There’s something really special about Cockington Court weddings. The setting, the flowers, the peacefulness. It’s like stepping into a storybook. But River and Phoebe’s wedding? That was pure magic.

Let’s set the scene: a soft summer’s day, warm but with just enough cloud to keep things gentle. The rose garden was in full bloom (seriously, it looked like a florist had exploded in the best way possible), and the whole place smelled amazing.

River looked incredibly dashing in a pale grey suit; clean, classic, and full of charm. Phoebe arrived in a full-length green dress that shimmered in the light, with little sparkly leaf details woven throughout. It was like Mother Nature herself had dressed her for the occasion. And oh my days, the moment they saw each other…

You could feel the love. Phoebe got so emotional during the vows… twice! And not just a teary blink; I’m talking full heartfelt tears. And River? River held her hand with the calmest, most loving look, like she’d just found her entire universe standing right in front of her.

The guest list was small, just 8 close friends and family, but it couldn’t have been more perfect. Two bridesmaids stood alongside, and the intimacy of it all made the emotions hit even harder. Every smile, every tear, every “you’ve got this” glance during the ceremony felt personal and real.

Confetti was thrown joyfully on the little path leading to the church. Soft, colourful chaos in the best kind of way. And then it was time for the portraits. Here’s the thing about Cockington: you don’t need to walk far to find amazing backdrops. Just a few metres from the ceremony we had everything; archways, garden paths, ivy-covered walls, and those picture-perfect trees with dappled sunlight peeking through.

River and Phoebe were naturals in front of the camera, helped along by my asking them to do and say things that make them both giggle and laugh. Candid laughs, hand-holding, little nose boops… it was all there. We didn’t need to force anything, it just was. Real connection, captured forever.

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!

I only spent two hours with them, but honestly, that’s all we needed. Their love story didn’t need anything fancy. It just needed them, their people, and a blooming garden full of summer warmth.

To River and Phoebe: thank you for letting me be part of such a beautiful chapter in your story. You two are amazing together!

Cockington Court is just perfect for intimate weddings like this one. Want to see if my two-hour package might be the right fit for your small but mighty wedding day?

Check out my packages here or pop me a message. Let’s capture some real moments, no stress, no fuss, just love.