Toni and Ben - the true definition of a couple doing everything their way to make their wedding at Harburn Barn completely unique. This couple wanted a relaxed, fun garden party wedding with friends and family and that is exactly what they got! Toni really curated every detail and put so much thought into the décor and little touches as well as the suppliers she chose to bring her vision together. Her endless talents included making her own bouquet and buttonholes, as well as wedding signs and gifts for all the bridal party - personalised touches that made everything so pretty and will be meaningful keepsakes for years to come.
Toni and Ben got ready in the cottage across the courtyard, with the bridal party upstairs and groom’s side downstairs, to ensure they didn’t see each other. I loved capturing Toni’s emotional reveal to her Dad and bridesmaids, waiting downstairs, and seeing their son Kai getting ready. He looked so handsome in his little kilt that he really stole the show!
They married with a registrar-led ceremony in the gorgeous round barn, exchanging intimate personal vows that brought a tear to everyone’s eyes. They also involved their son in a sand ceremony, which will be a visual memento of their fabulous day for years to come.
After the ceremony I gathered the guests for a fun welcome for the newlyweds, with bubbles and ribbon wands in place of confetti on the lawn just outside the barn. I love taking natural, candid pictures that really capture character and emotion, so I always make sure that the first twenty minutes after the ceremony are just spent mingling with guests and sharing the wonderful ‘we just got married’ feeling.
Toni and Ben had arranged an ice cream kart, a DIY cocktail station and garden games such as connect 4 and giant jenga for the kids (and big kids!) to enjoy while the group photographs were being taken. The campervan bar was a true hit too, serving up delicious drinks to keep the party going!
Couples at Harburn Barn are truly spoilt for choice in terms of locations for their pictures, with pretty gardens, lakes, woodland and a hidden folly all within the grounds. A short walk is all that's needed to reach the different spots so no need to miss out on canapes or be away from your guests for too long! We took some portraits before dinner, when it was still really sunny, and more after dinner in the golden hour which have a really dreamy, romantic feel - scroll down to see these towards the end of the day!
Before dinner the couple and their guests enjoyed 3 speeches and then tasty food was served up by Bespoke Catering. After dinner we went back outside in the golden hour before sunset to capture some more moments in the lovely soft light before their DJ got the dancing started. I loved working alongside John Conway who was making their wedding film. He had a fantastic presence on the day and our shared vision meant liasing about camera angles and direction couldn’t have been easier.
The bride said: "I have been so EXCITED looking through all my photos - I totally love them, they are all perfect! It has been so nice to live our day all over again and I have lost count of the amount of times that I have looked at them now. We will need to extend the house as I want to put every photo up. Thanks so much for everything again, you have been so amazing since day one and I’m just so over the moon with all my photos. We all are!"
