’s dad, Andrew, the best man and Freddie. 

There followed a sumptuous wedding breakfast prepared by Dovecote Events’ talented team of in-house chefs. 

After the meal, the sun came out and I took the opportunity to get some great portrait images of Clare and Andrew around the grounds of Dovecote Events.  We got some lovely images, here take a look!

Creative and Natural Oxfordshire wedding photography

I always love this time of day at weddings when all of the formalities are out of the way and guests are happily milling about.  It’s the perfect time to get candid images of everybody relaxed and enjoying themselves.

Evening celebrations started with cutting of a beautiful white three-tiered wedding cake.  This was followed by a first dance for Clare and Andrew, and Freddie joined them half way through.  Though they weren’t on the dancefloor alone for long.  Clare and Andrew’s guests were up for a party and when it came to dancing, they didn’t need any coaxing.  And Dovecote Barn’s gallery giving me the perfect location to capture all the fun. 

I loved capturing Clare and Andrew’s spring wedding at Dovecote Events.  A wonderfully warm, fun, family-friendly wedding for this lovely couple.  Congratulations guys and thank you for having me there.  I hope my images will enable you to relive the day again and again for many years to come.

If, like Clare and Andrew, you’re getting married at Dovecote Events and are looking for an experienced Dovecote Events wedding photographer.  Feel free to get in touch.

I’d love to hear about your wedding plans…

Chris