Cotswolds Wedding Photography -  some of my favourite photos from  Laura and Keegan – Blackwell Grange wedding Photography

 

This is a story all about Laura and Keegan and their glorious wedding at Blackwell Grange, Shipston on Stour. I’d first met Laura a few years ago because I’d shot her brother’s wedding at the Mill Barns, Shropshire, and they’d liked my style of relaxed, natural photography. I’m also a preferred supplier at Blackwell Grange, so with all boxes ticked, Laura contacted me and asked if I could shoot their wedding.

Just like many other couples who have suffered over the last 18 months, Laura and Keegan had had to postpone their wedding and re-book it at least once. Sadly, because of pandemic travel restrictions, Keegan’s parents couldn’t attend in person, so they were going to have to enjoy the day using the wonders of modern technology – direct from the Cotswolds to their home in South Africa.

Laura and Kegan did get lucky, however, with the weather. It was a glorious, sunny and warm Cotswolds day when they got married, the perfect backdrop for the long-awaited event.I spent the morning with Laura and her four bridesmaids enjoying the bridal prep and the early morning sun. Because I’d already shot a family wedding, I’d met a few of the members of the bridal party before and it was lovely to reminisce together about that wedding as they all prepared for the day ahead.

By the time Keegan and his friends started to arrive at Blackwell Grange, it was really heating up and we were all set for a glorious celebration. A band was booked to play music that afternoon and they were able to get set up outdoors in the sunshine. The band was made up of traditional South African musicians and the music really brought a carnival, party atmosphere to the day – people were up and dancing in the afternoon in the sunshine (a rare sight in the UK!), and enjoying drinks and canapes out on the lawns.

There was a lovely atmosphere as members of the wedding party took to the mic for the speeches, which had the guests laughing the whole way through. Kegan shared with everybody that after asking Laura out on their first date, he had very limited funds to actually pay for anything, and the first thing Laura did when she arrived was to order the most expensive cocktail on the menu…fortunately (thanks, happy hour), he was able to just about scrape together the funds to pay the bill and was spared the embarrassment of asking his future wife to pick up the tab.

One of my favourite parts of the day during summer weddings like this is at about 8 or 9pm –  it’s such a happy and relaxed time, as the formal parts of the day are usually over, and people can relax and catch up with each other in the fading light. That’s exactly what happened at Blackwell Grange and it’s one of the things that makes the venue so lovely – those perfect Cotswold sunsets, with lush green lawns that invite people to sling off their heels and relax. Laura and Kegan’s guests were bringing their pizzas and drinks out into the dusky evening and there was a happy summer glow in the atmosphere.

We were able to get some beautiful images as the sun set, and then the guests started to move inside to dance and party. There were some impressive shapes being thrown on the dance floor, and the music was in full swing, when late in the evening Laura realised that there was one shot missing from my camera reel. She’d bought the groomsmen some special socks with their names on, and at about 10.30pm, and after one too many glasses of fizz, the groom and groomsmen all scaled a wall so we could get the perfect ankle shot of their very important socks! I think we were lucky that no ankles were broken as a result…

Thanks, Laura and Keegan, for sharing your gorgeous, relaxed, Cotswolds wedding with me.

IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A COTSWOLDS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY , THEN CONTACT ME TODAY  TO DISCUSS.