Late Summer, Bury Court Barn Wedding - Bethany + Stephen.

We had the privilege of capturing Bethany and Stephen’s lovely day at Bury Court Barn wedding venue in September this year. Bury Court Barn is a wonderful place; set in beautiful Hampshire countryside, close to the border between Surrey and West Sussex. Bury Court has such a long and varied history: at some point in the seventeenth century it was a small village that appeared on maps at that time. Later it became a hop farm and was used for that purpose until it became a plant nursery…. and then a wedding venue! You can see why the threshing barn was converted into an event space because it has both the beautiful outlook and the lovely traditional thirties style features that we love in a barn wedding setting. Sometimes as Essex wedding photographers, we like to think about the people who came before us in these special places… and what the hop farmers at Bury Court Barn in the thirties would think about our weddings today being celebrated in rustic venues. I think they’d be pretty happy about it and keen to join in the fun!

Bethany and Stephen had a long and lovely history of their own. They went to the same school; when they started out as desk buddies in English class I wonder if they ever thought they would be married as husband and wife all these years later! True childhood sweethearts, two lovely people with a gentle and kind nature – a delight to work with! 

Bethany got ready at her family home in Hampshire, with her mum and bridesmaids. It was a leisurely morning and we had the joy of meeting the littlest person in the bridal party: a new little baby girl who was the daughter of one of her bridesmaids, Freya was only a few weeks old at the wedding!

 Hannah Berry Flowers did an amazing job of the florals, perfectly capturing that late summer theme with wonderful blooms and grasses. Elle Naturel Hair and Makeup was also on hand to help the girls get ready and look their most beautiful. When all the ladies were ready, Bethany’s dad came to see her for the first time that morning, all ready in her wedding dress. His emotion was so powerful and lovely that we got a bit teary behind our cameras too. 

We then headed off to Bury Court Barn for the wedding. The English weather was on our side for once! Bethany and Stephen were able to have the outdoor ceremony they had dreamed of. The garden space at the barn was so peaceful, private and tranquil that all the guests were able to relax and enjoy the afternoon to the full.

While all the guests enjoyed celebration drinks in the courtyard, we did our sneaky wedding photographer mode and took some photos inside the main barn. It was just spectacular. Every detail in the atmosphere, lighting and decoration was just complete perfection. After that, we then spent some time with Bethany and Stephen wandering around the gardens of Bury Court Barn and exploring places and taking some portraits there. The history of the barn comes through again, because the contemporary walled garden that we used in our photography session was developed from the old farmyard area.

Overall, Bethany and Stephen showed us how relaxed a wedding can really be. No rushing at all, just everyone enjoying the special day in a lovely venue. Thanks to this lovely couple and Bury Court Barn!