Esther & Ed | Tapeley Park Wedding Photography
Tapeley Park is a superb venue
Esther and Ed’s wedding at Tapeley Park in Devon was one of those days that had character from beginning to end. From the moment I arrived, the weather was ideal. Warm, bright and slightly overcast, which often creates the best kind of light for natural wedding photography.
With stunning gardens, meaningful family touches and a few unexpected moments along the way, it turned into a wedding that stood out for all the right reasons.
An outdoor ceremony at Tapeley Park
Guests were beginning to arrive as I made my way down to the outdoor ceremony space, where I found Ed waiting with his best man.
The ceremony area at Tapeley Park is beautifully positioned, with an open-fronted structure and guest seating on the lawn in front. It creates a relaxed outdoor setting while still feeling intimate.
After taking a few photographs of Ed before the ceremony, the flower girl arrived. She was Ed’s young niece, who had travelled over from Portugal with her mum, and before long she had quietly become my little helper for the rest of the day.
A pink Cadillac with real meaning
One of the most memorable moments came when Esther arrived in her grandfather’s pink Cadillac.
It was not just a striking car. It carried real meaning because he had promised her from a young age that one day he would take her to her wedding in it.
Before the ceremony, we took photographs in front of the manor house with Esther, the Cadillac, her bridesmaids, the flower girl and her grandfather.
Then it was time to make the walk down to the ceremony space. Esther handled the steps with real grace, walking with her grandfather while her bridesmaids followed behind.
Waiting at the bottom, I photographed the moment while my young helper carefully scattered petals in front of Esther as she walked.
Confetti and gardens at Tapeley Park
After the ceremony, everyone made their way back towards the manor house and into the side gardens for drinks and canapés.
The gardens at Tapeley Park are full of character, with mature planting, historic features and beautiful flower beds that work brilliantly for photographs.
I filmed the confetti throw with the drone as well as photographing it from the ground, before organising the group photograph and the family combinations Esther and Ed had requested.
Couple photographs around the estate
Later on, Esther, Ed and I took a walk through the grounds for couple portraits.
Tapeley Park offers so much variety that it allows each part of the venue to feel different in the final gallery.
Ed had also mentioned he had brought his own classic car, so we quickly made time to photograph the two of them with that as well before returning to the pink Cadillac for a few final portraits.
A wedding with personality
Inside, guests were called in for food, drinks and speeches. The meal felt more like a medieval banquet than a standard wedding breakfast, and the desserts were unforgettable.
After the meal, Esther and Ed cut the cake before everyone stepped back outside while the room was turned around for the evening.
That was when I managed to drop one of my drone joysticks somewhere in the grass.
I jokingly told my young helper that if she could find it, there was a £5 reward and a chance to fly the drone in it for her. Amazingly, within a few minutes she came running back with it in her hand.
Considering how easily it could have disappeared in the grass, it felt like she had found a needle in a haystack.
An evening to finish the day
Once the room had been reset, the evening reception began and Esther and Ed shared their first dance as husband and wife.
Not long after that, my time with them came to an end.
From the pink Cadillac to the flower girl turned assistant, it was a wedding full of personal touches that made the whole day feel completely their own.
Planning your own Bideford wedding? Or are you further afield in Cornwall, Devon or the South West?
If you’re looking for relaxed, natural photography that captures the real moments as they unfold, I’d love to hear more about your plans. Get in touch HERE and let’s chat about how we can create something just as special for you.
