OLD OAK FARM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Chris & Kate's Festival themed wedding at Old Oak Farm in Somerset was spectacular. This was my first visit to Old Oak Farm, but it won't be my last. This rustic venue is gorgeous and perfect for outdoor laid back weddings. The sun even came out to play. YAY!

Chris & Kate's love story started in a tent at Secret Garden Party. A friend of Chris's was flirting with Kate's sister, this brought their two groups together, Kate & Chris immediately hit it off and spent the rest of the festival in each other company.

Next came a run of dates at Wilderness, Boomtown & Bestival (sensing a theme here). Fast forward 4 years and Chris is down on one knee, in South Africa, at an Elephant Sanctuary, on the veranda looking over the national park, popping the question and making us mere mortals look bad.

With wedding planning in full swing, Kate & Chris decided on a festival themed wedding and wanted a venue that was beautiful, relaxed and had a lot of outside space. It is not hard to see why they choose Old Oak Farm which absolutely nails these requirements.

On the morning of their wedding day, I travelled to Kate’s parent's house (which was unbelievably beautiful) where Kate was getting ready with her sisters (bridesmaids), her parents a few friends and an adorable sleepy smushy Rottweiler. It was a very relaxed vibe, Kate was the most chilled out Bride and giggles were had by all. My favourite memory of the morning was after Kate had put on her wedding gown and as her Dad saw her for the first time (I always love this moment) he noticed a tattoo he was not aware of - oops!

Shortly after at Old Oak Farm, I met with Chris and his best man who were putting on buttonholes and making last-minute adjustments to the sound system (trying frantically to make it work) before the wedding ceremony.

The ceremony took place outside with two gorgeous readings and was full of happiness and tears. Chris and Kate were beaming from ear to ear the whole time. It was perfect. After the legal part, the guests lined up, armed themselves with confetti and all cheered as Chris and Kate took their first stroll as husband and wife.

After Chris and Kate had a chance to greet their guests, eat some canapes and drink some fizz we took a few family pictures. Kate’s dad helped me to usher everyone together. Once the more formal shots had been ticked off I stole the happy couple away for some quick photos of just the two of them. Old Oak Farm is very beautiful and has plenty of interesting locations for photos. The tree swing and open fields were my favourite, but there is also lots of greenery and a secret garden.

The food was served inside of the Marquee which had been peppered with personal touches by Chris and Kate, I especially liked the festival bands for their guests to wear. Kate’s Parents, Chris’s dad, Chris’s best man, Kate’s Sisters, Chris & Kate all made speeches. And EVERY-SINGLE-ONE-DELIVERED. By the end, my cheeks were sore. Chris’s Usher MC’d the whole thing and he has missed his calling as a stand up comedian, he was hilarious.

A quick cut of the cake and Chris and Kate had their first dance. Midway through, confetti cannons go off and a 14 piece band start to filter in all playing instruments. It turns out Chris is part of an Eastern European/Jewish Folk music band called the Balkanoes (they are incredible and can be checked out HERE - ‘Office Worker's Lament’ is my favourite song). I hadn’t heard a fusion band quite like this before, but they are impossible not to dance to. Chris even joined the band for a few songs throughout the night.

SPECIAL NOTE TO CHRIS & KATE

It was an honour to be a part of your wedding and after getting to know you a little I couldn’t imagine a day more perfect for you than the one you planned. I will forever remember the tattoo reveal, Chris jumping over a fence, the laughter you shared and how much fun the dance floor was. I’m so lucky that I got to be your photographer. I hope you have many more decades of festivals and happiness together!!

Chris x

POST-WEDDING QUESTIONS

WHAT WERE YOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY?

The highlights for us were the ceremony itself, our amazing first dance with the full brass section and getting to sneak away with Chris to take some photos!

HOW WAS WORKING WITH ME ON YOUR WEDDING DAY?

“You made us both feel at ease and that shines through in the photos!
All of our guests commented how great you were, always keeping people laughing! ”

YOU HAVE TRAVELED BACK IN TIME AND CAN OFFER ONE WEDDING PLANNING ‘TOP TIP’ TO YOURSELF (OR TO OTHERS PLANNING A WEDDING) WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Once you get to the day, relax! You’ve done all your planning, what will be will be- all of your favourite people are in the same place, the day is going to be wonderful.

VENDORS

Wedding Venue: OLD OAK FARM

Wedding Gown: PERFECT DAY BRIDE

Makeup: IDILBIRBEN

Hair: SARAH SAVAGE

Band: THE BALKANOES

Flowers: THE WILD BUNCH

ONTO THE GOOD STUFF