MARK & NICOLA'S BLAKE HALL WEDDING

Blake Hall was a popular wedding venue for me in 2022, as I returned there 5 times for weddings in the Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. It is a beautiful venue all year round. Mark & Nicola’s Blake Hall wedding took place in the summer. Gorgeous weather, gorgeous styling and so much laughter. It all came together perfectly.

Mark & Nicola’s Awesome Supplier List
Photography - Anesta Broad Photography
Venue - Blake Hall
Caterer - Waters Edge
Crazy Golf - Mr Tees Crazy Golf
Florist - Wild Things Blossom
Cake - Cake Cuisine Essex
Groom’s suit - Gray Palmers
Bridal dress - Clifford Burr Bridal
Bridesmaid dresses - Jacqueline Louise Bridal
Makeup artist - Makeup by Kayleigh
Hairdresser - Helen Green
DJ & Photobooth - Lovelight Entertainment
Venue decorator - Essex Emporium & Elf Occasion
Musician - Josh Gernon

NICOLA & JASON'S OLD BROOK BARN WEDDING

Sunshine, chilled out and a whole lot of smiles was the general vibe of the day. Back in the autumn I photographed Nicola and Jason’s wedding at Old Brook Barn in Navestock Essex. When Nicola and Jason first contacted me about their wedding, they explained that they wanted a very relaxed style of photography and they didn’t want lots of formal stage photos. It was more about capturing everyone having a good time in a candid way.

Nicola literally smiled from ear to ear the entire time, and in her gorgeous alternative glittery dress she was glowing. I spent just three hours with Nicola and Jason that day but I left buzzing. Their happiness was infectious.

After the drinks reception, all the guests went inside the barn for a BBQ catered by Limeberry Catering whilst Simone played the saxophone on the barn’s veranda.

For more barn wedding inspiration, check out Katy and Tim’s wedding at Old Brook Barn.

See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.

KATY & TIM'S OLD BROOK BARN WEDDING

The tranquil Old Brook Barn set in the Essex countryside is a beautiful setting for a wedding. Embracing a Autumnal rustic colour theme, Katy and Tim held their ceremony and reception at the barn. Katy got ready at the cottage next to the barn in the company of close family and bridesmaids.

After the ceremony, Katy and Tim made the most of the weather and headed out in the gardens for confetti and drinks.

Speeches took place after dinner, followed by cake cutting and the a whole lot of fun on the dancefloor.

For more barn wedding inspiration, check out Ben and Amy’s wedding at The Essex Barn.

See more wedding inspiration on my Instagram feed and feel free to pin your favourites on to your Pinterest Board. If you are looking for a wedding photographer who is more about capturing your day in a natural, fun and unobtrusive way, then you are in the right place. Get in touch and tell me about your plans.

MIKE & STEPH'S ESSEX BARN WEDDING

I am taking you back to the summer for Mike and Steph’s wedding at The Broadfields Essex Barn in Upminster. Prosecco, miniature ponies, a bright red MG, confetti, sunset, smokebombs and sparklers….that just about sums up their day!

Mike and Steph got married at Church of St Laurence in Upminster, which has a pretty cool history dating back to the 14th century.

After the ceremony, we had time for confetti and some portraits whilst the guests jumped on the double decker bus to the reception venue. Mike and Steph drove themselves in a kick ass red MG, after being coerced into photographs with some miniature ponies who just happened to be outside of the church.

Essex Barn Wedding Reception
After the short journey through Upminster on the double decker bus, the guests were dropped at the Broadfield Essex Barn nestled in the woodlands of Thames Chase to kick off the afternoon reception. Dinner, speeches and a whole lot of prosecco ran into the early evening.

After dinner we headed back outside of the barn for a little walk and some relaxed photos. The guests hit the photobooth in the beautiful cute form of Winnie the Vintage Caravan. Just before sunset, cutting of the cake took place outdoors and then we all hit the dancefloor. We ended the evening with colourful smoke bombs, sparklers and a pretty cool sunset.

