A Relaxed Wedding at Crowcombe Court | Sarah & Kris

If you’re planning a wedding at Crowcombe Court, you’ll love this Quantock-inspired wedding for inspiration!

When Sarah and Kris first got in touch, they told me they wanted their wedding to feel fun, relaxed and completely unpretentious.

Honestly?

That sentence alone was enough to make me excited.

They’d chosen Crowcombe Court because of its beautiful location on the edge of the Quantocks and wanted a day that felt like one big celebration with their favourite people. There were plans for a live band, archery and their Border Collie Dylan was going to be a key member of the bridal party.

Which, as a dog lover, immediately earned them extra points.

Fast forward to the wedding day and it somehow exceeded all expectations.

Not only did they create one of the most relaxed and joyful wedding days I’ve photographed, but we also ended up taking portraits in the Quantocks surrounded by wild horses.

Genuinely one of the coolest things I’ve ever done at a wedding.

Getting Ready at Crowcombe Court

Crowcombe Court is one of those venues that instantly feels special when you arrive. The building itself is stunning, but what I love most is how welcoming it feels. It’s elegant without feeling stuffy and provides the perfect backdrop for a wedding that feels relaxed and personal.

The morning was exactly that.

Friends and family drifted between rooms, people were helping each other get ready and there was a real sense of excitement building throughout the venue.

And then there was Dylan.

If you’ve ever wondered whether your dog should be involved in your wedding, this is your sign.

Throughout the day he managed to charm guests, steal attention and somehow become one of the most photographed members of the wedding party.

Honestly, iconic behaviour.

A Beautiful Ceremony at Crowcombe Court

When guests gathered for the ceremony, you could immediately tell how loved Sarah and Kris are.

The atmosphere felt relaxed from the very beginning. Nobody was worried about perfection. Nobody seemed stressed.

Everyone was simply excited to be there.

That’s something I think people underestimate when they’re planning a wedding. The atmosphere of a day doesn’t come from flowers or decorations. It comes from the people.

And Sarah and Kris had surrounded themselves with some really brilliant people.

Their ceremony reflected that perfectly. There was laughter, there were emotional moments and there was a genuine sense that everyone in the room was rooting for them.

Confetti, Sunshine and Everything a Wedding Should Be

After the ceremony, guests gathered outside for drinks while Sarah and Kris were showered with rose petal confetti. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and Crowcombe Court looked incredible in the sunshine.

One thing I love about Crowcombe Court is that there are so many beautiful spots for photographs without needing to drag nearlyweds away from their guests for hours. While we were mingling taking photos, guests played lawn games and Archery and a very interesting (slightly dangerous) game involving a hammer and some nails which was hilarious to watch!

We spent some time exploring the grounds together, grabbing a few relaxed portraits and making the most of the incredible Somerset scenery before heading back to the celebrations.

Because at the end of the day, weddings are about spending time with your people.

Not disappearing for half the afternoon for photographs.

One of the things that stood out throughout the entire day was how much fun everyone was having. There was no pressure for things to be perfect. No obsession with timelines. No worrying about whether everything looked right.

Everyone was simply enjoying themselves.

And honestly, that’s exactly how weddings should be.

Speeches, Good Food and Sneaking Off for Photos

Following a three-course meal, everyone settled in for speeches and hearing stories about Sarah and Kris. The speeches were equal parts hilarious and heartfelt, which is pretty much the perfect combination.

Listening to people talk about them, it was obvious why they have such an amazing group of friends around them.

There was so much warmth in the room.

So much laughter.

And more than a few moments where people were trying very hard not to cry.

After dinner, we grabbed a few more photographs before heading off on what would become one of the most memorable portrait sessions I’ve ever photographed.

The Coolest Couple Session I’ve Ever Done

Now let’s talk about what might genuinely be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done at a wedding.

Just before the first dance, we jumped in the car and headed into the Quantocks.

The light was absolutely ridiculous.

The views were incredible.

And then, completely unexpectedly, we found ourselves taking photographs surrounded by wild horses.

Not at a styled shoot.

Not on a workshop.

At an actual wedding.

I remember standing there thinking, “This is absolutely insane.”

The whole thing felt cinematic. Sarah and Kris laughing together while wild horses wandered nearby, with the Somerset countryside stretching out behind them.

If somebody had told me when I first picked up a camera that this would one day be part of my job, I would’ve laughed.

It’s genuinely one of my favourite portrait sessions I’ve ever photographed.

And honestly, it suited Sarah and Kris perfectly.

Relaxed.

A little adventurous.

Completely unforgettable.

Dancing the Night Away

Back at Crowcombe Court, guests gathered ready for the first dance before the live band got the party started.

From that moment onwards, the dance floor was packed.

People were dancing, singing, eating pizza and making the absolute most of every second of the evening. It felt like one giant celebration from start to finish and there was such a lovely atmosphere throughout the entire venue.

The Couple

Sarah and Kris are exactly the kind of people I love working with.

The entire day felt effortless.

Not because weddings are ever actually effortless, but because they never lost sight of what mattered.

They wanted a fun day.

They wanted to celebrate with their favourite people.

And they wanted everyone to have a good time.

That’s exactly what happened.

Throughout the day there was such a strong sense of connection between everyone there. Friends felt like family, family felt like friends and every part of the wedding felt centred around bringing people together.

As a wedding photographer, there are some weddings where you’re very aware you’re there to work.

This wasn’t one of them.

From the moment I arrived, everyone was so welcoming that it felt less like turning up to photograph strangers and more like being invited to celebrate alongside friends.

Those are always my favourite weddings.

When people are relaxed, when they’re fully present and when they trust you completely, that’s when the magic happens.

And honestly, if I could relive one wedding portrait session from this year, it’d probably be the one involving wild horses in the Quantocks.

I don’t think anything is topping that anytime soon.

Why Crowcombe Court is a Great Place to Get Married

If you’re looking for a Somerset wedding venue with incredible views, beautiful grounds and easy access to the Quantocks, Crowcombe Court is hard to beat.

The venue feels elegant without feeling stuffy, offers plenty of space for guests to relax and gives you access to some of the most beautiful countryside in the South West.