ELMORE COURT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
AUTHENTIC MOMENTS. RELAXED PORTRAITS. NO STAGING. NO SHOT LISTS. NO CHEESY POSING.
NATURAL STORYTELLING WITH A MODERN EDGE
Modern documentary photography for people who hate fuss!
No staging, no shot lists, no cheesy posing
getting married in gloucestershire at the wonderful elmore court
Turn your wedding dreams into reality with a one-of-a-kind wedding at Elmore Court. Here are 5 quick points why hosting your big day at Elmore Court is worth some serious consideration.
A stunning setting: Elmore Court is situated in the Gloucestershire countryside, with views of the Cotswolds and River Severn. Its impressive architecture makes it a truly romantic wedding venue.
History: This incredible building has a fascinating history, dating back to the 13th Century. Elmore Court is steeped in heritage; you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of years of stories and secrets as you get married!
Professional staff: Every aspect of your wedding will be taken care of from start to finish; the experienced team at Elmore Court will ensure that everything runs smoothly on the day. You’ll have complete peace of mind knowing that all the details are taken care of.
Personal touches: From bespoke décor to specialist catering services, every detail for your special day can be tailored to your tastes at Elmore Court. Their knowledgeable staff can help guide you to make the most of the venue and create a truly unique experience.
Perfect for all sizes: No matter what size wedding party you’re planning, Elmore Court has something to suit. Their range of spaces includes a chapel, a courtyard garden and beautifully appointed reception rooms – ensuring that your special day will be as perfect as it can be!
beautiful. unique. personal at elmore court
Elmore’s charm is unparalleled when it comes to uniting people. Every single person in attendance will be filled with joy, and there’ll never be a dull moment as you explore all the amazing surprises that Elmore has to offer! The property and its lush gardens are exclusively yours to take your wedding vows among family and friends – what better place than this magical spot for capturing those special moments? Move on over afterwards to savor dinner and delightful dancing at The Gillyflower which was intentionally built from sustainable timber sourced locally from the estate.
Elmore Court is the ideal setting for your wedding ceremony, with its beautiful Hall and an exquisite 13th Century Elmore Church just a stone’s throw away. The venue offers a range of indoor and outdoor locations that can be tailored to suit your exact needs, creating the perfect atmosphere for your special day.
Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, Elmore Court has something for everyone. Their range of spaces includes the Gothic-style chapel, with its vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows offering a stunning backdrop for your ceremony. The quaint courtyard garden is also available to hire, featuring an array of flowers and plants framed by tall trees – providing a tranquil spot to exchange vows surrounded by nature.
The estate also features several historic reception rooms that have been lovingly restored over the years. These characterful spaces boast elegant furnishings and decor; providing a truly romantic ambiance perfect for couples wanting to host their wedding celebrations in style.
the gillyflower for dinner and dancing
At Elmore, they wanted to have ample fun, so much so that it required a space for them to blast music in the countryside! It had to be enchanting and striking yet also constructed from materials present on their land. Elmore went above and beyond with this endeavour because the results needed to live up to expectations.
Step inside The Gillyflower and transport yourself to a future-rustic dinner and dancing haven. The walls are built from Rammed Earth, while the roof is made of meadow grasses that seamlessly fit in with the surrounding fields. Magnificent windows overlook the scenic English countryside, providing an unforgettable backdrop for gatherings both big and small – up to 200 guests or more! And best of all? They source all timber directly from local woodlands.
Music is a core component of The Gillyflower – They strive to keep the local noise level low. As their beginnings were on the festival dance floors, it would be unthinkable not to have top-notch sound and lighting equipment at Elmore Court.
The Elmore Court sound systems are designed with the assistance of Funktion One – who are consider to be one of the top sound companies around and offer dynamic audio quality and can play music either individually or at once. With this powerful system, you’ll have access to crystal clear, loud (if desired) audio for your wedding!
In addition to having a top-of-the-line digital LED lighting system situated above the dance floor, the space also has mood controlled LED lights and The Light shower – an extraordinary display of luminaires created by one of the world’s foremost lighting artists, Bruce Monro.
the wonderful grounds at elmore court & sustainability
Nestled within a secluded region of England sits Elmore Court, an estate built along the picturesque bend of the River Severn. Elmore Court are cultivating its land for their kitchens and managing the woodlands to fuel all heating needs in order to remain sustainable – something that is extremely rewarding and continues to shape this environment every day. Surrounded by farmland and gardens, it’s no surprise why Elmore Court has become such a hidden gem!
