Mill Barns Wedding | Shropshire Wedding Photographer

A relaxed Mill Barns wedding in Shropshire

This lovely September wedding at Mill Barns was one of those days where I got to do what I really enjoy, observe what was happening around me and photograph all those little moments that can easily be missed.

I was working alongside Sam of Samantha J Photography as a second photographer, which gave me the opportunity to spend the morning with the groom and his best man before heading over to Mill Barns for the wedding.

Groom preparations at the Falcon Hotel

My day started at the Falcon Hotel in Bridgnorth, photographing the groom and his best man as they got ready.

Before heading over to Mill Barns, we also stopped at the bride's parents' house to catch up with the remaining groomsmen. There were two rather gorgeous pooches there too, although sadly they weren't able to join the wedding itself.

It was a lovely, relaxed start to the day and exactly the sort of morning I enjoy photographing. No rushing around looking for perfect moments. Just people getting ready, chatting, laughing and enjoying the anticipation of what was to come.

A September wedding at Mill Barns

This was my second visit to Mill Barns, working alongside Sam, and the venue looked fantastic in the late summer sunshine.

The ceremony took place in the main barn and the couple had added some lovely personal touches, including a trail of confetti down either side of the aisle and two Mr and Mrs balloons welcoming guests into the room.

As I often do when working as a second photographer, I made use of the upstairs balcony to give me a different viewpoint during the ceremony. It means I can photograph moments from a slightly different perspective without getting in the way of the main photographer.

And that confetti shot as the newly married couple walked back down the aisle was definitely worth getting up there for.

The moments in between

While Sam concentrated on the more formal photographs with the couple, I spent my time photographing everything happening around them.

Friends and family catching up, people raising a glass, laughter, hugs and all those little interactions that make a wedding day feel like a wedding day.

This is one of the things I love most about photography. I can stand back and watch what is happening, but at the same time I never really feel like an outsider. A smile, a quick chat or simply being friendly and approachable is often all it takes for people to relax and forget that there is a camera nearby.

The result is a collection of photographs that feel natural rather than overly staged.

Mill Barns wedding portraits

There was also time for some photographs of the couple around the Mill Barns grounds before everyone came back together for the speeches.

The September sunshine gave us some lovely light and the grounds around the venue provided plenty of opportunities for relaxed portraits without needing to disappear for a long period of time.

After the speeches, my part of the day was coming to an end and it was time to head home.

It was another lovely wedding at Mill Barns and another reminder of why I enjoy working as a second photographer. I get to see the parts of a wedding day that I don't always get to photograph when I'm the primary photographer, particularly the groom preparations, while still looking for those candid moments and different perspectives that are such an important part of my own style.

I've since returned to Mill Barns to photograph weddings as a primary photographer too, so it's a venue I now know well.

If you're planning a wedding at Mill Barns or somewhere else in Shropshire, I'm always happiest when I can photograph the day as it naturally unfolds. The hugs, the laughter, the happy tears, the people you love and all the moments in between.

Less posing. More feeling.

Planning your Mill Barns wedding?

If you're getting married at Mill Barns and want wedding photographs that capture the people, atmosphere and little moments without taking you away from your guests for hours, I'd love to hear from you.

I know the venue well and have photographed weddings there both as a second photographer and as the primary photographer. Whether you're planning a large celebration or something more intimate, I'll keep things relaxed and give you just enough direction when you need it.

Tell me all about your wedding and let's see if we're a good fit.