ORCHARDLEIGH HOUSE / FROME, SOMERSET

A wedding day, your way.

I’ve photographed over 800 weddings at Orchardleigh House. I know the place well. More importantly, I know to let the day happen.

REAL MOMENTS · MORE TIME TO CELEBRATE · JUST YOU

Guests gather as a bride arrives beside a vintage car at Orchardleigh

THE ARRIVALS, THE WEATHER, THE UNEXPECTED — IT ALL COUNTS

01 / THE VENUE

I know this place. Really well.

After more than 800 weddings at Orchardleigh, there aren’t many corners I don’t recognise. The grand rooms, the grounds, the Island Church — and the places where the really good photographs happen when nobody is looking.

Through The FX Works, I worked as a preferred photographer at the estate. These days, under MGANE Studio, I take on just a few weddings each year. Same photographer. Same approach. A rather smaller diary.

800+

WEDDINGS PHOTOGRAPHED AT ORCHARDLEIGH HOUSE

Experience means I can anticipate the day, not interrupt it.

02 / BEFORE IT ALL BEGINS

A little space. Just for you.

The laughter, the nerves, the missing buttonhole. Those personal hours can be lovely to enjoy with your closest people, without a photographer in the room. Preparation photographs are available by special request at the ceremony venue, for one of the couple — or both only when you’re in the same building and timings allow. I arrive at the ceremony location at least two hours before it begins. You’ll find the full arrangements below.

Wind lifting a bride’s veil during an outdoor wedding ceremony

The weather does its own thing. I keep photographing.

03 / THE CEREMONY

You say the words. I watch the moments.

The Island Church is part of what makes Orchardleigh so memorable, but the ceremony belongs to the two of you. I work quietly and pay attention to what’s unfolding, from the nerves beforehand to that wonderful moment it’s all official.

And if the wind decides to join in, so much the better. Some of the best photographs are the ones no one could possibly have planned.

04 / BACK OUT INTO THE WORLD

And just like that, you’re married.

The congratulations, the confetti, the cars, the hugs you didn’t see coming. That’s the bit I love. You’re busy being there; I’m busy noticing.

I’ll steal you away briefly for relaxed photographs together, then you can get back to the people you invited. No hours of posing.

Newly married couple smiling in their wedding car

One of those moments worth keeping.

05 / A LITTLE TIME TOGETHER

The best bits don’t always announce themselves.

In a place as beautiful as Orchardleigh, there’s room for a quiet photograph or two. But the point isn’t the location or the perfect pose. It’s the two people in the picture.

Playful bridal portrait on the wedding day

A little personality is always welcome.

JUST TEN WEDDINGS A YEAR

10

Your day. Your kind of photographs.

I no longer photograph weddings every weekend. I choose ten dates a year, and each wedding is quoted individually. If Orchardleigh is where you’re getting married, tell me what you have in mind.

If you’d rather enjoy the day than perform for the camera, we’ll probably get along.

Jess & Cal · A little of their Orchardleigh story

Photography & film · Something to share

Your wedding story.
Ready to share.

Some moments are too good to keep to yourselves.

Choose photography and film, and I’ll also create a short portrait montage of your day—ready to send to friends and family and enjoy on your phone.

The confetti, the laughter, the little looks you might have missed. A few favourite moments brought together in a film that takes you straight back.

Here’s a little of Jess and Cal’s celebration at Orchardleigh. Press play, turn the sound up and enjoy.

Tell me about your wedding
A few things couples ask

Your questions.
Honestly answered.

A little clarity before the big day. If there’s something else on your mind, just ask — I’ll answer personally.

Will we spend ages posing — and can we have group photographs?

I’d much rather you were enjoying the party than standing in a line while someone goes looking for Aunt Mabel. Your wedding day passes quickly enough without spending a big chunk of it waiting for photographs.

If you’d like a few group photographs, of course I’ll take them. My recommendation is to keep the list to five at most, decide which combinations matter to you beforehand, and ask someone who knows your guests to help gather them. We can make those photographs, then get you straight back to your people.

For the two of you, we can slip away for around 10–15 minutes for a few relaxed portraits. A little gentle direction when it helps, then back to the celebration. The rest is about real moments as they happen.

Should we have photographs of us getting ready?

Couples often ask me this. After documenting over a thousand weddings, my honest answer is that you don’t have to. Whatever the wedding checklists say, those quieter hours can be some of the most personal moments of your day — just you, your closest family and friends, and that lovely mixture of nerves, laughter and excitement.

Give yourselves room to relax, breathe it all in and enjoy being together. There’s something lovely about a morning that belongs to you, without a photographer in the room. A few phone photographs taken by the people you love can become wonderful little memories of their own.

If preparation photographs really matter to you, just ask. I can arrange them by special request for one of the couple, at the venue where your ceremony takes place. I can cover both of you only if you’re getting ready in the same building at that venue and the timings allow. I don’t travel to private homes, rented accommodation or other getting-ready locations away from the ceremony venue.

My priority is to be at your ceremony location nice and early — at least two hours before the ceremony begins — to photograph the setting, the details and the anticipation as everyone arrives. Any preparation coverage needs to fit around that, so I’m ready for the part of the day that brings everyone together.

How much of our wedding day do you photograph?

I arrive at the ceremony location at least two hours before the ceremony, ready to photograph the setting, the little details and the anticipation as people arrive. The Wedding Story follows the ceremony, the celebrations, speeches, cake cutting and first dance, through to the beginning of your evening party.

We’ll agree the exact coverage and finish time before you book, so you know what’s included. If you choose Moving Moments too, I capture short filmed highlights alongside your photographs — a collection of memories, rather than a full-length wedding film.

How many photographs will we receive, and when?

You receive all the successful photographs from your day, beautifully edited, in a private online gallery. There’s no fixed number to hit and no good photographs held back just to fit a package. Every wedding has its own rhythm, people and moments.

Your gallery is delivered within two weeks, with no watermarks or download restrictions. You can share it with your family and friends and enjoy the story together.

How do we book, and when is the balance due?

Start by sending me your date, venue and a little about your plans. I’ll check availability and confirm the price and coverage with you personally. Once everything is agreed, I’ll send your private booking link to check your details, sign the agreement and pay the £280 booking fee.

The booking fee is part of your total, not an extra charge. Your date is confirmed once the agreement is signed and the fee is received. The remaining balance is due 28 days before the wedding. Nearer the day, I’ll send your private final-details page so you can check your timings and plans before paying the balance.