Blog written by Carl Simpson-Smith | 5th November 2026
Date: Saturday 3rd October 2026
Ceremony: The Garden Room, Ashton Lodge
Wedding Reception: Ashton Lodge
Photographers: SimplyGreatShots Photography
Videographers: SimplyGreatShots Photography
On Saturday 3 October 2026, we had the pleasure of photographing Ivan and Niamh’s wedding at Ashton Lodge Country House. As Coventry-based, award-winning wedding photographers, we loved returning to Warwickshire’s beautiful countryside to capture a day full of laughter, personal touches and time spent with the people closest to them.
It was a gloriously sunny day for early October, and Ivan and Niamh made the most of it. From playful photographs with the groomsmen to a romantic walk together as the sun was setting, there was so much about their celebration that made it a joy to capture.
Getting Ready at Ashton Lodge
The excitement of a wedding day begins long before the ceremony. During the preparations, there were finishing touches to capture and special moments shared with the people helping Ivan and Niamh get ready.
Niamh had her hair and make-up finished before a helping hand with the buttons on the back of her classic lace wedding dress. Her long veil, tiara and pink-and-white bouquet completed her look beautifully.
Niamh was joined by three bridesmaids, her maid of honour and her man of honour. The bridesmaids and maid of honour wore light pink dresses, while her man of honour wore a beige suit. There was also a flower girl and page boy in matching outfits, adding to the family feel of the wedding party.
Ivan had five groomsmen, including his best man. The groomsmen wore navy suits with pink ties and pocket squares to complement the bridesmaids’ dresses. Ivan was getting ready in his three-piece suit and pale pink tie, with help from one of the wedding party. The quieter moments of getting ready are always a lovely part of the story, capturing the anticipation before the celebrations begin.
A Personal Wedding Ceremony at Ashton Lodge
The indoor ceremony room at Ashton Lodge provided a beautiful setting for Ivan and Niamh to say their vows. White flowers and greenery framed the space, while their guests gathered on either side of the aisle to share the moment with them.
One detail that stood out was a young member of the wedding party carrying a small black case marked “Ring Security”. It was a brilliant personal touch and a memorable part of the procession.
Alongside their wedding vows, Ivan and Niamh shared personal words with each other during the ceremony. It was a meaningful addition to the moment and made their ceremony feel even more personal.
With their guests looking on, they held hands, exchanged rings and said “I do”. Their kiss and the applause that followed were lovely moments to capture as they became husband and wife.
After the ceremony, Ivan and Niamh made their way outside to a shower of confetti from their guests. With smiles all around and confetti flying through the air, it was one of those wonderfully energetic moments that always feels as joyful in the photographs as it did on the day.
The unusually warm October sunshine meant most of the guests could enjoy time together outside. Ashton Lodge’s gardens, mature trees and country house backdrop offered a variety of places for photographs. There was also a lovely moment of Niamh on the swing beneath a tree—another little detail that adds character to their story.
During the day, we took photographs in front of the garden pergola, by the tree swing and on the benches with the beautiful trees behind them. These spots gave us a variety of natural backdrops for their Ashton Lodge wedding photographs.
Superman Poses and Fun with the Groomsmen
Ivan and his groomsmen were up for having some fun with their photographs, and we loved their enthusiasm. They strolled around the grounds together, struck a group pose and even lifted Ivan into a Superman pose. It was a brilliant moment and showed just how much character the group brought to the day.
We always enjoy capturing the more relaxed side of a wedding alongside the traditional photographs. When a wedding party is happy to have a little fun, those pictures can become some of the most memorable reminders of the friendships and personalities that made the day special.
We brought some non-alcoholic bubbly for a champagne-style photograph with Ivan, Niamh, the groomsmen and bridesmaids. It made plenty of fizz for the shot and gave everyone another chance to have fun together in the grounds of the venue.
The combination of the pink dresses, navy suits and the wedding party’s energy made this a lovely photograph to look back on—a relaxed moment shared with the friends and family who were such an important part of their day.
As the sun began to set, we photographed Ivan and Niamh walking together around the grounds. After such a sunny day, the evening gave us a lovely opportunity to capture some romantic photographs of the two of them as husband and wife.
The gardens at Ashton Lodge made a beautiful backdrop for those quieter moments. As the sun set and the air became colder, the guests moved inside to continue celebrating. Alongside the fun with their friends and family, these photographs tell another part of the story: the two of them enjoying a little time together on their wedding day.
A Joyful Reception and Heartfelt Speeches
The reception space looked welcoming with its draped ceiling, long tables and soft lighting. When Ivan and Niamh entered, their guests greeted them by waving white napkins, giving the newlyweds an enthusiastic welcome to the celebration.
The speeches brought everyone together around the tables, with warm words, smiles and a toast to the couple’s future. The reactions of the people listening are every bit as much a part of the story as the speeches themselves, and we love capturing those moments as they unfold.
Ashton Lodge’s wall-mounted photo booth was a big hit with Niamh and her friends. They took plenty of photographs together, making more memories as the celebrations continued.
It was another lovely example of how a wedding day is about much more than the formal moments. The time spent with friends, the spontaneous photographs and the fun in between are all part of what makes the day feel personal.
Ivan and Niamh’s wedding cake was decorated with pink flowers and made a lovely centrepiece for the celebration. Ivan had received a ceremonial sword as a wedding gift and, with Ashton Lodge’s permission, the couple used it to cut their cake together. It was a special way to use his gift and certainly made their cake-cutting memorable!
Ivan and Niamh shared their first dance to Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie en Rose”. It was a romantic moment to capture as they took to the dance floor together, before the energy of the evening celebrations picked up.
When the evening celebrations got going, the groomsmen were more than ready to hit the dance floor. Michael Jackson proved a particular favourite, with the group showing off their moves and Ivan joining in with some Michael Jackson-inspired dancing of his own.
From the Superman pose earlier in the day to the dancing in the evening, Ivan and his groomsmen certainly knew how to have fun. It was a wonderful way to round off a celebration filled with laughter, friendship and so many moments for Ivan and Niamh to look back on.
It was a pleasure to capture Ivan and Niamh’s special day at Ashton Lodge. We would like to thank them for allowing us to be part of their celebrations and wish them both every happiness for the future.
Monima & Carl, SimplyGreatShots Photography.
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