Yasemin and Neil's Stunning Bassmead Manor Barns Wedding Photography, St Neots

Morning all! Today I want to tell you all about a beautiful wedding I shot recently at the gorgeous Bassmead Manor Barns in St Neots. 

Bassmead Manor was new to me, and I love shooting at places I haven’t been to before, especially when they’re as full of character as this place. It’s a historic, rustic farm conversion set in the rolling fenland of St Neots. I just love the light in the east of England – it’s got a special glowy quality to it, I think – and so I was delighted to be asked to shoot Yasemin and Neil’s wedding there.

The morning of the wedding Yasemin was surrounded by several bridesmaids and family and friends while they all got ready, so there was a lovely warm, buzzy vibe to the day from early on. The group had spent the evening before together, doing traditional Turkish henna tattoos, and it was clear to me that they’d formed a lovely little team together. 

Despite being drawn from all different parts of Yasemin’s life – rowing, family, work, the gym – the group seemed like they’d all known each other for years, and I felt super privileged being allowed to sit in on the chat! In fact, ‘Yasemin and Friends’ would make a brilliant daytime chat show….if Channel 4 are reading, just drop me a line!

Unusually, the bridal party were all ready ahead of time, and so instead of the usual frenzied dash to the waiting cars and a lot of frantic hair adjustments with only a few minutes to go, the morning ended up feeling very chilled! I think it definitely helped to calm those nerves to have a little time to wind down and chat before heading out to the wedding ceremony.

Bassmead Manor felt quite different to other barn venues that I’ve visited, as it was enormous, with a whole cottage-like area for the bridal prep and a grassy outdoor area as well as a courtyard. The wedding itself was held in one of the barns, and it was nicely rustic, with bare brick and beams and lots of traditional features.

Yasemin and Neil had opted to have a humanist ceremony, and their celebrant had encouraged them to learn their personal vows by heart, so they wouldn’t need to refer to notes – no small ask! Yasemin had spent the morning rehearsing them, and I was so impressed with both her and Neil – it’s a tall order to remember all those words, with the eyes of all your wedding guests upon you, and the heightened emotion of the day, but they did it!

Following the ceremony, guests headed out for drinks and canapes. They were also treated to the sight of the cake that had been prepared for the day – decorated with bright orange persimmons and lush green foliage, it was truly gorgeous, and something that Jasmin had been looking forward to all morning! Neil and Yasemin had generously laid on a lot of drinks for all their friends and families, so there was rarely an empty glass in the house as the day wore on.

One of the results of this free-flowing booze was that Yasemins’s bridesmaid became adamant that a human pyramid was required! Apparently this is a tradition for their rowing club, and I must admit to being slightly apprehensive that it could be pulled off without a broken ankle or a slipped disc, but my pessimism was put to shame by 10 very determined (and slightly merry) guests who managed a precarious few moments of successful pyramid!

Before long it was time for some food to accompany all the wine, and Neil and Jasmin’s guests were treated to a gorgeous meal. Neil’s speech followed, and it’s probably fair to say that he surprised a fair few of the guests with his candour and honesty. It was really moving to hear him speak so frankly about his love for his new wife – Neil’s father and friends couldn’t believe he’d opened up and been so vulnerable! It was a really touching bit of raw emotion.

The hankies weren’t out for long, though, because it was soon time to get the dancefloor moving, and the 9-piece band that Neil and Jasmin had hired for the occasion certainly did the job. The guests couldn’t wait to get moving, and some photobooth props even made an appearance! Bassmead Manor has lovely grounds for those wanting to escape the dancefloor for a while, and they made the perfect setting for some of Neil’s friends to round off the day with a traditional celebratory cigar. 

What a beautiful day in a beautiful place! Congrats, Neil and Jasmin!

If your looking for a Bassmead Manor Barns Wedding Photographer , THEN CONTACT ME TODAY TO DISCUSS.