Marta & Gary's Intimate Manor by the Lake Wedding | Award-Winning Gloucestershire Wedding Photography
A love story that began in Pitville Park and blossomed into a beautiful celebration at one of the UK's most romantic lake wedding venues
When Marta and Gary first met between lockdowns in the beautiful surroundings of Pitville Park in the regency spa town of Cheltenham, neither could have imagined their daily WhatsApp conversations would lead to such a perfect wedding day. After weeks of messaging before their first date (thanks to pre-made summer plans!), their connection was undeniable.
A Turkish Proposal and Dreams Come True at Manor by the Lake
Three years later, Gary proposed during a family holiday in Turkey. While Marta admits it wasn't exactly a surprise - Gary had been talking about rings for a year! - The timing was perfect, just before her 40th birthday as promised. But perhaps the most romantic part of their story? Manor by the Lake was the very first wedding venue they visited, and they fell in love instantly. "Our sort of place," as Marta beautifully put it, this award-winning venue would make their big day dreams come true.
An Intimate Celebration at This Award-Winning Lake Wedding Venue
Manor by the Lake, located in the heart of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on Hatherley Lane, provided the perfect backdrop for Marta and Gary's May wedding. This stunning Victorian manor house, set within seven acres of award-winning gardens and boasting outstanding natural beauty, offered everything they needed for their intimate celebration.
Award-Winning Wedding Photography That Tells Your Story
Understanding that Marta felt camera-shy and preferred not to be the centre of attention, I approached their day with my signature documentary style. This couple's story perfectly illustrates why I blend natural, unobtrusive coverage with creative vision - capturing genuine moments while respecting each couple's comfort level. Having received recognition from the wedding industry awards, I bring both technical expertise and artistic flair to every wedding day.
The Wedding Day Timeline
12:30 PM - Minimal Morning Preparations True to Marta's wishes, we kept morning preparations authentic and straightforward. A few natural shots in the bridal suite with her bridesmaids captured the relaxed atmosphere she wanted.
1:00 PM - Groom's Preparations Gary and his best mates enjoyed some pre-ceremony time in the Manor's games room - perfect for those candid, documentary-style shots that show real personalities.
2:00 PM - Outdoor Ceremonies Despite the Weather May weather in Gloucestershire can be unpredictable, and this day proved it! With clouds gathering and rain threatening just before the ceremony, Marta was determined to have her outdoor ceremony as planned. Her instinct was perfect - the changing light conditions created beautiful, dramatic backdrops for their vows in this romantic lake setting.
As an experienced wedding photographer, I'm always prepared for the challenges of British weather. The shifting clouds and natural light variations enhanced the emotional depth of their ceremony images, proving that sometimes, the most memorable moments happen when we embrace the unexpected.
2:30 PM - Weather Pause and Creative Solutions Just as we finished the ceremony, a 10-minute rain shower arrived! Rather than panic, we used this time strategically. Once the weather cleared, we captured that stunning group photo from the Manor's first-floor balcony - the elevated perspective showing their intimate gathering against the beautiful grounds below.
Garden Portraits and Creative Evening Magic
What truly made this wedding special was how we utilised Manor by the Lake's gorgeous gardens. After the ceremony, Marta and Gary were keen to have "nice shoots in the gardens" - and the venue delivered magnificently.
The sprawling grounds provided endless opportunities for natural couple portraits. At the same time, the lake setting offered that magical backdrop for more creative shots as the day progressed into the evening. This is where my signature style of blending documentary storytelling with creative night portraits came alive.
Family Groups Done Efficiently
With 10 carefully planned family groupings, we kept formal photos efficient and relaxed, averaging 5 minutes per group as promised. Having Gosia (the bride's helper) and Paul Khan (the groom's helper) coordinate made everything flow seamlessly, leaving more time for natural celebrations.
Creative Guest Photography During Wedding Breakfast
4:00 PM - Wedding Breakfast with a Twist During the sit-down meal, I set up a professional studio backdrop with flash lighting. This allowed every guest to have their couples or family portrait session—a unique addition that tiny weddings often make possible.
