Intimate Winter Wedding at St Luke’s Church, Ramsgate
March 18, 2025
Some luxury weddings are all about grandeur, but others are defined by the intimacy of close family, heartfelt moments, and a deep connection to a special place. Libby and Charlie’s intimate winter wedding at St Luke’s Church, Ramsgate was exactly that—a beautiful, authentic celebration of love, faith, and family.
As a wedding photographer, I get to capture weddings of all styles, from large-scale events to small, meaningful gatherings like this one. You see, both can be luxury. This Thanet wedding stood out for its simplicity, its deep emotional connections, and the way it embraced the beauty of a winter setting.
If you deeply value photography and you’re planning a winter wedding in the South East, looking for a documentary-style photographer who blends natural, editorial portraits with candid moments, this blog will give you an insight into how I approach wedding photography during those seasons.
Why St Luke’s Church in Ramsgate Was the Perfect Choice
For Libby, St Luke’s Church wasn’t just a venue—it was a place filled with childhood memories. Her Grandad used to bring her here, and as her Christian faith grew, the church became an important part of her life. So, when it came to choosing where to say “I do,” there was no doubt in her mind that St Luke’s was the perfect place.
I wasn’t brought up in a church background, and neither was my now vicar wife Beth. I started going to a youth group at 14 when I found out many of my primary school friends went there. After being welcomed into the community, even as someone who didn’t believe, I felt safe to ask deep questions about the truth around Jesus. Cutting a long story short, that church then became a valuable part of my life and it was where I married my wife years later.
It’s always incredibly special when couples choose a wedding venue that holds personal meaning like mine. The emotions run deeper, and though it’s not purely about aesthetics the photographs naturally carry the weight of significance rather than just looking cool. Every time Libby looks back at her wedding album, she won’t just see a beautiful church—she’ll see the place where her faith grew, the memories of her childhood, and now, one of the most important moments of her life.
St Luke’s Church in Ramsgate is a beautiful, historic church, and with it being so close to Christmas, it was decorated wonderfully with festive touches. The warm glow of candlelight, the rich tones of winter foliage, and the presence of close family all combined to create a setting that was both deeply personal and timeless.
Planning an Intimate Wedding with a Young Family
One of the things that made this wedding unique was how family-centred it was. With two small children—a baby and a lively three-year-old—Libby and Charlie wanted their day to feel relaxed and enjoyable for everyone.
Planning a wedding with young children can feel overwhelming, but their approach was perfect:
- They kept the guest list small – Immediate family and a handful of close friends meant the day never felt overwhelming for the little ones. Nan & Godmother regularly tapped in to look after the kids.
- They focused on key moments – Instead of an all-day event, they chose a half-day photography package to ensure they got beautiful images of the most important parts of their wedding.
- They embraced flexibility – Children don’t always follow a schedule, so they made room for little moments of unpredictability (which often led to the cutest photos!).
Once expectations were set, this approach made for an incredibly stress-free intimate winter wedding at St Luke’s Church, Ramsgate. The kids were comfortable, the guests were relaxed, and the entire day flowed naturally.
The Morning of the Wedding: Setting the Scene
The morning of the wedding arrived with the full force of Storm Darragh.
Not what we had in mind.
The sky was grey, the wind was wild, and there was a definite winter chill in the air. But for a wedding like this—cosy, intimate, and full of love—it only added to the atmosphere and authenticity of the story.
I arrived at St Luke’s early to capture some scene-setting images before guests arrived. The contrast between the dramatic sky outside and the warm, inviting interior of the church is something the couple will now be able to remember when they look back at the photographs.
Inside, candles flickered, and festive decorations filled the space. The combination of Christmas and wedding décor created an elegant, understated luxury—a perfect example of how a winter wedding can feel both timeless and romantic.
As guests arrived, I focused on capturing those first interactions:
- Warm embraces and excited conversations as family members greeted one another.
- Libby and Charlie arriving with their children, being welcomed with love and affection.
- The cheeky moments from their three-year-old, full of personality and totally comfortable in his surroundings.
- Getting a few shots on film to keep the editorial stylishness on point
A Ceremony Filled with Meaning
The ceremony was small but incredibly moving. A church wedding always carries a sense of tradition, but when it’s a church that has played such a significant role in the bride’s life, the meaning is even deeper. Paul, the longstanding vicar at St Luke’s, has seen Libby grow up over the years and even baptised her children. It couldn’t have been anybody else that married them!
