Looking for a wedding photographer for Manor by the Lake? I'm Bradley, photographer at Dream Team Films. I photograph and film weddings at Manor by the Lake in a relaxed, candid way, so you can get on with enjoying your day.

Every photo on this page comes from one wedding at the Manor.

Manor by the Lake at a glance

Why Manor by the Lake is a gift for a photographer

Manor by the Lake is a Grade II listed Victorian manor in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds. It was built in the 1850s for Squire Butt and was known for years as Arle Court. Sir George Dowty, the aviation pioneer, lived here for sixty years.

You get a Gothic manor, seven acres of gardens, a private lake and three licensed outdoor ceremony spots, and the whole place is yours for the day.

Inside there is carved woodwork, stained glass and a wooden staircase from the original house. Outside, the Italianate Gardens run down to a spring-fed lake with a small bridge.

We travel to Gloucestershire for weddings here. The Manor is near junction 11 of the M5.

The best photographs happen at Manor by the Lake

The Manor Arches. The stone entrance to the house, and one of three licensed outdoor ceremony spots. The arches frame the two of you for the vows, and the wedding party for the group photos.

Maximilian. A period room with big windows onto the gardens, licensed for ceremonies of up to 100. The daylight is soft and even, just what you want for the first look down the aisle.

The Italianate Gardens and the Italian Pavilion. Clipped hedges, gravel paths and the pavilion next to the house. This is where the confetti walk and the drinks reception happen.

The lake and the bridge. The Lakeside Pavilion sits right on the water, and the little bridge is the spot for the portraits that end up on the wall. At golden hour the light comes across the lake and the garden glows.

Lyderick and the Marguerite Library. Wood panelling, an ornate fireplace and long windows. On a wet day these two rooms give me warm, moody portraits indoors.

The Ballroom at night. Its own bar, its own stage, and doors onto the lake and gardens. Once the band starts, the garden doors let me shoot the dancing from outside looking in.

How I work

I am there to capture real moments, not to run a long list of poses. I have been praised for being discreet and for staying out of the way of the day.

When you want a few portraits, I give gentle direction and keep it quick. Fully candid, or with some creative direction: you choose.

I usually cover the day from the final touches of getting ready until an hour after the first dance. Before the wedding, I like to walk the grounds with you so we can plan the best spots for your time of year.

I keep my colour natural, and I love a timeless black and white.

Photography, film, or both?

• Photography. See my candid wedding photography.

• Film. Anastassia and I make story-driven wedding films. You get a short film to share soon after the day, and a longer film to keep for the family.

• Hybrid. I shoot both photo and film myself. Hybrid wedding photography and film suits weddings held in one place, and at Manor by the Lake you have exclusive use, so the ceremony, drinks, dinner and dancing all happen within the same seven acres.

If you are looking for a Manor by the Lake wedding videographer as well as a photographer, booking both with one team means one plan, one timeline and no one in each other's way.

I am also a licensed drone pilot. Drone rules differ from venue to venue, so I always check with Manor by the Lake before your day.

Planning a wedding in Buckinghamshire too? See my Hedsor House wedding photography guide.

Manor by the Lake wedding photography: your questions

Where is Manor by the Lake?

Manor by the Lake is in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, on Hatherley Lane near junction 11 of the M5, on the edge of the Cotswolds. The postcode is GL51 6PN, and the nearest station is Cheltenham Spa.

How many guests can Manor by the Lake hold?

The venue says up to 180 for a civil ceremony and wedding breakfast, and up to 250 for the evening reception in the Ballroom. Maximilian, the main ceremony room, seats up to 100.

Can you get married outside at Manor by the Lake?

Yes. The Manor is licensed for outdoor ceremonies in three places: the Manor Arches at the entrance, the Italian Pavilion next to the house, and the Lakeside Pavilion by the water. Indoors, Maximilian and Lyderick are both licensed rooms.

Can you throw confetti at Manor by the Lake?

Yes. The venue asks for biodegradable confetti or dried flower petals only. Tell your guests in advance so the confetti walk has plenty of it.

What happens if it rains at Manor by the Lake?

The Marguerite Library, Lyderick and the Garden Lounge all have big windows onto the gardens, so we still get natural light and a view. The Manor Arches give cover for group photos.

Can you stay at Manor by the Lake?

Yes. There are 12 bedrooms and suites in the manor, some with a roll-top bath, plus Butterfly Cottage and Redgrove Lodge in the grounds. Breakfast the next morning is a relaxed time for a few last photos of you both.

Getting married at Manor by the Lake?

Tell me your dates and I will let you know if I am free.