Friars Court is one of the most exquisite and charming wedding venues we have been privileged to photograph a wedding at in a long time. It is a striking mid-17th century house, set in 600 acres of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside just outside the village of Clanfield, Oxfordshire.
The site boasts a rich historical tapestry dating from medieval times to the present day; the first records in 1142 details the establishment of the first ‘Hospitaller’ in Oxfordshire by the charitable, religious order of the Knights Templar Order of St. John of Jerusalem whose insignia can be still be seen today above the main entrance. Here the resident friars would have offered rest and refreshment to the weary medieval traveller. After the dissolution of the monasteries and several owners later Friars Court is now the private home of the Willmer family and is open exclusively to private groups, which we think lends to the charm of Friars Court.
The current Cotswold stone house has stood on its moated site, close to the River Thames, for over 300 years and provides an attractive backdrop for wedding photography. The moat is thought to be at least 500 years old and partially encompasses the house and 4 acres of main gardens.
Friars Court was granted a Civil Ceremony license in 2002 and there are nine areas within the house and gardens where weddings and other ceremonies may be conducted. They range from the indoor Winterhalter Conservatory, Garden Room or Stone Barn to the outdoor Rose Arbour, Swedish Summerhouse and accompanying marquees.
The picturesque gardens provide delightful areas for wedding photography; the ‘Garden of Reflection’ is a combination of trellising and mirrors create an almost maze-like sense of enclosure as well as confusing glimpses both of the viewer and of the gardens beyond. There is also the ‘Winterhalter’ Wedding Garden which provides beautiful, romantic and nostalgic backdrops for some amazing wedding photographs. We also used the Stone Barn and the big wooden doors as backdrops for some contemporary wedding images.
Weddings at Friar’s Court are run by Jeffrey Cleaver through Silver Pear Weddings. Jeffrey is one of the nicest people you could meet and his freshness, adaptability, flexibility and friendly approach to weddings has seen Friar’s Court become one of the more popular wedding venues in Oxfordshire.
The unique combination of an attractive house, picturesque grounds and gardens, plus the exclusivity and excellent hospitality of a charming host provides Friar’s Court with that little bit extra meaning it could be just the wedding venue you are looking for – we can’t wait to go back there again.
Additional images of Wedding Photography by JMW Imaging at Friars Courtcan be seen here.
