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, and the lovely Ellie and James gave me the opportunity to do exactly that by selecting the stunning Coltsfoot Retreat for their wedding. 

Nestled in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside, Coltsfoot Retreat is the perfect venue for couples looking for a rustic feel but perhaps not keen on the idea of a working farm that seems to feature in many venues of this style. Opening first as a hotel and restaurant in 2000 before naturally transitioning into an exclusive events venue, 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.

As a wedding photographer, I am in the unique position of being with couples for the entire day, giving me a 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. I had the pleasure of watching Nicola create a bespoke bridal look for the gorgeous Ellie, topped off 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 joy to capture Ellie looking every bit the beautiful and confident bride.

Before long, it was time for Ellie to head down the aisle towards James, who looked very dapper in his navy suit with burgundy accents 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 lended itself really well as Ellie and James exchanged vows, surrounded by their family and friends. This is the big moment, where I love being able to capture a touch of magic in a couple’s first married moments. At last, Ellie and James were pronounced husband and wife – hooray!

As a Bedfordshire wedding photographer outside of my home turf, I was excited to capture the gorgeous rolling Hertfordshire hills and lush greenery that provided the backdrop for Ellie and James’ magical day. Sneaking the couple away for some portrait shots is a real art as I want to capture the couple really connecting and just having a few private moments away from all the hubbub of their drinks reception, but equally it’s important that they don’t miss out on any time with their loved ones. 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. 

Ellie & James opted for speeches before the wedding breakfast which I love – I’m sure any nervous speech-givers enjoyed being able to relax and 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?), whilst the best man’s speech was full of funny anecdotes from their time at university, which I will not be wicked enough to repeat. James’s speech was full of love for 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.

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 that I’m sure their guests will be talking about 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, capturing moments that will be cherished for a lifetime. I want to thank them for choosing me to capture their special day and I wish them all the happiness in the world as they start this new chapter.