Candid Wedding at No.131 The Promenade, Cheltenham

Tara and Sam's Black Tie Candid Wedding at No.131 The Promenade

It felt great to leave Shropshire and head down to Cheltenham—a town that always makes me nostalgic for my early photography student days—to capture Tara and Sam's stunning candid wedding at No.131 The Promenade.  This venue is pure magic. Every room is a gift for a photographer.

These two just wanted their day to feel super relaxed and laid back. They were totally clear that they wanted to spend their time celebrating, not posing, which is music to my documentary-loving ears! Their biggest priority was making sure the day felt candid and totally authentic.

This approach was perfectly suited for their day. Tara had a few fun shots planned for the morning, wanted some quick photos with the kids straight after the ceremony, and crucially, wanted to stay with her guests for the rest of the day. Capturing this candid wedding at No.131 The Promenade meant focusing on efficiency and organic moments.

We managed to grab five minutes as the guests were going to find their seats to capture some quick portraits in front of the venue's iconic Gin & Juice sign—a lovely, on-the-fly portrait spot! My 90/10 approach was in full swing: 90% unposed, real-time observation, giving Tara and Sam the space to simply be present and feel every moment, rather than perform for the camera.

Everything else was captured just as it happened throughout the day. From the first tears during the vows to the final, joyful hugs on the dance floor, every moment was real. I absolutely love these impromptu group shots.

Scroll down to see the documentary magic!

If you’re planning your own intimate wedding in the Cheltenham or Cotswolds area, and you want natural, honest photography without the pressure of posing, let’s chat.