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Botleys Mansion Wedding Photographer

Cat Brant
Nov 10
4 min read

Chloe & Luke’s Subtly Alternative Celebration

When Chloe told me she and Luke were getting married at Botleys Mansion, I knew this wedding was going to be something special. I’ve photographed Chloe before, for her personal branding and a boudoir session so I already knew she had incredible style and a real eye for detail. Luke is a YouTuber and small business owner, and together they’re the perfect mix of creative, thoughtful, and a little bit rebellious.

They booked me nearly two years before their big day, and I’d been looking forward to it ever since. Chloe had mentioned wanting something slightly alternative without losing the elegance and romance of a classic wedding. And that’s exactly what they created: a modern alternative wedding at Botleys Mansion that was chic stylish and totally them in every corner.

Bride and groom share a kiss on lush lawn, elegant manor in background, surrounded by autumn trees. Bride holds bouquet.

A Subtle Halloween Theme Done Right

Their late-October date gave them the perfect excuse for a gentle Halloween theme — think painted black pumpkins, black-and-white florals with mauve accents, and a bridal party all dressed in black. It was moody in all the right ways.

Luke wore a black jacquard suit with skull buttons (a detail I was obsessed with), and his wedding ring deserves its own paragraph a custom-made dragon’s head with gemstone eyes and crown. It couldn’t have been more “him.”

The decor tied everything together beautifully: a black tiered cake reading “Till Death,” their God Level business branding subtly tucked into the background, and tables themed around their favourite bands with vinyl records as centrepieces and seating plans. Proof that you can make a wedding personal and alternative without it feeling over the top.

Morning Preparations at Botleys Mansion

To save a little on Botleys’ early access charge, Chloe got ready nearby at Foxhills Golf Course in a stunning suite. Before heading to Botleys for finishing touches in the bridal suite.

One of my favourite things about Botleys Mansion is that it’s an exclusive hire venue, so once you’re in, it’s completely yours, calm, quiet, and beautifully private.

The Ceremony at Botleys Mansion

Chloe and Luke said their vows in the large glass conservatory, which floods with light — even on an October afternoon. The sun broke through right as they were pronounced husband and wife, creating the most beautiful golden glow behind them. They’d lined the aisle with flowers and set up a stunning floral arch behind where they stood, which really elevated the ceremony space.

A tip for couples considering a Botleys Mansion wedding: the conservatory’s natural light is incredible for photos, so keep your ceremony early in the day if possible to make the most of it.

Bride and groom descend decorated stairs, holding hands. Glass roof, red brick walls. Candles, pumpkins, and flowers accent steps.

Bride and groom kiss beneath a floral arch at an indoor ceremony. The setting is bright with a glass ceiling and chandelier above.

Entertainment Galore at Botleys Mansion

These two didn’t hold back on entertainment. They had:

A live singer during the ceremony
A second singer and DJ in the evening
A saxophonist for the party
A magician during the wedding breakfast
A live tattoo artist!
An illustrator
A photobooth with a discoball wall
A pizza pop up in the evening and a fire pit with marshmallows

Guests could choose small tattoos like hearts & chilli peppers and Chloe even got one herself during the day. It was such a fun twist and so them.

Later, one groomsman performed a song and another played guitar during speeches all by candlelight under a canopy of fairy lights. The atmosphere was unreal.

The Wedding Reception Photography at Botleys Mansion

The evening at Botleys had all the energy you’d expect from this pair. Their cake cut was chaotic and fun and the fire pit with marshmallows was a hit, though worth noting, Botleys do charge £1 per marshmallow, which is something to plan for if you’re budgeting extras.

I love shutter drag on the dancefloor (that's the fun movement of light) and direct flash.

Photographing Their Day

I created two sets of bridal party portraits:

One classic and timeless outside in natural light
One bold and flash-lit indoors with that darker, editorial vibe that fits Chloe and Luke perfectly.

Wedding party in formal black attire and white dress stands smiling in front of grand stone building with steps and lanterns.

Bride in a white gown sits with a wedding party dressed in black, holding bouquets. They pose in a classic room with wooden floors.

Their couple portraits balanced the same contrast, romantic and traditional lighting with backdrops of the mansion and car, mixed with more creative, slightly moodier moments that reflected their personalities.

A little note on the posed bridal party portrait indoors, this takes a little setting up, I expained to my second photographer the shot I wanted and she went into the room while I was shooting the outdoor shot to move the furniture about for the shot. It took me about 5 minutes to set up all my subjects in the right places and 3 minutes to get the shot so realistically that shot needs a 10 minute gap in the day to achieve.

Final Thoughts — Tips for Getting Married at Botleys Mansion

If you’re planning your own Botleys Mansion wedding, here are a few things I’ve learned as a photographer:

The conservatory light is dreamy for ceremonies, schedule yours earlier to catch the best of it.

The bridal suite has gorgeous natural light, position yourself near a window for easy no fuss candids of your glam time

The grounds are vast, plan in an extra 10–15 minutes for couple portraits if you want to explore the full space.

If you want a wide group shot you need a photographer with a wide lens (14mm or less) as the fountain is in the way to get the whole house in.

Wedding group photo on steps of a grand stone building. Guests in formal attire, smiling. Clear sky, elegant, joyous atmosphere.

Don’t be afraid to bring in personality, Botleys is so grand that it can handle statement decor beautifully.

Chloe and Luke’s day was the perfect example of how to blend elegance with edge, a wedding that felt authentically them, full of heart, laughter, and a touch of chaos (the best kind).

If you’re planning your own Botleys Mansion wedding and love a mix of candid emotion, creative portraits, and true-to-life colour, I’d love to hear your plans. You can see more of my work here or get in touch to check availability for your date.

Comments

hi! I'm cat and i am a full time wedding photographer

(and a little bit of a photography geek!)

I started taking photos as a teenager, my Dad was a wedding photographer and I would often help him. In 2021 I left my corporate job with a dream and hope that I could make photography a full time job. Since then I have been pouring my heart and soul into this business and have been honoured to be chosen as wedding photographer for so many lovely couples as well as being a portrait and event photographer.

I TAKE CLASSIC, TIMELESS, DOCUMENTARY STYLE PHOTOGRAPHS WITH MINIMAL INTRUSION

But I will step in and offer gentle guidance when it's right to do so, I have learned over the years to read the room, anticipate the next move, hold space when needed and offer support when I can.

aRE YOU LOOKING FOR A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

When choosing a wedding photographer, consider their style, experience, portfolio, and reviews from previous clients. It's also important to discuss pricing, availability, and any specific requests you may have.

Don't forget to meet with them in person to ensure you have good chemistry and feel comfortable with their approach.

Once you have narrowed down your list of potential wedding photographers, it's a good idea to ask them some key questions to help you make your final decision.

Here are a few questions to consider:

What is your photography style? Do you prefer a more traditional approach or a more candid, documentary style?
Do you have experience with weddings of a similar size and style to mine?
Can I see a full gallery of a recent wedding you photographed? This will give you a better sense of their consistency and quality of work.
Do you have backup equipment in case something goes wrong on the day of the wedding?
How do you handle difficult lighting situations (e.g. low light, harsh sunlight, indoor vs. outdoor)? This will help you gauge their technical expertise.
What is included in your packages? Are there any additional fees I should be aware of (e.g. travel, overtime)?
How long will it take to receive my photos after the wedding? Will they be edited and retouched?
Can you accommodate any special requests I have (e.g. specific shots, family portraits)?
How do you ensure that you capture all of the important moments on the day of the wedding?

By asking these questions and having an open and honest conversation with your wedding photographer, you can ensure that you find the right fit for your big day.