Wedding Drinks Reception Photography

Pop the corks! Let the music play!

While you’re enjoying champagne and canapes with your guests, I’ll candidly capture whatever’s going on.

Pictures of people are a huge priority at this point. I’ll be on the lookout for photos of your guests just being themselves, unaware of the camera. I’ll catch lots of happy smiles but I’ll mainly be watching for shots with a story to them, images that show personalities or relationships and the way different generations enjoy weddings.

Perhaps your guests from overseas are enjoying a nice cup of tea in the English countryside. Maybe your grandfather has escaped to a quiet corner and is reading the newspaper. Quite possibly your aunt and uncle are embroiled in demystifying the magician’s secrets. And more than likely your uni mates are snort laughing while they recount the story of that wild night out.

Bride and groom arriving for the drinks reception at Rushton Hall
The bride's veil blowing in the wind as she arrives at Stoke Rochford Hall for the drinks reception
Bride and groom standing with marquee drinks reception behind them
Wedding guests on the west front at Boughton House during the drinks reception
Wedding guests laughing during the drinks reception at Boughton House
Bride smiling with a glass of champagne in her hand
Jamaican wedding guests enjoying a cup of tea in the English countryside
A sunny wedding drinks reception in the courtyard at Rushton Hall
Wedding guests playing giant jenga in the gardens at Boughton House
Wedding guests chatting during the drinks reception at Rockingham Castle
A view of a wedding drinks reception from an upstairs window
Mother of the groom laughing during the drinks reception
Wedding guests chatting during the drinks reception at Boughton House
Wedding guests playing giant garden games outside Wadenhoe House
Wedding guests enjoying canapes during the drinks reception at Holdenby House
A group of friends laughing as they enjoy champagne during a wedding reception
Wedding guests fallen asleep on a bench while listening to a string quartet
Children playing on steps during a wedding drinks reception
Wedding guests enjoying a drinks reception at Holdenby House
Two young boys playing games under the wedding gift table
Dad teaching his daughter how to play croquet during a wedding drinks reception
Wedding guests playgirl cricket during a drinks reception at Plum Park

A pinch of formality

If you’d like any group photos, this is the time to do them. I usually recommend taking a little time at the start of the reception to quench your thirst and tickle your taste buds, and then crack on with the groups quite quickly before people wander off to explore the grounds or go to the bar. Find out more about my approach to group photos.

Tablescapes

Once your guests have sat down for dinner the tables never look quite the same again! So I’ll take some photos of the set-up during the drinks reception when everything is pristine. Read more about my approach to photographing wedding details.