Rusty Coppers & Smooth Blues
November 09, 2018
Kirsty & Alex's Southend Barns Summer Wedding
As the traditional wedding metallics of gold and silver have recently taken a small step aside, copper has stepped into the wedding limelight with all it’s rustic warmth and luxury vintage feel. Kirsty and Alex teamed this glamorous rusty accent with deep inky blues and sympathetic mink and peachy blush tones to create a unique and chic colour palette for their big day. Married at Southend Barns close to the stunning Witterings coast, this couple brought fun, family and a hint of scotch to their sunny summer nuptials, whilst leading the way with their sophisticated styling.
The Blacksmiths pub which is a stone’s throw from the venue, played host to Alex and his four trusty groomsmen. The interior decor of the bedroom in which Alex was staying was handily complementary with regards to it’s grey and white colour scheme, making for a lovely tonally-pleasing backdrop to their wedding preparation pictures (perhaps this is a detail maybe only I appreciate when it comes to seeing the images as a whole piece of art when fitted together in the album at the end!)! Groom Alex looked handsome, wearing a dark blue suit and in tribute to some Scottish family roots, a grey and blue tartan waistcoat and coordinating tie with a stag pin detail. His tan brogues and matching belt finished the look, bringing in that lovely rusty shade which was seen reflected through various details of the day from thereon in.
Once suited and booted, the guys enjoyed sitting outside in the pub’s alfresco dining area, a sunny courtyard full of rustic features and comfortable seating. A lighthearted and relaxed composition for this group perfectly captured the mood of the morning just minutes before their official roles were about to kick in gear!
Kirsty had been getting ready in the bridal suite of the wedding venue just up the road and was looking super hot in her flattering fitted lace gown! With open keyhole back, lace illusion neck detail and split skirt features, this dress was sexy and feminine. This bride being a fitness fan meant that her dress choice also packed a punch in terms of brilliantly showing off her toned figure and fit physique. Kirsty’s romantic bouquet, designed by Chichester florist Rococo, was full of delicate peach blooms and fragrant eucalyptus. Blue thistles were also subtly dotted through the bouquet as another salute to the Scottish influence that the couple had chosen to thoughtfully incorporate into the day.
Kirsty received a gift from her mother, a beautiful gift of a locket containing pictures of loved ones including her Dad. This was a lovely sentiment and was attached neatly to the hand tied bridal bouquet which this bride kept with her all day. Kirsty’s closeness with her Mum was lovely to observe and I thought how well the mother of the bride had coordinated her outfit with her daughter’s choice of gown. Picking out the peachy tone from the flowers whilst blending lace and a delicate flowing fabric in the skirt, worked really effectively to suggest the link between mother and daughter.
Kirsty’s three nieces were flower girls by name and by nature, wearing dresses in pretty floral fabrics containing the peach and pink tones as seen in the bouquets. Kirsty’s nephew meanwhile was like a little mini Alex, looking seriously dapper in tartan waistcoat and rockin’ some super smart brogues.
Soon it was time for the bridal party to make their way across the courtyard past the old flint walls to the barn’s new outside ceremony area, The Secret Garden. Here awaited a 50 foot aisle for Kirsty to grace as her groom stood under the newly built solid oak wedding gazebo, ready to receive his bride.
In front of family and friends, who were all seated on benches in the tranquil ceremony space, Kirsty and Alex spoke meaningful vows to each other which they had personally written. Their words were so moving that there was barely a dry eye left amongst guests (me included!) and this heartfelt ceremony was a lovely testimony of the authentic love between this couple. In response, the atmosphere was aptly full of joy for them both and you could almost tangibly feel the support in the air!
Exchanging rings sealed the deal and soon these newly-weds were bounding back down the lengthy slate aisle as the new and official Mr & Mrs Wood!
Whilst both the happiness and the drinks were free-flowing, I enjoyed photographing the groups of friends who were in great spirits and willing to be creative with their poses! Kirsty and Alex’s fitness buddies cooperatively dropped into planks and deep lunges (despite wearing dresses/high-heeled footwear/suits) and I’m pleased to report that no trousers were split or heels snapped off during the making of this photograph!
The self-named ‘Trolley Dollies’ also put in a big effort in the spirit of creating fun pictures for the couple. Friends from Kirsty’s time spent working as cabin crew gathered together, seemingly pleased to be pretending to be aeroplanes and ensuring this photo would guarantee that Kirsty would never look back and forget how they first met! The fact that the aeroplane arms looked like over-enthusiastic jazz hands was also a bonus and made me smile a lot!
Kirsty’s bridesmaids were full of beaming smiles themselves, overjoyed for their treasured friend on her very happy day. As they stood surrounded by the lush greenery in the barn’s hand-manicured gardens, their muted mink dresses looked soft and elegant against the bride in white and their look was complemented by their lavish leafy bouquets.
Capturing a lovely moment of Kirsty with one of her nieces, we were able to bring in a little more texture with some red brick, pebbles and the smooth slate steps which added a little more interest to the backdrop against the boldly shaped green shrubs and trees. Kirsty’s long lace train gracefully swept along the stoney path as she smiled at her pretty flower girl.
Swapping a niece for a husband, this setting also worked well to showcase the bride and groom together. Turning away to reveal the stunning backless keyhole feature to her floor-length gown, Kirsty also was able to exhibit her dramatic lace train in this image.
Inside the Threshing Barn, the tables were set and ready for guests to be welcomed for the wonderful wedding breakfast. Copper lanterns dressed with wreaths of eucalyptus and blue thistles decorated each table and funky handmade copper signposts (lovingly created by Alex himself!) stylishly indicated each table number. The semi-naked wedding cake (created by Suephisticated Wedding Cakes) also coordinated with the floral decor and the warm candle-lit beam-filled room looked charming, inviting and beautiful.
After dinner whilst the air was still mild and the sun was starting to lower behind the fine blanket of white cloud in the muted grey/blue sky, I whisked the bridal party outside for a final group capture. The new ceremony area was the perfect backdrop by which to create an artistic shot featuring each group member in a way that offered the chance to reveal a hint of personality. We had fun balancing and composing the shot and utilising the natural grey tones, strong shapes and symmetry found in the layout of the structures and the space.
Letting the group return to the reception to catch up with newly arriving evening guests, I stole Kirsty and Alex away to photograph them at dusk just before the sun was about to totally slip away. In the neighbouring field they had a chance to reflect on the day and share a relaxed and peaceful moment alone, all whilst the buzz of the celebrations continued in the barn. I just love this natural happy capture of the two of them.
Back to the barns, there was a first dance to be undertaken! Alex was super smooth and had all the right moves, dipping his bride in style on the love-lit dance floor as guests cheered along! Soon the dance floor was chockablock with all their friends and family busting a groove as DJ Gary Evans brought the party vibes.
For the ultimate romantic ending, this groom scooped his bride up in his arms in a dashing Prince Charming-esque moment! The deep inky blue sky created the idyllic canvas to this backlit evening shot and the rusty copper gate was illuminated in a way that seemed to perfectly tie the whole day together. Kirsty’s long lace train hung down to the ground dreamily as her new husband literally had swept her off her feet.
Such a lovely couple and such a lovely day. The simplicity yet cleverness of the colour palette and understated thoughtful details that Alex and Kirsty included into their wedding day were really spot on. The day was full of love, romance and laughter which is everything hoped for in a wedding and I feel they achieved it in bucketloads. Congratulations Mr and Mrs Wood, may your happiness be everlasting and your joy made complete in each other. Thank you for allowing me to capture your very special day.
Love Kelly x
Kelly Hearn A.B.I.P.P - A.M.P.A