Well it's 2013: out with the old and in with the new... but not quite yet. I've still got some photos from Alan and Miranda's wonderful winter wedding at Winchester's Avington Park and the Hotel du Vin (with evening party at No. 5 Bridge Street to boot) to share.

After the weather we've had over the last month it seems like a miracle now that the skies were a brilliant blue and the sun was out in all its glory for this one. It was the first (but not the last - looking forward to a return in a few months) time I've photographed at this superb stately home on the river Itchen in the heart of Hampshire and, well, what can I say? It's absolutely stunning! 

The reception and ceremony rooms were bathed in that wonderful light that you only get this time of year and simply oozed timeless class and quality. It's a real testament to a wedding venue when even in the depths of winter the grounds still look beautiful, and even the peacocks saw fit to put in a bit of an appearance (although not quite to the extent of a recent wedding at Greens Barn in Surrey when a chicken tried to steal the limelight in the middle of the speeches!). 

Just because the sun's out doesn't mean it's warm however, so after a lovely and intimate ceremony, champagne and a few photos around the house we moved swiftly on to the Hotel du Vin for drinks, canapes and the wedding breakfast. You don't see many proper banqueting tables these days but it really is a way for a smaller wedding party to celebrate in style, and the cozy corners, low lights and wood-pannelled walls created a wonderful sense of warmth throughout.

...and then another relocation for the evening party, down to the other end of the city to No. 5 Bridge Street for music and - another first for me - magic! It might sound a little cheesy to say that, impressive as it was it didn't quite match the magic of the rest of the day, but I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true!

An absolutely beautiful wedding making the most of Winchester's many treasures! Many congratulations Miranda and Alan, and a Happy New Year to you both.

Friends and family can, as always, view the full wedding gallery and slideshow in the client area but will need to ask Miranda and Alan for the password.

If you are planning your wedding in Winchester, whether at Avington Park, the Hotel du Vin, or any other of its many beautiful wedding venues, do please feel free to get in touch to discuss your photography and ways in which I may be able to help you.

Thanks for reading, and I hope you liked the photos. Back again soon with the story of my final wedding of 2012...