A relaxed and stylish love affair
October 28, 2015
I first photographed Jon and Saskia on their engagement shoot and knew straight away that I was going to love doing their wedding day. This gorgeous couple are very laid-back and relaxed so taking the engagement photos at West Wittering beach seemed like the ideal location. It was hugely important to them both to involve Jon’s son Reuben in the wedding and I loved the fact that he played a part in their engagement shoot too. This photo of the three of them on the breakwaters is one of my favourites. The combination of the light, their shadows on the sand and the twinkling of the sea is just perfect.
It really helps to do an engagement shoot for a couple as not only does it give us both a chance to get to know each other better, I can also find out a bit more about what they want from their wedding photos and can start planning shots that will suit their style and personalities. For Jon and Saskia I knew that family was very important to them and that they wanted a day that was relaxed and enjoyable for everyone involved. It also helped that I knew their chosen venue, Southend Barns, really well from other weddings there so I could already start pre-planning photo opportunities that I felt sure they would love.
When it came to the big day, I went to meet Jon at Poplars Farm in Almodington Lane, Chichester where he was staying with his groomsmen and family. The traditional farmhouse has lots of gorgeous country cottage charm and features. To make the most of the natural light in the house, I captured this photo of Jon standing at the window preparing for the day ahead and looking very dapper in his navy blue suit and matching knitted tie which had a stylish white fleck pattern that fitted in with the day's colour scheme.
Having left Jon in the capable hands of his groomsmen, I then headed to The Blacksmiths in Donnington where Saskia was getting ready in one of the beautifully decorated bedrooms upstairs. There was already a hive of activity by the time I arrived with the lovely girls from ID Makeup, Hair and Beauty doing everyone's hair and makeup. Once Saskia and her bridesmaids had all been pampered and preened to perfection, we then made our way to the bridal suite at Southend Barns, which is just half a mile up the road, so Saskia could put her wedding dress on before the ceremony.
Saskia’s dress certainly had the wow factor! She had chosen a stunning silk gown that was backless and fitted with panels of gorgeous sequins and sparkles. The wedding dress suited Saskia’s slender frame perfectly and wearing her hair loose around her shoulders with a soft wave and stylish plait, she achieved a superb balance of natural elegance and glamour. This beautiful photo of Saskia in the bedroom of the bridal suite really speaks for itself; the angle and natural light from the window create a lovely shadow effect while leaving Saskia illuminated and glowing with happiness.
I couldn't resist taking this photo of Saskia's shoes on one of the wooden benches in the bridal suite. They were engraved with a traditional wedding rhyme and had a silver sixpence embedded in the sole, which is meant to bring the bride good luck on her wedding day and prosperity, love and happiness in her marriage.
I really loved the stylish look that Saskia had created for her wedding day and her flowers were no exception. Created by Full Bloom, the beautiful bouquets featured a mixture of white and antique peonies while the bridesmaids' bouquets also had touches of pale pink to complement their gorgeous chiffon dresses and the soft styling of their hair which had been tousled with romantic waves.
Although I have shot quite a few weddings at Southend Barns over the years, I still always try to capture that slightly different and unique angle for each and every wedding I do, no matter where I am. For Saskia's walk to the ceremony barn with her bridesmaids, flower girls and father, I wanted to get a shot which also featured the venue, gardens and their sparkling S & J letters in the background. I'm really pleased with how this one turned out, the canopy area with its festoon lights also frame the shot perfectly.
One of the most precious moments at a wedding is when the father of the bride hands his daughter over to her future husband. This photo has caught such an array of emotions, from Jon's pride and the heartfelt happiness of Saskia's father to the bride's look of adoration - it is a beautiful scene!
From one father's love to another, here is Jon's son Reuben playing an important role in the day as he hands the wedding bands over to the bride and groom so they can seal their vows.
After a very romantic and emotional ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests left the Dairy Barn to celebrate out in the courtyard. I just managed to capture this very natural and special moment between Jon and Reuben, who is looking very proud of himself following his role as ring bearer. I love the look on Saskia's face here, she is hugely respectful of the relationship Jon has with his son and her gorgeous smile just echoes the happiness on Reuben's own face.
While the guests mingled outside in the summer sunshine enjoying drinks and canapés, I gathered the bridal party together for group shots out in the garden. The great thing about Southend Barns is that there are so many heavenly hideaways and tranquil landscaped areas, meaning the photo opportunities are endless. Here is Jon and his groomsmen in the bridal suite's private courtyard which has its own water feature and orchard of roses. To avoid the usual group line-up I got the boys to stand at slightly different angles but all in a similar pose, this creates a much more interesting photo and adds depth to the portrait. The navy suits really stand out against the greenery of the gardens.
In-between taking group shots, the drinks reception is always the perfect time for me to sneak off to get some detailed photos of the venue and how it has been decorated. In the Threshing Barn, Saskia and Jon had opted for long trestle tables with hessian runners, wooden table numbers and natural white floral arrangements to continue their beautifully relaxed but stylish theme. There were also hints of Saskia's Dutch background with lovely wedding favours which were in the shape of miniature wooden clogs and doubled up as place settings.
Before the guests descended on the barn to enjoy a sumptuous feast by Field & Fork, the in-house caterers at Southend Barns, I wanted to make sure I had the best possible photo of the wedding couple together. The rustic setting of the Threshing Barn with its soft lighting, exposed wooden beams and twinkling fairy lights made it the perfect spot and this photo just radiates the love this couple have for each other while showing off all the details of the untouched barn before the guests appeared.
A huge congratulations to Jon and Saskia! It has been such a pleasure to get to know you both, thank you so much for choosing me to capture those all important moments of your big day.
Love Kelly xx
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A