Capturing Magical Moments at Cripps & Co Wedding Venues
The Magic of Cripps & Co Wedding Venues
Regarding breathtaking wedding venues that blend rustic charm with elegant sophistication, Cripps & Co (registered at Companies House as Cripps Barn Group Limited) stands in a league of its own. As a Worcestershire wedding photographer specialising in documentary storytelling and creative night portraits, I've captured unforgettable moments at these stunning locations across Gloucestershire and the South West.
Cripps & Co venues are renowned for their distinctive character. Each property (many dating from the 18th century) is carefully restored to preserve historic features while offering modern amenities that make your celebration flow seamlessly. From beautiful Cotswold stone barns to contemporary spaces in picturesque countryside, these family business venues provide the perfect blank canvas for natural documentary moments and dramatic evening portraits. Their dedication to quality extends beyond the stunning backdrops, including exceptional catering (their famous apple sauce is a must-try!) and attentive service throughout your wedding day.
My Experience at Shustoke Barn: A Beautiful Barn Wedding Venue
Shustoke Barn in Warwickshire holds a special place in my portfolio. This magnificent 18th-century red-brick barn creates a truly enchanting atmosphere with its soaring timber beams and captivating courtyard. As one of the stunning barn wedding venues in the Cripps & Co collection, Shustoke offers couples a perfect blend of rustic charm and modern elegance for weddings and events.
What makes Shustoke particularly magical for wedding photography:
The magnificent vaulted ceiling creates dramatic shadows and light patterns throughout the day.
The outdoor courtyard, with its fire pits and romantic lighting, offers spectacular evening portrait opportunities (and some of the best photo spots for creative portraits)
The blend of rustic textures and elegant details provides endless creative possibilities as a blank canvas wedding venue.
The warm ambient lighting transforms the space as evening falls, perfect for those best impossible creative shots.
Suppose you're seeking the best wedding venue with character and photo opportunities. In that case, Shustoke Barn's beautiful countryside setting provides amazing spots for capturing memories. Feel free to ask questions about specific photography locations at the venue—I'm always around to advise on the most photogenic areas.
My documentary approach works perfectly at Shustoke, allowing me to capture genuine moments as they unfold naturally against this stunning backdrop. The venue's layout creates intimate spaces where authentic emotions shine through, from nervous anticipation during preparations to heartfelt laughter during the reception.
As evening falls, Shustoke truly comes alive for creative portraits. The venue's thoughtful lighting design and my expertise in off-camera flash techniques create opportunities for signature evening portraits that become conversation pieces in your home.
The Beauty of Thorpe Garden: Walled Gardens for Perfect Weddings
Thorpe Garden in Staffordshire offers an entirely different but equally breathtaking setting within the Cripps & Co family of venues. This hidden gem combines a contemporary ceremony space with a traditional wooden yurt set within stunning walled gardens, creating a perfect balance of elegant refinement and natural beauty. The gardens provide a picturesque backdrop for your special day. As your photographer, I can help you find every beautiful spot for memorable images.
What makes Thorpe Garden exceptional for wedding photography:
The walled garden creates a secluded paradise with seasonal blooms and foliage
The unique wooden yurt with its central fireplace offers a cosy, intimate reception space
The clean, contemporary ceremony room floods with natural light
The outdoor spaces transform beautifully for evening portraits with creative lighting
My approach at Thorpe Garden focuses on capturing your day's journey as it unfolds naturally. The venue's varied spaces allow for a beautiful narrative flow—from bright, airy ceremony images to intimate indoor moments and dramatic evening portraits under the stars.
The gardens provide stunning backdrops for those creative night portraits for which I'm known. Using smoke effects, bubble machines, and innovative lighting techniques, we can craft magical evening images that showcase the venue's beauty and your unique connection.
The Complete Cripps & Co Wedding Venues Experience
While I've primarily photographed at Shustoke Barn and Thorpe Garden, the entire Cripps & Co collection offers exceptional settings for wedding photography across Gloucestershire and beyond:
Cripps Barn Gloucestershire – An 18th-century Cotswold stone barn with a woodland glade, one of the original barn wedding venues in the Cotswolds
Stone Barn (between Cirencester, Gloucestershire, and the South West) – Rustic charm with flagstone floors and beautiful countryside views
Grangefields (Derbyshire) – Contemporary barns amid rolling countryside, perfect for those seeking a barn backdrop with modern amenities
Hazel Gap (Nottinghamshire) – Dramatic red-brick architecture on the Welbeck Estate, a truly distinctive barn wedding venue
Healey Barn (Northumberland) – An 18th-century stone barn with panoramic views and exceptional barn food from the best cook team
The Tithe Barn (Yorkshire) – A 16th-century barn overlooking Bolton Abbey, where guests can watch your ceremony in a historic setting
Ivy Lodge (Cirencester, Gloucestershire) – A castellated lodge with distinctive character nestled in Gloucestershire's South West region
Old Gore (Gloucestershire South) – Blending rustic charm with modern amenities in the heart of Gloucestershire wedding venue territory
Dorfold (Cheshire) – A grand 16th-century home reopening in 2026, adding to the Cripps Barn Group portfolio
Each of these wedding venues in Gloucestershire and across the UK reflects the Cripps & Co commitment to quality, carefully chosen and developed by the family business co-founded by the Cripps family. Feel free to ask, ask, or ask any bizarre questions about photography at these locations!
Each venue shares Cripps & Co's commitment to exceptional spaces, outstanding service, and unforgettable experiences—perfect settings for documentary wedding photography with creative flair.
My Photography Approach at Cripps & Co Wedding Venues in Gloucestershire and Beyond
My wedding photography philosophy perfectly complements the Cripps & Co. experience across all their beautiful barn wedding venues. I blend:
Documentary storytelling that captures genuine moments throughout your day
Creative vision for spectacular evening portraits that become treasured keepsakes
Technical expertise in challenging lighting conditions, both indoor and outdoor
An unobtrusive presence ensures your day flows naturally without disruption
Local knowledge of Gloucestershire wedding venues and the best photo opportunities at each location
While capturing natural moments throughout your day, I'm also planning those signature creative evening portraits that make Cripps & Co. venues shine. As daylight fades, I use dramatic lighting techniques to craft stunning images that showcase the venue's character and your unique story.
Throughout your wedding day, I'll be capturing the barn backdrop, the beautiful countryside, and all the special moments of your big day! My background in performance photography helps me anticipate those fleeting moments that tell your complete wedding story.
What Couples Say About Their Cripps & Co Wedding Photography
"Paul created pure art with lighting and shadows at our Shustoke Barn wedding, delivering photos that stand out from any we've seen while perfectly capturing the story of our day." – Katie & Rob.
"The evening portraits at Thorpe Garden exceeded all our expectations. Paul's creative eye transformed our wedding photos into something truly magical." – Sarah & James.
Book Your Cripps & Co Wedding Photography in Gloucestershire and Beyond
Are you planning your wedding at a Cripps & Co venue in Gloucestershire, the South West, or any of their beautiful locations? Let's discuss how I can capture your day through genuine moments, elegant details, and stunning evening portraits.
With award-winning expertise (including multiple Weddison Awards and a prestigious Flashmaster Gold Award), I bring documentary storytelling and creative vision to your Cripps & Co. celebration. My experience photographing Cripps Barn Gloucestershire venues ensures I understand each location's unique qualities.
Documentary wedding photography and creative night portraits for couples wanting natural moments and something magical at Cripps & Co. wedding venues across Gloucestershire, the South West, and the UK.