Temple of Minerva Wedding Photographer
As a Temple of Minerva wedding photographer, I love capturing weddings at this magical little venue, hidden away in lush woodlands in the beautiful botanical gardens of Bath. The Temple of Minerva looks stunning in every season, ideal for everything from an intimate wedding to a gathering of 100 guests, with the Temple doors opened onto the terrace.
Sarah and Dennis – Temple of Minerva wedding photography
For Sarah and Dennis, getting married at the Temple of Minerva offered them the flexibility they were looking for. Although they’d had to postpone their initial wedding, their wedding date was almost exactly 10 years from when they first met. As a child, Sarah used to play in the woodland dell just behind the Temple, this connection made the venue super special, so I wanted to use the woodland for some of their bridal party portraits and couple shoot.
“So many of the people we’ve showed have said they’re the best wedding photos they’ve ever seen!”
Sarah and Dennis
Getting ready
I joined Sarah and Dennis as their Temple of Minerva wedding photographer on a beautiful sunny day in Bath. With a few different locations planned for photos, I set off early and squirrelled away some kit at the Roman Baths first thing in the morning, ready for their reception. Next, I dropped another bag off where the girls were getting ready, then headed to join Dennis and his groomsmen playing mini-golf in Royal Victoria Park – it was going to be a busy day!
The boys were already in their suits, looking very smart as they played a round of mini-golf in the sunshine. Dennis wore an Oliver Brown dinner suit, with special thanks to Roy at the Jermyn Street store who helped fit the braces to keep his trousers in place (tall guy problems!).
I photographed them as they walked back down into the centre of Bath, surrounded by glimpses of Georgian architecture and Bath stone. They grabbed a few important bits and pieces, then headed off to the Temple of Minerva.
Sarah and her bridal party were getting ready at Eight in Bath, a beautiful boutique Georgian townhouse hotel, with plenty of space for everyone to relax. Sam at Bath Bridal Hair was busy perfecting hair and makeup as the girls chatted and laughed, the beautiful light in the room was an absolute joy to photograph in!
The flowers had arrived and were chilling out in the bath! Pulteney Bridge Flowers provided the floral displays for the day, Sarah and Dennis gave them an idea of what they were looking for and they created beautiful arrangements using seasonal flowers in classic designs. I love capturing the little details that frame the day, and the soft light from the window falling on the flowers in the bath was just dreamy.
Sarah looked stunning in her elegant Mia Mia wedding dress from London Bridal Couture, Ingrida the owner suggested the dress as the first one Sarah should try on and she fell in love with it. Her veil was added while she stood next to the window, the light really was incredible and Sarah looked so happy and relaxed, you could tell she was really looking forward to marrying Dennis.
To the wedding!
The girls had enjoyed getting ready so much that we were running a little bit behind time, and the taxis they’d booked to take them to the Temple of Minerva wedding ceremony had decided not to wait! So we all headed out into the streets of Bath, much to the enjoyment of everyone we passed!
We waited for Sarah’s Dad, who had an emotional first look at his daughter, which had us all wiping away a few tears – including some of the people watching from a nearby café! A stunning vintage Jaguar MKII from Bath Classic Cars, was waiting for Sarah and her Dad at the edge of Parade Gardens.
In a sudden scramble, Sarah’s awesome bridesmaids assembled in their Ted Baker dresses, and used ‘GET US TO THE WEDDING!’ persuasion tactics to find taxis to whisk us off to the ceremony – it was graduation day in Bath, so the streets were really starting to fill up!
Temple of Minerva wedding ceremony
As we arrived, I started capturing guests sitting and chatting, and said a quick hello to Dennis, before meeting Sarah, her Dad, and her bridesmaids as they prepared to walk down the aisle. They walked from the lake, over the ornamental bridge, and along the beautiful, twisting woodland aisle on the way up to the Temple of Minerva. Sarah followed her bridesmaids on her Dad’s arm, ready to finally marry Dennis.
As a Temple of Minerva wedding photographer, I love the features of this enchanting venue, even with 90 guests it felt intimate and personal, with plenty of fresh air, light, and space for everyone to enjoy. Their emotional ceremony took place in glorious sunshine, with some beautiful readings and speeches (and plenty of tissues being passed around!). The bridesmaids must have been rehearsing how to cry elegantly as they all managed it very well!
Temple of Minerva wedding reception
After the ceremony, their guests lined the path from the Temple down the aisle and through the moon gate. We hid Sarah and Dennis inside the Temple and then brought them back through to be showered with confetti (always buy more confetti than you think you’ll need… it’s so worth it!).
