Romantic Winter Wedding at Salisbury Registry Office & The Antrobus Hotel | James & Tamara

On the 7th of February, James and Tamara were married in an intimate winter ceremony at Salisbury Registry Office, followed by a joyful reception at Antrobus Hotel.

Winter weddings always carry a certain atmosphere.. soft light, rich tones, and that sense of closeness that only February seems to bring. Despite heavy rain threatening the schedule, the entire day felt warm, celebratory and full of love.

And honestly? The weather only made it more memorable.

A Softly Lit Ceremony in the Library Room

James and Tamara chose the beautiful library room at Salisbury Registry Office for their ceremony. Large bay windows overlooked the council grounds, and the overcast sky created soft, diffused light that suited the mood of the day perfectly.

It was calm. Intimate. Emotional.

There were a couple of meaningful readings woven into the ceremony, and throughout it all I couldn’t help but notice how besotted James was. Time and time again, he looked across at Tamara with that unmistakable expression! completely present, completely in love.

James wore his military uniform, alongside his best man Donny, which added a real sense of pride and formality to the ceremony. It suited the elegance of the setting beautifully.

Tamara looked incredible in her white wedding dress, with hair and makeup by Beautifully Bridal(https://www.facebook.com/share/14Y8BdaVXMg/?mibextid=wwXIfr) Timeless, refined, and perfectly in keeping with the romantic winter feel of the day.

Burnt Orange in Winter

The colour palette for the day was a rich burnt orange woven through the flowers created by Janes Fowers ( http://www.janesflowers.co.uk ) , bridesmaid dresses and reception styling.

The bridesmaids looked fantastic with their hair styled by Donna’s Salon ( https://www.donnassalon.co.uk ), and brought so much energy despite the grey skies. That warmth in the styling worked beautifully against the February backdrop. Winter weddings don’t have to feel muted! this one absolutely glowed with colour and personality.

The Confetti Dash Before the Downpour

My favourite moment of the entire day came just after the ceremony.

We knew the rain was coming. You could feel it in the air.

The confetti was organised quickly as the clouds closed in, but that urgency only added to the excitement. Everyone gathered, laughing and cheering!! and James and Tamara embraced every second of it.

The confetti run was pure celebration. Huge smiles. Colour everywhere. So much joy.

And then… just as they reached the end… the heavens opened.

It poured with rain.

Perfect timing.

There was laughter, a mad dash for cover, and one of those moments that will be talked about for years. Sometimes it’s the unexpected parts of a wedding day that become the most unforgettable.

A Change of Plan (And Why It Worked)

Because of the rain, we moved the family portraits to the gardens at the Antrobus Hotel (http://www.antrobushotel.co.uk ) rather than keeping them at the registry office.

And honestly, it worked beautifully.

I chose the back of the hotel as our backdrop. Clean white walls with black metal detailing. The simplicity of the setting allowed the burnt orange tones to stand out, and the warm light glowing from the hotel windows subtly echoed the wedding colour scheme.

Even when plans shift, there’s always an opportunity to create something considered and cohesive.

Portraits Just Before Sunset

By some stroke of luck, the rain cleared later in the afternoon and the sun made a brief appearance!! just enough to give us the light we needed.

It wasn’t dramatic golden hour. The sun was already dipping below the treeline, and winter daylight was fading quickly. But that soft, last stretch of light created something understated and calm.. gentle contrast, quiet warmth, and a slower, more intimate feel.

February light moves fast, so we worked efficiently. There’s something special about those final minutes of daylight on a wedding day.. it feels intentional. Like a pause.

James and Tamara were completely relaxed during this part of the day. Just enjoying a few moments together before heading back into the energy of the reception.

And once again, what stood out most was the way James looked at Tamara… completely present, completely in love.

A Joyful Reception at The Antrobus Hotel

The reception space at the Antrobus Hotel was beautifully decorated, continuing the burnt orange theme throughout the florals and details. An impressive wedding cake in the same colour palette tied everything together perfectly.

The team at the venue were incredibly welcoming, even providing a space for me to safely store my camera gear and offering soft drinks throughout the evening! something that’s always hugely appreciated during a long winter wedding day.

The speeches were a real highlight. So much laughter, energy and warmth filled the room. The kind of speeches that bring everyone closer together.

And then came the dancing.

Music from DJ Paul Alex (https://www.facebook.com/share/1C83xmrb7q/?mibextid=wwXIfr ) filled the space, and after a beautiful first dance, James and Tamara were quickly joined by their children, then family members, and before long the entire room was involved. The dance floor stayed full.. exactly how a celebration should be!

A Day That Adapted Beautifully

From a hurried confetti run ahead of the rain to portraits captured in the final moments of winter daylight, James and Tamara’s wedding was a perfect example of how a day doesn’t need perfect weather to be perfect.

February light fades quickly. Plans shift. Rain arrives unannounced.

But when couples are relaxed, surrounded by people who love them, and willing to embrace whatever the day brings.. that’s when the magic really happens.

One of the things I always aim to bring to a wedding day is a sense of calm. If the weather changes, we adapt. If timelines shift, we adjust. And often, those unexpected turns create some of the most memorable moments.

James and Tamara’s wedding was full of warmth! in the styling, in the speeches, in the way their friends and family celebrated them. I felt genuinely welcomed from the moment I arrived, and it was an absolute privilege to document their day.

Planning Your Wedding in Salisbury or Wiltshire?

If you’re planning a wedding at Salisbury Registry Office, The Antrobus Hotel, or anywhere across Wiltshire and the surrounding areas, and you’re looking for relaxed, natural photography that captures both atmosphere and emotion — I’d love to hear from you.

Whatever the forecast says, we’ll make something beautiful from it.