Clearwell Castle resides in the First of Dean, Gloucestershire, and is set within beautiful surroundings perfect for wedding photography.
Clearwell Castle really felt like the perfect setting for a winter wedding for Meg and Steffan. The light inside the main room, which floods through the main door and windows, bathes your guests beautifully if you catch it just right. I also love the fact the first dance and early evening party is in the front room. The wooden floor boards and lit fireplace give a really cosy feel and just looks great on camera.
When Meg & Steffan contacted me to be their wedding photographer at Clearwell Castle, I was so pleased being it would be my first visit there. I know it’s the dream of many brides to get married in a castle! and Clearwell Castle delivers with a beautiful bridal suite, huge ceremony room, with a crazy long aisle to walk down. It’s incredible! I also love the fact you can change things up in the evening and take the guests downstairs for a basement party, which lends itself to having both a band and a DJ to mix things up.
The initial bridal prep can begin in the cottages at the castle walls, which allows you to have early bridal prep before moving up to the Bridal Suite in the main castle. I’d advise where you can getting over into the bridal suite as early as you can, as it is so beautiful there, with gorgeous flattering lighting, perfect for you to spend time with the girls. The morning was so special with mum, dad & nan (who has the most beautiful smile) present with Meg. It was relaxed, intimate and we had plenty of photos before heading down to the ceremony.
The ceremony room at Clearwell Castle lends itself for both stunning entrance and exit wedding photography, as everyone has plenty of time to have their moment on the aisle! It’s one of the most beautiful ceremony rooms.
Another thing I love about Clearwell Castle, you have all the different rooms guests can mingle, and large outdoor areas easily accessible by your guests, which is great for outdoor games. As this wedding was in January, and a longer darkness, it gave a large focus on the evening party. People danced for hours to the band upstairs before we then headed down into the basement for the DJ party vibes. I loved capturing this crazy party element, making sure to stay late as these can be the moments you don’t remember!
Absolutely loved being a being photographer at Clearwell Castle.
Suppliers:
Venue: Clearwell Castle
Flowers: Jan Lima Flowers
MUA: Sarah Rose Makeup
Dress: Brides of Chester
Sax: Olly Jenkins
Band: Audio Sugar
