HANNAH McCLUNE

PHOTOGRAPHY

January 23, 2026

Hybrid Wedding Photography at Sudeley Castle

Wedding

Sophie & Tom’s Elegant Summer Wedding

Sophie and Tom’s summer wedding at Sudeley Castle was beautiful from start to finish. A large celebration set within the historic grounds of the Cotswolds, their wedding balanced elegant style with lots and lots of personality!

It was the kind of day best documented quietly, where moments are observed rather than orchestrated. This is where hybrid wedding photography becomes such a natural fit. We captured both photos and a discrete video for their day.

Please scroll to the end for a list of all their fabulous suppliers.

A Summer Wedding in the Cotswolds

Set within the grounds of Sudeley Castle, Sophie and Tom were married in the church on the estate. The setting alone carried a sense of history and intimacy, with ancient stone, soft summer light and the calm of the countryside.

Elegant florals framed the ceremony and reception spaces, adding softness to the grandeur of the venue. Guests were welcomed into a celebration that felt intentional without being formal.

Music played a huge part in shaping the atmosphere. A live pianist took song requests throughout the day, creating moments of spontaneity and connection as guests gathered, laughed and moved through the celebrations together. Sophie and Tom’s dog also made a guest appearance!

What Is Hybrid Wedding Photography?

Hybrid wedding photography is a modern approach that combines still photography and a short highlight film, captured by one person using the same cameras throughout the wedding day.

There are no tripods, no large lighting setups and no big crew moving around the space. Instead, moments are captured discreetly as they happen, switching seamlessly between photo and video depending on what the moment calls for.

For Sophie and Tom, this meant receiving:

  • A full gallery of editorial wedding photographs
  • A five minute highlight film, filmed naturally throughout the day that was set to carefully captured audio from their vows and speeches

The result is a complete visual record of the wedding without changing the rhythm or atmosphere of the day itself.

A Subtle, Considered Approach

Many couples love the idea of wedding film, but feel unsure about the presence that traditional wedding videography can bring. Multiple cameras, visible equipment and being asked to repeat moments can sometimes pull couples out of the experience.

Hybrid wedding photography offers a more subtle alternative.

By having one photographer capturing both mediums, Sophie and Tom were able to stay present, knowing their day was being documented fully without ever feeling observed or directed.

Nothing was recreated for film.
Nothing was staged.
Everything unfolded naturally.

This approach is especially suited to couples who value:

  • A relaxed, editorial aesthetic
  • Natural moments over performance
  • A wedding day that flows without interruption

Photographing and Filming Side by Side

Throughout the day, photography and video work together, each capturing something different.

Still images preserve composition, detail and fleeting in between moments. Film adds movement, sound and emotion, including the way voices soften during vows, the energy of speeches and the quiet pauses that often go unnoticed.

For Sophie and Tom, the highlight film gently weaves together these layers. Their vows and speeches form the emotional backbone while the visual story unfolds naturally around them.

It is designed to enhance your wedding photography, offering another way to experience the day again.

A More Accessible Alternative to Wedding Videography

Hybrid wedding photography is often a more budget friendly alternative to traditional wedding videography while still delivering a beautifully crafted film.

Because there is no additional videography team, couples are able to keep the day feeling intimate and relaxed, avoid the cost of full and still receive a professionally filmed wedding highlight.

For large weddings like Sophie and Tom’s, where moments are constantly unfolding, hybrid allows everything to be captured organically without overwhelming the space or the couple.

Sophie and Tom’s wedding highlight film reflects the emotion, energy and atmosphere of their day, from the quiet of the church ceremony to the celebration that followed. With audio from their vows and speeches, it becomes something to return to again and again, a keepsake designed to be watched, shared and treasured over time.

Watch Sophie and Tom’s wedding highlight film of their day at Sudeley Castle >>

For couples drawn to a relaxed, editorial style and looking for a natural way to have both photography and film, hybrid wedding photography offers a beautifully balanced approach.

Their wedding team:

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