Sometimes when I’m asked to shoot a wedding there are so many miles between us that the only realistic way to meet is via an online meeting application like Skype. It’s no replacement for a true face to face though and a bit like how some people don’t like leaving answerphone messages the whole experience can be a bit awkward. I still struggle but so long as I have a good connection Skype isn’t that bad. I find Facetime really unpleasant experience though, I had a meet with a couple in New Zealand via Facetime and it was like being in the 90’s again with a seven second delay.
With Jen and Tim I didn’t see them in person until the wedding day itself so I didn’t quite know what to expect but often the nervous anticipation can actually help me to do a really great job, almost as if it focuses me more.
Jen got ready at her parents and during makeup, Dad was in the garden watering the plants. A common morning past time for Dads to do on the morning of a wedding.
The whole wedding was taking place at the Swallows Nest Barn in Sherbourne, Warwickshire. Their wedding was on the last weekend of May (I love May weddings) and the weather was gorgeous.
Inside the Barn it’s split into two distinct areas, the ceremony area that’s turned around for dinner and then a glass fronted reception and dancefloor area. There was around 100 guests seated and waiting alongside Tim for Jen to arrive and after a lovely walk down the aisle they said their ‘I do’s’ and we went outside for some drinks, Fuzzball and Table Tennis.
While their guests were entertaining themselves we headed off to make use of the grounds.
So here is the big strength of Swallows Nest Barn, the grounds. You can leave the main area and use it for photos. At this time of year we struck gold. There was the rapeseed field, the walk to the stream, the log nestled in amongst the buttercups, the standing in the stream and the white blossom still in the trees by the bridge. I’ve already said I love May right?
It helped that I had such a lively couple, warm and open but also comfortable in their own company and not afraid to show it. I usually get the best from couples regardless but these two were effortless (and didn’t mind getting their feet wet)!
On the way back to everyone we stopped in another field with some young green corn growing. After we used the manacured garden area for the more traditional formal photos. Dinner came next and their guests not only had a sweepstake placed on the length of their speeches but also had adopted the US style tapping of their wine glasses to encourage the couple to kiss.
After the speeches we went out for some sunset photos on the opposite side to where we were earlier. The cake was cut, the first dance started and was ended with several large gold confetti cannons and they danced long into the night.
I loved being there for them, everything was perfect and I was given a photographic gift with the Swallows Nest Barn.
