One of the questions I am regularly asked is, “How far do you travel for weddings?”
The simple answer is wherever my couples need me, within reason.
Although I am based in Rugby, Warwickshire, I photograph weddings across Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, the West Midlands and far beyond. Over the years I have travelled all over the UK capturing weddings, from local village churches and country house venues to city centre celebrations and destination weddings within the UK.
Being based in Rugby actually puts me in a unique position. Within a relatively short drive I can comfortably reach multiple counties and some of the most popular wedding venues in the Midlands.
Why Rugby Is Such A Great Location
Many people assume I only photograph weddings in Warwickshire, but Rugby sits in a fantastic central location.
Within easy reach are Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and the West Midlands. Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Oxfordshire are also all comfortably accessible. Literally within 15mins to 30mins drive I can hit about 4 counties and more within 45-60mins.
This means I can often travel to a huge range of wedding venues without couples incurring significant travel costs.
Most Of My Weddings Are Still Local
Around half of the weddings I photograph are within approximately thirty minutes of Rugby, but to some degree that doesn’ really matter, it’s where your based that you want to talk about. So please give me a call and we’ll chat about it.
The more local ones tend to include weddings throughout Warwickshire, such as Rugby, Leamington Spa, Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Nuneaton and the surrounding areas. But also Coventry, Solihull and Worcester to my west side and Leicestershire / Northamptonshire in easy reach on the other side.
The remaining weddings can vary dramatically depending on the year. One weekend I might be photographing a wedding just down the road and the next I could be travelling to the Cotswolds, Lichfield, Wolverhampton, Derbyshire or much further afield.
Some Of My Most Popular Wedding Venues
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to photograph weddings at many of the Midlands’ most beautiful venues.
Venues such as Coombe Abbey, Warwick House, Bourton Hall, Shustoke Barn, Ardencote Manor, Ashton Lodge, Moor Hall Hotel, Kilworth House and Fawsley Hall regularly feature in my portfolio.
Returning to venues can be helpful because I already understand the layout, lighting and best locations for photographs. However, I also genuinely enjoy discovering new venues and approaching every wedding with fresh eyes. I’ll have done my research on new venues, don’t you worry about that.
Travelling Further Across The UK
While the Midlands naturally forms the heart of where I work, I am always happy to discuss weddings further afield.
Over the years I have travelled to weddings throughout England and Wales, and I regularly receive enquiries from couples planning celebrations well outside my normal area.
As long as I have availability, distance is rarely the deciding factor.
What About Destination Weddings?
I am occasionally asked whether I photograph destination weddings abroad.
The honest answer is that I haven’t photographed many overseas weddings, but not because I don’t enjoy travelling. The reality is that my diary is often already full with weddings across the Midlands and the UK, particularly during peak wedding season.
If the timing works and I have availability, I am always happy to discuss the possibilities.
Keeping Travel Costs Sensible
Many couples are understandably concerned about travel fees when booking a photographer who may not be based locally.
I always try to keep travel costs as fair and sensible as possible. In many cases I absorb most, if not all, of the travel costs myself, particularly for weddings within the Midlands.
For weddings further afield, there may occasionally be a small contribution towards fuel or travel expenses. If significant travel is involved, we simply discuss it openly and find a solution that works for everyone.
Making A Weekend Of It
If a wedding involves a particularly long journey, I will often look at whether I can combine the trip with some family time.
Recently I have discussed weddings near Bournemouth and West Wales where the travel time was several hours each way. Depending on dates, school holidays and family commitments, I sometimes use these opportunities to spend an extended weekend in the area while still giving my couples the same level of service and attention.
Occasionally couples have kindly offered accommodation at their wedding venue, which is always incredibly thoughtful, although this is certainly the exception rather than the rule.
Wherever Your Wedding Is, I’d Love To Hear About It
Whether you’re planning a wedding in Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, the Midlands or somewhere much further afield, I would love to hear more about your plans.
At the end of the day, it’s never really about the distance. It’s about the people, the story and creating beautiful wedding photographs that you’ll treasure for years to come.