Aswarby Rectory Wedding – Jessica & James

Family, friends and a whole lot of laidback fun were at the centre of Jessica and James’ black-tie wedding at stunning Lincolnshire venue, Aswarby Rectory.

Discovering beautiful wedding venues hidden away in The Midlands is undoubtedly a highlight of my job as a Worcestershire-based wedding photographer. 

One such gem I recently stepped foot in for the first time was Aswarby Rectory, a thoughtfully restored Georgian wedding venue set within peaceful Lincolnshire countryside. This was to document the big day of Jessica and James, whose elegant black tie wedding fit with the setting an absolute dream. 

I quickly clicked with their laidback approach and desire to enjoy the celebrations while the photos “took care of themselves” (I, of course, took care of the photos, but without Jessica and James needing to worry about a thing!). They wanted me to capture “happy, natural moments and smiles throughout the day,” which was an easy brief to achieve when everyone there was having such a great time!

I arrived at the venue to capture the bridal party prep, and it was quite the entourage consisting of eight bridesmaids and five flower girls. There was a really relaxed vibe from the off, and I split my time between the getting-ready shots and then photographing James, his groomsmen and the guests as they arrived.

An exciting buzz started to fill Aswarby, and as the 72-day guests took their seats on the beautiful wooden benches in the ceremony room, the bridal party made their way to the ground floor. Planning the shots as they came down the feature staircase was a slight challenge due to the numbers, but I love those images of Jessica and her main girls gathered in the flagstone hallway.

A Breathtaking Lincolnshire Wedding Venue

Initially built in 1820, Aswarby Rectory has been restored to its former glory by its current owners with simplistic decor that leaves the detail to its wonderful character and period features. Providing couples with their very own country house for their celebrations, it feels warm, intimate, and effortlessly stylish. It has an air of luxury about it and yet doesn’t feel in the least bit pretentious or try-hard, instead, it feels like home.

Outside, meanwhile, the attractive Georgian wedding venue is surrounded by nine acres of private gardens (including an outdoor pool!) and parkland, something Jessica and James wanted to make great use of.

And so, following their beautiful ceremony, the full wedding party spilt out into the garden where an overcast day provided pleasant and dry conditions for everyone to soak up the surroundings…and a few drinks!

Keen to keep the vibe relaxed and the enjoyment high, Jessica and James planned lots of entertainment for the day, including garden games, live musicians, and an evening band. They also added some thoughtful, personal touches, a particular highlight being their bespoke beer glass designs. 

Back inside the venue, guests were seated at Aswarby’s long wooden tables in the reception room for the meal and speeches before the evening party got underway. Jessica and James had said beforehand that they were looking forward to “dancing the night away” with family and friends, and I can confirm the dancefloor remained active from first dance to last track!

An Effortlessly Stylish Black-Tie Wedding

Everything about Jessica and James’ wedding was effortless to the eye – the chic black-tie styling, the minimalist decor and natural green elements that blended so well with the setting – and yet there was clearly so much thought behind every bit of it.

The venue also worked a dream for them, providing an easy flow from one element of the day to the next and making everyone feel so welcome, comfortable, and special. From a wedding photographer’s point of view, it’s also a joy to shoot at, given its beautifully designed interiors and stunning outdoor backdrops, all located nearby, so the portrait and group shots don’t take too long.

Some personal favourite shots of their day include the relaxed images of the bridal party and groomsmen, the confetti and sparkler shots outside the front of the house, and the portraits of Jessica and James in the grounds. I also managed to capture some fleeting moments that felt really special – the flower girls running around the grounds and wrapped up in an adult’s suit blazer together, plus a shot of Jessica dancing taken through a doorway with her kicked-off shoes in the foreground. 

All in all, it was a true privilege to be part of Jessica and James’ incredibly special day and to discover the beauty of this elegant Lincolnshire wedding venue. I hope to return very soon!

I’m a West-Midlands-based wedding photographer shooting weddings in Birmingham, Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Lincolnshire, and Hertfordshire, as well as venues throughout the UK and overseas. If you’d be interested in hiring me for your wedding, simply head over to my Contact page and drop me a message, and I’ll be back in touch ASAP!

Suppliers

Venue: Aswarby Rectory

Dress: Belle & Bouquet Designer – https://www.enzoani.com

Hair: @Studio11hairdressing

Makeup: @theaelizabethmua

Suits: @Cavani_at_coneys

Florist: Elder & Wild

Music: Entertainment Nation and  Stephen Donoghue (Saxophonist and Cellist)

Catering: Black Pepper Mint Food