Katie & James’ Stunning Spring Wedding at Blackwell Grange
In April, I had the absolute pleasure of photographing Katie and James’ unforgettable wedding at the breathtaking Blackwell Grange in the Cotswolds, perfectly nestled between Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. This was my first time capturing a wedding at this stunning venue—and I’m always excited to visit new locations. Blackwell Grange certainly lived up to every expectation!
Pre-Wedding Excitement and Planning
A few weeks before the wedding, I caught up with Katie to run through the wedding day timeline and chat about their plans. I left our call feeling so excited—they had a few special surprises lined up for their guests, and I couldn’t wait to capture all the magic!
On the big day, I arrived early at Blackwell Grange to explore the grounds and come up with some creative wedding portrait ideas. (If you know my style, you’ll know I’m always on the lookout for unique portrait opportunities!)
Bridal Prep at the Charming Potting Shed
Katie was getting ready in the gorgeous Potting Shed, the dedicated bridal prep area. She looked absolutely radiant and full of excitement for the day ahead. I also had the pleasure of meeting the lovely venue coordinator, who offered great advice on the best locations for group photos and the confetti throw.
Katie and James had also booked a brilliant videographer, Ryan, who was an absolute dream to work alongside. Working together so seamlessly helped us capture the very best moments for Katie and James.
An Emotional and Joyful Wedding Ceremony
As the morning unfolded, the Potting Shed was buzzing with laughter, music, and anticipation. Katie looked incredible in her wedding suit, complete with bold, colourful makeup that suited her perfectly. Capturing her dad’s emotional first look was a real highlight—it was such a genuine and priceless moment.
Meanwhile, James and his groomsmen were equally excited, and we captured some brilliant candid shots before guests started arriving at the ceremony venue—the Thatched Barn, a beautifully rustic space filled with charm.
A Wedding Surprise to Remember: The Owl Ring Bearer
One of the biggest surprises of the day was the owl ring bearer! Katie and James arranged for a majestic owl to deliver the rings, with more birds on hand for guests to hold during the drinks reception. It added such a fun and magical touch to the day!
In true wedding-day style, the owl decided to have a bit of fun, flying up to the beams and causing plenty of laughter among guests. Luckily, a backup set of rings kept the ceremony moving until the owl made its grand return.
The ceremony was filled with heartfelt emotions and so much laughter—a perfect reflection of Katie and James as a couple.
Drinks Reception, Portraits, and Wedding Breakfast
After the ceremony, we moved outside for the confetti throw, family group photos, and some relaxed wedding portraits. The birds of prey continued to delight everyone—guests were amazed by their beauty and grace. As the owl was now back down from the wooden beams, Katie wanted to head back into the ceremony room, to recreate the shot of the owl bringing the rings, and the owl performed perfectly, which was amazing to photograph.
The celebrations then moved into the Orchard Barn, where the wedding breakfast, speeches, and evening reception took place. The speeches were heartfelt and hilarious, with James’ brother bringing the house down with laughter.
As the venue was transformed for the evening, guests enjoyed the gorgeous spring sunset outside, drinks in hand.
Golden Hour Magic and a Night Full of Dancing
Golden hour was truly spectacular, so we headed off for some more romantic wedding portraits in the soft, golden light—some of my favourite images from the day!
Afterward, Katie and James cut their wedding cake and shared their first dance, kicking off a lively evening of dancing and celebration with their guests showing off their best moves on the dance floor.
A Colourful Finale: Creative Umbrella Portraits
Before wrapping up for the night, we captured one last set of creative portraits featuring Katie and James’ colourful umbrella—a fun, personal touch even though the weather was blissfully dry. The images turned out brilliantly, and I’m so glad we made time for them!
Congratulations Katie & James!
A huge congratulations to Katie and James! Thank you both—and all your amazing guests—for making me feel so welcome throughout your incredible day. And a massive thank you to the wonderful team at Blackwell Grange for helping create such a memorable wedding.
It was truly an honour to capture all the laughter, love, and surprises of your wedding day. I’ll be smiling about this one for a long time!
