Wedding at Old Down, near Bristol
The Barn at Old Down is part of the Old Down Estate, just north of Bristol. I photographed this wedding there on a pretty hot day at the end of May. The ceremony was outside, under the vines - the sort of spot you're pleased to see when you arrive as a guest, and a photographer!
What makes it work as a wedding venue is how close everything is. The Barn is right next to where the ceremony happens outside, and the lawn for canapés is only a few steps away too. Only the couple portraits involved a little walk through the estate to the woods.
Guests gathered in the shade of the vines overhead to watch the couple get married. The vows, over faster than anyone expects. Most civil ceremonies run to fifteen minutes or so, and couples often tell me afterwards they can barely remember them, which is a good part of the reason I'm there!
Everyone moved out onto the lawn for canapés and champagne to celebrate, eyeing up potential shady spots to have a chat on the way. After a few family portraits, I went for a short walk with the couple to get some photos of just the two of them. Most couples don't realise how much they need ten quiet minutes together until they actually get them.
Back inside for the wedding breakfast, speeches, a few tears and lots of laughter.
From the ceremony under the vines to everyone sitting down to eat in the barn, all of it a few steps apart, makes it a great day to photograph and be a guest.
