30 Sep Amy & Chris’s Huntsmill Farm Wedding
To photograph the wedding of two of your best friends is quite a privilege. I’ve known Chris and Amy for years and consider them both very special, close friends, so it was a real pleasure to be asked to photograph such an important occasion.
Two kinder, lovelier people you couldn’t hope to meet, and being surrounded by their extended family and friends throughout the day was a genuinely joyful experience.
I knew Amy and Chris had been planning and saving for their wedding for years, so seeing all those little details finally come together was brilliant. I’ve photographed weddings at Huntsmill Farm a number of times and have enjoyed every one, but this one was obviously a little different.
Huntsmill Farm is a lovely wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, with its picturesque Dairy Barn Cottage providing a great space for bridal preparations, just a few steps from the main barn. The main building houses the ceremony room, bar and dining area, but Amy and Chris had really put their own stamp on the place.
They had decorated everything in warm autumnal colours and even added two vintage video game machines for our — I mean, the guests’ — entertainment. The cake was a tower of doughnuts and, instead of a traditional wedding entertainment package, we had bingo, hosted by Chris himself on calling duties.
Luckily, I’d already talked Chris down from a list of 30 group photographs to a more manageable eight over a couple of beers the week before. Phew.
It turned out to be a particularly good decision, as the weather soon changed and we had to dive inside after the confetti. This is why I always think it’s worth having a plan, while also being prepared to throw it out of the window when necessary.
Fortunately, the weather broke just in time for a stunning autumn sunset. Amy and Chris had mentioned during our site visit the year before that they were really hoping to make the most of the sunset if the opportunity arose. So when it appeared, we grabbed our chance.
With the photographs done, it was back inside for the evening reception and a DJ set packed with pop-punk classics. Naturally, this eventually led to the happy couple joining in with a duet on the dance floor.
And then came the sparklers.
Sparkler photographs are particularly popular at this time of year and, while I’m not personally a fan of pyrotechnics at weddings, the decision to use them is ultimately down to the couple and their venue. There are obvious safety considerations, particularly when you have a crowd, young people and a few drinks involved.
From a photography point of view, though, I’m very happy to capture the proceedings.
The biggest challenge is usually getting everyone’s sparklers lit before the first ones start going out. It’s a bit of a race against time, but when everyone is ready, the resulting photographs always look great.
I’m incredibly proud to have captured Amy and Chris’s wedding day. Photographing the wedding of close friends brings a little extra pressure — you really don’t want to let them down. It could make the next time you see them slightly awkward!
Thankfully, Amy and Chris loved their photographs, and I couldn’t have been happier for them.
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