Elvetham Hotel Hartley Wintney Hampshire
Wedding Photography
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A selection of wedding photos featuring the Elvetham Hotel Hartley Wintney near Basingstoke Hampshire
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Bride poses for photo after her wedding in the gorgeous grounds of the Elvetham Hotel Hartley Wintney Hampshire. You can also browse the photos in a slideshow format on Youtube
Background Information and Highlights
The Elvetham Hotel Hartley Wintney Hampshire is one of Peter's favourite wedding venues as its such a delight for professional photographers and videographers - stunning interior design, gorgeous well maintained grounds with lots of mature trees and shrubs, a pond, a river, and staff who always work to a very high standard. A real treat. Add to that the great attitude of the registrars responsible for conducting wedding ceremonies at The Elvetham and its a 100% winning combination.
The Elvetham as it is commonly known ("Hotel" is often dropped from its name), is located midway between Farnborough Basingstoke and Reading on the border of North Hampshire and Berkshire; this makes it very easy to reach via the nearby M3 M4 and M25 motorways. Double check your satnav as the main entrance is on the A323 Fleet Road. There is plenty of secure onsite parking.
Peter has worked at the Elvetham Hotel many times and this certainly helps as the whole site is enormous and it can pay to know the "best bits" when time is short or when the weather is against you. There are so many photogenic locations around and about The Elvetham that its all but impossible to try them all at a single wedding - what a great dilemma for any photographer or videographer to be in!
Peter has supplied images to the Elvetham to promote the hotel as a wedding venue, including shots from a low flying light aircraft.
The first image below shows the main building in the foreground and the lovely extra accommodation wing towards the top right. You'll see that the optional marquee has been erected for this event. Part of the Italianate-style pond is visible in the bottom right.
The yew trees - some of which you can see bottom centre in the photo - were used by the late comedian Benny Hill as the location where he was famously filmed being chased by a bevy of scantily clad girls - hard to imagine that would make it onto our TV's now, but he was a national institution back in the day!
See lots more wedding photo galleries including e.g. Peter’s Rivervale Barn, Peter’s Esseborne Manor, Peter’s Audleys Wood Hotel, Peter’s Sandford Springs Hotel, Peter’s Aviator Hotel, Peter’s Oakley Hall Hotel, Peter’s Warbrook House, Peter’s Loseley Park, Peter’s Mill House Hotel Swallowfield, Peter’s St Michaels Church Heckfield, Peter’s Lismoyne Hotel, Peter’s St Bedes Church, Peter’s Wokefield Estate Hotel, and many more.
"Thank you so much for all the wedding photos - we absolutely love them and think they're wonderful! We have had many, many compliments. You did a blinding job. You have really captured the day for us and we are so pleased. And thanks again for all you did on the day. We shall certainly be recommending you to others"
Nicola & Ed P (Elvetham Hotel)
"It's like re-living the day all over again - lovely! "
Sue (Elvetham Hotel)
"The photos are fantastic - thank you for a wonderful job. Everyone who has seen them has commented on the high quality"
Sam & Louise H (Elvetham Hotel)
"Thanks for the videos. Fantastic memories of a wonderful day which you captured fantastically thanks very much"
Charmaine (Elvetham Hotel)
"A HUGE thank you for the photography for our Wedding. You really went above and beyond. And thank you very much for running back to your car to fetch your padded jacket for a freezing Bride! We had such a wonderful day, only enhanced by your relaxed manner and ability. Truly grateful to you for your presence on our big day and thank you for making it all so easy and fun"
Claire & Barry R (Elvetham Hotel)
"We are delighted with the video, thank you! And the albums are perfect!"
Emma & Kieran C (Elvetham Hotel)
"Thank you for sending everything through, we are really pleased"
Emma & Colin W (Elvetham Hotel)
Peter shot this photo (and some video) from a light aircraft - drones were not used!
