There are some wedding days that stay with you for a very long time. Charlotte and Anthony’s black-tie Christmas wedding at Notley Abbey in Buckinghamshire was one of them. Spectacular floral displays, roaring fires, espresso martinis, jazz by the Christmas tree, and a firework finale that lit up the December sky. Furthermore, it was the perfect end to my 2022 wedding season and honestly one of the most magical days I have ever had the privilege of photographing.
Who doesn’t love a Christmas wedding? The festive decorations, the mulled wine, the cosy warmth of being inside while the winter air bites outside. There is simply nothing quite like a black-tie Christmas wedding in Buckinghamshire to make you feel the full magic of the season. Charlotte and Anthony embraced every single element of it, and their day was all the more extraordinary for it.
A Busy and Beautiful Christmas Wedding Morning
Charlotte had a wonderfully large bridal party, and the morning had the most brilliant energy. I absolutely love a busy wedding morning — the champagne, the laughter, the hair and makeup in full flow. The bridal suite at Notley Abbey is the most perfect space for morning preparations, and the girls made full use of every inch of it.
Charlotte’s bridesmaids looked incredible and wonderfully festive in their rich burgundy dresses. Meanwhile, the flower girls were absolutely adorable in snow white dresses with fur boleros, the most perfect Christmas wedding touch. Charlotte herself beamed all morning with excitement and anticipation, and capturing those precious moments was a genuine joy.
A Breathtaking Ceremony in the Monk’s Refectory
The Monk’s Refectory at Notley Abbey looked absolutely extraordinary. The incredible Emma Soulsby and her team had created the most jaw-dropping floral arch around the entrance to the barn, and inside, the Christmas theme continued in the most spectacular fashion. For a black-tie Christmas wedding in Buckinghamshire, it was the most perfect and magical setting.
Charlotte beamed as she walked down the aisle. Anthony looked at his beautiful bride with pure adoration as she walked towards him. Their readings, delivered by Anthony’s daughter and Charlotte’s brother, were humbling and deeply heartfelt. It was the kind of ceremony that fills a room with emotion and reminds everyone present exactly why they are there.
Winter Portraits at Notley Abbey
December light is always a consideration for winter wedding photography, and I am always conscious of making the most of every precious minute of it. Thankfully, the afternoon was beautifully dry, which gave us a little time to work with.
After confetti at the front of Notley Abbey, Charlotte, Anthony and I headed off for their portraits. Charlotte and Anthony had done an engagement shoot with me the previous year, which meant they were completely relaxed and natural in front of the camera. They were absolute pros, and they looked absolutely stunning together.
We headed down the beautiful tree-lined driveway, which is an absolute must for any Notley Abbey wedding portrait session. We then took in the grand front of the house and the beautiful walled garden. The soft winter light, the festive atmosphere and their wonderful connection all came together in the most beautiful way. These portraits are some of my absolute favourites from the whole day.
A Magical Christmas Wedding Breakfast
The Monk’s Refectory was turned around for the wedding breakfast, and it looked completely extraordinary. The wonderful Louise Perry and her team had overseen every detail, and it showed in every corner of the room. Tall floral displays adorned the long tables, and the warm candlelit glow against the dark December evening outside created the most wonderfully cosy and festive atmosphere. A perfect black-tie Christmas wedding in Buckinghamshire in every sense.
The wedding favours were a particularly special touch. Anthony’s grandmother had travelled from Cyprus and made traditional Greek treats by hand for every guest. It was one of those details that made the day feel deeply personal and completely unique.
The speeches were everything great wedding speeches should be. Emotional, funny, and completely full of love and warmth. The room moved from laughter to happy tears and back again, which is always the sign of a truly wonderful set of speeches.
Charlotte and Anthony also gave me a beautiful thank you card and a gift on the day, which genuinely touched me. I was made to feel so welcome and so completely part of their celebration from the very first moment.
Jazz, Espresso Martinis and a Dancefloor to Remember
After the wedding breakfast, guests moved into the main house for the cocktail hour. Espresso martinis and Kir Royale flowed, and the most beautiful jazz played beside the Christmas tree. It was one of those moments that felt completely cinematic and completely perfect.
Charlotte and Anthony then had their first dance back in the Monk’s Refectory, and guests wasted absolutely no time joining them on the dance floor. The energy was electric, the spirits were high, and the dance floor was absolutely cracking all night. I always stay for the party, and I was right there dancing alongside them, because you always get the best shots when you are in the middle of the action.
Fireworks Over Notley Abbey
Then came the evening finale. Everyone headed outside as a spectacular firework display lit up the December sky above Notley Abbey. It was breathtaking. The perfect, most magical ending to a truly perfect day. I left them all to party the rest of the night away, feeling completely privileged to have been there.
What Charlotte and Anthony Had to Say
“Suzy did such an incredible job to capture our day and we honestly couldn’t be happier with the photos she took.
From the moment we met Suzy, virtually, on zoom, we knew she would be perfect. She was so warm & listened to everything we had to say. She clearly cared about what we wanted and asked all the right questions.
We then met Suzy in person for our engagement shoot which was so worth doing. It made us both feel at ease and really showed us how passionate Suzy was about her photography career. A great opportunity to meet in person and would recommend this to any couple.
In the lead up to the big day, Suzy was very responsive and sent a detailed plan with a schedule, that on the day, ran perfectly.
Suzy arrived at Notley Abbey to capture the bridal party and the finishing touches, from the moment she arrived to the moment she left, after the fireworks, she did not stop snapping and so many guests commented about what a wonderful job she was doing. They weren’t wrong either…
When we got the preview photos a few days after the wedding we were blown away and that continued when we received the full album with circa 800 photos! Everything was captured just as we had hoped & we are both delighted with the work Suzy did for us.
A huge thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we would recommend Suzy without hesitation”
Charlotte & Anthony
Planning Your Own Christmas Wedding in Buckinghamshire?
Charlotte and Anthony’s day showed exactly what a black tie Christmas wedding in Buckinghamshire can look like. Grand, festive, warm and completely full of the most extraordinary details. Whether you are planning a Christmas celebration, a winter wedding or a black tie evening to remember, Notley Abbey is one of the most magical venues in the county for a festive celebration.
I would absolutely love to hear from you if you are planning your own Christmas or winter wedding. Take a look at my dedicated Notley Abbey wedding photography page for more of my work at this stunning venue and get in touch to chat about your plans.
Please also check out my blog page for real weddings and wedding tips, and check out my portfolio page for more of my recent work.
