Charlotte & Laurie's Wedding

A Glorious Summer Wedding: Charlotte & Laurie at Fort Henry and The Wheel & Compass


Blog written by Carl Simpson-Smith | 14th July 2025


Wedding Date: Saturday 21st June 2025

Ceremony Venue: Fort Henry, Oakham

Reception Venue: The Wheel & Compass, Market Harborough

Photographers: SimplyGreatShots Photography

June 21st, 2025 — the hottest day of the year so far, and what better way to spend it than photographing the beautiful wedding of Charlotte and Laurie in the heart of the English countryside?


From the stunning waterside ceremony at Fort Henry in Oakham to the lively celebrations at The Wheel & Compass, a charming family-run pub in Market Harborough, this wedding had everything: sunshine, emotion, style, and love.


A Dream Ceremony at Fort Henry, Oakham

Tucked away near Rutland Water, Fort Henry is one of the most picturesque wedding venues in the area — and on this glorious Saturday, it looked like something out of a romantic film.


Charlotte looked effortlessly elegant as she made her way toward Laurie, her bouquet catching the light as the sun shimmered on the water. The intimate outdoor ceremony was filled with heartfelt vows, tears, lots of laughter, and the occasional fan wave — because yes, it was truly the hottest day of 2025 (to date)!


We captured every look, smile, tear and little breeze that came through the trees. Fort Henry looked simply stunning.

The same could also be said of Charlotte and Laurie!

A bride & father-of-the-bride walking down the isle at Fort Henry wedding venue in Oakham with a flowing white wedding dress
An outdoor wedding ceremony takes place at Fort Henry, a historic Gothic-style church with stone architecture and arched windows.
A groom in formal Scottish attire standing outside the traditional stone building entrance to Fort Henry wedding venue.
An outdoor wedding ceremony at Fort Henry with the bridal couple standing in front of green trees in summertime, with guests in attendance.
A romantic black & white wedding photo showing a couple sharing a passionate kiss in traditional wedding attire at Fort Henry wedding venue.
The bride, groom and the groom's parents pose in front of the stone Gothic entrance to Fort Henry, with arched windows.
A bridal party poses in flowing purple bridesmaid dresses and a white wedding gown, holding bouquets aloft at Fort Henry Wedding Venue.
A wedding celebration at Fort Henry's outdoor garden with guests gathered on a green lawn with an ornate archway in background.
Personalised hip flasks for the bride and groom with the date they exchanged their vows at their wedding at Fort Henry wedding venue.
Guests celebrate the wedding couple tying the knot in front of the historic Fort Henry Gothic-style chapel with crenellated walls.
A happy couple shares a joyful moment together on their wedding day with a flowing veil and white and green bouquet.
The bride, groom and the bride's parents pose in front of a Gothic revival doorway at Fort Henry wedding venue on a hot sunny day.
A wedding party in Scottish attire, tweed suits and a white bridal gown pose joyfully on the lawn outside Fort Henry wedding venue.
Side profile of a bride in a lace dress holding a white and green floral bouquet looking out towards the lake at Fort Henry Wedding venue.
The groom and his groomsmen walk together in a playful pose in the gardens of Fort Henry wedding venue.

From Countryside Charm to Celebrations: The Wheel & Compass


After the ceremony, guests made their way to The Wheel & Compass, a cosy and character-filled pub in Market Harborough, owned by Charlotte’s family. It was ideal for a laid-back, happy celebration, with delicious food, refreshing drinks, and laughter filling the summer air.


Charlotte & Laurie stayed behind after the guests at Fort Henry to enable them to have their own posed images taken, and there were some fun images taken that day!


On arrival at The Wheel & Compass, it was clear to see the personal touches, with huge prints of Charlotte & Laurie outside the marquees, from when they first met, up until the present day.


We loved capturing guests celebrating with Charlotte & Laurie, with kids playing in the garden, the emotional speeches by the father of the bride that had everyone (us included!) welling up, and not to forget the other hilarious speeches.

The wedding party poses outside The Wheel and Compass pub with guests in purple and white formal attire.
A wedding welcome sign with multiple photos of Charlotte & Laurie with text saying 'Please take a seat anywhere we are all family now'.
The father of the bride, brides mother & father of the groom mingle under an elegant outdoor marquee during a daytime wedding reception.
A family pet border terrier dog wearing a black and white formal tuxedo bib during an outdoor wedding ceremony.
People dancing and celebrating at a wedding reception in a white marquee with purple accent lighting.
A family pet Leonberger dog during an outdoor wedding ceremony at the Wheel and Compass public house.
The best man's speech at the top table of Charlotte and Laurie's wedding at the Wheel and Compass pub.
Close-up details of white lace wedding dress buttons and delicate textural patterns against an outdoor background.
Two people in formal wedding attire smile and pose together outside the Wheel and Compass public house on a sunny day.
Wedding reception guests at decorated tables in a white marquee celebrate during dinner and festivities.
The groom and best man are standing in front of trees answering a call of nature, in an outdoor nature setting during daytime.
The wedding reception speeches are under way in a white marquee, with guests seated at decorated tables during an outdoor celebration.
A cherished moment captured between the bride and her father during a dance at a wedding reception in a white marquee on a summer's day.
The father of the bride and groom share an emotional embrace at a wedding, with one wearing traditional Scottish tartan kilt attire.
A happily married couple holding hands walks through a grassy rural field while wearing wedding attire and a traditional Scottish kilt.

Highlights of the Day

  • The look on Laurie’s face as he saw Charlotte for the first time.
  • The stunning weather throughout the day, and into the evening.
  • The intimate, poignant and humorous toasts at the Wheel & Compass.
  • A dance floor under the lights as the summer sky turned orange.



A Wedding That Had It All

Charlotte and Laurie’s wedding was more than just a day — it was a celebration of love, family, and everything that makes British summer weddings so special. Between the incredible heat, the stunning scenery, and the heartwarming community spirit, it was one for the books. At SimplyGreatShots Photography, we’re all about telling stories — and this one was a true joy to tell.


Are you planning a wedding at Fort Henry, or anywhere across Rutland, Leicestershire, or beyond?

Please get in touch.


Thank you, Charlotte & Laurie, for trusting us to capture your beautiful, sun-soaked day. Wishing you a lifetime of love, laughter, and air conditioning

The Vendors

Many thanks to the vendors who were part of Charlotte & Laurie's wedding day at Fort Henry.


  • Wedding Photography - SimplyGreatShots Photography | Monima & Carl
  • Wedding Venue - Fort Henry, Oakham
  • Reception Venue - The Wheel & Compass, Market Harborough


SimplyGreatShots Photography would like to wish Charlotte & Laurie a fantastic future as they start the next chapter of their life together.


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