BARN AT UPCOTE wedding photographer
THE BARN AT UPCOTE WEDDINGS
A PHOTOGRAPHER’S GUIDE TO PLANNING YOUR UPCOTE BARN WEDDING
Set in the beautiful Cotswold countryside near Cheltenham, The Barn at Upcote is a stunning wedding venue surrounded by open fields and peaceful rural views. I’ve photographed several weddings here and love how much character the venue has, from the charming stone barns and outdoor spaces to the unforgettable long walk down the steps towards the ceremony.
As a Barn at Upcote wedding photographer, I take a natural, documentary approach to capture the atmosphere of your day — from the excitement of getting ready to the celebrations, laughter and moments shared with the people who matter most.
Why I Love Photographing Weddings At Upcote Barn
There is so much to love about photographing weddings at The Barn at Upcote. One of my favourite parts of the day is the ceremony entrance, with the long walk down the steps to the aisle creating such a lovely sense of anticipation before the couple see each other. It feels relaxed, personal and gives guests a wonderful view as the ceremony begins.
The courtyard is another highlight and really comes alive during the drinks reception. It’s the perfect space for guests to gather, enjoy the atmosphere and catch up while I capture the natural interactions happening around them. The team at The Barn at Upcote do an incredible job of keeping everything running smoothly, allowing couples and their guests to relax and enjoy every part of the day.
The venue also offers some beautiful opportunities for couple portraits, with the long driveway being one of my favourite spots. Surrounded by countryside and trees, it provides a peaceful setting for natural, flattering portraits without taking you away from your celebrations for too long.
VENUE SNAPSHOT
Getting Ready at The Barn at Upcote
One of the lovely things about a Barn at Upcote wedding is that you can start your day surrounded by the beautiful Cotswold countryside. The venue has limited on-site accommodation, with the honeymoon suite available, so many couples choose to get ready separately before arriving for the ceremony.
The bridal preparations normally take place at the venue, creating a relaxed start to the day .There is time to enjoy the excitement of the morning, from the final finishing touches and getting into your dress to those moments with your bridesmaids before walking down that lovely long aisle.
The Wedding Ceremony at The Barn At Upcote
As an Upcote Barn wedding photographer for almost a decade now, I have photographed numerous Upcote barn ceremonies, both indoor and out.
THE BARN AT UPCOTE OUTDOOR CEREMONY
Most of the weddings I’ve photographed at Barn at Upcote have taken place outdoors, and it’s easy to see why. The courtyard is a fantastic setting for a ceremony, surrounded by the beautiful Cotswold stone barns and with plenty of space to make it your own. I love how neutral the environment is, a perfect canvas to create your own vision. Whether you keep the styling simple or fill the space with flowers and décor, it works beautifully for every style of wedding.
One of the standout features has to be the entrance. The bride walks down the long beautiful stone steps making the journey one of the longest aisle walks of any Cotswold wedding venue. It builds real anticipation and gives everyone a fantastic view as the ceremony begins. From a photography perspective, it also creates some incredible opportunities to capture the reactions of both the couple and their guests.
THE BARN AT UPCOTE INDOOR CEREMONY
If the weather isn’t on your side, or you simply prefer an indoor ceremony, the Threshing Barn is just as beautiful. The characterful stone walls, exposed beams and large windows create a bright, welcoming space that still feels connected to the outdoors. Whatever the season, Barn at Upcote offers a ceremony setting that is both practical and full of character.
The Barn at Upcote Couple Portraits
Being a Barn at Upcote wedding photographer, is wonderful as there is so much space to work with. Rather than standing in one spot and asking you to hold awkward poses, we’ll head out for a walk together. We’ll chat, have a laugh, and I’ll guide you into the best light, giving you just enough direction so you never have to wonder what to do with your hands.
The grounds are perfect for this natural approach. The long tree-lined driveway is one of my favourite locations for portraits, creating a beautiful backdrop without feeling overly staged. There are also open fields, quiet corners and the lovely Secret Garden, giving us plenty of variety without having to walk far from your guests.
I know most couples don’t love being in front of the camera, and that’s completely normal. My job is to help you feel at ease, keep things moving naturally, and create photographs that feel like you—not posed or forced. Most couples tell me afterwards that it was much easier and more enjoyable than they expected.
Capturing the reception at The Barn at Upcote
Once the ceremony is over, The Barn at Upcote really comes into its own. The courtyard is a brilliant space for your drinks reception, giving everyone plenty of room to mingle, catch up and enjoy a drink while taking in the beautiful surroundings. It’s one of my favourite parts of the day to photograph because there are always so many lovely genuine interactions to capture.
