Ivy Lodge Yard Space
amy & Sam
Amy & Sam
THE COTSWOLD WEDDING THAT HAD IT ALL
Some weddings just have that feeling about them. The kind where everything just clicks from the moment you arrive. Beautiful locations, brilliant people, loads of emotion and one hell of a party. Amy & Sam’s day had all of that… and then some.
The day began at the stunning Crucis Park Estate, and honestly, what a place to kick things off. Champagne was already flowing, hair and makeup were in full swing, and the excitement in the room was building by the minute. Amy looked absolutely gorgeous, and her dress… wow. Timeless, elegant and one of those dresses that makes everyone stop what they’re doing for a second just to admire it.
One of my favourite moments from the morning had to be Amy’s first look with her bridesmaids and mum. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room. It was one of those beautifully emotional moments that reminds you what weddings are really all about, and it set the tone perfectly for the rest of the day.
From there I headed over to Ivy Lodge, tucked away in the heart of the Cotswolds. It’s such a brilliant wedding venue, surrounded by beautiful countryside with loads of character, making it the perfect backdrop for a relaxed yet stylish celebration. The boys were looking incredibly sharp, suited and booted, and more than ready to get married. We had a great laugh grabbing some portraits before guests started arriving, and you could feel the excitement building with every minute.
The ceremony space looked absolutely incredible. The pillars, baskets overflowing with flowers, and lush greenery created the most stunning backdrop, effortlessly elegant without feeling overdone. As Amy made her way down the aisle, you could already see the emotion written across everyone’s faces. There were happy tears, plenty of laughs, and so many smiles throughout the ceremony. It was beautiful from beginning to end.
As soon as they said “I do”, the celebrations really began with the most joyful bell exit. Guests lined the way, ringing bells and cheering as the newlyweds walked through a sea of smiling faces. It was such a fun way to celebrate their first moments as husband and wife, filling the air with excitement, laughter and the sound of well wishes following them into married life.
Reception drinks and canapés followed, everyone finally gets a chance to relax, catch up with family and friends, grab a drink and to soak it all in. The atmosphere was buzzing, with laughter filling every corner of the gardens.
While everyone was enjoying themselves, we snuck away for a few couple portraits. And wow… these two made my job ridiculously easy. Everything felt so effortless and natural, with no awkward posing, just the two of them enjoying a few quiet moments together. Then, to make it even better, Rodney, their gorgeous Dalmatian, came to join us. Safe to say he completely stole the show for a few minutes and made the photos even more special.
Before long it was time for speeches, and they absolutely delivered. There were stories that had the room crying with laughter, heartfelt words that brought plenty of happy tears, and those little moments where you look around the room and realise just how loved these two are.
Then came one of the biggest surprises of the day… Amy’s dress change. And honestly? She absolutely nailed it. The second dress was the perfect choice for the evening celebrations, effortlessly stylish while giving her the freedom to dance the night away. It completely changed the vibe and everyone loved it.
As the evening sun started to dip, we headed back outside for one last set of portraits. The light had softened into that dreamy glow, and the Cotswolds really showed off. These are always some of my favourite moments during a wedding day. Everything slows down for ten minutes, the couple feeling relaxed, romantic and completely authentic.
Back inside, cocktail hour was in full swing, and the atmosphere somehow got even better. Guests were drinks in hand while the incredibly talented After Party Band kept the energy flowing, complete with an unreal saxophone creating the perfect soundtrack for the evening. Everywhere you looked people were laughing, dancing, chatting and simply having the best time.
Then it was time for the champagne tower, and if you’ve ever wondered whether they’re worth it… the answer is absolutely yes. It’s such a fun moment that gets everyone gathered together, cameras out, cheering as the glasses fill one by one. It looked incredible and made for some seriously iconic photographs.
The first dance kicked off the evening party, and from that moment on the dance floor didn’t stop. The After Party Band absolutely smashed it, the dance moves were getting increasingly technical as the night went on, and the atmosphere was electric. Amy even jumped up on centre stage, fully embracing the moment, and the whole room absolutely loved it. It was one of those evenings where every single person was involved, celebrating like there wasn’t a care in the world.
Honestly, I didn’t want to leave. It was one of those weddings where the energy just kept building all night, and I could happily have stayed there until the last song played.
To Amy & Sam, thank you both for trusting me to capture such an incredible day. It was an honour to be part of it all. Wishing you both a lifetime of adventures, laughter and many more days just like this one.