Rustic Yorkshire Farmers Wedding

After postponing their wedding day from 2020 to 2021 due to Covid, Charlotte & Jack finally got to celebrate in style with their friends and family in an amazing marquee put up in record time by Jack! He’s a man of many talents as I wouldn’t have a clue where to start at putting together a marquee!

The location was all the way up in Yorkshire so a nice little drive up the motorway for me. :-) I love Yorkshire and seem to be lucky enough to shoot quite a few weddings there. I arrived at Charlottes parents farm house where the hustle and bustle of bridal prep was in full swing. After capturing some nice natural light images and checking out the marquee where the wedding reception was to be held I headed off to the church in Tickhill. I always like to get to the church a bit before the bride as parking can be a nightmare and also to introduce myself to the vicar. Some vicars have very specific rules as to where you can and can't stand during the service so always best to double check.

I had actually shot at the church before in Tickhill for one of Charlottes friends weddings and it was at Ginny & Mikes wedding that Charlotte & Jack found me! Thankfully I was allowed to be stood at the front so I was able to capture Charlotte being walked down the aisle by her dad. Another bonus was because the church was so big there was plenty of room to easily move around without being noticed for one or two different angles.

Once outside, Charlotte & Jack got confetti bombed before jumping in a vintage sports car that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the set of James Bond. With the roar of the engine and the smell of rubber in the air the happy couple were back at Tickhill farm in a flash. I loved the relaxed, chilled out nature of the drinks reception in Charlottes parents garden. A live band was playing as the guests enjoyed congratulating the bride and groom! I captured lots of fun, documentary long lens 85mm images with lovely bokeh. The Nikon Z cameras and lenses are superb to work with and such an upgrade from the tried and tested D750’s that were my main stay for a good few years. The development of the Nikon mirrorless system represents a huge leap forward for the company and now with the release of the flagship Z9 mirrorless is definitely the present and future!

Most couples are always slightly uncomfortable having their picture taken (as I am ) which is why I would always recommend an engagement shoot so couples can be put at ease and understand how it all works. Jack was one of those grooms that didn’t really want lots of posed portraits which was fine with me as I’m all about the reportage style and capturing natural moments. After a quick walk around the grounds we headed back for the reception where the fun and games really went up a level. The people of Yorkshire and especially Yorkshire farmers always give it 100% in the fun department! The entrance of Charlotte and Jack to the reception marquee was like no other I have ever seen! With Charlotte perched precariously on Jacks shoulders they ducked under the doorway and were greeted with over 150 friends and family waving white napkins! Amazing scenes, I loved it!

The light levels inside the marquee really tested the Nikon Z6II to its limits but it coped amazingly well. I really enjoyed the entire wedding day and was so pleased to finally get to document the fun, love and laughter with a gallery of images that Charlotte and Jack can look back on in years to come with a smile on their face. :-)

Rustic Tipi Wedding Reception in Warwickshire

Last summer I was lucky enough to be asked to document Jade & Jamies wedding day in Warwickshire. I shot their pre wedding shoot a month before on their farm and couldn’t wait to get back for their rustic tipi wedding. I was booked to cover the whole day, bridal prep through to the crazy dancing in the evening and all the good stuff in between!

Bridal prep was held at Bobs Lodge, Winchcombe Farm Holidays. The chalet was spectacular with a cool igloo positioned on the balcony to sleep under the stars, as well as a slide that Jade and the bridesmaids made the most off ;-) After capturing the girls getting ready I whizzed off to the church for the ceremony. Church ceremonies can always present a challenge with lighting. This is something I love about wedding photography, constantly being challenged and thinking on my feet in pressure situations.

It was a summer wedding but the weather on the day was anything but summer! I think we had all the seasons apart from the winter snow! Jade and Jamie took it all in their stride with not a shred of worry, whatever will be will be! If things don’t go quite as planned on your big day the best advice I can give a couple is to embrace it. It’s your day and the most important thing is that you’re together with your friends and family! I actually think it makes for great pictures. My documentary style captures all the emotion, looks of surprise, commotion and the buzz of energy!

I’ve shot a few weddings where the couples have been farmers or have farming backgrounds and for some reason they’re always super relaxed and chilled out!! Maybe its something in the vegetables! :-)

Once we arrived in the neighbours field where the tipi was situated the heavens opened and everyone made a mad dash for cover and waited for the bride and groom to arrive for a second confetti shot! Everyone was then huddled together like penguins in the arctic which made easy pickings for me capturing candid shots.

When the weather isn’t great it’s a case of taking advantage of any moments when it stops raining, this wasn’t an issue for Jade and Jamie and luckily as the afternoon became evening the sun made an appearance so we nipped out for ten minutes to capture some cool couple shots.

It really was a great wedding and one I definitely won’t forget. Congratulations Jade and Jamie you were both amazing and I hope married life is going well!!