I absolutely love returning to The Elvetham, this incredible-looking hotel in north Hampshire with its extensive and perfectly maintained grounds, as a wedding photographer. Tucked away in charming little Hartley Wintney near the Surrey border, it really is unlike anywhere else that I know with its uniquely personal service and incredible architecture. From a photography perspective it really does offer more than you could wish on a wedding day, whatever the weather throws at it. Happily on Georgia & Patrick's big day the sun was out in force (eventually) and we were able to get out into the incredible gardens and grounds in the wonderful summer evening light, but I'm just as happy there inside with the beauty of the various reception rooms, staircases and arched doorways. Trust me, you're never going to run out of photo opportunities with a wedding at The Elvetham.
It's always handy when everything is taking place at one location - bridal prep in one part of the hotel, groom and groomsmen in another, and guests arriving and congregating in the bar, lounges and gardens. It means that I can flit about through the course of the morning capturing all those little elements - I really do like to tell as many sides of the story as I can. The suite at the Elvetham which I've always seen used for hair and makeup on the morning of the wedding is absolutely huge and filled with light. (No matter how big a prep room is though, a bridal party always seems perfectly capable of filling it!). Although she had both hair and makeup artists there on the day, Georgia was busy doing her own makeup as sit's a particularly interest of hers, and I have to say - great job! (Also makes for some really nice candid photos in front of the mirror). Meanwhile Patrick and his groomsmen were downstairs in meet-and-greet mode with family and friends arriving, in between moments of the traditional figuring-out-of-the-buttonholes and all the rest. Being a military man, Patrick was look resplendent (there's a word I don't get to use enough!) in full dress uniform - all very well suited to the grandeur of the hotel and the aesthetic of the chapel.
The ceremony itself was beautiful. The wedding chapel in the grounds of The Elvetham is deconsecrated so you can do entirely your own thing there. Georgia & Patrick had chosen to have a celebrant-led humanist ceremony rather than a legal or religious one. I always love these - everything is 100% personal to the couple as they've had their say in every aspect of the ceremony. It's an amazing space to photograph in as well - wonderful news for wedding photography; the beauty of an old church building, right down to the artfully distressed plaster walls (very reminiscent of the Asylum in London - a hugely popular and very cool venue in a similar vein). And the clouds of the morning departed right on cue, instead filling the chapel with soft warm light and ready to bathe everyone in sunshine through all of the post-ceremony celebrations.
Drinks on the terrace and a chance to really make the most of the stunning grounds there. It's a gorgeous backdrop for those candid and documentary-style wedding photos which everyone loves, with loads of fab little shady spots for guests. And once the group photos had been covered and guests were making their way inside, heading towards the library (another really cool room in the heart of the hotel) which had been set up for the wedding breakfast, I took out couple off slightly further into the gardens for some wedding portrait photography whilst everyone was dinging their seats and settling in.
The library in the Elvetham is a superb room for a wedding breakfast - absolutely bursting with character. And very handily it's connected by a little hidden door in the panelling straight through to the hall which is used for the later parts of the celebrations - first dance and party. Once meal and speeches were completed we had a little more time to enjoy the evening sun (and the bar) before we got to this stage, and as the rest of the celebrations got into full swing I was able to steal our bride and groom away for a few more moments, to capture some final portraits in that gorgeous evening light.
An absolutely superb wedding and so much fun to photograph. It's a wonderful venue, no doubt, but as always it's the couple and their friends and family which make a wedding. Georgia and Patrick absolutely nailed it, and it looked like the party had a long way to go as the cameras were finally laid down for the rest of the day.
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Huge congratulations to the very happy couple! I hope you've enjoyed this little summary of the day. The selection of photos above really only scratches the surface of this absolutely wonderful day. Friends and family can view the full set in Georgia & Patrick's private viewing gallery, but you'll need to get the password off them first.
Making it Happen...
Venue: The Elvetham Hotel
Celebrant: @celebrateiwthverity
Hair & Makeup: @bridalbeautybylau
DJ: LB Events
If you are currently planning your wedding at The Elvetham and would like to know more about my wedding photography packages and services, please don't hesitate to contact me to check availability and ask me any questions you might have.
