WEDDING DETAILS
Venue: The Woodlands, Hothorpe Estate
Location: Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Photographer: Amie Seal Photography
Coverage: Half Day Wedding Photography
Style: Twilight-inspired winter wedding with gothic woodland vibes
Guest Count: Intimate wedding with close family & friends
Winter Bridal Prep at The Woodlands
We started the day with a mini bridal prep session, capturing some of the important details before the ceremony began.
Shannen’s purple-toned make-up looked absolutely incredible against the soft winter light, and her gown felt perfectly whimsical and ethereal whilst still keeping that darker, understated gothic feel running throughout the day.
Everything about the styling felt very her…
Thoughtful, unique and just the right amount of magic.
Outdoor Ceremony at Hothorpe Estate
The outdoor ceremony space at The Woodlands looked ridiculously beautiful in the winter sunshine. Crisp air, golden light and woodland surroundings that somehow felt both peaceful and cinematic all at once.
And then came the celebrant-led ceremony.
My absolute favourite kind of wedding ceremony.
No rushing, no awkward restrictions, no conveyor-belt energy. Just time and space for the couple to actually tell their story.
Their vows were heartfelt, funny and deeply personal, with Shannen somehow managing to weave in not only Twilight references, but also a couple of lines from The Nightmare Before Christmas too. Naturally, a cup and lantern made their entrances during this part, because honestly why wouldn’t they?
It was emotional, quirky, heartfelt and completely BLOODY PERFECT from beginning to end.
Woodland Portraits in the Winter Sunshine
After the ceremony, we snuck away into the woods surrounding The Woodlands for a little portrait session.
The winter backdrop was gorgeous; muted light filtering through the trees, muted seasonal tones everywhere and just enough crispness in the air to make everything feel a bit special.
Shannen & Martin were so relaxed together too, which always makes these moments feel effortless. No stiff posing, just the two of them together in the woods looking like they’d stepped straight out of some gothic romance film.
Which, considering the Twilight inspiration, felt very fitting.
Wedding Breakfast with Gothic Twilight Vibes
The wedding breakfast setup looked incredible.
One long table stretched through the space for all the guests, whilst Shannen & Martin sat separately at their own little table for two.
Simple, but somehow maximalist at the same time… if that’s even a thing.
Purple details ran throughout the styling alongside candlelight, subtle gothic touches and little magical elements tucked everywhere you looked. It perfectly reflected Shannen’s love for the unique and unusual without ever feeling forced or overdone.
Understated gothic with a sprinkle of magic is probably the best way I can describe it.
A Fairy-Lit First Dance in the Woods
When the evening arrived, things somehow became even more magical.
Their first dance took place inside a fairy-lit pergola tucked away in the woods, naturally, with Flightless Bird playing away in the background.
Full Bella & Edward energy surrounding the entire moment.
Honestly? It was iconic.
Chocolate Fountains, Dancefloors & Good People
For the evening celebrations, guests headed inside for marshmallow roasting, chocolate fountains, photobooth chaos and a DJ absolutely smashing out the bangers.
And that really summed up the whole wedding perfectly.
No huge production. No pressure. Just a few very good people, living their best lives together.
Exactly what a wedding should be.
The Woodlands Hothorpe Wedding Gallery:
A few highlights from Shannen & Martin’s relaxed winter wedding at The Woodlands near Market Harborough, filled with ease, woodland magic & some seriously perfect styling. Kudos to Shannen for this!
If you’d like your wedding photos to something a little bit like this, get in touch on the form below!
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Planning a Wedding in Leicestershire?
If you’re planning your own wedding at The Woodlands or anywhere across Leicestershire {and beyond} and want photography that feels relaxed, natural and genuinely like you, I’d absolutely love to hear all about your plans…