When people think of weddings, they often picture hundreds of guests, a packed dance floor, and a day that runs from sunrise to midnight. But there’s something truly special about a small wedding, especially one with as much heart, laughter, and love as Fi and Paul’s intimate day at Cockington Court.

They chose my 2-hour Cockington wedding photography package, which works absolutely perfectly for this kind of celebration. It’s amazing how much can happen in just two hours when it’s relaxed, well-paced, and full of meaningful moments.

Six Guests, Three Bridesmaids, and one very special ceremony

Fi and Paul tied the knot with just nine of their closest family and friends there to witness it, and honestly, it felt just right. No fuss, no fanfare, just joy, tears, and a lot of laughing. The three bridesmaids wore beautiful green dresses that popped brilliantly against the soft tones of the ceremony room. Fi herself wore a gorgeous two-piece outfit in white, simple, elegant, and totally her.

And then there were the bouquets. Each one had a small locket attached, holding a photo of a loved one who couldn’t be there. A lovely, subtle tribute, and a reminder of just how much thought went into every part of the day.

Emotional moments, and some that’ll make you chuckle

It was one of those weddings where the emotion hits you quickly. At one point, I caught a candid of Fi’s daughter wiping away tears, a quiet moment, but so powerful. These little unscripted moments are what I live for!

Of course, there were also a few classic funny ones. Like when Paul, standing at the front, turned and gave this brilliant “no going back now” look just as the ceremony was about to begin. I caught it just at the right second, definitely one for the wedding album and for a few laughs in years to come!

Lighting the Way (Literally)

As usual, I had both of my Sony A7IVs strapped to me on my dual harness; one fitted with the 24-70mm f2.8 V2 for the wider shots and the other with the 70-200mm f2.8 V2 for that beautiful background compression. Lighting-wise, I used my trusty Godox V1s on both cameras to gently lift the shadows in the ceremony room. It can be a little dark in there, especially at the back, so just a touch of flash helps everything feel softer and more balanced.

Outside I used my Godox AD600 Pro. This beast, with my settings and style, makes every subject pop in the photos. I love this strobe so much!

Natural Confetti and Formal Fun

After the ceremony, we stepped outside to the Rose garden for some formal shots and the group photos. Even with a smaller guest list, we got a great mix of group combinations. Everyone was in good spirits, and even the formal shots felt fun and relaxed. With only a short walk between locations, it all flowed effortlessly.

The bride and her bridesmaids all playfully hid behind their bouquets for one of the quick snaps. Totally unprompted. Totally brilliant.

Making the Most of the Time

Two hours might not sound like much, but at Cockington Court, it’s spot on, especially for smaller weddings like this one. We had time for candid guest arrivals, ceremony coverage, confetti, formals, and even a quick portrait session with the newlyweds.

For the couple shots, we explored some of the nearby spaces around the church and gardens. I made the most of the spring, filling the photos with lots of natures colours.

Big Love in a Small Wedding

Weddings don’t have to be big to be brilliant. What made this one stand out was the connection. Every single person there mattered, and every moment was meaningful. There was no stress, no need for a massive schedule, just a natural flow from one heartfelt scene to the next.

And that’s what I love about these smaller ceremonies. They give people space to breathe, time to enjoy each other, and room to laugh, even if the groom is giving a cheeky sideways glance seconds before his vows.

Fi and Paul, thank you for letting me be a part of such a personal and beautiful celebration. It may have been a small guest list, but it was full of big hearts.

This was their review on Google:

“We would very highly recommend Simon Day as your photographer for any special occasion indeed.
From the very minute we were in contact with Simon he was very professional, put us at ease straight away, explained everything we needed to know in great detail, knew the location very well and the people who were involved, sent videos on how to get to the venue and where to park and had the most infectious happy, lovely personality ever!
On the day he directed us so well we didn’t even have to think or worry about what was going to happen. Simon made feel so relaxed and comfortable making us laugh throughout and enjoy our special day so much.
Simon you are just amazing and superb at what you do. I’m sure we will meet again for more special occasions to come. Thank you so so much for making our day such fun, loving and very memorable.”
Fi and Paul

Planning a Small Wedding at Cockington Court?

If you’re thinking about a smaller celebration and love the sound of a relaxed, down-to-earth wedding with loads of real moments, Cockington Court is a gem of a venue. I’ve photographed loads of weddings here and even put together a detailed guide to help couples get the most out of the space. You can check that out here: https://simonday.com/Cockington-Court-Wedding/index.html

And if you’re wondering whether a two-hour photo package is enough? Trust me, with a bit of planning and a chilled-out vibe like Fi and Paul’s, it absolutely is!