OXLEAZE BARN wedding photographer

OXLEAZE BARN WEDDINGS

A PHOTOGRAPHER’S GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR OXLEAZE BARN WEDDING

I have been an Oxleaze Barn Wedding Photographer for over 10 years, starting back when celebrations were held in a marquee before the barn was built. Set in the Cotswold countryside near Lechlade, Oxleaze has a wonderfully relaxed, rustic feel, with outdoor ceremonies, wayward chickens, barefoot brides, horses in the fields and a real working farm atmosphere.

I truly love this wonderful wedding venue.

My approach combines documentary wedding photography with beautiful, natural portraits, giving you a gallery that feels authentic while still including those gorgeous images you’ll want to frame. Having photographed many weddings at Oxleaze Barn, I know the best places for gorgeous portraits and how to make the most of this beautiful venue without taking you away from your guests for long.

Why I Love Photographing Weddings At Oxleaze Barn

Oxleaze Barn is one of my favourite Cotswold venues to photograph because it is the most gorgeous down to earth venue with a very unique and attractive ‘rustic’ feel.

What I love about Oxleaze Barn is that it feels genuinely connected to the countryside around it. This is a real working farm, with chickens wandering around, horses in the fields and tractors passing by. From the long drive down to the barn, the wide views across the fields and the beautifully rustic surroundings, there is a wonderfully unpolished, natural charm that makes every wedding feel unique.

The Oxleaze team are a huge part of what makes the venue so special as they create such a welcoming atmosphere while managing every detail behind the scenes. There is a warmth and honesty to Oxleaze that attracts couples who want a relaxed, down-to-earth celebration, and it is exactly the kind of environment where my natural, storytelling style works best.

VENUE SNAPSHOT

  • LOCATION: Near Lechlade, Gloucestershire
  • CAPACITY: Up to 110 guests for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and main celebrations, with evening receptions possible for up to 150 guests.
  • CATERING: Exclusive catering by Ross & Ross Events, offering seasonal menus, relaxed sharing-style dining, elegant plated meals and informal options such as festival-style BBQs.
  • CORKAGE: Drinks are provided through Oxleaze’s bar service, with Ross & Ross Events managing the food and drink experience
Oxleaze Barn wedding photographer
  • EXCLUSIVE USE: Yes! The Barn and grounds are yours exclusively.
  • OUTDOOR CEREMONY: Courtyard garden ceremony, close to the barn, and the more natural ‘WedShed’ area set within the meadow.
  • ACCOMMODATION: On-site accommodation for up to 12 guests, including Stable Cottage and converted Dutch Barn accommodation for the couple and close family/friends.
  • DOG FRIENDLY: Absolutely!

Getting Ready at Oxleaze Barn

I love how easily the day flows at Oxleaze Barn .
The bridal party usually gets ready in the beautiful Dutch Barns, a spacious and characterful setting that gives plenty of room for relaxed preparations, laughter and those lovely morning moments before the ceremony.

The groom and groomsmen often get ready in Stable Cottage, creating a more relaxed space for the final preparations before heading off to meet the guests. Having everyone getting ready on-site means there are so many opportunities to capture the atmosphere of the morning – from the excitement and anticipation to the small moments that often become some of the most memorable parts of the day.

Getting Married at Oxleaze Barn

As an Oxleaze Barn wedding photographer for over a decade now, I have photographed numerous Oxleaze ceremonies, both indoor and out.

INDOOR CEREMONY AT OXLEAZE BARN | warm and rustic

The indoor ceremony space at Oxleaze Barn has a wonderful warmth and character, with its rustic beams, large fireplace and beautiful countryside feel. The room is brought to life with greenery, candles and fairy lights, creating a cosy yet elegant backdrop that works beautifully whatever the season. The fireplace is a real focal point of the space and adds so much atmosphere, especially for winter weddings or couples looking for a more intimate ceremony setting.

OUTDOOR CEREMONY AT OXLEAZE BARN | light and airy

For summer weddings, the courtyard is one of my favourite places to photograph a ceremony at Oxleaze Barn. It is light, airy and has a beautifully neutral palette, giving couples the freedom to style it in their own way. The stunning glass and wooden doors create a fantastic backdrop, whether you choose to get married on the courtyard steps with the barn behind you, or have the doors open as part of the ceremony setting. There is a relaxed, outdoor feel that works perfectly with Oxleaze’s countryside surroundings. The venue also offers the option of the ‘WedShed’ ceremony area for couples looking for a more natural meadow setting.