The iconic and probably most well-known view of the Elvetham Hotel - the main entrance including the grand Carriage Porch which was added in 1901
Wedding ceremonies usually take place in the Oak Room at the front of the Elvetham Hotel. The Oak Room started life as a billiard room in 1913! You'll see it certainly looks the part for gorgeous wedding photos and video. Peter usually starts shooting your ceremony from the rear of the Oak Room and then moves up to the front right corner next to the window. If you have musicians they would normally be located at the front in the left corner
Coverage usually starts with some shots of the dress flowers shoes and so forth and the girls going about their wedding day preparations
The bouquets are must have photos for the start of the wedding album
Other personal touches such as this message from groom Andy to his new bride work great
Brides dress hangs ready for her before her wedding at The Elvetham Hotel
Detail photos of the dress look great at the start of your wedding photo album. Sometimes Peter uses these as backgrounds for montages - you can see this in action in the sample album designs via the main Albums Page
Bride checks her makeup before her wedding
Flowergirls make for some charming wedding photos all day long
The Elvetham has lots of big well appointed rooms suitable for the girls to get ready in without being short of space
There are some great photos to be had whilst the bride finishes getting into her dress
Mementos such as our bride Nicola's ring which was her nan's engagement ring make for extra-special photo
Groom gets dressed ready for his wedding
Father of the bride sees his daughter for the first time on her wedding day at The Elvetham Hotel
Bride poses for a photo before her wedding ceremony
A few semi-formal photos of the bride once she has finished getting ready can be a nice touch
The registrars will want to interview both the bride and groom before the start of the wedding ceremony to complete a few legal formalities. Usually the groom is scheduled for twenty minutes before the start and the bride ten minutes before the start. The interviews are not in the least bit formal. The registrars from nearby Aldershot Register Office are great and can be relied upon to keep everything relaxed
A professional toastmaster can make a big difference in the smooth running of your day
Peter usually shoots a few semi-formal portraits of the groom and best man moments before the start of the wedding ceremony. The last photos of the groom as a "free man" you might say! Many couples like to include some shots with brothers / sisters / parents etc if there is the time available
Guests gather ready for the wedding ceremony in the Oak Room
The wedding ceremony in the above photo was planned to be outside but until the very last moment it seemed the weather was having none of that! Rain rain and more rain, and the staff were not able to put the guest chairs in place until the very last moment. No chance of scene setting photos beforehand showing the ceremony area dressed ready for action. We took a chance on what appeared to be a short break in the wetness and the ceremony went ahead in the grounds.
Brides grooms witnesses and registrars have to be under a permanent structure to comply with English regulations regarding outdoor ceremonies, but guests - and photographers - have to take their chances. As a result the main participants remain dry. Our registrar took the precaution of explaining to the guests that should the rain return the ceremony would continue but the guests would have to take their chances. The Elvetham staff were on hand with lots of umbrellas! We got away with it. Phew!
Lots of emotion as our bride Laura enters the Oak Room arm in arm with her dad
Wide-angle lenses can work well to take in the entire room. Peter usually shoots a few scene-setting photos from the rear of the Oak Room before discreetly moving to one of the front corners
Once the ceremony is underway Peter usually shoots most of the photos from the front corner nearest the window. This ensures that there are plenty of opportunities to photography both the bride and groom and lots of guests as they look on. It can be a tight fit in that corner as it is also occupied by the second registrar at her desk whose job it is to complete the paperwork. But the Aldershot staff are a great bunch and we are all used to playing at sardines! Christmas weddings are even more of a challenge as this spot is usually occupied by an enormous tree
A key moment at the start of the wedding ceremony is where the brides father gives his daughters hand to her groom
There are some lovely mid-ceremony portraits just begging to be shot
Bride and groom make their marriage vows at The Elvetham Hotel
The vows are another great moment to capture on stills as well as on video. Peter shot the next photo from the back of the Oak Room using a special long lens - you can read our bride Nicola's notes even from that distance
There can be some great opportunities for character photos of guests during the ceremony
The exchange of rings is another key moment in the ceremony. Whether is can be photographed depends on the bride and grooms positions at that moment, but the registrars often make a point of ensuring that their hands are visible to the cameras just for a moment
Wedding ceremonies often have one or more readings. This young chap overcame any nerves and did a great job
Bride and groom exchange wedding rings at The Elvetham Hotel
Bride and groom have their first kiss after their marriage ceremony
At the end of the ceremony its time for the bride and groom and the witnesses to sign the marriage register. Photography and video are not permitted at this point - or at least not of the readable document itself. Most registrars including the Aldershot posse impose a blanket ban on photography whilst the signing is in progress. Once the official document signing is completed its normal for the bride and groom to pose for a few photos pretending to sign
The Library at the Elvetham Hotel is also licensed for wedding ceremonies. As with the Oak Room it dates back to 1913. It is trickier for professional photographers and videographers to shoot wedding ceremonies in as it is darker than the Oak Room. Photographers would not usually want to use flash during ceremonies as it can be distracting
Then it becomes a free for all as the guests are invited to shoot their own photos
The ceremony in the next photo took place in The Morning Room at the Elvetham Hotel. The venue has several rooms licensed for ceremonies including the Oak Room, the Library, the Conservatory, and outdoors as well. The Morning Room has beautiful decor and is ideal for small numbers of guests
At the Elvetham the bride and groom are presented with their celebratory drinks immediately on exiting the ceremony room. The Elvetham staff gather in the main hall to proffer drinks to the guests
A genuine ex-Scots Guards piper adds something special to the day
Confetti is allowed at the Elvetham so long as its used outside and its biodegradable. Our little pageboy has rather taken over in the next photo!
