River Cottage Weddings
Which season to get married at River Cottage? Some advice from a Devon based River Cottage wedding photographer who has shot many weddings at this iconic venue.
Hello there!
Are you planning to get married at River Cottage and wondering when the best time is to do it? Hopefully I can help you. I’ve photographed weddings at River Cottage since 2017 and have been there throughout the year, as the first buds appear to the fires of autumn. I’d love to share some insider knowledge of with you and pictures taken throughout the seasons.
The good news is that River Cottage is an incredible venue all year round. I photographed weddings at River Cottage on glorious summer days, cold winter days and even one day of torrential rain! Every single one of these weddings was magic and unique. The garden is always evolving, with stars for every season and varying colours throughout the year. Outdoor weddings are gorgeous but, on cold days be assured that a warm fireplace is never far away. I always enjoy the reception in the yurt, which feels extra cosy and special in winter. Don’t forget to look out for Marmaduke the cat! He’s big & ginger and the perfect accessory for an autumn wedding 😉
I love photographing River Cottage as it is very much aligned to my values. Before becoming a wedding photographer I worked in the photo-department at Greenpeace International. Nowadays I work on environmental photo-stories, and I also freelance for various eco and ethical companies. Just recently I started freelancing for Riverford, capturing stories from their organic farms for their new magazine Veg & Table. For the past two years I have been shortlisted for the Pink Lady Food Photographer for the Year Award. Look no further if you are a foodie and keen to get some documentary / lifestyle images of food at your wedding too.
Check out some highlights through the seasons below. If you’d like to see more photos, please get in touch and I can share a full gallery with you from my River Cottage wedding archive.
SUMMER
Who doesn’t love a summer wedding? Those long evenings, sweet smelling flowers and hazy sunshine (well hopefully!). River Cottage is the perfect destination for this as there’s a heap of gorgeous outdoor space to enjoy, gardens to drool over and animals to peek at (perfect if you have kids with you!).
Check out Naomi & Hamish’s August wedding on the Love My Dress blog here.
AUTUMN
Autumn is my absolute favourite season – I love the light and the colours. Everything has a golden hue this season and it’s a time of abundance as the harvest is gathered in. This is prime time for the garden at River Cottage, which is both in bloom and changing season in the trees and hedgerows. Lots of amazing colours and life! I’ve photographed a number of autumn weddings here and half were absolutely glorious days, including one November which was full sunshine and golden light. Marmaduke the cat (pictured below) is a real star in autumn too!
Check out Martha & Anthony’s golden autumn wedding at River Cottage on the Love My Dress blog here.
WINTER
If you are looking for a winter wedding venue then I couldn’t think of anywhere cosier than River Cottage. I’ve photographed a few winter weddings here, including one very rainy day! Everyone enjoyed cosying up in front of the fire in the yurt and farmhouse that day. The gardens were viewed through the frosted glass windows and we all dashed outside very quickly for group shots and confetti with colourful umbrellas! On sunnier winter days it’s a beautiful place to be, as the winter light bathes the gardens in a golden glow.
Check out Amy & Martyn’s rainy wedding day at River Cottage on the Wed Magazine blog here.
SPRING
A couple of years ago I photographed Rebecca & Dex’s wedding at River Cottage just as the first few buds of spring were beginning to appear. It was a cold day but fresh with the promise of spring just around the corner. The gardens at this time of year are pretty bare, with some colour popping though in the beds. This year I will be there in late April for Rebecca & Tom’s spring wedding. I’m looking forward to checking it out slightly later in the season. I’m hoping to spot tulips and bluebells and the first produce from the field kitchen.
Read more about Rebecca & Dex’s River Cottage wedding on the Boho Wedding blog here.