Couple Portraits at Oxleaze Barn


Oxleaze Barn is a fantastic venue for couple portraits, with so many different backdrops and locations to explore. My style combines natural, documentary storytelling with beautiful, flattering portraits, creating images that feel relaxed and genuine while still giving you those special photographs you will love looking back on. My approach is always to keep portraits simple and enjoyable, creating photographs that feel like you rather than anything overly posed.

The outdoor space at Oxleaze offers endless possibilities, from the rustic charm of the barn and courtyard to the open fields and countryside views surrounding the venue. The golden hour light here can be incredible, but knowing where to go and how to use the landscape makes all the difference. Whether it is wandering through the fields, using the textures of the farm surroundings or taking advantage of the warm evening glow, there are so many opportunities to create portraits that feel natural, elegant and completely connected to the Oxleaze Barn setting.

Golden hour at Oxleaze Barn


One of the real highlights of photographing weddings at Oxleaze Barn is the incredible golden hour light on certain parts of the farm.

Golden hour is usually around 8–9pm in the height of summer and closer to 3.30–4pm in the winter months, although the exact timing changes throughout the year. If golden hour portraits are something you would love, it is worth considering this when planning your wedding timeline so there is time to step outside and enjoy the light. Of course, sunsets can never be guaranteed, but when everything comes together, it can be a pretty magical reward at the end of your wedding day.

Capturing the reception at Oxleaze Barn

As the day moves into the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations, Oxleaze Barn has such a wonderful atmosphere. The barn’s character, warm lighting and beautiful surroundings create the perfect setting for capturing all the moments that make your wedding personal. Oxleaze also has a truly magical outdoor space where guests can enjoy the afternoon sun, playing lawn games and sitting by the open fire as the evenings gets colder. All of this within a few meters from the barn, so it’s very easy to move between the outdoor and indoor space.

From the anticipation and laughter during speeches to the reactions from your guests, the excitement of the first dance and the energy of the dance floor, I focus on telling the complete story of your day. Alongside the big moments, I also look for the small interactions that often become some of your favourite photographs – the hugs, the laughter and the moments you may not have seen happening.

My aim is always to capture the feeling of your wedding at Oxleaze Barn, creating a gallery that brings you back to the atmosphere and emotions of the day.

Real Weddings at Oxleaze barn

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of photographing several beautiful weddings at Oxleaze Barn, each one completely unique to the couple. From relaxed summer celebrations with guests enjoying lawn games and Pimms , to cosy winter weddings filled with candlelit atmosphere, this venue offers so many opportunities for natural, storytelling photography.

Below you can explore some real weddings at Oxleaze Barn and see how I capture the moments that make each day personal, from the excitement of getting ready and the emotions of the ceremony to the laughter, celebrations and beautiful portraits that bring the whole story together.

AN OUTDOOR OXLEAZE WEDDING

Rachel and Chris’ Oxleaze Barn wedding was a beautiful summer celebration, with a sunny outdoor courtyard ceremony and the relaxed, natural atmosphere that makes this Cotswold barn venue so special.

A COLOURFUL SUMMER WEDDING

I love a colourful Summer Oxleaze Barn wedding and being an Oxleaze Barn wedding photographer, I get to shoot at this gorgeous venue in all the seasons.

AN OXLEAZE SUMMER WEDDING

This gorgeous Summer wedding was everything you want from a rustic wedding venue in the Cotswolds. The weather was beautiful, and guests got to enjoy Oxleaze’s amazing outdoor space which is always so nice to see.

How to Choose Your Oxleaze Barn Wedding Photographer

Your wedding photographer will be with you through every moment of your wedding day. Choosing your photographer is a very personal decision, and finding someone whose approach matches what you value is just as important as loving their images.

EXPERIENCE MATTERS.

A photographer who has photographed weddings at Oxleaze Barn will understand how the venue flows, where the best light can be found, how much time is needed for portraits and how to work seamlessly around the plans for your day. This knowledge allows you to relax, knowing your photographer can anticipate moments and make the most of the beautiful surroundings.

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VIEW A FULL WEDDING GALLERY

When looking at photographers, I always recommend asking to see a full wedding gallery at Oxleaze Barn, rather than only a selection of favourite images on Instagram. A wedding gallery should tell the complete story of the day – from morning preparations and the ceremony through to speeches, dancing and the moments in between. Look for a gallery that feels consistent, with a style and approach that you love from beginning to end.

CHAT TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER

Your photographer will be by your side for most of your wedding day, so it’s important that you feel comfortable with them as a person, not just their photography. A call before booking is a great way to get a feel for their personality, how they work and whether their approach feels right for you. The best photographs come when you feel relaxed and trust the person behind the camera.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Oxleaze Barn Weddings

Yes, I have photographed MANY beautiful weddings at Oxleaze Barn and love working at this Cotswold venue. I started photographing weddings there more than a decade ago. Knowing the venue means I understand how the day flows, where the best light can be found and the locations that work beautifully for natural, relaxed photographs.

