Celebrating a fusion of hearts, lives and cultures
September 22, 2015
Karen & Jan’s Upwaltham Barns springtime wedding
Over the spring and summer months I often am found photographing classically traditional English weddings at a variety of stunning barn venues local to my home in West Sussex on the South Coast. The barns naturally lend themselves to everything countrified, rustic and quaint, and are the perfect setting for any English Rose to marry her Prince Charming. In May this year I found myself attending an exception to the all-English themed wedding when I was invited to photograph Karen and Jan at Upwaltham Barns. This romantic couple succeeded in beautifully blending an array of English and Spanish traditions and ideas together for their unique wedding day and it was a lovely breath of fresh air seeing the two cultures come together for such a poignant occasion.
Karen started her day early at in The Swan Inn, Fittleworth with her Mum and two bridesmaids in preparation with the lovely ladies from ID Makeup, Hair & Beauty. Meanwhile, I arrived at the popular ‘Fox Goes Free’ countryside pub and B&B in Charlton, to meet the two Spaniards - Groom Jan and his Best Man before they were due to head to the ceremony at Upwaltham Barns. Full of life and character, these two were in such great spirits, drinking champagne and laughing that you might not be mistaken for considering their deep-running friendship a bit of a ‘bro-mance’!
A wonderful thing on a wedding day is to see the couple and bridal party feeling relaxed and happy and when I can capture their personalities in pictures I am a very happy photographer. These guys were not shy in being themselves, which I loved and when it came to being in front of the camera there was no holding back!
Hair and make-up complete, bride Karen had moved on to the wedding venue and was to be found in the bridal suite getting into her stunning lace covered gown.
Karen also wore a delicate full-length veil with lace detail edges that was reminiscent of a Mantilla (or traditional Spanish veil). This draped gracefully over the back of her head and shoulders and complimented her dress beautifully whilst adding a Spanish flavour to her overall look.
Karen’s pride and joy were her champagne satin Manolo Blahnik ‘Sex in the City’-inspired wedding shoes! Whilst Carrie Bradshaw wore royal blue satin, Karen’s Spanish heels with jewelled buckle embellishment were subtle and classy and worked perfectly with the soft pink roses in her pretty pastel bouquet.
Before meeting her groom at the ceremony, Karen was subject to a little Spanish tradition which involves the Best Man reading a handwritten poem to the bride! This was read in Spanish and Karen’s Maid of Honour translated it into English for the others in the room, this was a lovely heartwarming moment which was very precious to capture.
The marriage ceremony was intimate and romantic, with Karen and Jan’s closeness, happiness and love for each other evident to all.
As a surprise for Jan, Karen had learnt her vows and spoke them in the Spanish family’s local dialect. The vows were then translated for the non-Spanish speaking guests which made for a really touching part of the service, definitely a moment to remember.
Once the marriage vows were spoken and rings exchanged, Karen and Jan exited the barn as the new Mr and Mrs Deulofeu where in traditional Spanish form they were promptly showered with rice confetti!
As guests mingled and celebrated, the couple gathered with their bridal party for some relaxed and happy photographs.
The Morroccan snug made for a cosy and colourful setting for this next group shot, and as the most formal part of the day was now over a few of the party started to properly relax, unwind and have some fun. The laughter around was catching and the atmosphere was vibrant as some personalities amongst the party started to show themselves!
The reception was a lingering laid back affair, and whilst traditionally Spanish in the time taken over the food, a traditional English menu of locally sourced ingredients was served up. Farmhouse paté, local chutney and warm crusty bread was on offer to start, followed by British roast pork, crispy crackling and apple sauce and finishing up with warm treacle tart and local vanilla icecream. Upwaltham’s caterers Nibbles2Nosh had once again pulled out all the stops to provide some truly fantastic food.
As we often do at this beautiful venue, I encouraged the couple to venture up the hill behind the barns as the sun was starting to lower to capture some romantic moments between the newly weds. Meanwhile guests back in the venue continued to catch up with each other whilst preparations were underway for the evening party.
Back in the barn the evening formally kicked off with a first dance from the happy couple and another confetti explosion moment, but fortunately this time no rice was involved (of which I was glad as it hadn’t boded too well for me when photographing in heels earlier in the day)!
After a beautiful day Karen and Jan stole a moment together outside in the barn courtyard surrounded by the warmth of the oak beams under the soft evening lighting.
A day which saw the fusing together of two lovely people and two different cultures was special, unique and a pleasure for me to shoot. I loved seeing the two sets of traditions coming together seamlessly and reflecting so much of what this couple were about.
Thank you Mr & Mrs Deulofeu for having me be a part of your day, embracing all that is English whilst showing me a thing or two about how the Spanish do weddings! It was an education as well as a privilege! Wishing you both all the best for your future together.
Love Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A