I had the pleasure of photographing a really fun wedding at a rustic farm in Chittering on the outskirts of the Fens in Cambridgeshire. The couple were laid-back and there was lots of laughter, dancing and vodka on ice!
Being a working arable farm, Willow Grange added a beautiful, rural character to the day. Gemma and Julian wanted their wedding to feel down-to-earth and relaxed and the farm provided the perfect backdrop for just that. Their main venue in their elegant Sperry tent was surrounded by a courtyard with firepit, farmhouse tables, shepherds’ huts, glamping tents and an oak pergoda for the ceremony – all providing an easy-going, outdoor setting.
The bridal party had made their preparations in the main house whilst the groomsmen got in their glad rags by one of the shepherds’ huts.
The wedding day got going with a ceremony under the beautiful oak pergoda accompanied by a string trio and surrounded by Gemma and Julian’s closest family and friends. The couple exchanged their own personal marriage vows before walking down the aisle and being hit by an absolute mountain of confetti.
The drinks’ reception was a vibrant celebration with lively music as guests mingled and children (and grown-ups) let off steam. Friends and family toasted the happy couple and kids began to make inroads on an appetising-looking chocolate fountain.
The speeches were peppered with self-deprecation and some obligatory ribbing of the groom – and this led onto the wedding breakfast.
It was soon time for cutting the wedding cake (whilst avoiding the sparklers!) followed by Gemma and Julian’s first dance as a married couple. The dance floor filled quickly and it was great fun to try to capture some of the energy and fun on display. The DJ was joined by his returning saxophonist brother at this stage playing a number of floor-fillers. The dancing went on until late in the evening, with many guests chosing to take well-earned ‘hydration’ breaks from the dance floor at the very popular vodka-ice sculpture.
A wonderful, relaxed wedding with a lovely couple and great group of guests.