Sooz and Aaron – Swallow’s Nest Barn Wedding Photography, Warwick

Sooz and Aaron were married at Swallow’s Nest Barn, a gorgeous venue in the midst of the Warwickshire countryside. It was back in July that they tied the knot, so cast your mind back, if you can, to those warm and sunny days…

It was certainly a roasting hot summer’s day when Sooz and Aaron got hitched. I spent the morning with Sooz, her mum, and her best friend, who were all getting ready together. It was, a joyous morning full of warmth and love. Sooz’s family had suffered some recent bereavements, and it was important for Sooz and her mum to be together that morning to support each other. There were some touching moments as everyone raised a glass to those who couldn’t be there.

I’d spent a bit of time with Sooz, Aaron, and their family before, so it was lovely to be back with them all. During the pandemic, Sooz’s mum had completed her nursing degree and graduated from university. We met at Coventry University on a very cold December morning, on a deserted campus, to take some pics with Sooz, her mum complete in cap and gown, Aaron, and the extended family, and this proved to be a lovely way to spend a bit more time with everyone and get to know them before the wedding day. My pictures are all about personality and uniqueness, so it makes a difference when I get to know more about the clients I’m working with before meeting them at the wedding venue.

One of the things that always makes me smile about weddings is how they often involve some pretty ingenious off-the-cuff problem solving, and it’s a great feeling when everyone pitches in to make sure that things go smoothly. Sooz and Aaron’s wedding was no exception. There was a bit of traffic around the Warwickshire countryside that day, so for the groom’s arrival, it was decided that a shortcut would be taken to avoid the jam. However, it transpired that the shortcut was really a complicated detour, around some winding country lanes adjacent to Swallow’s Nest Barn, where GPS was pretty scarce. So between myself, the Swallow’s Nest staff, and the team of bridesmaids, we cobbled together a remote sat nav service, and managed to get Aaron to the venue nearly on time!

With bride and groom both safely arrived at the venue, the ceremony begun. Swallow’s Nest is a lovely setting for a wedding in Warwickshire. The barn itself is so pretty, and there are beautiful views across the rolling fields. The sun was streaming in as Sooz and Aaron said their vows, and it didn’t take long after the ceremony for the guests to get stuck into the fizz and garden games.

As well as canapes following the ceremony, Sooz and Aaron had generously laid on an ice cream van for their guests, which was much appreciated by everyone as the weather was roasting. Sooz had set herself the challenge of a 5-scoop ice cream, incorporating every flavour the van had to offer – not for the faint hearted. I have to say I was pretty impressed when she finished it!Sooz and Aaron also used Vlog my Wedding service, where I provide all the gear and the editing skills to create a fun, informal video vlog that captures all the energy and spirit of the day with footage that the wedding party and guests take themselves. I’m confident that the equipment was in the hands of some budding amateur directors that day so I’ve got high hopes for the footage.

After one of the hottest days of the year, we were lucky enough to be treated to one of the best sunsets of the year, and Sooz, Aaron and I went to get some shots of them against the gorgeous sky and the golden Warwickshire countryside.

Often, if I’m taking portrait shots of the bride and groom, it can be quite an intimate and special time for the couple, because it’s one of the few moments when they’re able to escape the madness of the party and take a minute to catch their breath and speak to each other. On this occasion, however, Sooz’s bridesmaid accompanied us in order to get some footage for the wedding vlog, and, having imbibed perhaps just one too many flutes of fizz, was a very entertaining addition to proceedings! That’s some footage I can’t wait to see…

After the sunset, Sooz and Aaron returned to the barn and decided to have their first dance outdoors in the dusky evening. It was the start of a brilliant evening full of music and dancing and (I suspect) some sore heads the next day…

Thank you Sooz and Aaron for sharing your special day at Swallow’s Nest Barn with me!