Nicholas and Tessa – A Scorcher at Swallows Nest Barn, Warwick

Have I got a scorcher for you today! Nicholas and Tessa were married back in the height of the summer at Our Lady and St Benedict Church in Wootton Wawen, with a reception at a local favourite of mine, Swallows Nest Barn. Swallows Nest is in Warwickshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds, and a beautiful rustic and rural setting for a wedding day. Given the temperatures, I was super happy to be keeping it local, and staying in my native Warwickshire.

Tessa and Nicholas had booked me about three months before their wedding day, which once upon a time would have been unheard of. However I’ve found since the pandemic that more and more couples are shunning long engagements in favour of relatively quick weddings – I guess there’s a bit more of a ‘seize the moment’ mentality, which I’m all for!

Nicholas and Tessa had seen my pictures in an album at Swallows Nest Barn and liked my candid style, so they got in touch. We really hit it off, and after a 90 minute zoom call in which we covered every wedding topic imaginable, I felt like I knew exactly what they wanted from their wedding pics.

On the morning of the wedding, Tessa and the bridal party got ready all together at her home. There was a lovely atmosphere, with loads of emotional cuddles shared by Tessa, her sister, and her mum, and a buzz of excitement as the preparations progressed. There was plenty of joy and laughter, too, as Tessa had boldly claimed that she was a Disney aficionado who could sing along to any given Disney song, and I decided to put her through her paces.

Nicholas, meanwhile, was getting ready at his parent’s place, which was well equipped for the occasion with both a bar and arcade games – it’s amazing he made it to the church on time, really.

Tessa and Nicholas were blessed – or cursed, depending how you look at it – to get married on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year. They’d prepared well for their guests, stocking up on suntan lotion and hand-held fans to help everybody keep cool. I arrived at Tessa’s early in the morning, but even then it was already roasting. I could tell that icy drinks, shady spots, and plenty of pit stops would be in order for the happy couple!

Fortunately, it was a little cooler inside Our Lady and St Benedict Catholic Church, so Tessa, Nicholas and their guests were able to enjoy the beautiful ceremony out of the sun. After the happy couple were pronounced husband and wife, it was time to head off to Swallows Nest Barn. 

Usually at English weddings, if there are brollies being handed out, it’s to help with the ubiquitous downpours, which tend to arrive regardless of the time of year. On this particular day, however, Tessa and Nicholas had arranged for lovely white umbrellas for their guests to keep the direct sun off. The courtyard at Swallows Nest was full of parasols, and the guests were keen to gave a few thirst-quenching glasses of chilled fizz to toast the newlyweds.

I captured a few shots of the groomsmen, bridesmaids, and rest of the guests, who were all full of energy despite the heat. Nicholas, true to form, was a real livewire, brimming with the excitement of the day, and persuaded his groomsmen to hurl him, very energetically, into mid-air. Even before the wedding breakfast, Nicholas was leading the guests (and the staff!) in some ceilidh moves and giving me a taste of what was to come later!

Following a delicious dinner and some speeches that had the guests in stitches, it was time for some beautiful sunset pictures. Swallows Nest Barn is a gorgeous place to shoot as the day draws to a close, with the view from the hill providing a beautiful backdrop to the loved-up couple. Tessa and Nicholas were relaxed and happy, and it was really special to be able to capture these moments for them. 

Soon, it was ceilidh time! I love a ceilidh at a wedding, because it keeps everybody together, gets all the branches of the family involved, encourages mixing, and makes for fabulous photographs. No one banks, however, on 40-degree heat, and that made this the hottest ceilidh I’d ever witnessed. Tessa and Nicholas’s guests were great sports, and they rotated in and out, dancing for a couple of songs at a time before rehydrating and resting. It was sticky, and sweaty, and loads of fun – very much helped along by all the icy G&Ts and cold pints being served.

 

IF YOUR LOOKING FORa  Swallows Nest Barn Wedding Photographer , THEN CONTACT ME TODAY TO DISCUSS.