Laura and Rich wedding day - The Barn at Dinthill Wedding Photographer
An early morning start.
I've known Laura for a number of years, and I can honestly say she’s one of the kindest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. So, when I saw she’d gotten engaged, I was genuinely hoping I’d get a call from her asking if I could be her wedding photographer.
Luckily, that call came, and I was thrilled to know I’d be the one responsible for capturing the incredible wedding photos she truly deserved.
The day started in a fairly relaxed fashion. Laura had decided to get ready at home with her kids and her maid of honour. The plan was simple: hair and makeup at home, then head to the venue for champagne and dresses. It was the perfect setup, though resisting the urge to open the bubbly early became the morning’s biggest challenge!
Laura’s children were in great spirits. Her youngest even tried her hand at makeup application, which made for a very entertaining (and slightly unpredictable) experience. It set the tone for what would be a beautifully relaxed and heartfelt day.
The Barn at Dinthill looked stunning
Next stop was The Barn at Dinthill, where I was greeted by the groom, Rich, who had already had a medicinal drink to calm the nerves. The Barn is a stunning setting for a wedding, and Rich and his best man had spent the morning soaking up the views, sharing a few laughs, and probably running through the speech one last time.
Guests had the option to camp out, and many took tents, caravans, a true festival-style vibe were already in full swing. As the guests started to arrive, Laura and her bridal party quietly slipped into the venue. It was finally time for some bubbly and those last few getting ready moments.
I left the girls to enjoy their champagne and headed to the front of the venue, where the energy was incredible. Guests were arriving, hugs were being shared, and stories were flying. The atmosphere was the perfect distraction to keep the groom’s nerves in check.
An emotional ceremony at The Barn at Dinthill
Back with Laura, the relaxed energy had shifted slightly. A few nerves had crept in, and the last minute rush was on. This part of the day always gets to me emotional, you really feel everything the couple is experiencing. Laura was finally ready, and she made her way down the aisle with her son by her side. It was a deeply meaningful moment for her, and emotions were high. There was never a chance we’d avoid a few tears, definitely more than Laura expected, and I don’t think Rich was quite prepared either.
The ceremony was beautiful, filled with tears, yes, but also laughter and so much love. You could feel it in every moment.
A day full of partying and smiles at The Barn at Dinthill
With the ceremony complete, it was time for drinks. The weather was perfect, sunshine, incredible views, and flowing drinks made for a lively reception. There was laughter everywhere, children playing games and football, friends reconnecting, it was one of those moments where something was happening in every direction.
Then came the speeches. Sometimes you just get a sense they’re going to be great, and this set didn’t disappoint. They gave me a real insight into Rich, who turned out to be not only a talented singer, painter, and entrepreneur, but just an all around incredible human being. It really did seem like Laura had struck gold.
With the formalities over, the dance floor was calling, and it didn’t take long to fill. From the first song, Laura and Rich set the tone. Laura had requested no couple portraits because she didn’t want anything too staged or "cheesy." But as the sun began to set and the light turned golden, the idea of just five minutes of romance started to feel right. With a drink in hand, we dashed to catch those final rays and maybe, just maybe, embraced a touch of cheese.
The evening rounded off perfectly with sparklers, toasted marshmallows, and more dancing. It was the perfect end to a day filled with joy, emotion, and love—a truly great day for two truly great people.
