Jimmy & Sophie | Copsegrove Farm Wedding
Copsegrove Farm · Bisley, Cotswolds
A Documentary Wedding Story
Jimmy and Sophie got married at Copsegrove Farm, a lovingly restored Cotswold stone barn on a working farm on the edge of Bisley, with confetti, limoncello, some of the funniest speeches I have heard and a dance floor that never emptied.
Some venues feel like they were made for a celebration. Copsegrove Farm feels like it was made for a celebration with the people you love most. Tucked away at the end of a mile long chestnut lined drive, it is the kind of place where a wedding stops feeling like an event and starts feeling like a gathering of family.
Jimmy and Sophie's day was exactly that: relaxed, joyful, full of laughter, and gloriously unpolished in all the right ways. I am also delighted to share that I am now a recommended supplier at Copsegrove, so I will be back in that beautiful barn again soon.
The Morning
The day began slowly in the farmhouse, with fizz poured into coupes, a few happy tears over cards, and the kind of easy chatter that only comes when everyone is completely at home. Sophie got ready surrounded by her closest people, while Jimmy and the boys took over the old wooden kitchen, trying on ties and sunglasses and doing a very good job of looking calm.
The Ceremony in the Barn
Copsegrove's Cotswold stone barn is something special for a ceremony. Warm wall lights glow against the old stone, the elm beams frame everything above you, and with up to 75 guests it always feels full and close rather than formal. Jimmy's face as Sophie walked in said everything, and the ceremony itself was filled with grins, glances and the occasional burst of laughter from the rows of guests.
Confetti and Limoncello
Then out into the sunshine for one of the best confetti exits I have photographed this year: arms in the air, petals everywhere, and two people who could not stop smiling. Before anyone had even brushed the confetti off, out came the limoncello, and the whole party threw back shots together, which set the tone for the rest of the day perfectly. Drinks flowed in the courtyard while guests caught up and the afternoon settled into that lovely, unhurried rhythm Copsegrove does so well.
Around the Farm
We slipped away for a little time on their own, wandering past dry stone walls and across the fields as the light softened. And of course, the farm's vintage Land Rover made a guest appearance, which felt completely right for a day like this.
The Feast and the Speeches
Back inside, the barn was set with long tables, candles and wine, under those wonderful chandeliers. The speeches were some of the funniest I have heard. Jimmy, a little nervous as he stood up, tapped the microphone against his chest to mimic his racing heartbeat, and the whole room was with him from that moment on. By the end, he had everyone in tears of laughter. It is moments like these where I love working quietly in the background, catching the reactions as much as the words.
Into the Night
When the dancing started, nobody held back. A first dance in the middle of a circle of friends, hands in the air, and a dance floor that stayed full well into the night. Pure joy, and a perfect end to the day.
On 35mm Film
Alongside my digital work, I love shooting a roll or two of 35mm film on the day. Film slows me down and adds a texture and honesty that digital cannot quite match: the grain, the softness, the little imperfections that make a moment feel lived in. These frames from Jimmy and Sophie's day are some of my favourites, and they sit beautifully alongside the rest of the gallery.
A Guide to Copsegrove Farm Weddings
Where it is. Copsegrove Farm sits on a 300 acre working farm in the Toadsmoor Valley, just outside Bisley near Stroud, in the heart of the Cotswolds. It is around fifteen minutes from Stroud and half an hour from Cirencester, at the end of a quiet mile long chestnut lined drive.
The barn. A lovingly restored Cotswold stone barn on the hill above the farmhouse, hosting ceremonies and celebrations for up to 75 guests. Look up and you will see hand cut elm beams and two 2 metre wide chandeliers made from the farm's original steel grain elevator scoops. There is a large open fireplace, a courtyard, and a cosy bar in the old Bull Pen.
Staying over. The farmhouse sleeps 21, with gardens, an outdoor pool, tennis court, spa pool, sauna and steam room, so your closest people can make a whole weekend of it.
Booking. The barn can be hired privately, and weddings are also offered through Copsegrove's partner Unique Homestays.
A photographer's view. The barn's warm lighting and stone walls make for rich, intimate photographs indoors, so it is ideal for a documentary approach. Outside, the courtyard is perfect for a confetti exit, and the fields and dry stone walls give you beautiful portrait spots without straying far from your guests. Allow twenty minutes or so in the evening light for a short wander; it is worth it.
Who it suits. Couples wanting an intimate, relaxed wedding with great food, a proper party and a genuine countryside feel, rather than anything formal or rigid.
Getting married at Copsegrove Farm yourself? It is one of the most special venues I have photographed, from the candlelit barn to the courtyard and the fields beyond, and as a recommended supplier I would love to talk you through how I approach a day there.
Visit Copsegrove Farm Bristol & Cotswolds weddingsIf you are planning a relaxed Cotswolds wedding with great food and a proper party, my Bristol wedding photography page has more days like this one, and my portfolio has plenty more dance floors just as lively as this one.
Ceremony & reception venue: Copsegrove Farm, Bisley, Stroud GL6 7AH
Photography: Oliver Holder
Planning a wedding at Copsegrove Farm, or somewhere else in the Cotswolds? I would love to hear about it.
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