Cleeve House wedding photographer

Cleeve House is a manor house wedding venue in the village of Seend, just outside Melksham. It sits in around six acres of meadows, woodland and lawn, and it has three rooms licensed for civil ceremonies, the oak-panelled Great Hall, the Salisbury Room and the Library. There are bedrooms on site too, so many couples spend the whole day in one place, from getting ready to the last dance.

I photographed a bridal shoot at Cleeve House with Sam and Laura, organised by bridal make-up artist Ewa Iracka, and it is a venue that gives a photographer a lot to work with. Soft window light for the morning, a panelled hall that looks beautiful even on a grey day, and open meadows for portraits in the evening light.

How I photograph a Cleeve House wedding

My style is documentary and natural. I follow the day as it unfolds and step in only when you need a little direction, for the family photos and a short walk for couple portraits.

• Getting ready. If you get ready at the house, I start with the quiet moments, the dress, the details and the people helping you.
• The ceremony. Whether you marry in the Great Hall or one of the smaller rooms, I work quietly and keep out of the way of your guests.
• Family and group photos. The large lawn is ideal for groups, and I keep the list short and moving so nobody misses the drinks.
• Couple portraits. Ten to fifteen minutes in the meadows or at the edge of the woodland, ideally as the light softens in the evening.
• If it rains. The panelled hall and covered spots around the house give us plenty of options, and a few umbrellas often make the most fun photos of the day.

Packages for Cleeve House weddings

Half-day coverage is £850 for up to 4 hours and 150 edited images. Full-day coverage is £1,800 for up to 8 hours and 300 edited images. My Beginning to Beyond package covers the whole day, from preparations to the evening, for £2,300. You can compare everything on my wedding photography page.