As the chilly nights draw in once more, it’s sweet to think back to last seasons’ winter weddings, and I’m delighted to share Kate & Alex’s very English celebration held at Ellenborough Park Hotel, a country house hotel in the heart of the Cotswolds. Whilst I adore the sunshine, I also love crackling fires, cosying up indoors and the sweet warmth of being snuggling up inside with the ones you love, whilst the cold winds whip around outside. Oh, and I absolutely love Christmas.

Alex & Kate met in Cape Town, though they are both originally from England, and Alex proposed to Kate on New Years Eve with a yellow diamond ring. Their shared adventures took them thousands of miles away to the Serengeti in Tanzania, where they currently live. Kate brought a touch of Africa to the wedding by commissioning little handmade angels for the Christmas tree made by local African women, but it was back to their homeland they headed for their wedding. Kate’s Uncle owns the beautiful hotel and when Kate saw what a perfect venue it would make, it made the long distance planning all worthwhile.

Last year I actually shot more winter wedding than summer ones, and it’s sweet when the season is reflected in the wedding…. in this instance, from Kate’s imagination came mistletoe and pine branches, mulled wine and ivy, flickering candles and sweet homemade angels as escort cards. They continued to embrace the joy of winter by taking a skiing honeymoon to the Swiss resort of Crans Montana (when you live somewhere so hot, it’s a just a treat to have snow!)

This is a beautiful elegant English wedding that was both fun and elegant and celebrated the charm of winter…. my favourite touch just has to be the mistletoe hanging outside the church and the little tots of sloe gin given to guests as they arrived, ensuring the merry atmosphere started right from the ceremony….

To Kate & Alex: I wish you both a long and happy life together filled with even more smiles and adventures xxx

This wedding was featured in the September/October issue of Conde Nast’s Brides Magazine.

Credits: Brides Dress: Le Spose di Gio, Make Up: Emily Bell; Hair: Stuart Holmes; Flowers: Copelands; Cake: Contemporary Cake Designs;  Ceremony Venue: St Peters Church; Reception Venue: Ellenborough Park Hotel; Videographer: Gorgeous Films; Band: Wired