A relaxed, rural wedding at a farm in Chittering on the outskirts of the Fens in Cambridgeshire. The couple were laid-back and there was lots of laughter, dancing and a vodka-on-ice sculpture!
The venue
Being a working arable farm, Willow Grange added a rustic character to the day with gorgeous views over the Fens. Gemma and Julian wanted their wedding to feel down-to-earth and relaxed and the farm provided the perfect backdrop for just that. The 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, outdoors setting. Their wedding vibe was very colourful and the earthy colour palette with splashes of pink beautifully complemented the 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.
Ceremony
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.
Reception
The drinks’ reception was a vibrant celebration as lively jazz saxophone music accompanied the clinking of glasses where guests mingled and children let off some steam. Friends and family toasted the happy couple and some of the kids began to make inroads on an appetising-looking chocolate fountain.
The wedding speeches in the marquee were peppered with warm words about the happy couple, a quiz organised by the best man and of course some obligatory ribbing of the groom – and this led onto the main meal.
The evening
It was soon time for cutting the wedding cake (and navigating the knife so as to avoid 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.
Gemma & Julian had chosen me to be their wedding photographer based on seeing the photos of mutual friends’ wedding. So they already had a good idea of my approach, and it also helped that we have become running buddies & occasionally meet up for a social jog at the weekend. A super-friendly, rustic wedding with a lovely couple and great group of guests.