The period after the ceremony and before the wedding breakfast is known as the cocktail hour and its a time for candid photos as well as the must-have posed photos with family and friends
Everyone wants photos in "Yew Tree Avenue" and its easy to see why
The riverside on the opposite side of the Elvetham Hotel is another great photo location
Bride and groom pose for photo after their wedding at The Elvetham Hotel
The manicured garden surrounding the pond at the Elvetham is yet another great photo location. Here is Susie with her Star-wars fan / new husband
The oak tree in the background in the next photo was planted by Queen Elizabeth 1st on her visit to the Elvetham in 1591
The Italianate Pond looks wonderful featured in your wedding album
Of course bridesmaids and flowergirls make great subjects
Flower girls pose for wedding photo
The "formal" photos usually start with a big group shot of all the guests attending. If there are lots of guests this may be best shot from a first floor vantage point. The Elvetham staff can let professional photographers into the appropriate rooms
Family groups tend to be smaller and therefore quicker and easier to set up
There are lots of photogenic positions around the Elvetham both inside and outside. Another popular photo is the bride and groom with all the parents
And with the various dads and mums
Groom with his mother at The Elvetham Hotel
The fellas have their own way of being photogenic!
The Conservatory at the Elvetham Hotel has great natural light and is ideal for professional photography and video of your wedding breakfast
Peter shoots lots of photos of the details in the wedding breakfast room. These look great in your wedding photo album
The Library at the Elvetham Hotel is the usual choice for the wedding breakfast. The next photo shows it all ready for battle to commence
Believe it or not these wedding favours were home-made. Marvellous
The optional marquee is a great choice to accommodate large numbers of guests and as with the Conservatory is bright and therefore good for photography and video
Many couples have a "receiving line" before the start of their wedding breakfast. The bride and groom - and usually all the parents - line up at the entrance to the reception room and greet each guest individually. This ensures that you have exchanged a few words with every guest at your wedding even if there are lots of them. The receiving line can have terrific photo opportunities
The speeches can be crammed full of marvellous photo opportunities, not only of the speakers but of the many guests laughing and enjoying themselves. To really make it count get Peter to shoot video of the speeches as well as make lots of photos
Father of the bride makes his speech during the wedding reception
This little chap grabbed the best mans speech and then proceeded to mimic him!
The next photo is the very definition of reportage style wedding photography. A totally natural, unposed, unscripted, decisive moment as our groom is embarrassed by his best man's speech
Best man makes his speech at The Elvetham Hotel during the wedding reception
Lots of brides and guests recommend Peter. The next photo below shows a guest who was a bride Peter shot more than a decade ago!
There was a strong Irish connection with this groom. Who would have guessed!
The bouquet toss is usually best performed outside otherwise it can get entangled with fixtures inside
Peter can shoot some groups in the evening after dark if required. This can be useful if some of the VIP wedding guests are not available until the evening or, heaven forbid, poor weather prevents outdoor group photos earlier in the day
The wedding cake is usually cut in the evening shortly before the first dance
The first dance is a must-have for photos and video
A live band can really get things going
A firework display can really make the evening special
Yes that really is a full moon rising over the Elvetham Hotel. No photoshopping going on! A photo of the venue at night can make a terrific closing spread in your wedding album