Burghley House Wedding in the Summer House

The opportunity to photograph at Burghley House and a wedding ceremony in the idyllic Summer House was one of those days I had long looked forward to. There are days like this one when I have to pinch myself, being a wedding photographer is just too good to be true. I feel extremely fortunate to earn my living in this way, meeting and spending time with many wonderful people.

Steve & Carrie’s dream wedding ceremony was held in the Summer house at Burghley House in the outstanding private estate grounds. This truly was the highest quality example of quintessential English countryside on a hot summer afternoon you are ever likely to see.

The summer house is hidden from view; public visitors to Burghley have no access. This makes it even an more special place; the sense of privilege to be in the grounds of such an historic estate home leaves you wanting to enjoy and soak up every second.

Steve and Carrie commissioned me to photograph their entire wedding day and chose the Premium Storybook package. Around 11 hours of photography coverage and as with so many brides, Carrie was especially determined to have a lovely storybook wedding album choosing the 14×10” which was finally presented with 36 pages. The full collection of photographs was provided on DVD and we also used grounds of Burghley House for the pre-wedding shoot with their two girls.

I began my photography coverage at the bride and grooms house where I photographed Carrie’s wedding dress, jewellery and details from their fantastic garden party reception which was ready for when guests returned from the ceremony at Burghley.

I took the opportunity to soak up the breathtaking views and set to work by shooting a selection of photo’s I’d intend to later use in the wedding album. With time ever precious I needed to be back in the orangery gardens for family arrivals, but I had planned enough time to be there when Steve the groom arrived.

I love to shoot candid photos and concentrated my efforts to include significant family members of all ages enjoying themselves as well as friends and guests as they arrived in the Orangery gardens.

During the wedding ceremony I had planned to stand outside the Summer house; whilst it is perfectly large enough it meant that I would be less obtrusive and could shoot a much great variety of images.

Drinks, canapés and a lot of chatting followed.

After 20 mins of group photos with wedding party, friends and family we took a stroll. The perfect chance for newly weds to enjoy a moment of calm in the ever more private surroundings.

Together during our pre-wedding consultation we had already planned to spend about 25 mins taking photographs and enjoying the private grounds at Burghley. This way we were certain that bride and groom could make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity.

We had already spent time together for a pre-wedding shoot so Carrie & Steve had experience and new what to do.

As with nearly all of the photographs of this nature I use an approach to direct and relax the bride and groom to create natural body shapes and expressions. This is opposed to posing still or asking them to undertake silly or comedy acts to over come nerves. Neither of which would be particularly in keeping with the surroundings.

The time finally came to leave this very special private corner of England. But before we headed for the gates Steve, Carrie and I where afforded the time to enjoy a wonderful last few minutes at the back of Burghley House. I hope you enjoy the images and the view….

There was time for one final chapter of our time together and I was very keen to make it personal for Carrie & Steve.

An idea for photographs had been ignited many months before when I first met with Carrie. So after a little walk around I found the perfect location and made the decision to shoot a series of images using the corn fields over which their house looks. I hoped this little session and collection of photographs would be a fitting conclusion and later be used in the wedding album, which of course they where.

I truly hope Steve & Carrie will remember the time fondly and that the photos will have meaning for them for many years to come, perhaps raising a inner smile on a chilly morning or summers evening.

Thank you Carrie & Steve it was a tremendous privilege to be with you on perhaps one of the hottest days of 2014!