With just their closest family and friends watching, Libby and Charlie exchanged vows in a beautifully heartfelt ceremony. The words were spoken softly but with absolute sincerity.
As a documentary wedding photographer, my goal is always to capture these moments authentically—the emotion in their eyes, the way they held hands just a little tighter, and the reactions of their family as they watched on. I run my business as a luxury wedding photographer in a unique way—one that offers something truly original for weddings like this. It’s worth exploring if you’re looking for a luxury, distinctive approach to wedding photography.
Of course, with young children, there were a few adorable distractions. At one point, their three-year-old decided he wanted to stick his tongue out at his family mid-ceremony, adding a moment of pure, unscripted silliness that had everyone smiling. What was better, was Mum and Dad didn’t notice!
Confetti in a Storm
Once the ceremony had ended, it was time for confetti. Outside, the wind was howling, and the confetti wasn’t so much thrown as launched into the sky by Storm Darragh!
It made for some amazing images—confetti swirling wildly, guests laughing as they battled the wind, and the couple standing in the centre of it all, embracing the moment completely. “Gang-gang” (Grandad) definitely got carried away with the confetti, blaming the storm, and it all adds to the memories of this intimate winter wedding at St Luke’s Church, Ramsgate.
A Windy Walk on Ramsgate Beach
After the confetti, we headed to Ramsgate beach—a place that held even more meaning for the couple, as it was where Charlie had proposed. It’s somewhere I also love, walking with my son, hoping that surf is going to show up too.
With the kids napping in the car (under the watchful eye of their Nan), Libby and Charlie took a few moments to themselves. The beach was completely deserted, the sea was wild, and the air was crisp—but instead of rushing, they took their time, soaking it all in.
As usual, I came with prompts to encourage the couple if necessary, but as they knew my approach was non-posey and authentic, they just enjoyed their time together and the result was original, unposed portraits they know they felt comfortable in.
At one point, Libby even took off her shoes and walked barefoot on the sand, an unplanned but perfect moment that captured the essence of the day—natural, timeless, and full of meaning.
As a wedding photographer, these are the moments I love to capture. They’re not staged, they’re not forced—they’re real.
A Cosy Reception at The Bell Inn, Minster
After the beach, we made our way to The Bell Inn in Minster, where the couple had arranged a private room for a relaxed wedding meal.
This part of the day had no big formalities—just great food, cute decor, warm conversation, and a chance for everyone to unwind and celebrate together.
- The cake was cut, in a simple but lovely moment.
- Drinks were poured, as laughter filled the room.
- And across the road, I took the couple for some direct flash portraits, creating stylish, editorial-style images with a modern feel.
The Value of Pre-Ordering a Wedding Album
One of the best decisions Libby and Charlie made was pre-ordering their wedding album. By deciding in advance that they wanted a beautifully printed album, they ensured their favourite memories wouldn’t just live on a screen but would be tangible, timeless, and ready to be enjoyed for years to come.
A wedding album is more than just a collection of photos—it’s a story that unfolds page by page, capturing not just how the day looked, but how it felt. It’s something to hold, to share with family, and to pass down to future generations. Sometimes couples put off ordering an album, only to realise years later that they wished they had something physical to relive their wedding day.
Pre-ordering means that once the day is over, all they had to do was choose their favourite images—I handled the rest, designing an elegant, luxury album that will stand the test of time. If you’re investing in wedding photography, an album is the best way to make that investment last forever.
Why Winter Weddings in Kent Are So Special
Libby and Charlie’s wedding was a perfect example of why I love winter weddings. There’s something about the cosy atmosphere, the way people come together in the colder months, and the dramatic backdrops that make winter weddings unique.
If you’re considering a luxury Kent wedding in the winter, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Embrace the season – Choose venues with beautiful indoor spaces in case of bad weather.
- Timing matters – With shorter daylight hours, plan your photography schedule carefully.
- Cosy details make a difference – Candles, fairy lights, and warm textures can transform a venue. Consider a venue stylist if you’re unsure of trends and how to make an area look stylish.
Authentic, Editorial Wedding Photography in UK
Libby and Charlie’s day was intimate, meaningful, and filled with natural moments. Whether your wedding is small or large, I take the same approach—capturing the real moments while creating timeless, editorial-style portraits.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer, I’d love to hear more about your plans. Let’s create something beautiful together.
