Lily & Will's Golden Summer Wedding at The Waters Edge at Ewen

As a recommended photographer for The Waters Edge at Ewen, we’ve had the privilege of shooting a fair few weddings at this stunning Cotswolds venue, but Lily and Will's day stood out for its warmth — burnt orange bridesmaid dresses against silver-green willow leaves, an outdoor ceremony under dappled woodland light, and a couple who couldn't stop laughing at each other all day long. Here's how their day unfolded.

Getting Ready: Peach Pyjamas and Pre-Wedding Nerves

The morning began the way so many of the best wedding mornings do — with matching pyjamas, mimosas, and a room full of nervous excitement. Lily's bridesmaids got ready in peach silk pyjama sets while hair and makeup artists worked their magic against the moody navy walls of the bridal suite. There's something timeless about the quiet, intimate moments before a wedding: an earring going in, a hairpin being placed, a shared laugh over a glass of champagne.

The Ceremony: An Outdoor Tent Wedding Under the Willows

Meanwhile, across the venue, the groomsmen were having a very different kind of morning — sunglasses on, orange ties knotted, and the first celebratory pints already flowing.

Lily and Will chose an outdoor stretch-tent ceremony at The Waters Edge at Ewen, set among mature trees with a rustic wooden gazebo as the backdrop. It's one of the most photogenic ceremony spots in the Cotswolds — the dappled light through the canopy, the wildflower arrangements on stone plinths, and guests seated on simple wooden chairs tied with green ribbon.

Will's face as Lily walked down the aisle on her father's arm is one of those unscripted, unrepeatable moments that no amount of posing could ever recreate. Their first kiss as a married couple, framed by the gazebo and surrounded by peach and red floral arrangements, captures everything a countryside wedding at this venue promises.

Confetti, Laughter, and That First Walk as Husband and Wife

If you're looking for wedding photo inspiration involving confetti, this is it. Lily and Will's guests threw handfuls of dried petal confetti as the newlyweds walked back down the path together — Lily laughing, Will beaming, both a little breathless from the moment. It's consistently one of the most joyful parts of any wedding day to photograph, and this one was no exception.

Portraits: Willow Trees, Ponds, and Golden-Hour Light

The grounds at The Waters Edge at Ewen are made for couple portraits. We spent time by the lily pond, on the little wooden footbridge, and beneath the trailing branches of a huge weeping willow — Lily's veil catching the breeze in nearly every shot. The bridal party portraits, with Lily's bridesmaids in matching burnt-orange satin, made for some of the most striking images of the day, especially with the willow's silvery-green leaves as a backdrop.

We also captured a full wedding party group shot from above with the drone, taken by the pond with the whole willow-lined lawn in view — a favourite for couples who want one image that captures the entire guest list and the venue itself.

The Reception: Speeches, Napkin Waves, and Celebration

Inside, the reception continued the warm, relaxed tone of the day — exposed stone walls, soft floral arrangements over the fireplace, and a room full of laughter during the speeches. One particular highlight: an entire room of guests waving white napkins above their heads mid-celebration, a joyful, slightly chaotic moment that always makes for a standout photograph.

Why Choose The Waters Edge at Ewen for Your Wedding

For couples researching Cotswolds wedding venues, The Waters Edge at Ewen offers a rare combination: intimate indoor spaces with exposed stone and reclaimed wood, and genuinely beautiful outdoor grounds with mature willow trees, a pond, and a dedicated stretch-tent ceremony area. As one of the venue's recommended wedding photographers, I'd say its biggest strength is versatility — whether you want a woodland ceremony, waterside portraits, or a relaxed barn-style reception, it delivers all three without ever feeling like separate locations stitched together.

If you're planning a wedding at The Waters Edge at Ewen and are looking for a photographer who knows the venue's best light, hidden corners, and golden-hour spots, get in touch — we would love to help capture your day the way we captured Lily and Will's.

Richard Lewis Photography is a recommended wedding photographer for The Waters Edge at Ewen, Gloucestershire. Get in touch to check availability for your wedding date.