Abi & Nic’s Black Tie Botleys Mansion Wedding
As a Botleys Mansion wedding photographer, I was so excited for Abi and Nic’s wedding day. Some weddings feel elegant. Some feel full of energy. Abi and Nic’s Botleys Mansion wedding was both, right from the very first moment.
I knew this was going to be a special day the second I arrived. There was a warmth between Abi and Nic that never let up, all the way through to the dance floor. As their Surrey wedding photographer, I feel so lucky when I get to document a couple whose energy is this infectious. It made every single hour of the day a joy to capture.
A Sunny July Wedding at Botleys Mansion
Abi and Nic were married in July, on one of those perfect summer days. The sun was out, the light was soft and golden, and Botleys Mansion looked so elegant.
Botleys Mansion is one of my favourite Surrey wedding venues. It has that rare mix of grandeur and warmth. Gold leaf, crystal chandeliers, sweeping staircases, and a light-filled glass atrium that somehow still feels intimate. If you’re planning a Surrey wedding and want somewhere that photographs beautifully in every corner, this venue is hard to beat.
The couple chose to hold their ceremony in the atrium at Botleys. With its soaring glass roof and natural light pouring in from every angle, it certainly made for a stunning backdrop. There’s something wonderful about photographing a ceremony indoors but flooded with daylight. It gives images that same timeless, elegant quality that Abi and Nic wanted throughout their day.
Black Tie Elegance
This was a black tie wedding through and through, and the styling reflected it so beautifully. The groomsmen were sharp in classic black tie suits, and the bridesmaids matched them perfectly in black dresses. It’s undoubtedly a striking look in photographs. Elegant, cohesive and just a little bit dramatic in the best way.
Abi wore two incredible dresses over the course of the day. For the ceremony, she chose a gown from Anna Bridal, a beautiful Hampshire bridal boutique, alongside a Suzanne Neville design. Structured, elegant, and made for a bride who wanted timeless glamour. For the evening, she changed into a stunning piece from Nadine Merabi, giving her a completely different energy on the dance floor. Two dresses, two moods, both captured beautifully against the black tie backdrop.
The suits for the day came from Marks & Spencer, proving that classic black tie doesn’t need to be complicated to look this good. The bridesmaids’ dresses came from Odd Muse London, whose sleek, tailored silhouettes certainly suited the elegant, modern feel of the day perfectly.
Modern Green and White Florals
If there was one detail that stopped guests in their tracks, it was the florals. Modern green and white arrangements, designed by the wonderfully talented The F Word Flower Co, ran through every part of the day. From the bridal bouquet to the reception tables, the palette was fresh, textural, and so elegant against the black tie colour scheme. It’s a combination I photograph often for editorial-style Surrey weddings, and it never fails to impress.
Dancing on Chairs: The Function Band
If you want a wedding with real energy, you need the right band. The Function Band had guests up and dancing from the very first song, and by dinner, people were dancing on their chairs. I mean that literally. It’s one of those moments you hope for as a wedding photographer: pure, unfiltered joy that you can’t stage or plan for. It just happens.
The reception space was transformed by KT Entertainments Ltd, who handled the dancefloor, draping and lighting. Their work gave the atrium an entirely different atmosphere for the evening, moody, glamorous and so perfect for a black tie party.
Guests kept the party fuelled at the martini tower and bar from Near & Far Mobile Bar, a gorgeous addition that guests loved all evening.
Botleys Mansion Wedding Photographer – Digital, Film and Drone
For Abi and Nic’s wedding, I shot a mix of digital and 35mm film photography, alongside drone photography to capture the full scale and beauty of Botleys Mansion and its grounds. My approach is always editorial, elegant and timeless, and a black tie wedding like this one is exactly the kind of day that style was made for.
Abi & Nic, Thank You
Abi and Nic, your energy is honestly unmatched, and it’s clear why there was so much love in that room for you both. Thank you for trusting me with your wedding day. I loved every single second of it, from the quiet moments getting ready to the chaos and joy of the dance floor.
If you’re planning a black tie or editorial-style wedding at Botleys Mansion, or anywhere else in Surrey, I’d love to hear from you.
Enquire now to check my availability for your wedding date
You can see more real weddings on my portfolio and galleries page, and follow along on Instagram @chloecaldwellphotography for more real weddings just like Abi and Nic’s.
Full Supplier List
- Photographer: Chloe Caldwell Photography
- Venue: Botleys Mansion
- Florist: The F Word Flower Co
- Band: The Function Band
- Dancefloor, draping & lighting: KT Entertainments Ltd
- Hair Stylist: Bridal Hair Stylist (Olga)
- Make-Up Artist: Amy Rose Makeup Artist
- Dress: Anna Bridal and Suzanne Neville
- Evening dress: Nadine Merabi
- Suits: Marks & Spencer
- Bridesmaids’ dresses: Odd Muse London
- Catering: Botleys Mansion
- Videographer: Daniel Pitts Weddings
- Bar & martini tower: Near & Far Mobile Bar
- Stationery: Mally’s Crafts
FAQ
Where is Botleys Mansion? Botleys Mansion is a luxury exclusive-use wedding venue near Chertsey, Surrey, set within acres of parkland and around 30 minutes from London.
Can you get married inside Botleys Mansion? Yes. Botleys Mansion is licensed for civil ceremonies both inside and out. Abi and Nic chose to marry in the beautiful glass-roofed atrium.
Do you photograph black tie weddings in Surrey? Absolutely. Black tie weddings like Abi and Nic’s are some of my favourites to shoot. The formal styling photographs beautifully, especially paired with a venue like Botleys Mansion.
Do you offer both digital and film wedding photography? Yes, I regularly shoot a mix of digital and 35mm film, along with drone photography, to give couples a timeless and varied gallery from their day.
How do I book you as my Botleys Mansion wedding photographer? Get in touch through my enquiry page to check availability for your wedding date.
