Tori and Tom’s summer wedding brought together everything they had imagined for their day. A beautiful village church, an elegant country house setting at Notley Abbey, and all their favourite people together in one place.
The couple first met in a pub in Clapham in November 2019. Several years later, Tom proposed during a ski trip to Wengen in Switzerland in February 2025.
When it came to choosing their wedding venue, they fell in love with Notley Abbey. They loved its historic architecture, beautiful grounds, and the sense of warmth and intimacy it offered.
Their vision was an elegant and welcoming English countryside wedding. Notley Abbey provided the perfect setting.
Getting ready at Hartwell House and Notley Abbey
Tori spent the morning with her girls at the Old Rectory in the grounds of Hartwell House.
It was such a lovely setting for the start of the day. The beautiful old house gave us plenty of character and gorgeous light for photographs.
Tori looked incredible in her lace wedding dress. There was something almost regal about her bridal look, which suited the surroundings perfectly. We created some stunning portraits before it was time to leave for the church.
Meanwhile, Tom spent the morning getting ready with the boys at Notley Abbey. They then headed to a pub in Dinton before making their way to the ceremony.
A wedding ceremony at Dinton Church
Tori and Tom chose the lovely village church in Dinton for their wedding ceremony.
The small, traditional church felt perfectly suited to the English countryside wedding they had planned. Their friends and family gathered inside to watch them get married before everyone made their way to Notley Abbey.
Guests travelled over together by bus, while Tori and Tom arrived at the Abbey in a beautiful vintage car.
It was time for the celebrations to begin.
A summer wedding reception at Notley Abbey
We couldn’t have asked for better weather.
It was a warm and sunny summer day, so everyone made the most of the beautiful grounds. Drinks were served outside on the lawn while guests chatted, played garden games and enjoyed the sunshine.
I love this part of a wedding day. After all the anticipation of the morning and ceremony, there is finally a chance for everyone to relax.
It’s also why I don’t always rush couples away for portraits as soon as they arrive at their reception.
Tori and Tom had all their friends and family together, which was the part of their wedding they had looked forward to most. I wanted them to have time to enjoy it.
Waiting for softer light for wedding portraits
After the drinks reception, everyone headed inside for the speeches.
They had the perfect mixture of funny stories and heartfelt moments. Once they had finished, the light outside had started to soften.
That was our moment.
Earlier in the afternoon, the summer sun had been strong and bright. Rather than taking Tori and Tom away from their drinks reception, I waited until the conditions were much more flattering.
We then headed into the grounds of Notley Abbey for their portraits.
This is one of my favourite times to photograph a couple. The light is softer, the pace of the day has slowed and they have had time to settle into being married.
It also gives them a little pocket of time together.
Wedding days move incredibly quickly. Twenty minutes away from everyone else can be a lovely opportunity to walk, talk and take everything in.
Notley Abbey has so many beautiful places for photographs. We made the most of the grounds while creating relaxed, elegant portraits that still felt completely like Tori and Tom.
An evening of live music and dancing
Then it was time to party.
Tori and Tom had a live band for the evening, and the dance floor stayed busy. Their guests were completely up for a celebration, which made it great fun to photograph.
I love capturing this part of a wedding day. The polished shoes have usually come off, everyone has relaxed and the dance floor tells a completely different part of the story.
There were plenty of brilliant moments to photograph, and Tori and Tom certainly knew how to finish their wedding in style.
From a quiet morning at Hartwell House to a village church ceremony, drinks on the lawn and a packed dance floor, their day had everything they wanted.
An elegant, warm and wonderfully relaxed English countryside wedding.
Planning a Dinton Church or Notley Abbey wedding?
If you’re planning your own wedding at Notley Abbey, Dinton Church or elsewhere in Buckinghamshire, I’d love to hear about your plans. You can get in touch with me here. You can also explore my Notley Abbey wedding photography page to see more weddings I’ve photographed at this beautiful venue, or head over to my portfolio to see more of my work.
