Autumn in Bath is always a special time of year—the golden leaves, the cosy atmosphere, and the warm glow of sunset light. I had the pleasure of photographing Emma and Andy’s small wedding at Guildhall in November. We decided that a 2-hour package would work well to capture their ceremony, a few group shots, couple portraits, and some final moments at their reception.
We started at Guildhall, one of Bath’s popular wedding venues. After the ceremony, we headed out for couple portraits around the city in a vintage campervan.
Before the wedding, Emma, Andy, and I met at a café to chat about their ideas and favourite locations in Bath. I took some time to explore those spots and figure out the best places to photograph, considering the time of day and how the light would work. When we arrived at the Crescent, everything fell into place—the lighting was perfect, and we got some beautiful sunset photos by the campervan and in the surrounding area.
From there, we walked towards the Fashion Museum before heading back to Sanremo Italian Restaurant for their reception. It’s just opposite Guildhall and has a cosy yet grand feel with great food.
The drive and photoshoot took about 40 minutes, and scouting the locations beforehand made a big difference. Even though I photograph in Bath often, I always make sure I’m prepared so that we can spend time taking photos rather than figuring out where to go.
At Sanremo, I took a few shots of the reception. The restaurant has a private upstairs room that’s perfect for intimate weddings with around 30 guests. The autumn-inspired table decor was simple but beautiful—dried flowers, scattered leaves created a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
Emma & Andy’s Wedding Day Insights
What was the most memorable moment of your wedding day?
Seeing each other in the ceremony room. It was such a high seeing Emma in her wedding dress—I was feeling very giddy!
What did you love about getting married in Bath?
Bath has such a great atmosphere and grand architecture. The Guildhall is such a unique building, just a stone’s throw from the Abbey.
Any tips for couples planning their wedding?
Allow for traffic in your timings and remind guests about the best parking spots ahead of time. But don’t stress—weddings are happy occasions! Enjoy the excitement, even those butterflies!
Would you do anything differently?
Elope and not invite anyone… haha, just kidding! Organising meals, ceremonies, and gathering a big group of people can be stressful, but trust in the process. Also, don’t be afraid to follow up with vendors—businesses are busy, and a gentle reminder can help keep things on track.
What was the most challenging part of planning?
Getting two families and two friend groups together in one place on the same day! It’s also tricky to budget when you’re waiting on RSVPs.
What apps/tools did you find helpful for planning?
Pinterest was great for decoration and outfit mood boards. It made it easy to share ideas and refer back to them later.
Anything else you'd like to share?
What really made our wedding day so special was having great photos to remember it by. Having a photographer who felt more like a friend helped us relax and enjoy the moment. We were both nervous about having our portraits taken, but in the end, it became one of our favourite memories from the day.
If you're planning a small wedding in Bath and want natural, relaxed photography get in touch , Oxana x
Florist - @brambleandwild
Hair - @ourhouse.hair
Dress - @deadlyfemale
Ceremony Guildhall - @weddingsinbath
Reception - @sanremo_restaurant_bath
Cake - @donnasfloralcakery
Campervan @vwweddingcampervans
Photography @oxiphotography