Mike & Steph’s Awesome Suppliers
Ceremony venue - Church of Saint Laurence Upminster
Reception venue - The Essex Barn
Florist - Victoria's Floral Designs
Makeup - Vibha Mistry
Hairdresser - Hair and Make Up by Carrie
Bridal gown - Justin Alexander at Bella Sposa
Bridesmaids’ dresses - Dorothy Perkins
Groom’s suit - Moss Bros
Caterer - Leave it to Us
Bus - Ensign Company
Photobooth - Winnie the Vintage Caravan
Videographer - Rapid Image
Band - Dirty Water

KAT & JAY'S OLD BROOK BARN WEDDING

Here we are. Kat and Jay’s Old Brook Barn Wedding. It was a corker! Five months on and I am still talking about it! The children were amazing. The music was on point. The venue nailed it. Kat and Jay were obviously very cool! Oh my word, we just loved it. I could go on, but probably should stop talking so you can actually look at the photos!

As forecasted, it rained for most of the day. Like I always say, it’s not about the weather. It’s about the people. We will have a great time no matter what is going on in the skies. And we truly did. The team at Old Brook Barn are superb, putting their wet weather plan into action nice and early. They dressed the barn for a beautiful indoor ceremony and drinks reception.

The Function Band were in residence for the whole day. By that, I mean, this incredible dynamic showband, started playing prior to the ceremony, through the drinks reception, played setups during dinner and hit the dance floor hard in the evening. They know how to raise the roof. You can see for yourself in the images. They are an absolute joy to work alongside. Before dinner had even been served, they had everyone dancing on their chairs!

What a day! Every single minute was filled with awesome memories. I can’t thank Kat and Jay enough for having myself and Tianna along to capture the day the best way we know how.

Kat & Jay’s Awesome Supplier List
Venue - Old Brook Barn
Showband and DJ - The Function Band
Florist - Isla Alice Flowers
Bridal gown - Maggie Sottero
Catering - Limeberry Catering

CHERYL & DANIEL'S BLAKE HALL WEDDING

Venue - Blake Hall
Florist - The Blue Dandelion
Makeup artist - Oya Bullock
Bridal gown - Stella York
Bridesmaids' gowns - Dessy
Groom's suit - Moss Bros
DJ - Piano DJ

DAISY & RUSSELL'S GAYNES PARK WEDDING

This was my first Spring wedding of 2018. Daisy and Russell's Gaynes Park Wedding was superb. Perfectly timed, just as the winter was coming to an end and Spring was in sight! No rain or snow. Gaynes Park is a lovely barn venue in Essex and was an ideal setting for Daisy and Russell who both got ready at the venue and held their ceremony and reception there too. Here's are some highlights from their day!

TOM & LOUISE'S OLD BROOK BARN WEDDING

I have been meaning to share this wedding for months now. It's Tom and Louise's Old Brook Barn Wedding. Hidden gem, perfectly describes this venue. Nestled away in the Essex countryside, it is one of my favourite barn venues. We had sunshine, rain, belly laughs and bittersweet tears. Loved every minute.

GROUP SHOTS DON'T HAVE TO BE BORING

Sometimes group shots are formal. Sometimes they are not. The choice is completely yours. If you want group shots of your family and friends for the mantelpiece, then we can make it happen.

The most important thing is to make sure you have built time into your wedding day so that we have sufficient time to do your group shots. If you are not sure how much time to leave, please ask me before you pin down exact timings with your venue. I will happily give you a bit of guidance.

So if you are thinking about whether or not to include group shots in your wedding day, here is a bit of inspiration.

VICTORIA & DAVID'S HOUCHINS WEDDING

Victoria & David's Wedding at Houchins marked my second visit to this modern Essex barn venue in Coggeshall. It's become a firm favourite of mine. There was so much to love about their wedding. Bagpipes, kilts, an incredible 4 tier silver wedding cake, giggly flower girls, the bride singing to the groom and some superb trouser splitting dance moves! Congratulations again to Victoria & David.

Credit where credit is due. Check out Victoria & David's awesome supplier list at the end of this blog post.

Victoria & David's Awesome Supplier List
Bridal gown - Jenny Packham
Bridesmaids dresses - ASOS
Florist - Botanical Shed
Hairdresser and makeup artist - Boe Wright
Cake baker - Cookie Delicious
Caterer - Limeberry Catering
Scottish Piper - Peter Flockhart
Band - Rockit

Looking for more Essex Barn Wedding Venue inspiration? Check out Lucy & Aaron's Gaynes Park Wedding.

STEVEN & RACHEL'S BLAKE HALL WEDDING

Here we go. My first wedding feature for 2017! I have a lot of catching up to do since the birth of baby Broad number 3 in the summer! I thought I would start with sharing some images from Steven and Rachel's Blake Hall wedding. Actually, it's pretty nice to look back at their bright, sunny and colourful wedding whilst it looks very dreary outside my office window at this point in time. The sunflower bouquets by Halo Blossom are just the cheery inspiration I needed! Enjoy have a look through this wedding. And happy new year!

