Aw Euridge Manor, on my list of all-time favourite wedding venues. Nestled in the rolling hills of the Cotswolds, a few miles from the historic city of Bath, everything, from the gorgeous orange Orangery, to the ornamental lake, to the crumbling stone arches and beautifully cut topiary, the outdoor ceremony pergola dripping with purple wisteria, the breathtaking views across the Chippenham countryside. All gorgeous.
Add in a lovely bride, Cherry, from Taiwan, and a handsome groom Bohdan, from Slovakia, chuck in their wonderful families and friends and this was a summer country wedding to remember. Every wedding is different and Cherry and Bohdan’s was no exception. Almost dispensing with bride prep altogether, instead they had a touching and quaint traditional Slovakian pre-ceremony blessing in the Orangery that seemed to include an uncle dressing up as a pretend bride. After the blissful outdoor ceremony, with really redolent readings, we did only a few family group shots. For a moment it looked like everyone was having just too much fun to want to get involved with couple portrait session, but really, once you have strolled for even a moment around this place and let it get hold of you, who could resist. We even got them out in a rowing boat. And props to Bohdan, because mastering oars on your wedding day, with your family waiting on you, can’t be an easy task.
The owners were kind enough to let us take the drone up and get photos and video of the whole wedding party on the balcony overlooking the ornamental lake, and then again, down by the little thatched boathouse that also doubles as a ceremonial space.
With rain threatening, we retreated into the main indoor reception space, a light and comfortable room, so much more comfortable than so many stuffy wedding venue reception halls. The speeches were short, sweet and translated, before cake cut and some truly wild dancing. A great party, a great couple, and truly, a lovely, lovely wedding at a perfect venue.
THE FILM