Stowe House Weddings - Top Tips for your Wedding Photos

May 2022

Here at Stowe House we are lucky enough to work closely with the National Trust Gardens, who we share our site with. When getting married at Stowe, our couples are able to have use of the stunning grounds for their wedding photos, most choose to hire the buggy from the Trust in order to get these done quickly… but these make a great photo op…

 

Our Events team have come up with some top tips for getting the most out of your photos and how/ where to go to get the best shots.

  1. We recommend going straight off for your couple photos as soon as you arrive at Stowe, or straight after your ceremony if getting married onsite. This means that you can ensure you have got those all-important shots done, but will also give you time to come back and enjoy some drinks and canapes with your guests. It is so important that you get to experience the day as well as getting those lifelong photos.
  2. Come to Stowe to have an ‘engagement shoot’ with your photographer, if you can. This will ensure that you know exactly what shots you want on the day and will speed up the process, it will also ensure that your photographer knows the site if they have not been here before. If this isn’t possible, take a look at our Instagram and get some ideas and a list of shots you want and send them to your photographer before the big day.
  3. If you can, keep family shots to a minimum, although you may want everyone to feel included, you could spend the entire drinks reception taking group photos that will probably just sit in your album for years to come. Narrow down your list to the most important group shots and leave yourself time to enjoy your day. If you did want small group shots with everyone it would be a good idea to split these between your drinks reception and after your wedding breakfast so that you are given a break.
  4. Ask your photographer to take natural, un-posed shots throughout the day, these will often be the best and will capture the happiness of the day.
  5. Pick a photographer that you get on with. Of course, it is important that you love the images they produce but we recommend also giving them a call and having a chat or zoom with them before you book. This is why an engagement shoot is also a good idea, remember they are going to be spending the entire day by your side, so you want someone with you that you feel comfortable with and who can enjoy the day with you.
  6. Share your schedule with your photographer before the big day, this ensures they can plan their day and shots that they would like to take, they can also help to keep you running to time.
  7. Don’t forget to look after your photographer! It may sound silly but they are going to be with you for the majority of your day, they will need feeding and time for short breaks throughout the day, this will ensure they can get the best possible shots when they are in the zone.

At Stowe, we have an abundance of locations to pick from for your wedding photographer, here are a few of our personal favourites.

The South Portico is perfect for your group shots, with plenty of light and views that go for miles this area offers lots of space and the perfect lighting.

 

For those all important couple shots, here are a selection of our favourite locations. In order of appearance: Chandos House, the Grotto, The Temple of Ancient Virtue, The Temple of British Worthys, Temple of Concorde and Victory, The Palladian Bridge, Temple of Concorde and Victory. 

For some stunning night time/ sunset shots, the colonnades are the ideal location.

For those looking for some extra sparkle firework shots are just incredible from the South Portico. 

Follow us on Social Media