A Prior Engagement & Prospective Wedding!
September 02, 2017
Charlotte & Russell's Southend Barns Summer Wedding
Having got engaged back in May 2015, Lottie and Russ married in early June this year at Southend Barns. This modern/rustic venue very much nestled in the Sussex countryside, is actually only a short 15 minute drive from the beautiful sandy South Coast Wittering beaches. On that morning, as I glimpsed through the arched gateway at the grassy green courtyard, I thought how turquoise the sky looked - almost ocean-like as the wispy white clouds appeared like little breakers, and the bright canopy peaks in the venue's entrance like white sails against the vivid blue. Fortunate with such a beautiful location both geographically and visually, I was excited to see how an array of texture, shape and colour would artistically come together to capture some magic moments for this couple's very unique wedding album!
Very much stamping their personalities on the day, Lottie and Russ had incorporated some 'props' that would reveal a little bit of their humour and style to guests. Helping to differentiate them from the expected and allowing them to stand out in various ways on the wedding day, I loved utilising these thoughtful elements in the photographs and seeing how they showcased Lottie and Russ's unique approach. Flying in the face of tradition, Russ had opted for a fast and sporty get-away car which gleamed proudly in the morning sun (almost as much as his excited face!), as I photographed him before he ventured to the calm and serene Diary Barn to wait for his beautiful bride to grace the aisle.
The marriage ceremony itself was full of charm and warmth showing clear signs of the couple's closeness with family. Lottie approached her groom wearing a fitted ivory gown with flattering sweetheart neckline and flared trumpet skirt with a long lace train. Stood looking radiant as her proud father shook the hand of her very soon-to-be-husband, and with smiling onlooking mums as their witnesses, emotional vows were lovingly exchanged. It was touching to see that both bride and groom obviously enjoyed the company of their loved ones, taking every opportunity to share smiles and laughter throughout the ceremony.
In anticipation of some bubbles being drunk in celebration of the newly declared Mr and Mrs Prior, a fun confetti throwing alternative encouraged guests to wave magic bubble wands over the couple! Showering them in dozens of shiny rainbowy bubbles, another tradition was redesigned in a way which was really engaging, especially considering the younger guests present, an idea that I thought was both original and magical too!
A big challenge for any wedding photographer is to not allow guests to become bored and fed up of waiting, especially when shooting group pictures. Because of this potential, I always like to work fast, take minimal shots and have humour as a tool up my sleeve! When standing and smiling becomes a bore, I like to go with what is really being felt and work with it! One of Lottie's endearing strengths was her natural willingness to empathise with her guests during the photography, and when flower girls, (also her adorable nieces), wanted to capture a fun memory for the day, this is what they came up with together! Another wedding formality was thrown aside, and a fun personalised memory captured to replace it!
We had the advantage of having usage of the symmetrically designed, beautifully manicured gardens which provided a visually balanced and captivating backdrop containing loads of colour tones and shades, prominent shapes and interesting textures. To my surprise, Russ was very happy in this green environment surrounded by plants and flowers as it turned out he'd grown up surrounded by nature due to his dad working in the grounds of the Grade II listed Stansted House and estate. Despite the plentiful backdrop however, Lottie and Russ were still very keen to keep the photography from being anything but boring when it came to shooting their bridal party pictures and found much entertainment in us creating compositions such as this!
So as not to entirely make a mockery of wedding traditions and formality, we did include some classy bridal party poses which showed off the groomsmen in their smart grey tailcoats with yellow button-holes and blue ties, coordinated with the bridesmaids in matching blue dresses. The cohesive styling was brought together with Lottie's bouquet of blue and yellow tones inspiring the complimentary colour palette theming the day.
For a unique take on a couple's portrait, I was influenced by one of their decor props which was a signpost made from a garden fork and two directional arrows. With strategic placement of the arrows, the bride, and the groom, we came up with a humorous shot which also cunningly showed off one of Lottie's beloved wedding shoes which she adored and wanted to be remembered in the album!
Soon guests were sitting down in the authentic wooden beamed Threshing Barn decorated with overhanging coordinating mauve, silver and white hanging paper lanterns. A sumptuous meal of slow cooked beef with gnocchi was served up and the lucky guests were also treated to a trio of exquisite looking desserts. The petite but perfect puds included lemon posset, chocolate salted caramel tart with toffee popcorn and a mango dessert topped with italian meringue. Whilst caterers Field and Fork had done an absolutely sterling job with the menu, guests had been given favours at their table places; - full size chocolate bars (which hopefully they hadn't already consumed in the wait for the starters!), but which I'm sure would have come in handy for a peckish moment at the end of the night!
Getting some fresh air and some temporary down-time for some all important sunset portraits, Lottie and Russ waded through thigh-high barley to enable me to capture them surrounded by nature, unified by Lottie's bouquet! Although this was used like another prop, I actually loved how the dusky blue colours of the sky and the muted yellows and greens of the barley were the accent colours in Lottie's flowers and how throughout the day this bouquet had been the uniting visual element that had successfully tied so many other components together.
As the evening reception unfolded, DJ Gary Evans hosted an amusing Mr & Mrs quiz making an entertaining start to the night and warming up the guests ensuring they'd be ready to hit the dance floor and stay there! Whilst guests were enjoying some party tunes and Shutterbooth action, thus oblivious to the bride and groom's subtle exit, Lottie and Russ stepped out into the cool blue dusky night for some final portraits as I concluded my photography for the day.
I had really enjoyed the whole day and company of Lottie, Russ and their lovely bridal party and guests. Their lighthearted and inclusive outlook put everyone at ease and enabled us all to enjoy the traditions of the wedding minus the starch! With creative props, locations and willingness to not allow any part of the photography to be boring, this couple engaged everyone with their charming personalities and knack for bringing life to the party!
Just like the merging tractor tracks in the barley field, I'm certain a promising future lies ahead for Lottie and Russ who will continue to move closer as they walk the path together into their future. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Prior, wishing you all the happiness in the world!
Love Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A