Willow & Adam’s Gorgeous Spring Wedding at Botleys Mansion in Chertsey, Surrey – 5th May 2022
After patiently waiting and planning through the many lockdowns, Willow and Adam finally got to have their gorgeous Spring wedding at Botleys Mansion in Surrey on 5th May 2022. Willow and Adam first got in touch with me in October 2020 after their engagement in September earlier that year. On our initial Zoom call this lovely couple told me that they had first met five years ago through a mutual friend whilst at University. I then discovered that Adam proposed in the gardens between their old university houses (what a thoughtful and romantic proposal!) It was clear that these two were absolutely smitten and I was so excited to document their special day.
Pre Wedding Photoshoot – Surrey
On our Zoom call Willow & Adam also mentioned to me that they really loved the fact that I included a pre wedding photoshoot in my wedding packages as they thought it was a great idea to have a little practice before their wedding day. They chose to have their pre wedding shoot at Kew Gardens which was such a lovely location as it offers a large variety of backdrops.
As you can see from these images, we had a lot of fun during the session whilst exploring the gardens and Willow & Adam learnt how to feel really relaxed in front of the camera. The Together Session really does make such a difference to the outcome of your wedding photographs. I find that couples are able to feel 100% comfortable in my presence and completely let their guard down, allowing me to capture their true connection on their big day.
Morning Preparations at Botleys Mansion
Upon arrival at Botleys Mansion it’s hard not to feel captivated from the moment you drive through the grand front gates and up the long, sweeping driveway. This stunning wedding venue is set in 56 acres of rolling Surrey Parkland with amazing views across the Surrey Hills in the distance.
Both the bridal party and the groomsmen were getting ready at Botleys Mansion in different parts of the house. This meant that I could nip between both rooms as everyone prepared for the ceremony. Willow and her girls had their hair and makeup done by the amazing Olivia Mills in Botleys Mansion’s spacious bridal suite whilst the boys prepared in another luxurious bedroom.
The First Look
Willow & Adam decided that they wanted to hold a first look before their ceremony. A ‘first look is when a couple choose to see each other before their ceremony in a private setting’. It’s a great idea if you’re feeling nervous about seeing each other for the first time in front of a large room of people and would prefer this special moment to be private. From a photography point of view first looks are always amazing to capture as neither of you have to feel like you need to hold any tears or emotions back.
The Wedding Ceremony – The Green Room at Botleys Mansion
Botleys Mansion is a licensed wedding venue which offers two internal spaces to celebrate your civil ceremony. Willow & Adam’s ceremony took place in The Green Room. This stunning bright & airy room is a romantic and intimate space full of pastel hues and soft furnishings.
After the ceremony concluded, the Bride and Groom went downstairs where they were able to enjoy a quiet moment alone together whilst their guests gathered on the grand staircase ready to shower the newlyweds with confetti from above. As you can see the staircase makes the perfect backdrop for confetti photographs. The Mansion itself also offers lots of shade throughout the day which is perfect for family group photos.
Couple Portraits – Botleys Mansion Wedding Photography
As a Botleys Mansion wedding photographer, it was a pleasure to work alongside Willow & Adams amazing videographers (Third Reel Films). We decided to start their couple session further away from their wedding guests to give them some time alone to let everything sink in. The Mansion House provides a wonderful backdrop so we headed to the field at the front of the venue. Botleys Mansion is set in 56 acres of rolling Surrey Parkland and it has amazing views across the Surrey Hills in the distance making it the perfect venue if you’re looking for wedding photographs that stand out. The wedding photography possibilities here are truly endless.
The Wedding Breakfast – The Atrium
Willow & Adam chose to hold their wedding breakfast & evening reception in the Central Atrium at Botleys Mansion which allowed them to make full use of the whole venue throughout their day. The newlyweds made their first formal entrance as Mr & Mrs down the grand staircase into this impressive room whilst their friends and family cheered them in. As you can see Willow & Adam chose some lovely flowers & unique elements that put their own stamp on the room. They were also given these adorable aprons from their family to help them stay clean during their meal! I thought these were such a fab idea!
Sunset photos
Between the desserts and the speeches we whisked Willow & Adam away for a golden hour mini photography session. ‘Golden hour’ is the last hour before the sun sets and is well worth squeezing into your wedding day timeline if you can! This incredible time of day is when the sun is at its lowest in the sky and it produces a gorgeous, warm light which is super flattering for portraits. We were so lucky that the sun popped out of nowhere for us after an overcast afternoon.
The Wedding Speeches
I always enjoy photographing the speeches as there’s usually a slight surprise element that comes with each one. I love photographing the reactions of the bride, groom and their loved ones, whether that’s happy tears or uncontrollable laughter. The Atrium at Botleys Mansion makes the perfect room to deliver your speeches.
The Evening Reception in the Atrium
In the evening, The Atrium is completely transformed into a stunning dance floor. Willow & Adam started their evening reception with the cutting of their cake in the middle of the room followed by their first dance. They opted for a DJ who did an amazing job at keeping their guests up dancing all night.
Kind words from the Bride & Groom
“We couldn’t have wished for a better photographer or nicer person to be part of our wedding day. From the very beginning, Charlotte made us feel comfortable and was easy to work with. In the pre wedding photo session, we were very nervous as we had never been professionally photographed before. Charlotte was so kind and put us at ease straight away. It all felt very natural and comfortable. On our wedding day, Charlotte was such a calm and kind presence to have around. Most importantly, the pictures are so much more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. She captured such gorgeous moments, that all feel so natural. She worked perfectly with our videographers, even though they hadn’t worked together before. The photo albums are exquisite and are such a perfect way to keep our memories! We can’t recommend Charlotte enough. We will 100% use Charlotte again for our next big life event.”
Willow and Adam
Dream Team of Suppliers
Wedding venue: Botleys Mansion
Videographer: Third Reel Films
Hair & Makeup: Olivia Mills Make up
Florist: Blakes of Bookham
Cake: Gorgeous Gems Bakery
If you’re getting married at Botleys Mansion (or anywhere else for that matter), and you’d like me to photograph your wedding, then please enquire by clicking the button below.
Harper Wedding Venues – Botleys Mansion
It was great to work alongside the amazing team at Botleys Mansion. The style, sophistication, service and setting provides couples with a feeling of tranquility from the moment they arrive. This stunning wedding venue radiates charm and is bound to wow all of your wedding guests. This venue is part of Harper Wedding Venues who also own Cain Manor in Hampshire. If you’d like to view a blog from a recent wedding that I have photographed at this venue, please click here.
If you found this blog helpful and end up choosing to get married at Botleys Mansion, I would really appreciate it if you could tell the amazing team there about my blog. For further information about their weddings please contact yourday@harperweddings.com
