Clearwell Castle wedding photos

Having shot this wonderful wedding at Clearwell Castle earlier in the year, I thought it would be good to have a winter wedding slideshow to show brides what's possible with wedding photography out of season.

Weddings in November, January, February and March are certainly more popular than ever before - perhaps it's the great deals offered by wedding venues, or the desire to have a slightly different wedding to the typical summer affair.   Well, they certainly have a new set of challenges compared to the hotter times of year, but I guess with the british weather as it is, no one can guarantee perfect weather on their wedding day, so why rely on the British summer?

Anyhow, here is a short slideshow from a winter wedding at Clearwell Castle.

Clearwell Castle Wedding Photos

Time to show a few more photos from my recent winter wedding at Clearwell Castle, Gloucestershire.  But first a did you know fact - last year Clearwell Castle held 260 weddings - FACT.  I know, that's remarkable huh!

With my Guinness Book Of Wedding Records out the way, onto the details about Stuart and Lauren's wedding day itself.  I'd met Lauren in 2008 at her brother-in-laws wedding in Tetbury at The Great Tythe Barn.  I was the photographer and to all intensive purposes at the time of meeting she was the child minder to her 'other' brother-in-laws children.  So, you get the idea, I bumped into her at a wedding.  Anyhow, fast forward a few years and here I was shooting her wedding - how cool is that.  I love recommendations, and it's always nice to meet familiar faces at the wedding......and in this case I found out my previous clients 'Matt & Anne' are expecting too - so congratulations!

So here we have it, an exclusive insiders view to the fabulous wedding of Stuart and Lauren at Clearwell Castle.  DON'T FORGET to click 'READ MORE' at the bottom of this post, to take you deep inside the world of documentary wedding photography.  Ahhh...ok, really just to read the rest.

Clearwell Castle - or at least a tree with sign hanging from it.  Yep, it's winter folks....today will be a fair few black and white photos, mixed with a splash of colour.  It's all about light, emotion and composition this week.




Lauren looks on from the Castel hideaway (that is the bridal suite) as guests arrive and bridesmaids walk across the car park in pjyamas and dressing gowns - stylish!



"ummm, nice wedding dress".....meanwhile the pyjama wearing bridesmaids have arrived for make-up duty.





The blusher brush gets 'em every time.


I love this shot - why?  Check out the under age drinker with her 'imaginary' champagne - classic.





I also love this photo on the left.  It's got a whole page to itself in their wedding album design too.


I'll bet the boys aren't having this much fun - even putting a necklace on is a laugh.  Note: bridesmaids 'correctly' dressed now and checking out Laurens booty.


I've not seen wedding flowers with long stems like this before.  Or at least not long stems and such a delicate bouquet.  OK, I've just re-read that back and it does sound a little camp.....honestly I'm all man, just mixed up in the female wedding world.


Yep, that'll be inside at Clearwell Castle set ready for the wedding ceremony.  Just follow the red strip of carpet if you're unsure where to go.

Clearwell Castle wedding preview

A quick preview from my recent wedding at Clearwell Castle.  The full post will follow shortly.
 Edited to add, it ended up very soon after.  Click here if you're lost looking for it.

Wedding photography - Clearwell Castle

Michael and Adele - St Peter's Church / Clearwell Castle - 12th August 2010


Can you guess where this wedding was?  Yep, Clearwell Castle.  OK, so that's Clearwell Church in the pic too, but you know what - they had their wedding ceremony there so that's a big tick in my book - two in one!


"So what do you think to the curls I've done you at the back - are they ok?"




As both the Bride and Groom got ready at Clearwell Castle, it gave me the opportunity to nip next door and catch up with the boys.



Boys will be boys!



Ta na, a quick transformation later and Adele was kitted out in a super duper wedding dress.





Inside St Peter's Church at Clearwell.  This is one pretty dark church.  It's safe to say high ISO, slow shutter speeds & fast primes were order of the day.  (That's for the camera geeks who read my blog).





I got the impression Adele had been waiting a while for this moment, Mike wasn't exactly quick to propose.  


As Adele is Deputy Head, she had the school kids come along to the wedding and sing.  It's amazing what a few sweets and some bribery can get you -even in school summer holidays.







A pleasant stroll back to the Castle, although I'll bet Granny (in the middle) didn't think quite so much of the walk.


Back inside for the wedding drinks reception and a spot more singing from the kids.  




* ching *






I caught this little lady not singing (no sweets for her Adele).  Let me tell you, she wasn't the only one though, I saw several adults in the Church rather tight lipped during the hymns! (shame on you).


Cool little wedding detail hey?








And to wrap up we have the beautiful couple entering for their wedding breakfast.  Note: Michael is keeping a good distance between them - yes, this is a very common time for the groom to stand on the dress!

Wedding Photography - Clearwell Castle

Luke & Lucy - 21st March 2010

As promised here's the full update from last weekends Clearwell Castle wedding, with a tweak of vintage theme.

Wedding make-up was by Sophie Charmings, Cheltenham.



Wedding details this weekend went all abstract.  






Wedding shoes - vintage style.  In fact the whole wedding had a vintage theme.







Lovely wedding dress detail huh.  My wife asked "did the dress come with the broach"?  Well Lucy, did it?




Muted tones in the wedding flowers suited the bridesmaid dress really well.


Arrival at Clearwell Castle in such a cool little wedding car.  The guy gave me his business card too so for those brides on the lookout for a simple, classic, cream, oldish, volvo something or other (I'm not good with car models) here's the dudes details.  www.wyeclassic.co.uk






I'd decided a shot of wedding shoes in a tumble dryer was pretty damn cool, but perhaps a more classic capture should be got too.



Super expression....love it.




Registrars tend to limited photography at Clearwell Castle, but were 'moderately' considerate this time around and let me stand at the front to photograph some parts of the ceremony...phew!


Nice french polish Mrs Hill.  (note: that's the pen with 'no ink'!)





Touching moments just after the wedding ceremony.






I believe this is a girlie photo - my wife tells me it's because the dress is 'swishing' about.




Ahh here you go, a far better idea of what the wedding car looked like.  I told you it was cool.












"Just run down this bank, fall over and these pretty dresses will look great"





There's something so nice about grand parents at weddings.







I love this sequence of three photos......it tells such a great little story.




You can't see easily but mum has her tissue in hand too.







Sis gets a rubix-cube as her wedding favour.


I just adore this photo.  Maybe as I'm a dad, but I get the impression you're little girls wedding day is a pretty big deal.