The weather really delivered for Jennifer and Sam’s Autumn wedding at Notley Abbey. The beautiful bright and sunny blue sky made it feel more like Spring than November.
On the day, I got to Notley Abbey nice and early and as always was blown away by the beauty of the venue. The tree lined driveway, the honey stone walls of the manor house and the beautifully landscaped gardens. No matter how many times I return to capture wedding photography at Notley Abbey, my first glimpse of it still takes my breath away.
I caught up with Jennifer and her bridal party, who were getting ready in Notley Abbey’s gorgeous bridal suite Abbott’s Chamber and enjoying a cheeky glass of bubbly. Jennifer looked stunning in a Maggie Sottero dress that she bought at From This Moment Bridal Studio. It had an elegant lace bodice with a plunging neckline and low v neck back. It had a stunning layer of skirt in an empire line that gently fanned out at the back to create a train, and it gave Jennifer an exquisite silhouette in all of my images.
Jennifer’s hair had been perfectly styled in an elegant up do with loose tendrils framing her face, by hair stylist Lorraine of Bridal Hair Design, and her make up (the handywork of make-up artist Juliet Cunningham of Bridal Make-Up By Juliet) looked both flawless and natural. Jennifer looked so natural and comfortable as a bride and was beaming all day long!
Before leaving for the ceremony, I captured a really gorgeous father seeing the bride moment.
Experienced Notley Abbey Wedding Photographer
I also caught up with Sam before the ceremony, who was getting ready in The Cottage, in another part of the Notley Abbey Estate. Sam was in good spirits in the safe hands of his groom’s party. They all looked very smart in petrol blue three-piece suits from Moss Bros and had got the celebrations started with a glass of bubbly before leaving for the ceremony.
The wedding ceremony was held in Abbott’s Hall. This atmospheric room has feature windows and fireplace, a high ceiling and wood floor. It looked so elegant, and had been dressed beautifully with flowers by the very talented Susan Robinson of The Flowers Wedding Specialist.
The wedding procession consisted of Jenny’s sister/maid of honour who looked gorgeous in a crimson dress from Matchimony and the sweetest young page boy who hitched a lift from his mum down the aisle. Jennifer followed on the arm of her dad, looking absolutely radiant as she entered the ceremony room.
After a gorgeous ceremony that included a string quartet and a heartfelt reading, Jennifer and Sam headed back down the aisle a married couple to the applause of their guests. Outside everybody lined up for a fun confetti moment that produced one of my favourite images of the day. Here, take a look!
Storytelling wedding photography at Notley Abbey
As the weather was so bright and mild we managed to enjoy the drinks and canapes reception outside and I got some great images of the wedding party, as well as some relaxed candid images of guests that really suited my relaxed style of wedding photography.
With guests happily catered for, I quickly whisked Jennifer and Sam away for a few minutes for a mini photoshoot around the beautiful gardens and grounds of Notley Abbey. It’s always lovely for couples to step away for a few minutes, to be in the moment and enjoy one another’s company in the photoshoot, and the images I got of Jennifer and Sam on Notley Abbey’s beautiful driveway, and by the wall covered in red leaves, were my favourites of the day. The autumn colours were absolutely stunning, and made the perfect backdrop for their photos!
We then headed back to the Manor House for the wedding reception that was being held in Notley Abbey’s stunning Monk’s refectory. This atmospheric barn-like space has floor to ceiling glass windows and glittering chandeliers, that cast light on 800 years of history. The Monk’s Refectory was once renowned for hosting parties for the very much in love Lawrence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, and it was now Jennifer and Sam’s turn! I always love the little touches at weddings as it tells me something of my couple’s personalities, and the wedding favours of Cancer Research Charity Pins were really thoughtful.
Creative and Natural Buckinghamshire wedding photography
Jennifer and Sam were welcomed rapturously by their guests and there were some very well received speeches before food which is always a good idea. Speech givers were Jennifer’s Dad Mark, then Sam and then the best man. Everybody then enjoyed a sumptuous wedding breakfast prepared by Bijou Catering.
Evening celebrations started with a fireworks display. I love fireworks at weddings. They bring an element of wonderment and joy at a time in the day when you thought all the surprises were over. They also make for fantastic wedding photos and the I loved the images of Jennifer and Sam under the firework lit sky.
Everybody then headed inside for a romantic first dance for Jennifer and Sam. Not that these two were on the dancefloor alone for long – Jennifer and Sam’s guests were up for a party and I got some really fun dancefloor images.
With the party in full swing, it was time for me to take my leave. But before going, I took Jennifer and Sam outside. Notley Abbey looks amazing lit up at night, and made the perfect backdrop for some romantic portrait images. And the image of Jennifer and Sam kissing in the fairy lit courtyard under a starlit sky, felt like the perfect image to close the story of their day.
I had the best time capturing Jennifer and Sam’s wedding at Notley Abbey – an elegant yet laidback wedding for this lovely couple. Congratulations to Jennifer and Sam for getting married and thank you for allowing me to tell the story of it.
