Spring Promises
April 27, 2016
Russell and Catherine's Southend Barns February Wedding
The very end of February is that wonderful time of year when the hood of the lengthy winter hibernation period seems to lift and we all peek out (blinking and baffled) and suddenly realise that it's nearly MARCH. Somehow in the depths of winter it feels like March will never come. Russell and Catherine's wedding on the 26th of February this year was clear, crisp and sunny, suggesting that the ever elusive spring was just around the corner. Ever so subtle touches punctuated their Southend Barns wedding which seemed to effortlessly tie winter and spring together. Clever use of colour and texture coupled with the energy of the very young children present seemed to add a family feeling bursting with new life and positivity.
The colour scheme that Catherine and Russell went for was deepest purple combined with the most vibrant of lime green. It's amazing how well the two colours complement each other; that splash of green reminding us of the promise of springtime just around the corner. I love how well the bridal bouquet sits snugly on the rustic fur that they had placed on the seats in the Dairy Barn for the ceremony:
The gents got ready in Chichester at the best man's house. I used the morning sunlight to illuminate Russell and his crew as they dedicate full concentration to the art of tying a tie.
We then took a drive to an industrial estate nearby where the muted colours of the grey backdrop complemented the gents’ suits and added to that wintery feel against the splash of the purple ties. I like the depth in this image; the blur of the usher and best man with Russell sharp in the centre.
I have had the pleasure of getting to know Catherine and Russell fairly well over the last couple of years. I photographed Catherine's brother's wedding first off, and not long afterwards they asked me to take some baby shots of their firstborn, Dylan. It was wonderful for me to then capture their own wedding, and very recently I had Oliver (the newest addition to the family) in the studio, so I have been present for three very important stages in their lives. I always feel privileged to be able to document the growth of a family in this way and it was lovely to see how little Dylan had grown up! Here he is at his baby shoot and again at the wedding; you can see his features and character slowly maturing. Underneath is little Oliver looking utterly adorable in his suit and tie.
Back to the big day! Catherine was making herself at home in the bridal suite and being looked after by Lucy from ID who took care of her stunning natural makeup. I made use of the two mirrors in the bathroom to show off Catherine's look here; the beautiful heart shape neckline of her dress and her elegant cathedral length veil. Gorgeous!
It was not only the colour scheme of the purple, lime green and wintery greys that played with the winter-spring transition idea, but the location at Southend Barns tastefully accentuated Catherine and Russell's ideas and brought depth, texture and a general 'picture perfect' feel to the proceedings. It is very interesting to me to see how well the barns can be tweaked to provide the ideal wedding feel in all seasons. Something to do with their rustic elegance perhaps, it is the perfect canvas to put your own subtle stamp on. I am always looking for new ways to photograph 'details' throughout the day, and like to think about the properties of the pieces I am photographing to dictate where they might like to 'sit', if you catch my drift! Wood is a big deal at the barns here, and I used the log pile as a contrasting pedestal for the silver sheen of the wedding rings.
The vintage lace of Catherine's dress also deserved its own shot. All I needed was a splash of light shining through it to bring out its full glory here, and with such texture and shape it almost looks like a painting.
The ceremony was a lovely intimate affair and very family oriented. I love this shot showing Catherine's brother Matt making an appearance as a witness and the strength of Russell as he holds Dylan up to be a part of the ceremony too. He must have had quite the quivering bicep by the end!
The guests made their way outside and I grabbed the opportunity for a group shot with the long barn stretching out in the background. The muted grey sky against the vibrant green grass really tied into their colour scheme (well done nature!), a great location on the hardstanding for winter group shots as you can capture that outdoor vibe without the guests having to get their feet wet!
Here it is from a different angle for a more intimate family shot. This is a lovely one for me as it shows the connections I have to the family and how it has grown; I photographed the wedding of the couple on the left, Catherine's brother Matt and his wife Sarah and now they have a little newborn, Molly! The rustic texture and colouring of the barns behind as well as the flash of the purples from the ladies tie everything up rather neatly.
For a more quirky group shot we headed over to the hidden courtyards. I planted the focus on the gorgeous girls and then used the natural symmetry of the hedges to place the two ushers, as well as a touch of humour with a couple of 'floating heads!' The constant colour theme continues to run through here with the greys, purples and greens, and the low winter sunlight gives the image such a different feel compared with how it would look in the height of summer.
Next it was time to let Russell and Catherine take centre stage. I wanted to use the log pile outside to tie the texture in not only with the earlier image of the rings but with some of the rustic touches you will see present at the evening reception. I like the relaxed, almost cheeky edge to this shot, the two standing apart as a contrast to the linked rings we saw before.
They were permitted a cuddle inside the threshing barn though, that low winter sun casting its glow across the gorgeous wood and the angled green sashes on the chairs.
The couple had linked in with the rustic woody texture inside the barn, the table plan was simple and yet so effective: luggage tags on a hessian board. The delicious cupcake cascade also used the colour scheme in that ever-so-subtle way that was present throughout the day.
I also loved the tasteful table decorations Catherine and Russell had opted for; delightful fish bowls filled with calla lily and vibrant greenery, and the tea lights on the mirrors reflecting that wintery light all over the soft greys, greens and purples. I then had a moment of slight inner glee when they produced the starter which matched the colour scheme so well; I thought it was worthy of an image! Check out how well the purples and greens match the colours inside the fish bowls, tied together with the brown nuts and creams in the goats cheese, it was as if they had planned it a little too well!
The fire pit outside the barns had been lit all day and I wanted to capture it from a different angle to the one I would normally use. Placing the fire in the foreground seemed apt as it had been quietly crackling throughout the entire ceremony, and seemed to symbolise the warmth not only between Russell and Catherine but within this intimate family celebration. The twinkly lights above the peaceful newlyweds and the way the barns surround them leaves us with a warm glow in this final shot.
Catherine and Russell, thank you so much for the pleasure of adding your wedding to the family history I have already been a part of. I wish you oodles of warmth and joy throughout your life together!
With love, Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A