Planning a winter wedding at Cantley House Hotel? Beccy and Matt’s beautiful December wedding shows exactly why this venue works so perfectly for the Christmas season, with twinkling fairy lights, real festive trees, candlelight and the cosy atmosphere of the Briar Barn creating the most magical setting. As a Berkshire wedding photographer, I love how winter weddings at Cantley House feel intimate, romantic and full of warmth, proving that shorter days can create some of the most atmospheric and memorable celebrations.
I first connected with the couple via Beccy’s mum at a wedding open evening hosted at Cantley House Hotel, where I’m proud to be a preferred Berkshire wedding photographer. At the time, Beccy and Matt were living in Chicago, but that didn’t stop them from planning a flawless UK wedding from abroad. All of our wedding photography planning sessions were done over Zoom – a testament to how achievable it is to plan your dream wedding in the UK even if you’re overseas.
A Cosy Winter Ceremony in the Briar Barn
Beccy and Matt chose the 17th-century Briar Barn at Cantley House Hotel for their ceremony, and it couldn’t have been more perfect for a winter wedding. With its exposed oak beams, intimate atmosphere, and open fireplace, the barn was transformed into a festive haven.
They opted for a civil registrar ceremony (bookable through Wokingham Borough Council), followed by a heartfelt religious blessing from Matt’s grandfather, a vicar — adding a personal and spiritual touch to their celebration.
The barn was beautifully decorated by Add Style Ltd, with rich festive florals and soft candlelight bringing warmth and elegance to the space.
The Bride, The Dress, and The Details
Beccy looked absolutely radiant in a classic gown from Ellis Bridals, purchased through the lovely team at Sophie Grace Bridal Ltd in Berkshire. Her bridal look was completed by Brush Ltd, who provided hair and makeup artistry to match the elegance of the season.
Guests were serenaded by the incredibly talented harpist Cecily Beer during the drinks reception — creating a magical soundtrack to the afternoon.
The entire day was captured not only in photos by myself but also beautifully on film by KB Wedding Videography, preserving every moment from laughter to candlelit romance.
Planning a UK Wedding from Abroad
One of the standout things about this wedding was just how smooth and joyful the planning process was — despite Beccy and Matt living thousands of miles away in the US. We used Zoom for all our planning chats and built a clear timeline together.
If you’re currently planning a destination wedding in the UK while based abroad, rest assured it’s more than possible to coordinate everything remotely. From venue walkthroughs via video calls to virtual supplier meetings, I offer flexible and detailed support to all my couples, wherever you are in the world.
Planning Your Wokingham Winter Wedding?
As a Berkshire wedding photographer, I adore capturing cosy, atmospheric weddings like Beccy and Matt’s. If you’re planning your own Cantley House Hotel wedding or dreaming of a Wokingham barn wedding, I’d love to chat.
