Is Caswell House the Best Wedding Venue in the Cotswolds?!
As a Kent wedding photographer, I’ve been to a lot of barn wedding venues (we love a barn in Kent!) But a Caswell House wedding is something else. There’s 16th Century farmhouses of Cotswolds stone that glow gold in the sun. There’s an ancient orchard that blossoms in the Spring, and walled gardens filled with the smells of lavender and herbs.
If it weren’t for the sweeping views across the Cotswolds hills, you’d swear you were in the South of France. And while any wedding in Caswell House would be beautiful, Zena and Nick’s wedding set a whole new benchmark.
Zena moved from Iraq with her parents when she was a toddler. And the whole day was filled with Arabic and Chaldean traditions from her heritage, mixed with English traditions from Nick’s. It was so much fun, so filled with love, and completely unlike any other wedding I’ve ever been to. If you’re dreaming of a Caswell House wedding, come take a look, you’ll love it!
Spring Styling Inspiration for a Caswell House Wedding
Our day began in Caswell House’s supremely comfy rooms. Zena and her bridesmaids were warm, welcoming, and just absolutely lovely from the word go. I could tell it was going to be a great day!
Zena wore the stunning Ryder Crepe by MWL Bridal, with a deep-V neckline and a figure-hugging silhouette. Paired with an embroidered floor-length veil, and a beautiful Spring bouquet of white and blush roses, it was the perfect bridal look for a Spring wedding in Caswell House.
And don’t you just love the bridesmaids’ dresses?! Giving your bridesmaids the freedom to choose their own dresses within your wedding palette has become a huge wedding trend over the past year. And you know what? I’m totally here for it! If you’re looking for ways to add a more relaxed, modern look to your styling, this is a great option. If nothing else, you’ve gotta love how cool and confident they all looked walking down the aisle!
Arabic-British Ceremony in the Caswell House Barn
The ceremony barn at Caswell House is pretty close to perfect. Authentic oak beams stretch above a canopy of twinkling fairy lights. And the stone walls and flagstone floors allow it to maintain its warm, historic charm. It’s the perfect blend of rustic and modern, and a truly romantic place to have your wedding.
Zena and Nick’s ceremony was so beautiful. It was a unique combination of English and Chaldean wedding traditions. It really felt like a blending of two cultures, just like the marriage itself. Zena and Nick both walked down the aisle with both their parents, which I think is a really lovely tradition (why don’t we always do that?!) They wore ceremonial gold crowns to signify their equality in love. And Nick had a Kalilla (white bow) tied around his arm.
The whole thing was just so meaningful and romantic. It was unlike any ceremony I’ve ever seen, and I absolutely loved it.
Champagne, Connect Four and Giant Jenga
Zena and Nick walked out into the gardens as husband and wife, to be met with a huge cheer from their guests and a shower of dried-petal confetti. And then followed what has to be the best part of any Spring wedding in Caswell House… champagne and novelty lawn games of course!
Seriously though, I really do love this part of an English countryside wedding. Everyone just chilling out on the grass, chatting away with drinks and nibbles after the emotion of the ceremony. Kids running around, the background babble of chatter and laughter. It’s such a wonderful, laid-back, happy atmosphere. And as a natural, relaxed wedding photographer, the opportunity for endless candids is right up my street!
Reception Perfection
It’s an Arabic tradition that the bride and groom make a big entrance into their reception. And Nick and Zena fully understood the assignment! Everyone was on their feet, cheering, shouting and waving their napkins over their heads. It was absolutely deafening and completely awesome!
And the reception styling was exquisite. I loved the crimson and gold place settings, the sprigs of bay leaves and the knotted hemp napkins on every table. And the spectacular floral urns behind the head table added a welcome splash of colour to the rustic backdrop of the barn.
Zena and Nick both did their own speech, which was just wonderful (again, why don’t we always do this?!) and the whole reception had a real family atmosphere to it. Like a giant family meal rather than a wedding reception. Zena’s mum had even made a homemade carrot cake for their wedding cake piled high with nuts, and a whole tray of baklava!
Wedding Photography at Caswell House
After we’d eaten a little bit too much, we all headed back outside to enjoy the last bit of daylight. The guests picked up the croquet and Connect Four where they left off. And I snuck Nick and Zena away from the crowds for more couple’s portraits.
And when it comes to couple’s shots, Caswell House is a wedding photographer’s dream. The Tuscan-style farmhouses, the secluded gardens, the blissful quiet you only get when you’re surrounded by endless miles of countryside…the atmosphere is incredible. And after such a non-stop, exciting day, I was so pleased to be able to give Zena and Nick some time alone as a married couple.
We explored the grounds together, chatted away happily, had a few laughs, and they got to enjoy just being together away from the crowds. I always love this part of the day, the part where I get to capture all the little things that make your relationship so special. After all, that’s what your wedding day is all about, right? Not styling, or traditions, or even the venue. But the fact you love each other, and you’re going to be spending the rest of your lives together.
If you love my work and want me to tell the story of your wedding day, I’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch today and let’s chat and get to know each other.
