Kiftsgate Court Gardens Wedding Photos

I was so excited to photograph a wedding at Kiftsgate Court Gardens.

As a Cotswolds wedding photographer, there are a handful of venues that have been sitting on my wishlist for years, and Kiftsgate was definitely one of them. It’s such a unique place to get married, but what made this wedding even more special was that Allie and Steve had exclusive use of the gardens before they opened to the public. An early morning wedding in one of the most beautiful gardens in the country? Yes please.

Allie and Steve travelled all the way from America for their Cotswolds wedding, planning the whole thing from thousands of miles away. Honestly, if they hadn’t told me they’d organised everything over video calls and online research, I’d never have guessed. Every little detail had been thought through, from the transport between venues to the coffee cart waiting after the ceremony and the musicians playing in the gardens. It all came together so effortlessly.

Morning prep at The Manor House Hotel

The day started at The Manor House Hotel in Moreton-in-Marsh, where Allie and her girls were getting ready in one of the gorgeous cottages tucked away in the hotel grounds.

It was one of those May mornings that makes you remember why people fall in love with the Cotswolds. Sunshine pouring through the windows, iced coffees arriving from the local café, Diet Coke on tap (well… almost) and everyone just genuinely excited for the day ahead.

There wasn’t a hint of stress.

I started by photographing all the lovely little details before catching the last few moments of hair and makeup. Then, before we knew it, dresses were on, everyone was hugging, and it was time to head to Kiftsgate Court Gardens.

I actually travelled over with Allie, which was such a lovely part of the morning. We chatted about their trip to England, everything they’d squeezed into their time in the Cotswolds, and how surreal it felt that the wedding day had finally arrived.

The most incredible first look at Kiftsgate Court Gardens

I don’t think I’ll ever forget walking into the Water Garden that morning.

Because we arrived before the gardens opened, it was completely silent. Just birdsong, still water and these stunning gardens all to ourselves.

Steve was waiting on the little island in the middle of the pond in his tuxedo, surrounded by hedges and greenery, and honestly… it looked like something from a film.

Then Allie walked in.

Her jaw literally dropped when she saw him.

They hugged, laughed, took everything in for a minute, and then wandered across the stepping stones together while I quietly documented it all. These are some of my favourite Kiftsgate Court Gardens wedding photos I’ve ever taken.

Just around the corner, tucked beneath the trees, they shared private vows with nobody but each other (and me quietly hiding with my camera). It was such a special moment. You could really feel the emotion, not just between the two of them, but from Allie’s Maid of Honour watching from a distance too.

Exploring the gardens before guests arrived

One of the best things about doing a first look was having loads of time to explore the gardens before anyone else arrived.

And honestly, every corner of Kiftsgate Court Gardens is beautiful.

Every winding path, flower border and hidden little spot feels like it was made for wedding photos. We wandered around without rushing, stopping whenever the light looked beautiful or we found another incredible backdrop. The couple had sent me a few inspiration photos beforehand, so we recreated a couple of those while making the most of all the gorgeous spring flowers that were in bloom.

As a Cotswolds wedding photographer, venues like this are an absolute dream because you never run out of beautiful places to photograph.

An outdoor ceremony overlooking the Cotswolds

The ceremony itself was held overlooking the rolling Cotswold hills, nestled amongst the gardens.

A close friend officiated, which made everything feel so personal, and they kept things nice and relaxed before everyone headed straight to the coffee cart for a celebratory drink.

I absolutely loved that little touch.

While guests grabbed coffees, we headed down into the lower gardens for family photos before everyone climbed aboard the bus back to The Manor House Hotel.

The timing actually worked out perfectly because, as we were leaving, the gardens were opening to the public. We’d managed to enjoy this incredible venue almost entirely to ourselves.

Back to The Manor House Hotel

Back at The Manor House Hotel, guests spilled out into the gardens with champagne in hand while musicians played in the background.

One of my favourite moments from the afternoon was watching Steve practise his first dance before heading into their wedding breakfast. It wasn’t planned or staged, just one of those little moments that happens naturally, and they’re often my favourite ones to photograph.

Because coverage had started nice and early, I left shortly after everyone sat down for dinner, knowing the rest of the celebrations were in full swing.

Kiftsgate Court Gardens Wedding Photographer

This wedding was one of those days where everything just… worked.

The weather showed up, the flowers were unbelievable, every detail had been carefully thought through and, most importantly, Allie and Steve were able to completely relax and enjoy every second of it.

If you’re planning a Cotswolds wedding and are looking for somewhere that’s completely different from a traditional wedding venue, I honestly can’t recommend Kiftsgate Court Gardens enough. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever photographed, and I’d be back there in a heartbeat.

And if you’re looking for a Cotswolds wedding photographer to capture your own day at Kiftsgate Court Gardens, I’d absolutely love to hear what you’re planning. Head on over to my wedding portfolio here, or get in touch via my form.