A summer wedding at The Barn at Morley’s Hall
Leanne and James had an ice cream van at their wedding. I was already in favour of this arrangement before I found out they’d had the wafers personalised. I love a couple who’ve given this much thought to an item with a life expectancy of roughly four seconds. As a wedding photographer, I appreciate a detail. As someone holding an ice cream, I also appreciate there’s a deadline.
Their day started at Worsley Marriott before everyone made their way to The Barn at Morley’s Hall. There was a little bit of Leanne and James in all of it, from the flowers they’d chosen to the wafers that somebody, at some point during wedding planning, had the excellent sense to suggest.
Getting ready at Worsley Marriott
Leanne’s dress was hanging in the window. The light came straight through the lace, so you could see the pattern all the way down the train. Her bouquet was quite something too, with soft pink roses and little feathery stems of pampas that caught the light. And among the morning details was a clutch that said I do! on the front. I like that she’d committed her answer to a handbag before James had even been asked the question.
The ceremony at The Barn at Morley’s Hall
One of the photographs I’d keep from the ceremony is the wide one looking down the aisle. Leanne and James are framed by flowers against the tall brick wall, with their guests gathered on either side. Then there’s the close-up of their hands as they sign, with the flowers just at the edge of the frame. It’s such a familiar little thing, putting your signature on a piece of paper. Quite a big thing to have done by the time you put the pen down, though.
Outside the barn, I particularly like the confetti photographs as a sequence. In one, James is grinning and Leanne has her head down as another handful comes in. A few steps later they’ve turned towards each other, with bits of confetti still hanging in the air. I love whoever’s responsible for the arm in the bright pink sleeve at the edge of the photograph. That person understood the assignment and had absolutely no intention of taking their confetti home.
A little time out on the lane
If you look at the portrait of Leanne and James out on the lane, the light is coming through the trees behind them and the train of Leanne’s dress is spread across the ground. James is leaning over to kiss her, and there’s just enough light along the edge of her veil to separate it from all that dark greenery. It’s a lovely quiet photograph to have alongside the full family effort going on in the confetti pictures.
I like the two together because I can give a little direction for the portrait on the lane. Where to stand, which way to turn, what to do with the train. My contribution to the confetti photograph was largely to walk backwards and hope the woman in pink had good aim. I’m fond of both parts of the job.
Leanne and James, thank you for having me there. I hope that years from now, looking through these photographs brings back the feel of the day, right down to the taste of the ice cream. I’d be interested to know whether either of you kept a wafer. Of all the wedding keepsakes I’ve come across, that one would have tested me.
If you’re planning your own wedding at The Barn at Morley’s Hall, I’d love to hear what you’ve got in mind. Tell me your date and the bit you keep bringing up when you talk about the wedding. In my experience, that’s usually something worth photographing.
