Berkley Castle Wedding Photography
Berkley Castle Wedding Photography
I first met Claire and her family at Cheltenham Racecourse wedding event. Claire and her family had travelled from their London home to meet a variety of wedding suppliers to arrange their Cotswold wedding.
They chose Berkley Castle as their wedding venue because of its grandeur. The castle is in Berkley town centre Gloucestershire, just north of Bristol. Claire’s bridal preparations took place in a guest house, next to St Mary’s Church in the town of Berkley.
Claire had all her family and bridesmaids together at the guest house. Claire and Jonathan’s dog was also part of the preparations. He put on his collar and tie ready for the ceremony after his pamper session.
Claire’s plan after slipping on her lovely Jimmy Choo’s, had been to walk to St Mary’s Church. The September weather was unfortunately not so kind. After one of the best summers we have seen in years, the rain did not stop!
As with most weddings, even the wettest of weather could not dampen spirits or the atmosphere. The ceremony at the very impressive St Mary’s Church Berkley proceeded without a hitch, after which it was a short walk to the splendour of Berkeley Castle. We got a great confetti picture under an archway just within the grounds of Berkley Castle.
The Daytime Wedding Reception
Claire & Jonathan’s drinks reception took place in the drawing room, as the rain continued outside. A member of the band Shakeout provided acoustic musical entertainment whilst the guests enjoyed drinks and canapés. Because of the rain all but one of the formal photographs had to be taken in the drawing room. There was a mild break in the weather of literally a minute when the rain turned to drizzle. The guests all made a dash outside and we managed to complete a group shot of everyone.
The very impressive and lavish banqueting hall, with its distinctly Medieval feel was the location for Claire & Jonathan’s wedding breakfast. The wedding party and the guests enjoyed their lovely wedding breakfast. I spent all of my spare time looking out of the window. I was waiting and hoping for a break in the weather so we could make use of the wonderful outdoor space. Umbrellas at the ready because the rain had not stopped. So the three of us braved the weather and got some lovely outdoor pictures.
The Evening in the Banqueting Hall
They returned to the banqueting hall for the speeches after drying off. The speeches were very emotional. All the speeches went down so well. The wedding guests enjoyed a sight seeing tour of the castle after the speeches. The banqueting hall had been turned around on their return and was ready for a big party. And what a party it was. Shakeout band provided some great music. Drinking, laughs and so much dancing continued into the night. Big congratulations to Claire & Jonathan.
And it may amuse you to learn that as I was leaving in the pitch dark, it stopped raining!
A little more information about Berkley Castle
Extravagance beyond measure, Berkeley Castle is the perfect venue for those looking for something a little bit more out there – who hasn’t dreamed of getting married in a castle, at least once in their lives? Berkeley Castle, set in the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds, emits the radiance of a medieval fortress and is considered to be one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the United Kingdom. Exclusivity is key, naturally, and choosing to hold your wedding in this stunning fortress gives you and your guests exclusive access and the opportunity to dance the night away in a place formerly occupied by historical figures alike. The Castle itself is drowning in culture and historical facade; typically renowned for being the location of a medieval regicide, Berkeley Castle also played host to Queen Elizabeth in the 1500s. Imagine walking the same halls as Queen Elizabeth as you marry the love of your life!
Wedding ceremonies at Berkley Castle
Whether you make the decision to celebrate yours and your partner’s love by means of a religious ceremony or else a civil ceremony, your coming together can be witnessed by your guests in spectacular settings such as Berkeley Castle’s Great Hall or Drawing Room – the choice is completely yours. The Great Hall, a 14th Century relic, stands proudly, illustrated with both stained glass windows and tapestries it can accommodate up to 150 guests. Berkeley Castle holds licenses for both civil ceremonies and partnerships and has versatile options available irrespective of your party size.
Whether you’re celebrating with a small party of friends and family or else hosting a grand affair that will be talked about for years to come, Berkeley Castle offers versatile wedding packages that can be personalised to meet every one of your needs. For those with a preference for spirituality and a more religious affair, Berkeley Castle has St Mary’s Church, dating back to 1225 and blessed in history, located in very close proximity to the castle. With as much versatility offered as for the ceremony itself, the reception can be adapted perfectly to suit yours and your guests desires – why not play croquet on the lawn or hold your drinks reception on the beautiful Gun terrace, before retreating back into the Great Hall to dig deep into your wedding breakfast.
Your perfect day
It’s fair to say that no stone is left unturned in ensuring that your wedding is the perfect day – and of course, the catering and food choices leave little to be desired. Beautifully designed menus with mouth-watering dishes to seat even the fussiest of diners, working closely with you to ensure that every aspect of your big day matches up with your expectations.
Arguably most importantly is the making and recording of memories – choosing the perfect backdrop for your wedding photos undoubtedly plays an enormous part in your venue choice – and it’s fair to say that memorialising your wedding day, the most special day of your life, in a venue with so many nooks and crannies and spectacular backdrops to highlight, Berkeley Castle really is a photographer’s dream.
Comments: 2
Spectacular venue, photos are amazing, particularly of the stained glass windows
Thank you