Cripps Barn
Claire & Josh

There are certain weddings I’ve shot where I’ve felt I was always meant to be the photographer. With Claire and Josh I first met them at the Cripps Barn open day, they were being surreally walked around the barn virtually via Skype (they live in Australia) and in an odd co-incidence Claire used to be the wedding co-ordinator at another venue and recognised me. The deal was sealed right there!

And what a stroke of luck it was as their non stop, fast paced and massively fun wedding was a dream to shoot. Their day was in mid August and both of them got ready, along with their suporting cast at the Kings Head in Cirencester.

No stops were pulled in the decor of the barn (more photos below) and what really made the day shine was how carefree and full of fun everyone was. There were twists and turns along the way, Josh’s mum had arranged some singing waiters for them and nobody knew a thing about it. Usually the couple book them, so with Mum’s intervention the genuine surprise on their faces was perfect to witness and everyone got up and danced around the dinner tables.

Claire and Josh have this magnetism between them, always together, but still able to see evereyone else. Josh’s brothers were the groomsmen and the ‘Clements boys’ were great to have on hand for photos. In the evening there was a power cut due to a dodgy letter ‘E’ on an illuminated sign and during the gap between the generator spinning up the band went Acoustic, we all held up candles and carried on partying regardless.

Weddings like these remind me why I shoot. Genuine love across families, fun seeking personalities, free flowing tears and a couple who glue it all together make for a perfect day.

Here’s some more photos from their wedding:

Makeup: Katy Phieffer

Hair: Chris Fordham Hair Design