Now THAT is how you successfully cover a couple in confetti – I expect Sarah and Dennis will be finding it in their hair, ears and shoes for years to come!!
As they enjoyed drinks and canapes on the lawn, I captured the hugs and smiles in their Temple of Minerva wedding photography, whilst also eyeing up a little treat they’d laid on for their guests. The Sevanetti Ice Cream Trike was an absolute hit, and very much welcomed in the afternoon sunshine! Then we captured a few group portraits in the shade of the trees before everyone started to head off to the Roman Baths.
Woodland portraits – Temple of Minerva wedding photos
As the guests made their way across town, I took the newlyweds and their bridal party into the woodland dell and captured some portraits on the bath stone monument hidden in the trees. We had a lot of fun, and both Sarah and Dennis were thrown in the air (although I’m not sure Dennis was 100% expecting it!).
Sarah and Dennis stayed with me for an exquisite woodland couple shoot, where I captured some contrasty and edgy portraits under the intense blue sky and greens of the forest. I love it when the location has a personal connection for the couple, and as the woodland meant a lot to Sarah as a child we entered into that spirit, dancing along logs, running down slopes, and climbing on walls. Having those moments to allow them to have fun and freedom gave me an opportunity to get creative, which I really enjoyed too!
“We would recommend Rich in a heartbeat, everything was brilliant from the planning chats, Rhian’s excellent communication, Rich’s balancing the staged photos with capturing what was happening as it happened and generally managing to get such great shots without taking us away from our guests.
Sarah and Dennis
He also did well to handle Dennis’s compulsion to art direct his own wedding!”
Roman Baths wedding reception
The incredible wedding car was waiting to collect Sarah and Dennis and take them to meet their guests at the Stall Street entrance to the Roman Baths. Alan the driver was super lovely!
We zoomed through the streets to waves and cheers from onlookers and arrived in front of their waiting friends and family. We were a few key people short, so we waited on the steps for a while and created a bit of crowd entertainment to keep everyone smiling before a big group photo!
Their evening reception around the Roman Baths was really beautiful, with everyone cooling down on the shadowed terraces next to the water. The Romans really knew what they were doing when they built this place (with a little help from the Victorians of course)! Drinks and canapes were served and I photographed everyone relaxing and enjoying the evening, with a few informal group portraits around the Baths. The sunlight on the Bath stone and across Bath Abbey is always a pleasure to see.
Pump rooms wedding breakfast
Sarah and Dennis’ wedding breakfast had been laid out in the ballroom of the Pump Rooms under the twinkling chandelier. They’d put together a crossword-themed table plan, with some witty clues and answers for their guests to enjoy. Chloe at Minuteman Press in Bath had helped the couple get everything printed and turned around really quickly in time for the big day.
As everyone began to take their seats, I photographed Sarah and Dennis enjoying the beauty of the Roman Baths together, including reflections in the water and historic details of the architecture in timeless, classic portraits.
Their delicious wedding breakfast had been expertly created by Searcy’s at the Pump Rooms, it was followed by some really moving and funny speeches, that really showed how much these two are loved by their friends, family, and each other.
Andrew from DidiCakes Bath made their pretty four-tiered wedding cake, decorated with rose and eucalyptus leaves, which they cut before launching into their first dance.
Let’s dance!
Now, Sarah and Dennis certainly wowed us with their first dance, a perfectly choreographed routine including Sarah being twirled around with her dress elegantly flowing behind her.
The Shuffles Band provided the entertainment for the evening, and once everyone got onto the dance floor there was no stopping them! One of my favourite photos from the evening is of Sarah’s Dad partying with his daughter, captured with my signature slow rear shutter sync technique – the wobbly camera thing!
It was a beautiful end to a wonderful day, with celebrations across the city and so many lovely, friendly and welcoming people.
Congratulations Sarah and Dennis, your smiles and laughter throughout the day and the love between the two of you was an absolute pleasure to photograph – I loved every minute of it!
Looking for your Temple of Minerva wedding photographer?
I’d love to join you as your Temple of Minerva wedding photographer, I regularly work across the city and am a recommended supplier of Bath Historic Venues. Capturing award winning wedding photos and documenting the emotional moments of your wedding day is why I love my job!
For some more wedding inspiration check out some weddings at other locations in the UK, including Manor House Castle Combe, some gorgeous Gloucestershire wedding photos, or maybe some Rockbeare Manor wedding photography.
Get in touch and Rhian, my Amazing PA will get back to you as soon as possible, so we can start planning!
