What happens if it rains on the day? This is one of my most frequently asked questions. Make sure that you have a wet weather plan, especially with the changeable British weather. At Cantley House it doesn’t matter because there is loads of space and lots of big windows. We did the group shots in the Oak Room and the couple shots around the hotel.
Bridal prep
The day started with warm sunshine. The bride had buried a sausage in the garden at home (not sure what I’m talking about? Have a Google…) We started the morning bridal prep in room 43, which is a suite with a sitting room. I was also filming video as the couple had booked a highlight film, which you can see at the end of this blog.
It was quite busy with 8 of us in the room, but the doors open onto the patio and we spilled out into the garden.
Groom prep
Meanwhile my second shooter was photographing the groom with his groomsmen in the grounds of the hotel.
The ceremony
The ceremony was in the beautiful Oak Room. The bride walked down the aisle with her proud father. And the groom was in tears as he saw his gorgeous bride. My second photographer was at the back of the room, taking this shot.
The couple married and enjoyed their special moment within twenty minutes, with everything going smoothly.
We quickly went outside for confetti. some mingling and the whole group shot.
The rain
We even managed a few couple photos outside the Oak room before the rain came down and everyone ran inside. And that was it for the rest of the day – pouring rain!
For that reason we took the rest of the group photos in the Oak room.
The couple portraits
And for couple photos we used the stairs, the bridal suite, the Oak Room, the reception area and the covered walk way to the Briar barn. Cantley has lots of scope for photos even when it rains.
The wedding breakfast
After some chatting with guests in the bar it was time for the wedding breakfast in the Briar Barn. It’s such a stunning venue, with it’s beams, fireplace and fairy lights. The speeches were great and a lovely opportunity to capture the laughing guests.
The dancing happens in the Briar so there is always a turn around time. The guests return to the hotel bar, creating a lovely opportunity to capture a beautiful couple portrait in the courtyard, with it’s old-fashioned lamp posts and festoon lights.But we stayed dry and did a photo inside with the love letters.
The dancing
The band was great and kept the dance floor really busy.
Are you getting married at Cantley House? I’d love to photograph your wedding! Pop over to my portfolio to see more of my work or contact me to check my availability for your wedding date. Here is the link to my Cantley House weddings page.
If you want to visit the hotel go to Cantley House Hotel
Venue | @cantleyhouse
Photography & Videography | @mercedesevansphotography
Second Shooter | @oakhousephotography
Dress Boutique | @wed2b
Hair| @becky_clarke_
Make-up| @billierose95
Suits | @anthonyblaymenswear
Decor | @addstyleuk
Florist | @forget_me_nots_florist_earley
Cake | @chescas.cakes
Band | @superhandsbanduk
Harpist |@tomosharpist
Ice Cream| @victoriasicecreamcart
Photo Mirror | @j23events
Band | @superhandsbanduk
