Spring Wedding at Ashton Lodge Country House
What did Pip and Tom’s spring wedding at Ashton Lodge Country House feel like?
A spring wedding at Ashton Lodge Country House can feel relaxed, full of life and properly personal, and Pip and Tom’s had all of that. Sunshine, a great wedding party, kids making the most of the garden, games that got surprisingly competitive, and a sparkler send off to finish. Most of all, it felt like a day built around the people in it, not a tight schedule or a long list of photos to get through.
I’d chatted to Pip on a video call before the wedding, so I already knew she was very relaxed about the whole thing. Meeting Tom on the morning confirmed it. They’re a great match, calm, funny and up for enjoying every bit of it.
Which is a very good place to start.
How did the morning begin at Ashton Lodge?
I got there early enough to have a wander and get a feel for the light. I’ve photographed weddings at Ashton Lodge, and one thing I like is how quickly you get a change of background. The house, trees, paths, lawns and open garden are all close together. Plenty to work with, without portraits turning into a hike.
Pip and her wedding party were getting ready in the bridal room, while Tom and his groomsmen were upstairs in one of the bedrooms. Being so close meant I could cover both sides of the morning without interrupting either. Pip’s room had music on, drinks being poured and that mix of excitement and mild last minute searching you get at every wedding morning.
Tom’s side was just as relaxed. The lads were nearly ready by the time I got upstairs, having a laugh and taking in the fact the ceremony wasn’t far off.
Pip’s dress had a rock and roll, slightly gothic feel that suited her perfectly. It wasn’t following a trend. It just looked like Pip, which is always the best kind of wedding style.
Before the ceremony, Pip had a first look with her dad, her bridesmaids and her bridesman. Their reactions were the good stuff. Big smiles, a few emotional faces, lots of laughing. I was there to catch it as it happened, not to make anyone do it again because somebody blinked.
What made the ceremony and confetti so memorable?
By the time the guests arrived, the garden was bright and everyone was in a good mood. Pip’s dad walked her down the aisle, and Tom’s face said plenty before either of them had said a word. The ceremony had laughs, happy tears and all the little looks that make a room feel connected.
Then it was time for confetti. A confetti line is one of the moments where I’ll step in and help, just so it flows quickly and looks as good as it feels. At Ashton Lodge, the current venue guidance is dried natural flower petals or lavender outside. Paper confetti, rice and confetti cannons aren’t allowed, so worth sorting before bags of the wrong stuff start arriving. Worth double checking with the venue too, as rules can change.
Pip and Tom walked through a proper shower of confetti, surrounded by guests who were fully up for it. Exactly what you want.
The drinks reception was out in the gardens, with canapés, chatting and kids racing around. The gardens are great for this part of the day because people settle in naturally. Hugs happen. Someone tells a story they probably shouldn’t have. Kids find their own entertainment. I can move through it all and photograph the real moments without having to organise anyone.
Pip had also got Tom a surprise present, a new cap. Small thing, but it suited him and he wore it most of the day. Those are the details that make a gallery feel like it belongs to the people in it, not just any wedding.
Why did the garden suit their photographs and games?
After the confetti and drinks, I got everyone together for the group photos, then took Pip and Tom for a short walk round the grounds. This is why Ashton Lodge suits the way I work. Around 15 minutes is usually enough for a lovely set of portraits here. There’s so much variety in a small area that there’s no need to keep you away from your guests for ages.
I’ll give a bit of direction when it helps. Where to stand. What to do with your hands when they suddenly seem to have forgotten how hands work. Then I leave room for the two of you to just be together. The aim is photos that feel like you, and getting you back to the party.
There was plenty going on in the garden. Tom gave the rope swing a very enthusiastic test. Later, Jenga and skittles brought out a surprisingly competitive side in the adults. I even used the drone to photograph the Jenga towers. Kids playing, people chatting, and nobody waiting around for the next instruction.
That’s the kind of atmosphere that gives a wedding its character.
How did the speeches and evening party unfold?
The speeches came before the wedding breakfast and swung between funny and heartfelt, the way the best ones do. Big laughs, quiet reactions across the tables, and the odd speaker realising a story has gone a bit further than planned. Always worth watching the people listening as closely as the person holding the microphone.
As the light softened, guests stayed outside, caught up with people they hadn’t seen in ages and enjoyed the spring sunshine. Nothing felt rushed. The day just had a nice rhythm to it.
Later came the cake cutting, the first dance and that point where the dance floor fills up because somebody’s finally played the right song. Pip and Tom’s guests got stuck in quickly. No polite circle round the edge. Proper dancing, lots of laughing and everyone having a great night.
The sparkler send off was the last moment of the night. Guests lined up, sparklers lit, and Pip and Tom walked through the middle. A good ending to a day full of colour, personality and people having a bit of a laugh.
How do I photograph a relaxed wedding without taking it over?
My photography is documentary led, 95% real moments, 5% relaxed portraits. So I’m always looking for the hugs, nerves, reactions, questionable dance moves and quiet little conversations that make the day yours. The portraits matter too, so I keep them relaxed and give enough direction to make them easy.
After over 250 weddings, I know a wedding day rarely follows a neat plan. Somebody will be hunting for a buttonhole. Someone will vanish just as the group photo’s ready. A child will find a far more interesting game than standing still for a family photo. All completely normal.
My job is to stay calm, keep the useful bits moving and let the rest of the day breathe. Nobody wants to spend their wedding being arranged into position.
Are you planning a spring wedding at Ashton Lodge Country House?
Ashton Lodge works really well for a spring wedding if you want gardens where guests can relax and enough variety nearby that the photos never take over. The Garden Room is bright and looks out over the gardens, and the reception room feels warmer later on under its fairy light ceiling. After dark, the lit trees and garden arches are great for a few evening portraits.
Pip and Tom’s day was full of small personal touches. A cap, a rope swing, games in the garden and a sparkler exit. None of it was forced. It just reflected the people there.
If you’re getting married at Ashton Lodge Country House and want relaxed photos that keep you with your guests, I’d love to hear what you’re planning. Ask away, any time.