The Gardens at Elmore are captivating; their ancient trees and precise lawns draw visitors in, while the kitchen gardens provide food for the kitchens. Beyond visual delight, there exist many places to explore and discover within these stunning grounds.
It is said that Hubert Parry was inspired to compose the musical score for William Blake’s “Jerusalem” after spending time in the Elmore Court gardens as a child with his beloved friend, Anselm Guise. Regrettably, Anselm passed away at only 15 years old; however it appears that Parry never forgot him, and likely used this sorrowful memory to provide motivation for such an awe-inspiring work of art.
At Elmore Court, they heat their water with energy from the stunning woodlands surrounding the venue. They manage these areas to produce timber that is then chipped and burned in a sizeable Biomass Boiler found within a newly- constructed timber framed building.
To make up for the timber they used in constructing The Gillyflower, boiler house, and Court details, they have planted 25 extra acres of woodland along with a few more plans to do much more. This project has allowed them to utilise the timber resourcefully as well as replenish them at the same time.
" Ray was absolutely incredible and I would 100% recommend. On the day, he brought all the laughs and positive vibes, effortlessly putting all our guests at ease. The photos are absolutely incredible. Ray also created a highlight film for us which was amazing! He recorded so many great moments and it meant we didn’t need to book a videographer/content creator too. He really is amazing and we would definitely recommend. "
— Emma + Callum, Woodlands Hotel
CHOOSE THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER
Right, let’s start by saying you’re not just buying ‘nice photos’ – we live in a world with so many nice instagram feeds, but it’s not just aesthetics. I’ve seen loads of photographers who have a large majority of their instagram feeds/website from content days, workshops etc. (no pressure, no time constraints, models, perfect setups)
A nice instagram grid or website doesn’t tell you if they can handle chaos, keep you from shitting your pants before you go down the aisle, read the room, move portraits later in the timeline as you booked a live singer for the reception and you actually want to listen to them. That stuff doesn’t live on pretty feeds – It lives in experience. (350+ weddings over 10 years, I got you covered)
The real risk isn’t just bad photos, it’s a bad fit. Feeling awkward, being dragged around, missing the good bits because someone was too busy staging ‘the perfect shot’. So here’s the meat and bones of it: don’t ask yourself ‘do we like their photos?’ – instead ask yourself ‘do we trust this person to show up on the day and smash it out the park’ (read my reviews).
Once you realise that, you stop scrolling for the prettiest grid and start looking for the person, the vibe, the energy you want to spend your entire day with, someone who will sing along to the fresh prince of bel air during bride prep, someone who will knock out some body popping on the dance floor before capturing the bridesmaid whacking out the perfect worm – and if that ends up being me – happy bloody days!!
I don’t direct the day, I document it!
Real moments over fake poses
My goal on your wedding day is simple, to tell your story creatively and authentically. From the moment you book until your gallery is delivered, I’m there for you, documenting every moment in a natural, unposed way while adding a touch of creativity to make the images truly yours.
I love leaving a wedding feeling like part of the family. Couples often say, “It felt like having a friend capture our day,” and that’s exactly how it should be. You’ll usually find me right in the action, laughing with guests and capturing moments from up close. I believe the best photos come from being fully immersed in the day, not hiding at the back with a long lens. When your friends and family feel comfortable with me, that’s when I can document the most genuine moments.
That’s why connection matters so much. I want to capture your wedding from within, like a friend who just happens to have some very expensive cameras.
" The BEST photographer and person ever. Ray really knows his stuff and his expertise and skills made for a seamless day. Ray provided hybrid coverage (photo + film), we are honestly both speechless. We knew the pictures would be good but they really were like something out of a magazine. How he had time to also capture the day via video. I’ll never know! Everyone at the wedding commented on how special Ray was and how he felt like part of the family! There wasn’t a person he didn’t make smile, he’s a true legend "
— Jasmine + Tom, Newton Hall
I also offer KICK-ASS highlight films. have a watch of this one.
FEATURED WEDDINGS
WHY NOT TAKE A GOOSEY GANDER
RAW, UN-STAGED, AUTHENTIC MOMENTS. THIS IS WHAT I LIVE FOR. IT'S A WEDDING DAY, NOT A PHOTOSHOOT!
Work with me
I’d absolutely love to work with you, I love working with couples who understand my approach, love my work and just want to have a relaxed and fun wedding day. I work with about 20-25 couples per year and I’d love for you to become one of the few, so please fill out the contact form to get the ball rolling and we can jump on ZOOM, have a chat and go from there.
I’m eternally grateful for your time checking out my work etc. I understand there are thousands of photographers and if you do want to work with me… thanks so much you bloody legends!!