The lawns are perfect for garden games, creating a relaxed atmosphere and giving guests something to enjoy while the celebrations continue. Whether it’s giant Jenga, croquet or simply soaking up the sunshine with a glass in hand, these moments always make for fun, natural photographs.
As the evening begins, everyone heads back into the beautifully lit barn. With its stone walls, exposed beams and warm fairy lights, it creates a wonderful setting for speeches, the cake cutting and your first dance before the dance floor fills up and the party gets underway.
My aim is always to capture the feeling of your wedding at Upcote Barn, creating a gallery that brings you back to the atmosphere and emotions of the day.
Emma and Jamie’s Real Wedding at The Barn At Upcote
UPCOTE BARN SUMMER WEDDING
If you are planning an Upcote Barn Summer wedding and dreaming of something relaxed, emotional, and full of joy, Emma and Jamie’s day is a beautiful example of how effortlessly it can all come together.
How to Choose Your Barn at Upcote Wedding Photographer
Your photographer will be with you through every moment of your wedding day. Choosing your wedding photographer is a very personal decision, and finding someone whose approach matches what you value is just as important as loving their images.
A photographer who has photographed weddings at The Barn ay Upcote 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.
When looking at photographers, I always recommend asking to see a full wedding gallery at The Barn at Upcote, 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Barn at Upcote Weddings
PHOTOGRAPHER’S
TOP TIPS
01
The Barn at Upcote has one of the longest and most impressive aisle walks in the Cotswolds. I always encourage couples to embrace it , leave a little extra space between bridesmaids, walk at a comfortable pace, and enjoy the moment as you make your way down the steps and towards the ceremony. It also gives me the opportunity to capture the reactions from your guests and all the excitement as you arrive.
02
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.
A gallery of Barn at Upcote Weddings
A collection of moments from weddings photographed at Upcote Barn, combining natural documentary storytelling with gorgeous portraits.
My Packages and Pricing
Mini
£1000
Shorter coverage for smaller more intimate weddings. 4 hours of coverage.
All Day
£1700
All day, from bridal prep to dancing. Approx 10 hours of coverage.
Mid Week
£1600
Monday to Thursday weddings. Approx 8 hours of coverage.
HAPPY WORDS FROM HAPPY COUPLES
Cotswold 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 over 300 weddings across the Cotswolds, and I love hearing how couples felt about their experience. Below are some reviews from couples whose weddings I have photographed , 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!).
Tanli captured the whole day beautifully.
“Tanli helped make the whole day easy and comfortable for us, particularly the couple photos as we are definitely not usually ones for anything like a photoshoot. We’ve just looked through the photos and we absolutely love them!! It really felt like we were re-living the whole day and was so special. Tanli captured the whole day beautifully.”
Tanli was amazing!
“Tanli was amazing to work with from start to finish. She ensured we got the shots we wanted at all times. As a couple who have never done a professional shoot before, she made us feel comfortable and nothing was staged and uncomfortable.
We are so impressed.
“Tanli was amazing! She was fantastic throughout the day, so reassuring and made us feel very comfortable doing the couples pictures. The photos she has produced are such great quality and capture the day perfectly! We are so impressed, thank you Tanli!”
Knowledgeable, professional and lovely.
“Tanli was exactly the photographer we were looking for – knowledgeable, professional and super lovely from the beginning. She provides guidance and direction without being overbearing and our pictures have turned out romantic, candid and stunning. Thank you so much!”
Fantastic!
“Tanli was absolutely incredible for our wedding day, from the moment she came into my dressing room she was calm and wonderful! She kept us on track in the morning, and was such a lovely presence throughout the day! The documentary style is exactly what we wanted, with some beautiful portraits too that we will treasure forever. 100% recommend for an efficient and fantastic wedding photographer!!”
Incredible!
“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!”
They are everything we hoped for.
“Tanli captured every moment of our wedding day perfectly! It’s been lovely to relive the day through her amazing photos. They are everything we hoped for. Would highly recommend Tanli!.”
Tanli Was a Superstar!
“Tanli was an absolute super star, a brilliant photographer and such a lovely person!
She captured a great range of photos that show every part of the day, the big moments and all the little details. Her professionalism and positive attitude shone through. Despite feeling uncomfortable in front of the camera, Tanli helped to keep us feeling relaxed, and we feel she went above and beyond to get some absolutely gorgeous shots.”
I WOULD LOVE TO TELL YOUR WEDDING DAY STORY
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!”