A Summer Wedding at The Cottesmore Hotel Golf and Country Club | Mel & Kieron

If you’re searching for a Cottesmore Hotel wedding photographer, picture this for a moment. A still lake, a wide golf course and a buggy waiting to whisk you away.

Mel and Kieron wanted natural photographs full of real smiles, a confetti moment and some time beside the lake.

I knew from our planning together that they disliked overly posed pictures. So that’s exactly how I approached their July day.

It’s the same approach I’d take with you. Here’s how Mel and Kieron’s day unfolded at the Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club, near Crawley in West Sussex.

A Hug With Dad Before the Ceremony

Mel got ready in the getting ready room at the Cottesmore, with the whole day building around her.

Then came the moment I knew would matter. Mel had planned a first look with her dad.

Her dad was waiting outside the getting ready room, and I spoke to him out there.

I didn’t really know what to expect. He looked like he had it all under control and was holding it together.

Then he walked into the room. The emotion took over, he gave Mel a huge hug and there were tears.

Look at how tightly they hug each other. If you’re planning a first look with your own dad, this is the kind of moment I love to capture for you.

Saying I Do on the Lawn

Mel and Kieron had decided to save their first look with each other for the ceremony.

They married outside on the lawn, with a singer and the white gazebo behind them.

The ceremony area is tucked away among the trees, hidden from the rest of the golf course.

It was a really hot, sunny day, and it looked beautiful out there.

It was a really happy ceremony, and Mel and Kieron laughed a lot. Kieron’s the joker, and he’s the one who loves a bad joke.

Here they are walking back up the aisle together, hand in hand, with their guests clapping and smiling all around them.

Confetti, Hugs and Happy Faces

Mel had asked for a particular confetti photograph that I’m known for, so I made sure she got one. The great thing about photographing it from above is that you can see everyone’s faces – it’s so full of energy!

Mel and Kieron were down in the courtyard, and I was above them on the balcony.

They first came to see me because they’d seen an overhead photograph like this one that I’d taken before. It was a must-do for their wedding.

When they saw the photographs, they were so happy we’d captured it perfectly.

That’s what Mel meant when she said she wanted to be surrounded by family, with everyone having fun.

Portraits by the Lake

Mel’s heart was set on photographs beside the lake, and the Cottesmore gives you exactly that.

A golf buggy carried Mel and Kieron out across the course. They raised their arms in celebration, bouquet and all.

I went in a separate buggy, so I could photograph them driving towards me and then away from me. It was great fun.

The photograph at the top of this post is them coming towards me, with that huge sky above the course.

Mel and Kieron just relaxed and had fun, so the photographs took care of themselves.

Then came the lake itself, with still water, tall trees and pink flowers in the foreground.

You don’t need to be a golfer to fall for a setting like this.

The lake was also the perfect place for a few photographs of Mel’s bouquet and her new ring.

Fun Moments Along the Way

I never want to miss the small things. A moment like this one between two of the children is why I stay alert all day.

Real smiles and real reactions are exactly what Mel and Kieron asked for.

Evening Light at the Cottesmore

As the light softened in the evening, we stepped outside during the room turnaround slot.

A huge oak tree, the timber barn entrance and a sunset over the course gave us three completely different backdrops.

Then we had a bit of fun by the big tree.

If you’d love evening portraits too, the Cottesmore gives you plenty of places to choose from.

A July Wedding at the Cottesmore Hotel

From a long hug with Dad to confetti in the courtyard and a golf buggy ride, Mel and Kieron’s day was warm, relaxed and full of real smiles.

They’d chosen James Arthur’s version of You’re Still the One for their first dance, surrounded by the people they love.

The courtyard is great for mingling. It keeps all your guests together, so you get to chat to everybody.

You can marry outside, as Mel and Kieron did, and there’s a ceremony room inside the main hotel too.

They wanted a relaxed day full of fun, and the Cottesmore gave them exactly that.

If you want something relaxed like this, I’d say absolutely go for it. And I’d love to be your Cottesmore Hotel wedding photographer.

Suppliers

Hotel and catering – Cottesmore Hotel Golf & Country Club
Hair and makeup – Bridesbeautiful
Flowers – Charlie’s Flower Factory
Cake – Isabelle’s Bakes
Singer – Atlanta Lumsden
DJ – JW Sounds
Decor – Forget Me Nots Hire

Looking for a Cottesmore Hotel Wedding Photographer?

If you’re getting married at the Cottesmore Hotel and want natural photographs full of real smiles, I’d love to hear about your plans.

Also photographed nearby at The Ravenswood ▸

And at South Lodge ▸