Spring turned to high Summer for the day for Rachel & Billy’s May wedding in 2023 and my first outing to the Barns at The Farmhouse at Redcoats in Hitchin, Hertfordshire.
Built in 1771, the barns are the original farm buildings of the Farmhouse at Redcoats Green, refurbished in 2018 and boasting all the quirky historic features intertwined with stylish design and the latest technology with weddings in mind. The wedding team here are wonderful, pulling out all the stops from start to end to assist anyone - wedding party, guest or supplier - with whatever they needed. The surrounding landscaped English gardens and stunning rural backdrop coupled with the beautifully lit interiors and the endless shafts of light make this wedding venue a dream to photograph in.

Much overspilling of emotion at this wedding: Billy’s mother at the prep having her weepy moment just realising that this day had arrived, Rachel upon her Dad entering the bridal suite and seeing her ready in her dress, Billy upon Rachel’s arrival at the top of the ‘aisle’, Billy during their exchanges of promises, and then later on one of the most emotive speeches I’ve ever witnessed as Rachel’s father delivered through his tears his beautiful speech paying homage to Rachel and her mother.

There are always stories within pictures at weddings that have meaning far beyond what is pictorially represented, and usually at the time I have no idea what those stories are. That doesn’t matter. The key thing is to have the antennae to what is happening around me, to anticipate moments whether they be the subtle nuances of a stolen look, a solitary moment of reflection, episodes and scenes that are playing out in the background of things as well as the forefront of the day.

Apart from the portraits here, and many of these too, every single one of these images were taken as they happened with absolutely no interference of direction from me. Pure documentary, candid wedding photography building the story and creating genuine natural timeless images that will bring the day back into vivid focus in the years to come.

And if you scroll to the end of this post, you can enjoy the perfectly expressed advice to the newly weds from young Oscar. Pure gold I’d say as this day also was.

When was this wedding ceremony?  The Farmhouse at Redcoats Hitchin, Hertfordshire wedding

Where was the reception?  The Barn at Redcoats, Redcoats Farmhouse

Wedding type: Traditional Spring wedding with outside ceremony and barn reception and dancing

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