Aynhoe Park Elegant Real Wedding

We share A&A’s beautiful wedding at the elegant Aynhoe Park captured by Emma-Jane Photography.

About the couple

A&A wanted an elegant fusion of Chinese and French elements for their wedding, allowing them to showcase their love while highlighting the luxurious features of Aynhoe Park without overwhelming the space.

About the day and how it went

The wedding day itself fell on a Saturday, with the events spread over three days at Aynhoe Park, allowing their family and friends to fully immerse themselves in the celebration. On Friday, guests checked in and enjoyed a fantastic welcome dinner provided by the Aynhoe Park kitchen, along with a birthday celebration for the bride’s sister and friend. The main wedding day was Saturday, starting early with bridal preparations and the stunning floral displays in the orangery. SS Flowers did a fantastic job, incorporating beautiful autumn vibes into their arrangements.

The orangery at Aynhoe Park has amazing light, and being a photographer there was a dream. Photographing the ceremony in this location, one of the venue’s main features, was an incredible experience.

The room was elegantly dressed, featuring the taxidermy zebra at the back and the Aynhoe Park giraffe proudly overlooking the ceremony. As this was a wedding at the end of autumn, we were pressed for daylight after the ceremony. Once it was over, we quickly moved on to couple and group photos before the light changed. The orangery then underwent a rapid turnaround for the remainder of the drinks reception and some toasts.

I managed to whisk my couple away just before dinner to capture the last of the sunset across the back garden of Aynhoe Park, one of the sweet spots of their gardens. This resulted in some beautifully chilly autumn sunset photos, where the couple was simply allowed to be together.

One of my favourite photos is the hug he gives her, full of love! The day continued with a whirlwind of speeches, cake cutting, and some epic dancing. Among my favourite first dance photos are those where the orangery transforms into a stunning light festival of colour. It’s really important for couples to create the right setting for their first dance, and these two certainly did! Day 3 featured a farewell lunch as well as the Chinese tea ceremony.

A little bit about Emma Jane

Do tell us a little bit about yourself

I am a London, Oxfordshire, and destination wedding photographer with 9 years of experience. After moving from Devon to London, I shifted my focus to fashion and working with couples who want creative wedding photos—not just a simple snapshot.

How would you describe your photography style?

My style blends fashion with wedding photography to create images that are elongated yet have a fashionable twist. I carefully consider the backdrops and composition to enhance each shot. I also love capturing candid moments, which make up about 80% of the day. It’s all about finding the right angle and light to make these moments stylish and relatable.

What did you love about the day?

I adored the ceremony—watching the bride walk down the aisle and getting emotional as she saw him was truly moving. The father’s speech in the conservatory was another highlight; the couple’s reactions were so touching. I loved photographing at Aynhoe Park. Having previously done a styled shoot there, being able to return for a real wedding was a dream come true. More, please!

What advice would you give to couples planning their wedding day?

Make sure to structure your day with enough buffer time. Elements can take longer than expected, and suppliers might need to run around to keep up. Allow plenty of time for each part of the day so you can truly enjoy it.

Brides feedback

“I just wanted to say thank you so much for being absolutely incredible during our weekend at Aynhoe. We saw the initial photographs and were absolutely stunned. You were amazing throughout the weekend—so patient with us and always running around to create the best photos. Your passion and dedication really shine through! Thank you also for being so accommodating when we made last-minute changes to the schedule. We are incredibly grateful.