Some weddings have that extra little spark, and a Swallows Nest Barn Wedding has exactly that! Especially with Chris and Louise in charge!
From emotional moments in the morning to an epic dancefloor at night (seriously, this family knows how to party, I’ve seen it before), their wedding was filled with joy, unexpected weather, and plenty of unforgettable moments. Grab a drink, settle in, and let’s relive this incredible day!
The Calm Before the Celebration
The day started with Chris and his groomsmen getting ready at a nearby hotel. Chris was surrounded by his best people, sharing toasts, swapping stories, and ensuring everyone looked sharp for the big moment ahead. It was the perfect mix of nerves and excitement and they had an amazing little assistant, Margot, helping with ties and buttonholes.
A separate little applause to Dad for his mad flower-girl hair skills!
Bridal Prep & The Most Beautiful First Look
Meanwhile, over at Swallows Nest Barn, Louise was getting ready with her bridesmaids and family. The room was filled with the best kind of wedding morning energy.
Louise looked absolutely stunning even before the dress went on but when the time came, that was a true wow moment!
I absolutely love the First Look photos with both her Mom seeing her for the first time and the eye-leakingly amazing moment with Dad!
These are the moments I feel really priviliged to witness on a wedding morning.
So with slightly smudged post-big-moment make up, I left them to breathe it all in and headed for the ceremony room.
I Do’s & A Weather Rollercoaster
A Swallows Nest Barn Wedding is beautiful! I’ve just been added as a recommended supplier there and I couldn’t be happier. It’s intimate, warm, and filled with joy.
As Chris and Louise exchanged vows, you could feel just how much these two mean to each other. I do love a ceremony that has a mix of laughs and happy tears and this one delivered!
With an easy exit into the courtyard for confetti, fizz and group shots, the staff at Swallows Nest made everything flow perfectly. The sun was shining, the booze was flowing, I was in my happy place, drifting around, taking candid photos of smily people at their smiliest!
Portraits, Drinks in Hand & Dancing Like No One’s Watching
One of the best things about Swallows Nest Barn? The incredible spots for couple portraits.
Chris and Louise grabbed their drinks, we took a little wander, and found some great photo locations.
A babbling brook – done. A beautiful brick wall – no problem. An avenue of weeping willows, say no more! A field of long grass blowing in the breeze – let me jump this fence!
I do love getting to spend this time with you, away from the party chaos – just a moment for the two of you to breathe and hold each other tight and know that you’ve Done It! You actually got married and this is all for you!
Love, love, love that for you both!
I always split your portraits into two sessions so you’re never away from the party for too long so we went back to the drinks reception for more documentary style shooting and of course, food!
Amazing food, brilliant speeches and the best buzz about this whole room – it felt so special to be there 🙂
And then, as if the universe wanted to make things extra memorable, the weather decided to put on a show! The kind of torrential rain that makes for the best stories and always brings the best light for post-downpour portraits.
But just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the rain cleared, leaving behind the most stunning rainbow. Pure magic!
Golden Hour Magic & The Perfect End to an Unforgettable Day
Now, I’ve photographed this families weddings before (always an honour to be invited back for more!) so I know that these people party hard. I know that their dancefloor is a photographers dream, And I know that I have the best time bouncing around on that dancefloor with them! So, when I say it was on another level, I mean it!
And Apollo Soul always help to raise the level when they perform so the energy for this Swallows Nest Barn wedding was off the charts.
Just before I left, I stole Chris and Louise away for a quick golden hour session, the perfect breather before diving back into the celebrations. The light was dreamy, the two of them were glowing, and it was such a special little moment for them to take it all in. Then, it was back to the dancefloor for a final hurrah, surrounded by their favourite people, singing, dancing, and ending their night in the absolute best way.
Chris and Louise, your wedding was an absolute joy to capture. From start to finish, it was filled with love, laughter, and a whole heap of fun. Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness, and loads of surprise rainbows!
What a day! Give me more of this please – people who party hard, love big and feel it all!
Thankyou Lou and Chris, can’t wait to see you at the next one!
A Little Extra Addition
This wedding is one I’ve been meaning to blog for ages, but as anyone that follows me knows, I’m terrible at keeping up to date on here (but great at keeping up to date on editing and shooting so don’t worry!) but since this amazing wedding, Chris and Louise have welcomed Baby Rosie and I’m lucky enough to have been invited back to do an At Home Shoot for them, so to complete their Story So Far, here’s a little Baby Rosie photo to tie everything up with a nice big pink baby bow.
Absolutely honoured to be your photographer for all of life’s events and to see all of my photos on your walls is the icing on the cake!
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Are you planning a Swallows Nest Barn Wedding? Please drop me a line on my CONTACT PAGE and tell me all the details – extra points for premonitions of amazing dancefloors and stunning rainbows!
