“Sophie, I don’t know how you do it. You capture such beauty and joy in all your pictures. It’s genuinely like you add a layer of poetry onto the world, to allow other people to see the magic that you can….You’re incredible and I am so grateful”
Grittenham Barn Wedding
What a Grittenham Barn wedding I have to share!
I decided in the last couple of years to bump up the number of previews to give to my couples. In all truth it came naturally to me as I found it increasingly difficult to just choose ten or so to share. I am so much about the story of a day, that choosing a few select images felt limiting, and what I really wanted was to share an overview of the wedding with my clients, to help them see just what an amazing day they had had, from the perspective of someone else. When I received Emily’s feedback after sending the below images, it first of all, blew me away, and secondly made me realise that I did what I had to do, show the couple how I see them.
This wedding was a long time in the making! I was over the moon when this gorgeous couple booked me, I knew from the promised ‘festival vibes’ with big old party thrown in and possible ‘disco party hat’ raffle that I was in for a good day. We didn’t quite get the glorious sunshine that the lovely Grittenham Barn has blessed me with in the past, but we did get a snippet of special evening light which I pretty much made the couple run for…always worth it!
Emily and Phil are probably the kindest most thoughtful souls on earth. One hundred per cent made for one another, and clearly adored by all who know them. They can now include me in that statement, because quite honestly I actually miss them now this day is over! They had the whole wedding at beautiful Grittenham Barn, a true favourite of mine and my first outdoor ceremony there – highly recommend! Accompanying the ceremony was the lovely Thomas Wilman, a simply fabulous singer who also sang with Emily’s sister which brought a tear to all of us.
Everyone loves confetti, and boy these guys didn’t disappoint, heads held high is the only way to do it! The rest of the day was a mix of relaxed drinks, mingling and the occasional donkey head pat. Yes, Grittenham has resident donkeys and they are SO cute. The venue has so much open space it’s difficult to know where to spend time for couple photos, personally I love the cobbled walkway that leads through the gate into the owner’s beautiful garden beyond. The pond is surrounded by meadow-style fields and a stunning willow tree. A quick scoot round and through the orchard brought us back to the reception for the all important group photos. Paper umbrellas FTW, I loved this touch, they made such beautiful photos with Emily and her girls.
I could write a blow-by-blow account of the tambourine-jangling filled welcome, or the tearjerker speeches, not least of all the multi prize winning raffle; but I had to mention that this wedding had my second ever piñata cake! SO much fun. Actually quite lethal since Phil gave it so much welly that he broke the wooden bat…either way, Haribo sweets rained down on us all, and truth be told, I scoffed most of them. These two are known for their cheerleading background (how they met) so the first dance was hardly going to be a side-to-side shuffle and spin. WOW. It was honestly so spectacular it’s surprising that I didn’t have an entire blog post dedicated to the dance itself.
I was genuinely sad when it was time to go home, but I ended the night on SUCH a high. Despite the clouds, these two brought all the sunshine that was needed. Emily looking beyond radiant in her Justin Alexander dress, the stunning flowers, plus the positive energy that was flowing through the day. Lovely as always to work alongside a recommendation, Olly on videography. Thank you Emily & Phil, and Grittenham Barn for yet again, proving why I adore working at this venue so much. Some of my favourites below! x
If you’re planning a similar wedding and would like to know more about my approach or have any further questions please just shout!