Venue - Blake Hall
Florist - Halo Blossom
Makeup artist - Brittany Cason
Hairdresser - Lois Norman
Cake baker - Pinkface
Bridal Gown - Confetti & Lace
Bridesmaid's gown - Bridesmaids Boutique
Groom's suit - Anthony Formal Wear
Reception band - Articulate Music - Free to Roam
Evening band - Articulate Music - Soul Beat

LUCY & AARON'S GAYNES PARK WEDDING

The 2017 wedding season is well underway. To kick off we have Lucy and Aaron's Gaynes Park wedding. 

Lucy and Aaron got married at All Saints Church in Epping. After the ceremony everyone made the short drive to Gaynes Park. We were treated to beautiful sunshine all day. Top marks to the father of the bride, Aaron and the bestman for brilliant speeches! Excellent comic timing as well as heart felt sentiment throughout.

Gaynes Park is one of those venues that has it all. A beautiful bridal cottage, a honeymoon suite, overnight accommodation for guests, stunning barns and gardens as well as capacity for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. It is a joy to photograph weddings here. 

Florist - The Willows Flowers
Venue - Gaynes Park
Venue decorator - Mediterranean Venue Stylists
Makeup artist - La Charlemagne MUA
Hairdresser - Laura Anne
Groom's suit - Jack Bunneys
Bridal gown - Paverly Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses - The Bridesmaid Boutique
Band - Cellar Door
Singer - George Pelham
Wedding Car - Premier Carriage Wedding Transport
Caterer - Galloping Gourmet
Cake baker - The Cake Doll
Videographer- Premier Wedding Videos

LOU & PAUL'S CRONDON PARK WEDDING

Today on the blog is the Crondon Park Wedding of Lou and Paul. Another one of my favourite Essex barn venues. I first met Paul at a local business networking meeting a few years ago. It was one of those moments when you click instantly. A top guy with a sense of humour not all too dissimilar to my own. So I was chuffed when Paul's fiancé got in touch to chat about photographing their wedding. Honestly, I was over the moon. There is something very special about getting to photograph the wedding day of such an awesome couple, also knowing that I could ensure they would be well looked after throughout the day. I started the day at Greenwoods Hotel where Lou got ready in the company of friends and family. Whilst my trusty second shooter, Jay, met up with Paul and the groom's party at the cottage at Crondon Park. We had a great time in great company all day. Lots of giggles, smiles and few emotional tears too. Check out the highlights from their day.

DEBBI & DANNY-LEE'S OLD BROOK BARN WEDDING

Today's feature is Debbi and Danny-Lee's Old Brook Barn Wedding from last summer. I had the help of my trusted photography angels, Jay Anderson and Helen Taylor, for this wedding as baby Broad decided that I should head off to hospital for her arrival! In the meanwhile, Debbi and Danny-Lee had a fantastic day as they had a gorgeous outdoor wedding at one of my favourite boutique barn venues, Old Brook Barn in Navestock Essex. One of the highlights had to be the bouncy castle! After all it is not very often we get to see the bride and groom on a bouncy castle competing with the kids!

BLAKE HALL WEDDING

Earlier this year, Sasha and Pete got in touch about their Blake Hall wedding. It's another of my favourite Essex barn wedding venues. The grounds are beautiful. The barn has a warm atmosphere with plenty of quirky details. There is even a small amount of accommodation on site for guests to stay overnight. One of the most precious joys about Blake Hall is the attentive staff team. In particular, special praise must go to Austin who was there to oversee the day and truly understands the importance of making every day special for each and every couple. 

Sasha and Pete both got ready at Blake Hall. This made logistics a little easier when it came to photographing the bridal and final groom preparations. Their ceremony was held at St Germain Bobbingworth church, a short walk away from Blake Hall. Sasha and Pete made an extraordinary effort to fill their day with personal touches, especially notable in Blake Hall Barn which looked stunning. I particularly like loved the teapots used as table centre pieces. Giving personalised tea cups to all the guests as favours was an original and thoughtful gesture (which also doubled up nicely for the champagne toasts during their reception). Congratulations Sasha and Pete! And thank you to Jay Anderson for assisting me throughout the day.