Berkeley Castle wedding photography – Nadia and Charles

Nadia and Charles

Cotswold wedding photography at Berkeley Castle, Berkeley. Gloucestershire.

Getting a call about photographing a wedding at a new venue is always exciting for wedding photographers, especially if creative. A new canvas to paint images on to with two amazing people couldn’t get any better. I instantly took to Nadia and Charles, both beautiful people and anyone that works at my favourite building is going to score highly in my opinion. In case you are wondering what the building is, it’s the iconic power station in Battersea. This incredible structure stands proud on the riverside and is quietly graceful, just like this lovely couple. They are down to earth, extremely friendly and a fun couple, ready to start the next phase of their live’s together a little like the rejuvenating power station. I arrived in Berkeley to a warm welcome by Nadia’s family, a family after my own heart, northern and from Manchester as are my family, I won’t say what team we support in case of upsetting any future brides or grooms. But let’s just say it’s a wedding day where everyone is united in love!

Down to business

Time to break the cameras out, and before I get down to business I get given a gift from Nadia. It’s not often I get gifts but this little present is very well received and why wouldn’t it be when it’s cuff links of the very building mentioned above! These will, and are treasured all ready. So back to business, the sun was shining, oh the sun was shining and quite rightly so for Nadia and Charles. As a rule, photographers hate sunshine, it creates shadows under eyes, makes everyone squint and causes contrasting shadows everywhere that create havoc with camera exposures. But today I will gladly take it if it comes with big fluffy white clouds and blue skies. So with the backdrop perfectly painting a picture it’s time to add the all important details. So like most weddings my approach is to come in slowly, not literally crawling, but to introduce myself to everyone get everyone used to me before I start snapping away. I like to chat to family members to put them at ease and then start with detail shots like the dress, flowers and jewellery etc. My normal day is to do this, get photos of the bride and the girls getting ready and then leave once dad has seen his daughter in her beautiful dress, today was no exception to this. As Charles was just a stone throw away at his family home I ventured down there to get some photos of the chaps getting ready too before Nadia set off for the walk to the church with her entourage. The guys were in great spirits, usual banter, ties tied, cuff links linked and bottles popped before popping out for few photos. We all headed out in good style, the guys lined up for a casual photo in front of the Castle perimeter wall, only to be photobombed. Not by an animal, or sugar fuelled frantic child but by a group of passing cyclists, I couldn’t of timed this any better and these are funny spontaneous moments you can’t miss. Not that I had a choice!

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

I left the guys to continue their preparations, sip a few glasses before they headed to the church. I headed back to house where Nadia was getting ready, I love this part of the day, the tempo starts to pick up pace, the nerves start to kick in but more importantly it’s pretty special to capture the moment the dad sees his daughter in her dress for the first time. Not only do you get this moment but you get to witness Nadia walking down the aisle as everyone smiles adoringly at her, and the time Charles finally gets to see his beautiful wife to be. Smiles all around!

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

Confetti? Who doesn’t love a confetti shot? So with a dusting of a small florist, a few canapés of inhaled petals and slight blinding, Nadia and Charles let everyone head over to the magnificent castle. We hold back to take a few photos and let them catch their breath as already the day was running away with itself. We got the shots we needed before the lovely Immy (wedding co-ordinator) and castle beckoned our presence, well Nadia and Charles more than mine!  It was a stunning day, the sun was beating down on everyone so what better place to go than to the pond and feast on the amazing (non flower petal) canapés and drinks and take in the stunning views.

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

The castle offers so much in the way of backdrops, the building itself incredible inside and out. The grounds are beautiful and never ending, the gardens are so pretty with all its flowers etc, obviously this depends on the time of the year, but was spectacular when we were there. Lots of little intimate hiding places to get many romantic photos, but you can’t ignore the main building especially when complimented with lush greens, blue skies, fluffy white clouds and of course gorgeous, friendly people!

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

The inside of the castle is like a time machine, and you can’t help feel overwhelmed but the decor, the grandeur and history it holds. As you enter you can imagine what it was like to be back hundreds of years ago and get lost in its magic. Todays banquet was fit for the present royalty and was gearing up for the heckles, laughs and tears. I love photographing the speeches it’s great as you get to capture the rollercoaster of emotions, such animated photographs of everyone and today was the full spectrum of this. When the speeches had finished there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. With tears of joy apparent it was time to head back outside, after all it was a beautiful day and what would finish a perfect day? Apart from a few whiskeys from the cellar… or the dancing shoes on the dance floor. Being gifted the most gorgeous sunset, a sign that someone upstairs was keeping a close eye on his brother. The sunset pretty much summed up the day for me, the day setting with that warm romantic glow where you can see the love between these two people.

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

berkeley-castle-wedding-photography

I have been trying to snowball the word or pun of ‘power’ in here desperately as the story has a strong electric theme, from Nadia working at Battersea power station and Charles growing up in a village synonymous with a nuclear power station, Berkeley Power station. All I can currently say (there’s one!) is that it has to be the power of love (two) that has brought them together and I would like to wish them ample of happiness together, okay that’s enough now! In all seriousness it was perfect day, with a perfect couple fused together ! Sorry I just can’t help myself!

Congratulations Mr and Mrs Stanton.


Berkeley Castle wedding photography – If you are getting married at Berkeley Castle (you may recognise one of the photos on their site!) and would like me to capture your big day here or in the Cotswolds, drop me a message with a few details via my contact page. We can then discuss availability and further information about your photography requirements. I look forward to hearing from you and finding out more about your wedding plans!


Nadia and Charles Stanton

Noel was recommended to us by a photographer local to the area, and we didn’t know what to expect. It turns out it was the best recommendation we could have ever received for our wedding! We were getting married in a venue Noel hadn’t shot before, and it was clear how professional he was by how he approached the opportunity, capturing the day with a beautiful attention to detail. Not to mention his use of colour, which just made it all look like a fairytale!
During the day itself Noel was easygoing and fun, instantly hitting it off with us and our guests. In fact as far as everyone was concerned he was just another guest, but happened to have a camera! He had so many great ideas for shots and was utterly dedicated to getting the perfect image, we’ve had Berkeley Castle ask to use the images for their site, they were that good!!
All in all Noel exceeded any expectations we had, and we can’t thank him enough for everything he’s done. He genuinely cares for his clients and loves his job, and it shows in the results! Hire him, you won’t be disappointed.
Charles & Nadia
Berkeley Castle, July 2016

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