This was an intimate family gathering and one of two weddings for Charlotte & Nigel (the other will be at Nigel's family home in Portugal later this year). After capturing the ceremony and then some celebratory drinks we headed out to the weir for some romantic shots together before I headed off and left them to enjoy a lovely meal together.
What a fun photoshoot this was in the late August sunshine. Bridget and her two sons Joss and Ed live on a beautiful farm with loads of atmosphere and great backdrops. Joss introduced me to his pony and we had an apple throwing contest in the orchard. The old telephone box on the road outside was a source of curiosity and family's barn made for a great rustic backdrop.
I often get asked to photograph families who are enjoying some time on holiday here in Chipping Campden. The Bell family were great fun and we had a lovely stroll around the time using the many lovely landmarks as our backdrop.
I first met Adelaide some year's ago when she sold me my house so it was lovely to bump into her again last year at a wedding event hosted by The White Rose Bridal Boutique. Even nicer to be photographing hers and fiance Henry's wedding in August at Henry's family farm in Northamptonshire. Adelaide looked radiant in her beautiful lace dress with spectacularly wide train. Guests came from far and wide, including a large contingent of Adelaide's French family (so chance to practice my rather ropy French) and Adelaide had honoured them with some lovely little French details in the marquee. The couple (who met at The Royal Agricultural College) were whisked away from the church in an elegant horse and carriage. How romantic!
I'd photographed Roger and Liz last year when they were starting up their lovely natural skincare business The Natural Revolution so was delighted to return to photograph them both with their cute little baby boy Harry. Liz's Australian rellies were kept happy with Harry's t-shirt and we made the most of the lovely summer weather by taking a picnic rug into the garden to lounge on. "Thanks so much for the photos, some really great shots of us as a family and Harry in his many different guises. The family will be well pleased." Roger & Liz
I feel very privileged to have captured some special moments in Neil & Khalida Cox's life. Back in 2008 I photographed their wedding at the Manor House Hotel in Moreton in Marsh. A few years later, Keira, their little daughter was born and soon after they returned to the Cotswolds and asked me to photograph them all - one of the images appears on my website homepage. Then this year Keira got a little sister, Isabella and I was back again to capture the family for a third time. Keira was still as cute as ever and little Isabella was a star - very laid back! We spent a few lovely hours in the sunshine enjoying the grounds of The Manor House and this relaxing approach shows in the images. Looking forward to photographing them all again soon - perhaps when there's another new addition?!
It's always a pleasure to return to the lovely, atmospheric Lord Leycester Hospital in Warwick and in July I was there to photograph Jennifer and Mark's wedding on a blisteringly hot day. Some very pretty little bridesmaids, a fab cake/ cakes by Louise Brown and a lovely couple made for a wonderfully photogenic day. Oh and the cutest little page boy - Jennifer and Mark' son Bryn!
The magestic Ettington Park Hotel near Stratford upon Avon was the venue for Kate & Nick's wedding at the end of May. Kate looked really stunning in her lace dress and Nick looked pretty dapper too! The grounds at this hotel are stunning and we had plenty of places to go for a wander for some lovely shots of the two of them together. Guests meanwhile enjoyed croquet - some where a pretty dab hand at it too - or drinks on the terrace in the sunshine to the sounds of a string quartet. The perfect day.
Katie and Ant chose the perfect summer's day for their wedding at Barford followed by a reception at the lovely Alveston Pastures Farm near Stratford upon Avon earlier this month. Lots of vintage touches, including a stunning open top Bentley car, bunting theme at the venue and a fabulous retro ice cream van from Stratford company Annie's Antics ensured a memorable day for all. I particularly enjoyed photographing the happy couple in the venue's maze and loved Katie's relaxed attitude towards the day as she changed into her cream flipflops and hoisted up skirts to play a game of rounders with guests!
Heading down from Scotland, Anna & Phil chose the charming Kings Hotel in Chipping Campden for their June wedding. Anna's dress by Freja Designer Dressmaking in Edinburgh was truly unique and and Anna had added some lovely accessories to enhance the look. Being from Scotland, the couple's the day had it's fair share of kilted men. We took a walk into Campden to use the lovely buildings as backdrops and then headed back for them both to cut their spectacular cake (I was lucky enough to have some too - delicious!).
The wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of Alexa & Si as they returned to their university town of Cambridge earlier this month. The ceremony took place right in the heart of the town in the shadow of Kings College and after a mad dash with umberellas to the cars, guests headed over to nearby Antsey Hall for a country house party with a Spanish twist - in honour of Alexa's Dad. Yes, the rain makes my job more of a challenge but there's something really special about the light after heavy rain and I love photographing people with umberellas dodging the rain drops. Everyone was blessed later on when the sun finally showed itself and provided some amazing golden light for me to photograph Alexa & Si before I headed off into the sunset and left them all to party on into the night.
I still pinch myself at how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful place as Chipping Campden. This month sees the launch of a new initiative that aims to promote the diverse range of shops, cafes and hotels in the town to visitors and I was asked to photograph the high street for the new website. Walking up and down made me realise there's something for everyone here - so support the independents and shop local!
I joined Nick & Kate at Ettington Park Hotel near Stratford upon Avon last week to talk through their wedding which takes place at the hotel on 31st May. While we were there I captured them on camera enjoying the lovely grounds which gave them a chance to get used to being in front of the lens. If you book an album package with me for your wedding, this service is free of charge. Looking forward to seeing them in their finery at the end of May!
Rachel Jones Photography is one of the leading Wedding, Commercial and Portraiture photographers in the UK. Based in the North Cotswolds, her work takes her all over the UK and abroad.
