Some wedding days seem made for photographs, and this at home marquee wedding certainly was one of them. The couple hosted every part of the day themselves. They got ready in two separate homes, then welcomed everyone to a marquee reception in the meadow. It gave me such a varied, story filled day behind the camera. There was a tearful first look with the bride’s dad and an open top Land Rover arrival. The speeches had the whole marquee in stitches. I don’t think I stopped smiling all day.
Getting Ready with the Girls
The bride got ready locally with her three bridesmaids, three usherettes and her mum. With plenty of fizz and laughter while hair and makeup was done. She wore her mum’s jewellery with a family tiara. It gave this at home marquee wedding such a personal feel from the very start.
First Look with Dad
Before we left for church, the bride had a first look with her dad. It’s honestly one of the most emotional moments I’ve ever witnessed at a wedding. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room, and I felt so lucky to be there to capture it.
Meanwhile, Across Town (Field Actually)
While all this was happening, my second photographer was with the groom. Getting ready at his parents’ home with his two brothers as best men and three friends as ushers. It’s always a treat to see both sides of the morning unfold at once, and this prep was just as much fun as the bride’s, with them playing darts as they dressed.
The Ceremony
The bridal party made their way to the local church, where they were met by the vicar for a lovely, unhurried service.
After the initial hug fest of congratulations, it was into the Land Rover for our couple to be waved off by their guests.
Couple photos and a Brief Shower
We followed them for their couple photos. There was a quick swig of Lanson and a very brief spell of rain, though it passed quickly. And we had plenty of time to get photos in a really beautiful spot.
Arriving in Style
The couple were driven away from the church by one of the groom’s brothers in his open top, short wheel base Land Rover. It’s honestly one of my favourite ways I’ve seen a couple arrive. The family had dressed the car with ribbons and beautiful flowers and foliage from the garden. Every guest was already lined up on the drive, ready to greet them with dried flower petal confetti also from the parents’ garden.
Drinks on the Lawn
With the couple safely home, everyone settled into a relaxed drinks reception in the garden, and we also fitted in the family group photos.
The Marquee in the Meadow
From the garden, everyone made the short walk together to the meadow, where the marquee was set up for the wedding breakfast and the evening celebrations ahead.
The Speeches
The speeches were some of the best I’ve heard in a long time. The groom’s two brothers absolutely grilled him, and had both him and the entire marquee in total hysterics. It made for some brilliant, genuine reaction photos.
Golden Hour in the Meadow
While the light was at its best, we took the couple back out into the meadow for golden hour portraits together, away from the crowd for a few quiet minutes.
The First Dance and the Dancefloor
Back inside the marquee, the couple cut the cake and went straight into their choreographed first dance, before the dance floor properly filled up for the rest of the night.
Sparklers and Goodbyes
The night ended the way so many of my favourite weddings do, with sparklers lighting up the dark and then more crazy dancing.
If you’re planning an at home marquee wedding of your own and want a photographer who will capture every part of the day, from getting ready through to the last dance, take a look at my marquee and at home wedding photography page to find out more.
