The streets of Winchester were the backdrop for Debbie & Dave's wedding photographs on a beautiful Autumn day, with a couple of iconic city wedding locations either side. We had the gorgeous Castle Room at Winchester Registry Office for the legal ceremony, and Abbey Mill - tucked away in the gardens next to the Guildhall - for a very personal Christian blessing and celebration reception afterwards. This one really was an absolutely beautiful occasion and with such a lovely couple - I just had to share some images from this wonderful wedding with you all.
I love that Winchester registry office has so much to offer on the wedding photography front, both immediately outside the building on Castle Hill and throughout the surrounding area. The beautiful stonework of the buildings sat on top of the ancient site of the castle make for a beautiful backdrop at every time of year. Just around the corner, for a bit of variety, you have the steps of the city's law courts - at this time of year also offering some stunning colour with the Autumn leaves on the turn. And then, with group photographs completed and the guests having made their way on to the reception venue for the next part of the celebrations, the city is dotted with gorgeous little backstreets, townhouses and tucked-away corners which just work so well for couple portraits.
Depending on the location of the reception venue there are so many little routes you can take through town. On this occasion we were off to Abbey Mill, down towards the Guildhall, for part two which meant we could meander down round the back of the Cathedral and take advantage of one of my favourite spots, the Dean Garnier gardens in the Cathedral Close. From there it's just a short hop, down past the hidden gem water garden on the east side of the cathedral, on to the reception venue. But before the full celebrations could begin we had the second ceremony of the day to enjoy. It's not often I get to photograph two weddings on the same day, especially with both featuring the same couple.
So alongside their legal ceremony earlier that day, Debbie and Dave had also chosen to have a non-legal Christian blessing ceremony at the start of their reception in the beautiful buildings of Winchester's Abbey Mill. This brought such a lovely additional touch to what was already a wonderfully intimate celebration. (It also gave me a wonderful opportunity to capture a whole other bunch of vow and ring-exchange photographs in front of assembled guests in an entirely different setting, and once thing I can say having seen this in action is that Abbey Mill makes for a wonderful venue for just this kind of occasion.
I've photographed weddings and receptions in this space several times over the years as it has passed through different owners (currently it known as Abbey Mill, which reflects the actual name of the building. Previously it has been Inn The Park, and and branch of River Cottage amongst others. Every time though it's an awesome space to photograph a wedding celebration in. The building is a real tardis: from the columned entrance spanning the river at the front it gives very little suggestion of just how sprawling it is inside, and the layout gives so much variety in the use of its space. Combine that with photo opportunities outside and you've got a recipe for some fab wedding photography. Throw in a wonderful couple like Debbie and Dave and you're all set - what an absolutely awesome day, and an absolute pleasure to be a part of and to photograph.
Making it Happen...
Venue: Winchester Registry Office (ceremony 1)
Abbey Mill, Winchester (ceremony 2 and reception)
Flowers: Louise Bradshaw Florist
If you are currently planning your Winchester wedding and would like to know more about my photography packages and services, please don't hesitate to contact me to check availability and ask me any questions you might have.
