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Jo & Barnabas’s Ardington House wedding

Jo and Barnabas married at Ardington House, near Wantage, on a hot July afternoon. There was a ceremony under the garden temple, rainbow confetti on the steps and a marquee by the lake. Their musical friends sang along to every Disney song the DJ played.

Their first date was a trip to the cinema eight years ago, and they still haven’t stopped going. They asked me for candid photos, with as little posing as possible.

Jo and Barnabas laughing through colourful confetti at Ardington House

Getting ready at Ardington House

Everyone got ready inside the house. Barnabas had a buttonhole pinned in the library, in front of shelves of old Encyclopaedia Britannica. Jo waited by a tall sash window with a bouquet of blue delphiniums, orange roses and yellow craspedia.

Out in the garden, the florist was wrapping the temple columns in the same bright colours. Jo’s dad, in a linen suit and red knitted tie, was already looking emotional.

Barnabas having a buttonhole pinned in the Ardington House library
Father of the bride in a linen suit at Ardington House
Bride by the window with her bouquet before the ceremony
Florist dressing the Ardington House temple with bright flowers

A ceremony at the garden temple

At 1pm the bridesmaids, in green and pale blue, walked out from the front of the house. Jo followed on her dad’s arm, over the footbridge and down the aisle.

Barnabas waited in a purple satin coat with a treble clef brooch. Jo’s dad was wiping his eyes in the front row before the vows had even started. That’s the reason I shoot candidly: those moments only happen once.

Bridesmaids and bride walking from Ardington House to the ceremony
Bride and her father crossing the footbridge at Ardington House
Bride walking down the aisle with Ardington House behind
Barnabas in a purple satin coat waiting at the outdoor ceremony
Father of the bride wiping a tear during the garden ceremony
Jo and Barnabas embracing under the flower-covered temple

Confetti on the steps

Guests lined the front steps of the house for a confetti exit in every colour. After that, we kept the portraits short and relaxed, with a walk across the parkland towards the house before heading back to the party.

Couple walking across the lawn towards Ardington House
Confetti thrown over the couple on the Ardington House steps

Disney songs in the marquee

Canapés were served in the garden. The hand-illustrated seating chart even had the temple drawn on it. This was a very musical crowd, with an amateur dramatics feel, and whenever a Disney song came on, everyone sang along.

Wedding guests relaxing in the gardens at Ardington House
Wedding canapés served at the Ardington House drinks reception
Hand-illustrated wedding seating chart featuring the Ardington temple
First dance in the marquee at Ardington House

Golden hour by the lake

We slipped out for a few minutes on the footbridge as the sun went down. By nightfall the marquee was glowing and reflected in the lake. It was one long, sunny, very loud day.

Couple kissing on the footbridge over the lake at golden hour
Ardington House wedding marquee lit up at night, reflected in the lake

“Peter is such a great and professional photographer. Easy to contact and discuss details, very prompt with returning photos, and such a comforting presence on the day.”

Planning an Ardington House wedding?

I photograph relaxed, candid weddings at country houses across Oxfordshire, from Wantage and the Vale of White Horse to Oxford and the Cotswolds. Tell me your date and I’ll let you know if I’m free.

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