Emma & Matts Beautiful Barton Hall Wedding.
Emma and Matt held a stylish and modern wedding at Barton Hall https://bartonhall.com/on a fairly wet day in July. Accompanied by their nearest and dearest their wedding was relaxed, informal and lots of fun.
I had met Emma and Matt at Barton Hall wedding fair in October and they immediately clicked with my style of wedding photography. Within only a few minutes of talking to them and their family I was confident I would be shooting their wedding and I am so glad that I did.
Barton Hall in Northamptonshire is a fantastic looking venue and it is always great for me as a photographer to be shooting at a new venue. Set in exclusive and mature grounds with a grade 1 listed orangery I knew there would be lots of great opportunities for beautiful photography as long as the weather would be a bit kinder than it was when I arrived.
Bridal Preparation.
I started, as always, with bridal preparation photography. Emma looked stunning with hair and make up expertly applied by Charlotte Heather and Danielle Ashley https://www.charlotteheatherbridalhair.co.uk/ https://www.instagram.com/danielleashleymua/.
I could tell that Emma was a little anxious with the weather not exactly playing ball and a torrential downpour 30 minutes before the ceremony did not exactly help. The nerves, however, did not show as I was shooting Emmas portraits and I just love the quality of these images that I produced. I even brushed off teh Nikon 35mm and my beautiful Mamiya RZ 67 to shoot on black and white film. It was also the first time that I produced my polaroid signing frame, more of this later, so I was also shooting on polaroid film.
Then it was time to catch up with Matt for pre ceremony portraits who again looked fab alongside his best woman, sister Emily, dressed in military uniform.
A favourite image of Emmas from the day is when her dad saw her in her wedding dress for the first time, its an image I produce at most weddings and will never tire of producing this shot, full of emotion and full of drama, exactly the ingredients I love in a wedding photograph.
One of my favourite images from the day is of Emma about to walk to teh ceremony at the top of the staits with her dad, I love the lighting, the composition, the way her dad is looking at her and the stylish photograph of the girl with the camera which just looks liek it is taking Emmas photo too.
The Ceremony.
The showers had subsided by the time the ceremony was due to start which was fortunate as there is a short walk outdoors to the orangery, would not have fancied this when it was pouring with rain. This was one of the moments of the day that both Emma and Matt where looking forward to most and again a favourite image of Emmas from the day is walking towards the aisle with her very proud dad.
The ceremony was mega relaxed but full of emotion. It was also nice to know that one of Emmas favourite images from the day is their first kiss as husband and wife - very lovely.
Speeches.
The speeches always gives me an opportunity to shoot great portraits of all guests on the day. Emma and Matts emphasis to me was to produce natural images from their wedding as these where very important to them and I know that I will always produce a beautiful collection of images during this time. The speeches where heartfelt and moving and it was very clear that Emily, best woman, and Matt where very close to each other, although maybe not so close during tjeir childhood as was evidenced by some of the anecdotes. Reminded me very much of my relationship with my sister.
Bride and Groom Portraits.
After dinner and speeches the weather was a bit kinder so we took the opportunity to explore the grounds and shoot some gorgeous bride and groom portraits. For me, this is my favourite part of the day, a time for me to really stretch my creativity and produce images that the bride and groom cannot see or imagine. I love having an idea and executing it as well as I possibly can, and I love seeing their reaction when they see an image I produce which far outweighs their expectations. Emma & Matt where so comfortable in each others company they barely needed any direction at all, again these proved to be some of Emma and Mtst favourite images from the day. I love these images of them together, they project so much love and affection for each other, such as easy couple to photograph.
The following images demonstrate how I carefully light my subjects and how I give detailed direction on how to stand and pose. In these images I am in complete control of how the final image will look.
The next images have a far more natural and organic feel to them. I call these my "walk and talk" images. These images produce really natural smiles, laughs and show the genuine affection between the bride and groom. I kind of like to have a bit of movement and grain in these images to give them a more of a documentary feel too. A very different but equally effective style of producing beautiful portraits of the couple on the day. Again I shot these images on digital, film and polaroid to give a variety of finishes for the couple.
First Dance.
Before I knew it it was time for cake cutting and the first dance. Emma and Matt chose Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol for their first dance tune.
"If I lay hereIf I just lay hereWould you lie with me and just forget the world?"
The final shot of the day I produced was my signature "cigar" shot. I love shooting this image, its a very technical shot to light but looks so effective and who does not want to look like they are in a Scorsese film.
Polaroid Frame.
I was very excited to shoot my idea of a signed polaroid frame, this was the first wedding I have shot this at and it is fast becoming a fixture at many of my weddings. It really is a great product and allows the bride and groom to take home something that I have produced on the day. A product that is immediate and filled with images and messages from loved ones means that this frame will be looked on as very special in years to come. Polaroid film is becoming a real current trend along with shooting weddings on film and gives a very different feel to the images I produce digitally, its a fantastic addition to teh service I provide.
As Emma said about the frame, " Lots of people from our wedding loved the polaroid frame, they love how special moments are captured and loved ones messages alongside them, its such a hit!! A few of our guests are getting married next year and they would really love one too" Well Emma they know where to find me.
So that was my first Barton Hall wedding and I hope I will be shooting again there soon. If you are planning a wedding at this beautiful venue I would love to hear from you, please do give me a shout. https://www.masseyphotography.co.uk/contact-us/.
And if you would like to see more of my work do check out my lovely portfolio. https://www.masseyphotography.co.uk/lincoln-wedding-portfolio/
Emma and Matts Dream Team.
Venue - Barton Hall https://bartonhall.com/
Florist - By Arrangment https://www.byarrangement.org/
Wedding Stylist - G & L Elegant Occasions https://www.glelegantoccasions.com/
Cake - Eva Crockwell https://evacockrellcakedesign.co.uk/
Hair Stylist - Charlotte Heather https://www.charlotteheatherbridalhair.co.uk/
Make Up - Danielle Ashley - https://www.instagram.com/danielleashleymua/