Kelly & James’s Wedding at Coombe Manor Barn, Berkshire
Some weddings are unforgettable for their location, some for the people, and some just for the general good vibes. Kelly & James’s day at Coombe Manor Barn had all three—and then some.
Right from the start, it was clear how much thought and effort the couple had put into making the day their own. From handmade details to the choice of food and entertainment, it was a wedding that felt completely personal—nothing off the shelf, nothing done just because it’s tradition. Just their day, their way.
Kelly and the bridesmaids were great fun on the morning of the wedding—laid-back, up for a laugh, and totally unphased by the usual last-minute chaos. We got some brilliant shots inside and out, including the reveal to her dad and brother outside the barn, which was a genuinely lovely moment to capture.
James, meanwhile, delivered one of the most original groom speeches I’ve heard in a while—complete with project plan subheadings (you can take the man out of transport planning...). Smart, funny, and surprisingly touching too. Nice work.
The best man and groom’s brother, George, deserves a shoutout for his speech as well—absolutely nailed it. And throughout the day, it was just a great group to be around. Everyone got involved in the group shots, even the bride jumped in for my classic Anchorman-style "punch the air" photo. Never gets old.
A definite highlight—at least for James and his side of the family—was Walsall FC winning their second leg playoff final on the same day. Safe to say the football result went down just as well as the speeches. It gave James a proper wedding day win even after he’d made it down the aisle.
One of the standout moments for me was the sunset session. The light was incredible, and the view across the Berkshire valleys gave us some of the best silhouette shots I’ve taken. You can’t plan for light like that—but when it shows up, you make the most of it.
Then, just when people thought things were winding down, the brass band made their entrance. It was a proper surprise and kicked the energy back up a gear. Shakira, Bruno Mars… not your standard brass band fare, but it worked brilliantly.
The food from Banana Leaf was next-level. Authentic Sri Lankan and Indian street food—probably some of the best wedding catering I’ve had. That, paired with the Pingu Trailer Bar keeping everyone topped up, made for a very happy crowd.
A quick thank you to Verity, the on-the-day coordinator, who kept everything running smoothly, and to the owners of Coombe Manor who were genuinely incredibly helpful and lovely throughout. It makes a big difference when everyone behind the scenes is working together like that.
A Few Highlights from Kelly & James’s Day:
The Venue: Coombe Manor Barn, tucked away in the Berkshire countryside—great views, relaxed setting, loads of charm.
A Personal Touch: Everything custom-made by the couple, from start to finish. No templates, just their ideas brought to life.
Speeches Done Right: James’s transport-themed speech and George’s best man set—funny, smart, and actually memorable.
Golden Hour: Silhouette shots at sunset over the hills—some of my favourites I’ve ever taken.
Unexpected Entertainment: A brass band surprise with a setlist no one saw coming.
Food & Drink: Banana Leaf’s incredible flavours and the Pingu Bar’s top-notch service kept everyone well-fed and happy.
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If you’re planning your wedding and looking for a photographer in the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, or Somerset, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!