Cripps Barn Wedding - Gloucestershire Documentary Photographer

Cold, dark Winter nights are here and that gives me the opportunity to catch up on sharing a lot of weddings from earlier in the year. They may well be out of chronological order, but that doesn't matter. If the producers of Lost can get away with it, so can I.

I'm starting my blogathon with a mid-Summer wedding that I very nearly didn't cover at all. Emma & Gianni had booked my colleague Josh Archer to photograph their Cotswold wedding. When Josh's wife went into labour the day before the wedding, he needed someone to step in and cover for him. Working together at Allister Freeman Photography, our photojournalistic styles overlap in some areas whilst retaining individual elements as well. It means that in cases such as this, we can step in to help and deliver the high quality product which our clients choose us for.

Arriving at the stunning Barnsley House, I introduced myself to Emma for the first time. Now, I would have completely understood if Emma had been slightly apprehensive at this time having just had a very last minute change to her photographer. After all, your wedding - and the preparations in particular - are an immensely personal experience. So I am very grateful that she and her bridesmaids were all so welcoming to me and I quickly felt like part of the day.

I'm not going to write much more about this wedding as I will let the images tell the story. Also, both Emma and Charlie from The Natural Wedding Company, have already done a much better job of writing about the day than I ever could. A beautiful wedding and I am very happy to have been part of it.

Full details of suppliers, after some photos; starting with Gianni who was getting ready just over the road from Barnsley House at the Village Pub.

Back over the road to Barnsley House where the bridal preparations are in full swing.

Just the cutest Fiat 500. This was Emma & Gianni's own car that they imported from Sicily.

Cripps Barn is a rustic farm building surrounded by rolling Cotswold fields. If the weather is good (as it was on this day), the choice of a ceremony in the glade is a great feature.

The marquee is attached to the barn and looked beautiful with the amazing flower displays. The perfect setting for some tender, embarrassing and funny moments during the speeches.

Documentary style photography doesn't mean you can't have some stunning portraits. By taking advantage of available light and environmental settings, moments like these can be given the space to happen naturally. A few minutes of time, stunning light, a couple utterly in love and some beautiful scenery combine to make one of my favourite images of the year.

Wonderful Venues & Suppliers

Preparations Venue: Barnsley House, Gloucestershire

Ceremony & Reception: Cripps Barn, Gloucestershire

Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham

Bag: Daughters of Simone

Make-up: Pure Pampering

Grooms Suit: Cerruti suit & Pal Zileri shirt

Flowers: Hazel Harman

Headpieces: Emily Harman

Bunting: Beautiful Bunting

Children’s fair trade gifts: The Old Railway, Sri Lanka

Personalised Photobooth Bunting: Becky Belfield

Cupcakes: Cupcake Baker

Wedding Stationery: made by the bride in collaboration with Fred Ingram

Vintage Car: bride and groom’s own