“What lies behind us and what lies before us
are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nicola and Bryn married a few days after Christmas in the Cotswolds at the beautiful setting of Barnsley House. Dawn revealed the most perfect December day possible. The gleaming winter sun gave the light an ethereal quality. As photographers this made our hearts skip a beat! We could not have been happier for Nicola and Bryn as they had decided on a First Look on their wedding. During the planning stages we had determined that in the case of good weather the location for their First Look would be at the romantic Barnsley House garden temple. Nicola and Bryn wanted to share this incredibly emotive and private moment together on their wedding day. They also wanted to have gorgeous natural light photos before an enchanting candlelit ceremony. We were moved beyond words at the real, beautiful love that unfurled before us as Nicola and Bryn saw each another for the first time on their wedding day. The series of photographs we captured is something we are so proud of. Nicola and Bryn what lies between you has impressed itself upon us in an unforgettable way! We wish you a forever filled with moments where your love and happiness shine as brightly as it did on this special day.
We arrived as Nicola was in the midst of getting ready in the light filled Rosemary Verey Suite at Barnsley House.
We knew from our conversations prior to the wedding that the smallest details would be as special and considered as the bigger ones.
Sophisticated and oh so romantic Nicola’s bridal look, a Kian corset and Priya skirt by the sophisticated Watters design team, was easily our favourite of the year!
Wild and pretty florals by the talented Flowers by Passion team complimented our Bride’s style by tying in the countryside feel.
We knew Nicola would completely steal Bryn’s breath away, as she did ours, so we could not wait for their First Look in the gardens to commence! Makeup By Jodie and Beverley Bates of La Biosthetique UK were responsible for our Bride’s fabulous hair and makeup.
Everyone in the wedding party looked downright stylish. Including our couple’s adorable two flowergirls in their foliage crowns and cosy boleros.
Nicola’s Bridesmaids were not only great fun and amazingly supportive but looked fabulous in their floor length platinum twobirds Bridesmaid dresses!
A nude pink and grey colour combination captured the grownup winter wonderland feel of the day.
When we met Bryn before the First Look he was with his best man who also happened to be his best friend, exactly who you’d want by your side on such an important day!
Bryn and the guys had risen early to spend the morning shooting… Tim was an epic best man in every way apart from winning the morning shoot!
With the final touches in place and after a few relaxed portraits with Bryn our couple were ready for their First Look in the beautiful winter sunshine.
For Nicola and Bryn’s First Look at Barnsley House the gorgeous garden temple was the perfect choice for it’s privacy and proximity to where our Bride was getting ready.
With a signal from Glen, our Bride made her way to where her husband to be was already expectantly waiting.
Bryn could hear Nicola approaching but knew he could not turn around until she let him know she was ready.
In this beautifully private moment our Bride and Groom could really take in the momentousness of occasion…
After a few deep and grounding breaths Nicola was ready to let Bryn know he could turn around and see her for the first time!
What unfolded next was breathtaking and beautiful… the look on Bryn’s face as he set eyes on his bride to be completely radiant in her happiness.
A few tears of happiness…a lot of smiles…and the opportunity to completely soak in this magical moment!
Being able to photograph these beautifully emotive scenes play out before us is why we adore when our couples decide to see each other before the ceremony!
Nicola and Bryn..your love takes our breath away!
When Nicola and Bryn were ready we took the opportunity to take some portraits of the two of them on their wedding day.
This would be our main portrait session, in the ethereal sunshine and glorious gardens of Barnsley House!
One of favourite portraits of Nicola and Bryn…classic, timeless and simply gorgeous.
We also took some photos of our couple with the bespoke wreath our Bride commissioned Flowers by Passion to make for the day.
Love. Laught. Repeat. Perfection!
After twenty minutes of portraits together Nicola returned to her room for her final touches before leaving for the Church and Bryn went to meet their guests at the Barnsley village pub.
As the light fell ever lower Nicola and Bryn tied the knot in an atmospheric candlelit ceremony in the Barnsley village church.
The rest of the day was all about celebrating with those nearest and dearest to our lovely couple.
After a really wonderful service Nicola and Bryn made their way back to the fabulous surrounds of Barnsley House for their wedding reception.
Nicola incorporated a stag motif which stylishly evoked the winter season, countryside setting and festive feel.
With the last light in the sky we took one final portrait, in the dusky evening, of our two newlyweds…
With twinkling lights abounding in the garden Barnsley House looks as sensational in the night as it does in the day.
Inside a warm festive feel was created with caramel hues of peach, pink and white.
The Potager restaurant was suitably romantic with candles glowing in the hearth, on the table and suspended from above!
Before their guests cosied up in front of the roaring fires they welcomed Nicola and Bryn with a sparkler reception at Barnsley House…another amazing memory from the day and stunning photo opportunity!
Once inside everyone was treated with Bryns’ winter warmer hot chocolate and cosmopolitans by the enchanting Barnsley House team.
Cocktails and roasted marshmallows were followed by a most delicious sit down meal by the talented in house chefs.
Speeches were fantastic and really captured the incredible spirit of the day.
Our best memories are of Nicola and Bryn’s continuous laughter and happiness…
Barnsley House really made the perfect setting…its irrefutable charm perfectly infused with every special detail to create an unforgettable Barnsley House winter wedding for our couple.
After speeches Nicola changed into a glamourous Badgley Mischka design that would twirl and spin beautifully for their First Dance.
After an epic First Dance the party continued with everyone joining the dancefloor to plenty of 80s hits!
Our congratulations once more to you Nicola and Bryn… We can say hand on heart that your wedding and your love was one of the most special for us to photograph!
Thank you to the following fabulous folk who made Nicola & Bryn’s Barnsley House Winter Wedding happen!
Venue: Barnsley House
Floral Decor: Flowers by Passion
Design and Styling: The Cotswold Wedding Company {tel: +44 (0)1295 750049, e: cotswoldwedding@
Dress: Watters
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Make-up Artist: Makeup By Jodie
Hair Artist: Beverley Bates, La Biosthetique UK
Bridesmaids: twobirds Bridesmaid
Suit: Hugo Boss
Church: St Mary’s Barnsley Village Church
Cake: Paxton & Whitfield
Cotswold Wedding Photography Duo: Weddings by Nicola & Glen
