Oakley Court Hotel
Daniel & Lieve

It was a real pleasure being a part of the Daniel and Lieve’s big day, which took place in the grounds of the luxurious and Victorian Gothic Oakley Court Hotel, Berkshire, which boasts unrivaled views of the River Thames. Even though the weather was overcast on the day, the bride shone brightly with her beautiful flowery dress and unique button bouquet. The groom looked suave in his blue suit, and complemented the bride’s bouquet perfectly with his buttonhole.

Although he did forget his trousers, Daniel made up for it with Jeans and admittedly he fell on his feet with this as he looked even better.

The hotel was the perfect angular backdrop to the initial artistic picture, where the balloons accompany the bride and groom – a fun shot that I feel encapsulates the couple’s energetic nature.
After dining in the exquisite, conservatory-style dining hall, the guests were welcomed aboard the steamboat sat on the River Thames, and were treated to live music from a fantastic band armed with some great pieces and a selection of jazz instruments, including a clarinet and a saxophone, and with a tipple in hand the guests continued to celebrate.

I feel the image capture the real essence of a true celebration. There were so many photo opportunities to capture the day; it was difficult to pick just a handful of my favourite photographs to showcase.

The hotel itself and its grounds easily live up to and even surpass the high expectation it had built up. With the hotel’s magnificent 35 acres of land gracefully scattered with beautifully bright flowers, seen pictured with the bride and groom, water features and most unique of all, carefully sculptured wooden animals, it is easy to see why Oakley Court has quickly become a highly sought after wedding venue. It’s one that I always take pleasure in shooting.

This wedding was very relaxed and comfortable, with games such as Giant Jenga out on the lawn for guests to play with, as others relaxed in the traditional deckchairs. The ambience at dinner was full of love and admiration for the couple, who seemed to enjoy every element of the day.

With live music, idyllic riverside views and an iconic Ferrari ride for the groom, all components of the day made for the perfect start to married life – and for some perfect photographs.