As a seasoned Bedfordshire wedding photographer, it’s always interesting for me to travel a little further afield and shoot at venues outside of the county. The lovely Ellie and James gave me the opportunity to do exactly that by selecting the stunning Coltsfoot Retreat, Hertfordshire, for their wedding. 

Perfect Rustic Wedding Venue

Nestled in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside, Coltsfoot Retreat is the perfect venue for couples looking for a rustic feel. It has all the charm of the countryside, but is not a working farm. Opening first as a hotel and restaurant in 2000, it naturally transitioned into an exclusive events venue. Therefore, Coltsfoot Retreat, Hertfordshire offers a magical day from start to finish. From alpacas to accommodation, and shepherd’s huts to stone-baked pizzas, this place has it all.

Behind The Scenes

As a wedding photographer, I am in the unique position of being with couples for the entire day. I get to peek into all of the preparation and behind the scenes work that goes on to make your day so special. For me, one of my favourite parts of this is the bridal prep. Watching Nicola create a bespoke bridal look for the gorgeous Ellie, was joyous! Nicola topped off Ellie’s hair with a subtle tiara and simple, flowing veil.  Nicola’s work complemented Ellie’s A-line gown with leafy illusion lace sleeves perfectly. It was a privilege to capture Ellie looking every bit the beautiful and confident bride.

The Wedding Ceremony

Before long, it was time for Ellie to head down the aisle towards James. He looked very dapper in his navy suit, with burgundy accents, and paired with a yellow buttonhole. It’s absolutely essential for me as a wedding photographer to capture the couple’s reactions when they see each other for the first time, and these two certainly did not disappoint. Coltsfoot’s ceremony space, filled with natural light, added to the atmosphere as Ellie and James exchanged vows, surrounded by their family and friends. This is a pivotal time! I love capturing a touch of magic in a couple’s first married moments. At last, Ellie and James were pronounced husband and wife – hooray!

Drinks Reception

As a Bedfordshire wedding photographer away from my home turf, I was excited to capture the Hertfordshire countryside. Gorgeous rolling hills and lush greenery provided the backdrop for Ellie and James’ magical day. Sneaking the couple away for some portrait shots is a real art. I want to capture the couple really connecting and just having a few private moments away from all the hubbub of their drinks reception. However, I know it’s important that they don’t miss out on any time with their loved ones, so speed is of the essence. With stunning outdoor shots secured, we headed back to join the party. What do you mean I’m just the photographer and not part of the party? Rude. 

The Wedding Breakfast

Ellie & James opted for speeches before the wedding breakfast, which I love. I’m sure any nervous speech-givers enjoy being able to relax. Indeed, they can savour Coltsfoot Retreat’s amazing wedding menu knowing that they did the happy couple proud. Ellie’s Dad gave a great speech full of humour and even some gentle ribbing of his brand new son-in-law (well, it’s par for the course isn’t it?). The best man’s speech was full of funny anecdotes from their time at university, which I will not be wicked enough to repeat. Additionally, James’s speech was full of love. He spoke about his parents, those that could not be at the wedding and, of course, for his beautiful Ellie. When a speech brings a tear to even an experienced photographer’s eye, you know it’s something special.

Time to Party!

The reception is always the time when you get to capture sheer joy as the couple celebrate their marriage with all their lovely guests. The band provided the perfect atmosphere for dancing the night away (with even some toe-tapping from behind the lens!). As a documentary wedding photographer, it was a pleasure to capture the genuine moments of love, celebration and, of course, dad dancing that unfolded throughout the night, helping to tell this particular chapter in Ellie and James’ wonderful love story. As I left them partying away with all their nearest and dearest, I couldn’t help being so excited for them and all the adventures that they have yet to come as husband and wife. 

Ellie and James’ wedding at Coltsfoot Retreat in Hertfordshire was an incredible day from start to finish. From Bespoke Bridal Hair by Nicola to the perfect choice of venue. Every small detail added to the magic of the day and created a gorgeous celebration. I’m sure their guests will be talking about it for years to come. As a (usually) Bedfordshire wedding photographer, I am grateful to have been a small part of Ellie and James’ Hertfordshire wedding. I love capturing moments that will be cherished for a lifetime. My thanks go to them for choosing me to photograph their special day. Finally, I wish them all the happiness in the world as they start this new chapter.