‘Mike was really helpful and friendly and took the time on the morning to briefly go over all our expectations and wishes for the day, which was a really personal touch. He completely blended into our wedding family and friends to which there are pictures which we are still questioning ‘How and when did he capture that amazing shot?’ – Emily and Sean

Just married couple laugh as they pose for a wedding photo

Once Upon A Time…

Emily and Sean met at a K themed university birthday party. Sean and his friends were dressed up as KISS the band, and as Emily said “how could I resist the black curly wig and white face paint!” After 5 years of dating, they went to Dublin “to celebrate Sean’s birthday”. In actual fact, the whole thing was a rouse! Sean had planned to propose to Emily and invited 50 people over to Dublin to celebrate the engagement that evening. Talk about romantic! Emily was so shocked when Sean got down on one knee that she knocked the ring box out of his hand, ran around the room for a bit before eventually saying yes!

Wedding reception in rustic red brick barn with candlelight

18th Century Restored Barn

Emily and Sean wanted to make sure everything was perfect for their special day and took 2 years planning each element. They settled on the popular Shustoke Barn, set in the rural heart of Warwickshire, as the wedding venue because they loved rustic and characterful look. It’s an impressive 18th century red-brick barn within a private courtyard, wonderfully restored by Cripps & Co. Inside is a breath-taking elevated timber ceiling, oak beams, flagstone floors, candles and tall glass doors that you can look through whilst the chefs prepare the food. Shustoke Barn manages to balance a sense of grandeur with a warm, cosy homely feeling which you don’t normally expect from such a large room. The venue runs a tight ship and transforms from a stunning ceremony room into the wedding reception room in no time at all.

Mother holds young boys hand while newlyweds sign wedding register in background

Capturing A Moment

It’s important for me as a documentary style photographer to capture real moments rather than ones that are set up and posed. One of the most opportune things to happen was when Emily’s train got caught in the lanterns and ivy decorating the back of the barn as she walked down the aisle. It certainly made everyone laugh, and those are the moments people will laugh about and cherish for years to come.  It’s also nice to capture the personal touches like the beer-related décor they had handmade with help from Sean’s dad as both of them are big beer fans! I’m not going to ramble too much too much more. It was beautiful and the speeches were top quality! I’ll let the photos tell their story… All the best, Emily and Sean!

Black and white shot of bridal party preparations Black and white shot of bridal party sharing a joke whilst drinking Shot looking through a rustic window at a historical yellow cottage Close up detail shot of a brides wedding dress train Black and white shot of bridal party chatting and eating cake whilst getting ready Peering into room as Bridal party relax on the morning of wedding Bride tries on mask that bridal party have given her to wear on morning on wedding Wedding flower bouquet Black and white shot looking through window at Bride having her make up done Excited family member waving through window at Bridal party Rustic wedding flower bouquet laid on wooden window sill Reflection of bride getting make up done in black and white with The Granary at Dovehouse Farm in the background Black and white shot of bridal party drinking tea and chatting on the morning of wedding Black and white close up shot of bride at bridal preparations Bridesmaid smiling at bridal preparations Bride standing waiting in beautiful rustic dressing room Father of Bride looks shocked as he sees bride for first time in wedding dress Black and white shot of wedding guests putting up umbrellas Groomsmen walking to car with umbrellas up Bridal party waiting at venue looking happy Groomsmen laughing whilst waiting for guests to arriveBeer themed decorations at a wedding Guests wait for bride to arrive in atmospheric rustic barn Bridal party and young child wait at entrance for Bride to arrive Bridal party talk with staff members as they wait for Bride to arrive Wedding guest leads young girl down the aisle and wedding guests look on from their seats Maid of honour guides young boy down the aisle as guests wait arrival of Bride Bridesmaid walks down the aisle at Shustoke Barn Father and Bride start to walk down the aisle as guests start to turn and look Father and Bride laugh with guests as they walk down the aisle in rustic barn Bride sees Groom for first time on Wedding day at Shustoke barn Wedding guest picking up trail of greenery that is caught on Bride's wedding dress train Wedding guest wipes a tear as she witnesses the wedding about to happen Black and white shot of Bride getting emotional saying her vows Wedding guests in a red brick rustic barn Black and white shot of best man holding wedding rings Couple getting married in rustic barn with dynamic shaped window in background Groom looks lovingly at Bride while witnesses sign wedding register in rustic barn Wedding guest reads a poem at ceremony in candlelit rustic barn Black and white shot of groom smiling as he gets married Wedding Guest reads at wedding in foreground with newlyweds holding hands in backgroundBlack and white shot of Best man giving bride the ring at wedding ceremony Bride and Groom hold one another just after getting married while guests happily watch in background Black and White shot of newlyweds signing wedding register from behind showing Mr and Mrs chair decorations Just married couple exchange a note and a laugh as they sign the wedding register Black and white shot raises wedding bouquet as she walks out of the ceremony with her new husband Happy couple leaving the wedding ceremony as guests cheer Wedding guests throw confetti over happy newlyweds as they walk back down the aisle Guests cheer, clap and take pictures of the newlyweds laughing and holding hands Black and white shot of groom helping to carry Brides wedding dress train up the stairs Man attends to cute dog by his car outside rustic red brick barn Young boy curiously plays with wedding bouquet Newlyweds hold each over lovingly infront of elaborate large framed windows Close up shot of newlyweds holding hands round Bride's waist Black and white shot of father embracing bride after the wedding Father of bride shows his joy to Bride after wedding Reflection of Groom in Wedding Welcome mirror Wedding guests share a hilarious joke at reception dinner Groomsmen have banter as they help Bride with her wedding dress outside Wedding guest stands up as she is told a joke at reception dinner Black and White shot of Groom gesturing at Best man after funny wedding speechFather of Bride reads from children's book at wedding speech Bride and Groom hold hands during wedding speeches Bridesmaid gets into the party spirit at wedding reception Bride wipes away tears after emotional wedding speech Wedding guest moved to tears and clapping after emotional wedding speech Bride looks over to Groom knowingly during a wedding speech joke Wedding guest laughs at best man's wedding speech Monochrome shot of Groom laughing and clapping at wedding reception banter Groom is embarassed during wedding speech Bride embarrasses Groom during wedding speech with old photos Bride and Groom hold each other outside near a beautiful tree Monochrome close up shot of newlyweds sharing a dance outside wedding venue Wedding guests show each other photos on phone in rustic wooden doorway Bride and Groom joke with wedding guests as they have their first dance after the wedding Bride and Groom smile at each other as they have their first dance in rustic barn Newlyweds share a kiss under the veil in rustic barn and guests look on Black and white shot of newlyweds dancing on dancefloor at end of the night Black and white shot of bride and groom swinging about on the dancefloor Bride, Groom and wedding guests dance under bridal veil on dance floor Bride looks coy in black and white as she lifts veil on dancefloorYoung wedding guest yawns on the dancefloor as old man takes opportunity to get a photo of the cute moment Bride plays with dress as she dances on dancefloor while guests watch Black and white shot of bridegroom and young relative nuzzling each other's nose on the dancefloor Lead singer of folk band back lit in green while he sings and plays banjo Blue and green lit stage with folk band playing at wedding

If you need a photographer for your wedding at Shustoke Barn, drop me a line!

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