Sophie & Richard’s wedding at Friars Court, Clanfield
A vintage bus, an outdoor ceremony, and a day that stayed exactly itself
Prep at The Swan, a red vintage bus, and vows outdoors at Friars Court — photographed exactly as it happened.
How the day came together
The morning started at The Swan in Ascott-under-Wychwood. Getting ready came with the usual mix of nerves, tea and last-minute laughter, before anyone was quite ready to leave.
A vintage red bus then carried everyone to Friars Court in Clanfield. Sophie and Richard married outdoors, with nothing between them and the sky but the trees around them.
Once the ceremony was done, the same bus brought everyone back to The Swan. The whole day moved in one loop, rather than a string of separate locations.
I photographed the day from start to finish. That covered everything from the quiet of the morning to Sophie and Richard stepping back onto the bus as a married couple. Friars Court’s open grounds would suit a wedding film just as well, if that’s ever part of the plan.
The venues
Friars Court, Clanfield
Friars Court sits just outside Clanfield, with a walled garden and gravel courtyard that opened the ceremony straight into the outdoors. The ivy-covered stone of the house gave every shot a backdrop that felt lived-in rather than staged.
It’s the kind of setting that rewards stepping back and letting the space do some of the work — guests spilling out across the courtyard, confetti catching the light, nothing arranged for the camera.
The Swan, Ascott-under-Wychwood
The Swan is a village inn in Ascott-under-Wychwood, used here for both ends of the day: prep in the morning, then the reception once everyone was back off the bus. Starting and finishing in the same place gave the whole day a settled, unhurried shape.
The reception itself was alfresco, with a relaxed BBQ-style spread set up outside rather than a formal sit-down meal. That kept the evening loose — plates in hand, people moving between tables, nothing that needed everyone in one place at once.
Friars Court & The Swan wedding FAQs
Did you photograph or film Sophie and Richard’s wedding?
I photographed the full day, from prep at The Swan through to the ceremony at Friars Court. No film was made for this one, though the setting would suit it well.
Can Friars Court host both the ceremony and the reception?
It can host a ceremony, with plenty of outdoor space for photographs. For this wedding, the reception moved to The Swan afterwards, which suited the guest list and the bus journey between the two.
Is Friars Court a good venue for wedding films as well as photography?
The open courtyard and garden give a lot to work with for filming, not just stills. I’d be glad to talk through what an Oxfordshire wedding film could look like there.
Can The Swan host a wedding reception on its own?
The inn works well as a self-contained venue, with room for alfresco dining and an easy walk back to accommodation for anyone staying over.
How do I check availability for a wedding at Friars Court or The Swan?
Send me your date and a few details about the day, and I’ll confirm availability and talk through photography or film coverage.
Can other couples arrange a vintage bus between venues like Sophie and Richard did?
Plenty of couples build a journey like this into the day. It’s worth planning early, since a vintage bus needs booking well ahead of the wedding itself.
Ready to plan your own wedding day?
Whether you’re picturing something as story-driven as Sophie and Richard’s day, or a completely different setting, send me your date and a few details and I’ll confirm availability.
Friars Court and The Swan are just two of many Cotswolds venues I’d be glad to talk through, for photography, film, or both.