Shipston-on-Stour Wedding Photography

Kat & Tom Shipston-on-Stour Wedding Photography

Pumpkins, Thunderstorms and the Rugby World Cup Wedding

As a wedding photographer each season brings its own excitement and its own challenges. For me I particularly love Autumn for its rich oranges, reds and yellows that help bring a different angle to my photography.

The pre wedding shoot with Tom and Kat fully embraced the Autumn theme as we found ourselves in the pumpkin fields just outside Shipston-on-Stour. Kat had been the previous year and had a romantic image of the two of them celebrating their love for one another in an intimate setting. It seemed that half of Shipston-on-Stour had descended on the pumpkin fields that day, however that wasn’t going to stop Tom and Kat having fun deciding which of the many pumpkins would be theirs for Halloween. The intimate shots were fortunately captured while we ventured around Warwick in the gorgeous autumnal light.

The Wedding Day

The couple also clearly loves this time of year for the colours. On the day of the wedding I found scarlet, crimson, carmine, amber, russet and auburn to name but a few of the colours that themed the day, from the bridesmaid dresses to the bouquets and the decorations throughout the venue. I particularly liked the simplicity of the pinecones coupled with the range of beautifully decorated gin bottles on the tables. This helped give a homely feel that day to Blackwell Grange, an exclusive use barn venue situated in The Cotswolds.

Capturing the bridal party in the Potting Shed and Bridal Porch allowed for plenty of creative shots. But it was brought alive by the raucous bridal party. I always love it when there are plenty of bridesmaids as it means I can capture plenty of laughter and smiles.
However, the groom’s party was certainly not going to be out shadowed. Tom was keen to ensure the lads all enjoyed his bottle of whisky before the start of the ceremony. There was plenty of banter at this point. How would the newly married groom spend the weekend? Watching England and Wales in the two semi-finals of the World Cup with the lads, or with his newly beloved wife?
With umbrellas in hand it was time for the I dos. I particularly love this venue because of the Thatch Barn which originates back to 1543. It not only provides me with a beautiful backdrop for the civil ceremony but because it’s separated from the rest of the venue, it allows couples to take their time and enjoy their union.

The rain gave a break to Mr and Mrs Buxton, allowing the wedding guests to shower the couple with confetti before I got to capture the main photographs of the wedding party against the natural backdrop of the autumnal trees and the striking red brick walled garden.
Fizz and canapes were enjoyed with live music before the feast was served in the Orchard Barn. Tom’s best man delivered one of the funniest speeches I have heard. The mix of humour and emotion gave the wedding party plenty to laugh about, and Tom seemed to take it very well!
And so, to the challenging part of this time of year. It was probably one of the worst days for wind and rain in 2019. The couple were still determined to get some pictures outside. I admired their tenacious spirit. When I suggested Tom and Kat took umbrellas with them you could see them questioning my sanity as the wind seemed more like a gale! But by now the couple understood that there is always a good reason for everything I ask them to do. Relaxing into it, Tom and Kat had fun with the weather and the upturned umbrellas. The smiles got larger and larger as they embraced the English weather and my insane ideas. It also gave me the opportunity to capture one of my signature photographs which is the bride’s veil dramatically blowing in the wind. Kat had the perfect veil for this! Having embraced the weather, the couple were determined to ensure the rest of the wedding party joined in, and with sparklers in hand, the wedding guests celebrated the joining of Mr & Mrs Buxton once more.

The evening’s celebrations started with the cutting of the cake. It’s rare I get to see the groom make the decision on the cake. Tom wanted a cake made out of sponge and he certainly got what he asked for – it was possibly one of the biggest cakes I’ve even seen – it was gigantic!
A couple with an obvious sweet tooth, the penny sweets came with a lovely saying: “love, sweet, take a treat, thank you for making our day complete”.
Thank you, Tom and Kat, for making everyone’s day complete.