I had the pleasure of photographing a beautiful wedding at the Barley Wood House, a stunning wedding venue in Wrington, Bristol. The couple were excited to have their wedding captured in a candid style and I always have so much fun as I view it as a bit of a creative adventure, trying to capture all the natural and spontaneous ephemeral moments without posing or directing throughout the wedding celebration.

The weather was overcast but that didn’t dampen the spirits of S & A, or their guests. They went ahead with having the wedding outside and the decision paid off; the rain held off and the cloudy sky created a soft and flattering light that was perfect for the ceremony and portraits. The smell of farmland was all encompassing, and it added a rustic charm to the atmosphere. The ceremony took place beneath the pagoda in the grounds, overlooking the rolling English countryside. It was an informal ceremony; S & A having already married officially at the registry office. Their dear friend officiated them through an exchange of vows and rings and it was a touching moment in front of all those dearest to them.

After the ceremony, we had a quick portrait session and then everyone headed inside for the reception. I always like to keep the portrait sessions to a minimum – around 15 or 20 minutes after the ceremony or during golden hour - this way I’m able to spend as much time as possible capturing candid shots and allow the couple to enjoy the day as much as possible without being told to constantly pose for photos.

The reception meal was put together by the fantastic Coexist kitchen, making a delicious buffet for the guests. After the meal the guests listened to some hilarious and moving speeches by the fathers of the bride and groom, making everyone laugh and cry. We then moved into another of the rooms and did the cake cutting, and then the party started. S & A had split the dancefloor over two rooms, one with more conventional party music, and one with their favourite tunes, predominantly old-school hip hop and heavy metal. It was so much fun hearing all my old favourite hip-hop tunes. As the night went on, I was called to the Bridal suite to capture the moment A decided to have a haircut (in secret!) and re-enter the party with a new look, to everyone’s delight.

All in all, it was a wonderful day full of love, laughter, and happiness. I’m so glad I was able to capture their wedding and create some lasting memories for them both. I wish them all the best for their future together.