The real magic happened in post-production: I created a composite image combining all the guest portraits into one stunning frame. This creative approach gave Marta and Gary a unique keepsake, showing everyone who celebrated with them in perfect detail.
A Special Polaroid Surprise
One of my favourite moments was surprising Marta and Gary with 10 instant Polaroid prints of their day. These tangible, immediate memories created such genuine joy - proof that sometimes, the simplest gestures make the most significant impact. In our digital world, there's something magical about holding a physical photograph moments after it's taken.
6:00 PM - Short Speeches: Quick speeches are allowed to allow for more time for natural celebration photography.
7:30 PM - Evening Celebrations and Creative Magic As the formal proceedings concluded, the evening transformed into a pure celebration. Family dancing filled the Manor with joy, accompanied by excellent music that kept everyone on the dance floor.
But as darkness fell, the real creative magic began.
Signature Night Photography at Manor by the Lake
This is where my passion for creative evening portraits truly came alive:
Indoor Artistry: Using candles and a fractal tool, I created stunning silhouette portraits inside the Manor. The combination of ambient candlelight and creative lighting techniques produced images that are pure art, exactly what sets my evening photography apart.
Blue Hour Perfection: The outdoor ceremony gazebo transformed into a masterpiece when illuminated with multiple flashes during the blue hour. The dramatic sky provided the perfect backdrop for this architectural lighting setup at this exceptional event venue.
Fairy-Lit Bridge Magic: Once complete darkness arrived, the fairy-lit bridge over the romantic Lake at Manor by the Lake created the most enchanting setting imaginable. These ethereal evening portraits showcase why this Cotswold wedding venue is perfect for creative night photography.
Each creative session lasted just minutes, ensuring Marta and Gary never missed the celebration while creating those show-stopping images that become conversation pieces in your home.
Why Manor by the Lake is the Best Wedding Venue for Creative Photography
Having photographed multiple weddings at Manor by the Lake in Cheltenham, I can confidently say it's one of the UK's most versatile lake wedding venues. Even when May weather presents challenges, this award-winning venue delivers incredible opportunities for both documentary coverage and creative evening artistry.
This exceptional wedding venue manor offers:
Weather-flexible outdoor ceremonies with elegant indoor alternatives
Elevated photography positions (Victorian manor house balcony for group shots)
Award-winning gardens are perfect for intimate portraits between smaller groups
Professional lighting opportunities throughout the seven acres
The architectural features of the beautiful Victorian manor house are ideal for creative compositions
The romantic lake and fairy-lit bridge - signature features for lake wedding photography
Multiple indoor spaces for creative night photography setups
Exclusive use venue options for complete privacy
For small, intimate weddings like Marta and Gary's, this Manor Lake venue allows for personalised touches, such as individual guest portraits and extended creative sessions that larger celebrations might not accommodate.
Documentary Wedding Photography with Creative Flair
Marta and Gary's wedding perfectly showcases my approach: documentary wedding photography and creative night portraits for couples wanting natural moments and something magical. Their story was beautifully told through genuine moments, elegant details, and stunning evening portraits.
From Marta's initial camera shyness to Gary's outgoing personality, every couple brings their unique dynamic to their wedding day. My role is to honour that authenticity while creating images that transport you back to every precious moment.
Are you looking for a Gloucestershire wedding photographer who specialises in documentary storytelling with a creative touch and evening magic?
Please reach out to me to discuss your Manor by the Lake wedding or explore my portfolio of lake wedding venues.
Planning your Manor by the Lake wedding? Explore our comprehensive wedding venue guide, featuring photography locations, timeline tips, and creative opportunities that this stunning lake wedding venue in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, offers.
Paul Hickey is an award-winning documentary wedding photographer specialising in natural storytelling and creative evening portraits across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, and the West Midlands. Please contact Once in a Lifetime Photography to talk about your wedding day.