Give Me Your Answer Do...
December 19, 2016
Laura & Matt's Autumnal Southend Barns Wedding
Laura and Matt had already travelled a long adventurous road before getting to the stage where saying, "I do" was the natural next step along the journey. These two had pedalled a variety of routes, discovering the twists and turns of life together over a span of seventeen years and the next landmark to conquer was to be married life! Both clever and creative, this couple have always shared a love of cycling and it was on one of their rides whilst taking a quick break to admire the view, that Matt stopped a passer by, asking to take a rare photo of him and Laura together. Handing the stranger his phone, Matt swiftly glided onto bended knee to propose to a very surprised Laura who of course was delighted and agreed to his romantic gesture! Here on their engagement shoot their treasured dog Bertie joined them as they stood together looking out at the expanse of sky, with thoughts of opportunities ahead of them and their future together.
October always radiates with colour, warm light and autumnal textures. The bright colours of the English summer are starting to fade into softer pastel shades, and the sun lower in the sky, often illuminates the turning leaves as they start to transform from their lush greenness into more golden hues. The changing seasons are times of year I really love to photograph and so was really pleased to be capturing Laura and Matt's early autumn wedding day, at the beautiful rustic venue of Southend Barns. I met Matt and his Best Man at the barns where the stacked log wall in the 'Collecting Yard' (a cosy outdoor lounge and bar space) became the perfect rustic backdrop and contrast to the guys' crisp blue suits.
Bride to Be Laura was getting ready in the luxurious Bridal Suite known as The Milking Parlour. Laura had chosen a beautiful cap sleeve gown with V-neckline, lace overlay and a sophisticated keyhole back. With her hair elegantly off her face, Laura's look was a touch of vintage, finished beautifully by her neat bouquet of muted pinky-mauve roses. The minty green foliage mixed in, broken up with the delicate white sprigs of gypsophila, made for a classic arrangement with a rustic flavour and the hints of mauve tied in with the darker amethyst tones of the bridesmaids' gowns and groomsmen's ties.
Even Laura's choice of fragrance blended in colour-wise with the shades of blues and mauves as the multifaceted diamond shaped bottle beautifully displayed Laura's stunning sapphire and diamond engagement ring in total style!
It was time for Laura, with her Father at her side, to cross the courtyard towards the Dairy Barn, grace the aisle and finally see a very proud groom at the end waiting for her.
Guests were warmed by the heartfelt ceremony and personal touch of Laura reading Matt a poem which gave guests a lovely little glimpse into their story together.
The autumnal feel continued with a leafy theme coming to light as different parts to the the day unfolded. Laura and Matt had created a little 'station' whereby guests could grab some confetti ready to throw over the newly married couple. Being a dairy barn originally, this little confetti zone gushed rustic charm - decorated with it's wooden crates, wicker baskets of paper cones filled with autumn leaf confetti. Even an old bicycle wheel sat amongst the decor, bedecked with a garland of greenery and flowers in tribute to the couple's love of cycling!
I later learnt that there was extra significance to the confetti (leaves) as they had been carefully collected by Laura having fallen from a special tree at her parent's house. I found this to be a lovely personal detail which was quite magical when seen scattered prettily over the train of Laura's gown after the confetti throwing!
The theme of cycling filtered through into the reception where another bicycle wheel had been put to use, doubling up as a table plan and quirkily displaying the lists of tables with guest names accordingly! The cosy barn adorned with fairy-light laden beams provided a comfortable homely setting for the large round trestle tables which were dressed beautifully and labelled with sweet little bike safety flags, continuing that cycling theme. Even the wedding cake of cheeses and fruits had a bike leant up against the side as a finishing touch!
Laura's creativity meant that the favours for each guest not only perfectly fitted the autumn leaf theme, but they also helpfully acted as name places at the tables. Slate coasters were lovingly hand-stamped with leaf prints by Laura herself, and each came in a little gift box with a personalised printed card attached. I discovered after the wedding that a thank you card (kindly sent by Laura and Matt) was also in keeping with the same tree & leaves design, again featuring Bertie the dog but also two bikes! I liked how the shades of purple, the leaves, Bertie and the bikes were all clever and personal themes running subtly throughout the day.
The details included within the reception were appreciated and enjoyed by all and as the day rolled on, and hair was let down, some great speeches ensured that Mother and daughter alike, plus everyone else in the room, were left in stitches!
As the bridal party came together for some group portraits, it was clear to see how the coordination of the day in all it's colours and themes from the smallest little creative elements through to the bigger ones, tied together seamlessly and with great effect and harmony.
Clearly well loved, Laura and Matt amongst friends and family were relaxed and looked so happy to be starting the next lap of their journey together as a Mr and Mrs!
Congratulations on your wonderful wedding Laura and Matt! Hoping married life will allow you to enjoy many new discoveries together, and although occasionally there may be a bit of uphill pedalling at times, the freewheeling should make all the hard work worthwhile! I loved your leafy October autumnal wedding day and wish you all the best for the next new season of your lives.
Love Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A