Oxleaze Barn has so many beautiful options for photographs. The light does dictate the best location for photographs, which means that every wedding will present different location opportunities due to the weather, time of day, time of year, etc.

I keep couple portraits relaxed and natural, usually taking around 20 minutes during the day, with the option to spend a little longer together at golden hour if the light is looking beautiful. The aim is never to take you away from your guests for a long time, but to give you a chance to enjoy a few moments together, and still give you flattering beautiful portraits.

Yes. Family photographs are an important part of many weddings. I recommend keeping the list to around 8–10 groups so they’re quick, organised and don’t take you away from your guests for too long.

Yes. The outdoor ceremony space at Oxleaze Barn is a stunning option. As with any outdoor ceremony, the weather and lighting conditions will influence the final photographs, but the setting provides a beautiful backdrop when conditions allow.

No. Couples are free to choose the photographer who feels right for them. While venue recommendations can be helpful, the most important thing is finding someone whose photography style, approach and personality match what you are looking for.

My approach combines documentary wedding photography with beautiful, natural portraits. I focus on capturing the moments that happen naturally throughout the day, while also creating gorgeous portraits that you will love looking back on. The result is a gallery that tells the full story of your wedding while still including portraits you will want to frame. I also do not have to travel far to get to Oxleaze, only about 20 minutes, which is always good for peace of mind.

Some of my favourite images have been taken in the rain. A walk together with a couple of umbrellas can create beautifully atmospheric, romantic photographs that feel completely different to those taken on a sunny day.
Having photographed more than 300 weddings, I can honestly say that I’ve never seen the rain dampen the spirits of a wedding. Couples still laugh, guests still celebrate and the day still feels just as special.

Not at all. 99% of my couples tell me they feel awkward about having their photographs taken before their wedding day. I believe that photos should reflect personalities, and the process of creating beautiful photographs should be a fun one. I stay away from ‘awkward static’ poses and I encourage you to move and interact with each other. A lot of my photographs that you see on my web site, couples are actually walking and just engaging with each other. In fact, some of my favourite photos, couples are not even looking at the camera. Most couples are surprised by how easy and enjoyable it feels, and a few hours into the day they’ve forgotten the camera is even there.

Now. Today. Yesterday! Ha ha. Experienced sought after wedding photographers book up 12-24 months in advance, so once you have booked your venue , booking your photographer is the next priority.

PHOTOGRAPHER’S

TOP TIPS

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Oxleaze offers a wonderful opportunity for great confetti photos. Buy the biggest , brightest and most colourful bio degradable confetti you can and make sure you have enough for all your guests. Walk slowly, laugh, look at your guests, and stop for a kiss half way down.

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Try and have speeches either before or after the meal, and not between courses. Having them between courses almost always makes the day run late as all the plates need to be cleared, and glasses refilled before each speech.

Oxleaze Barn Wedding Gallery

A collection of moments from weddings photographed at Oxleaze Barn, combining natural documentary storytelling with gorgeous portraits.

HAPPY WORDS FROM HAPPY COUPLES

Oxleaze Barn Wedding Photographer Reviews

Choosing a wedding photographer is a big decision, and reading reviews from couples who have experienced the process can be really helpful. I have been lucky enough to photograph many beautiful weddings at Oxleaze Barn, and I love hearing how couples felt about their experience. Below are some reviews from couples whose weddings I have photographed at Oxleaze Barn and other Cotswold venues, sharing their thoughts on my natural, documentary approach and the way I capture both the real moments and beautiful portraits from their day.

I’m very chuffed to say I have over 150 FIVE STAR Google reviews (and counting!).

My Packages and Pricing

Emma and Jamie Barn at Upcote wedding 587

Mini
£1000

Shorter coverage for smaller more intimate weddings. 4 hours of coverage.

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All Day
£1700

All day, from bridal prep to dancing. Approx 10 hours of coverage.

Lucy and Barnaby The Barn at Upcote Wedding 423

Mid Week
£1600

Monday to Thursday weddings. Approx 8 hours of coverage.

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I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOUR WEDDING DAY STORY

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HAPPY HAPPY WORDS

“I couldn’t put into words fully how incredible Tanli was from the start. She captured the day, our family and us so perfectly and truly has given us photos which we will treasure. Look no further is my advice – Tanli’s photos are incredible!

Tanli is also great at communication in the run up to the wedding and after. On the day, she was such a calming presence and for two people not used to being in the spotlight, Tanli put us at ease in seconds.

We couldn’t recommend Tanli more ! Thank you so much for everything!”