Here’s Jinda and Will’s Bay Tree Hotel Burford wedding photography – read on to find out why this one was a little bit special for me…

All the weddings I cover are unique and special in their own way – but this one for me, was especially so – it’s not often you shoot your own brother’s wedding!

When Jinda and Will asked me to shoot their wedding at their local church (a 2 minute walk away from their house) followed by an intimate reception at the stunning Bay Tree Hotel Burford I was honoured but a bit apprehensive of course. I realised that I’d need to shoot they day as I normally would and only put the cameras down at the end of the day when I was sure I’d captured everything, rather than dipping in and out of proceedings. But of course, part of me just wanted to be in the moment on this special day!

Pre-Ceremony

I joined Jinda, Will at their beautiful barn conversion home in the lovely village of Idbury, surrounded by friends and family. As I wasn’t covering bridal prep on this occasion, I grabbed a few detail shots (including Jinda’s stunning Jenny Packham dress and amazing shoes) then documented the comings and goings before making my way down the lane to the village church of St Nicholas.

Jinda is herself involved with weddings, running her own Floristry business – The Natural Bouquet – so had created all the amazing floral decorations for the church and reception. I knew how busy they’d both been at the church so ensured I spent plenty of time documenting the details before the guests arrived!

Once I’d photographed the details, I waited for the guests to make their way around to the church, closely followed by the groom.

Ceremony

Once the guests had assembled inside the church, Will waited outside, along with a contingent of the villagers, all eager to get a glimpse of the bride. Jinda and Will wanted to do things their way, so a few traditions were relaxed. Jinda made her way round to the church accompanied by her siblings, for a ‘first look’ moment with Will at the church. Jinda and Will then made their entrance into the church together for a lovely intimate service.

Reception

After the church service, we made our way to the stunning Cotswold village of Burford for the reception at the chic Bay Tree Hotel, which Jinda and Will had hired exclusively for their wedding. Whilst the guests quickly checked into their rooms, I quickly captured some couples portraits of the guys in the amazing gardens, before a few group photos. After this, the guests relaxed over drinks and canapes in the gardens with lawn games thrown in.

A few minutes prior to the wedding breakfast I documented the amazing details in the reception room – again Jinda had spent a lot of time and effort on the flowers, the room looked amazing! We were so lucky with the weather, as the heavens opened just as the guests made their way into the wedding breakfast.

Evening Reception

Again in a break from tradition, we only had one quick speech (although Will had assured me he’d just thank everyone for coming, his speech was a lot more heartfelt than that to be honest!) and no traditional cake cut (although the cakes looked, and tasted amazing, having been ferried up from South Wales where they’d been made by a friends Aunt, a very talented cake maker!), so everyone headed out for coffee and drinks in the bar, or a seat in the quieter lounge area with the evening guests, whilst the younger guests enjoyed the disco. It was great that the wedding was so relaxed so natural little groups formed, which was great for me to document.

After finishing the dancing and capturing a few of the lovely little touches provided by the hotel in the bridal suite, I finally succumbed to group pressure – with the cameras safely put away in my room, it was time for me to catch up with family and friends over a few (ahem!) drinks. We may have been the last ones in the bar….

Congratulations and love to my brother and new sister in law! A truly memorable, stylish, relaxed wedding day. A slight tinge of sadness that our dad wasn’t there to share it with us, but I know he’d have been proud as punch to see everyone so happy.

If you’re getting married At The Bay Tree Hotel, do please Get in touch to discuss your photography.

All wedding photography copyright David Burke Photography 2018