A Beautiful Handfasting Wedding Celebration at a Family Farm in Shropshire
Some weddings stay with you long after you've packed away your cameras, and Liz and Jonny's celebration is definitely one of them.
Although they had already legally married during the pandemic in December 2020 in Merthyr Tydfil, this was the day they had truly been waiting for. Surrounded by the people they love most, they finally had the opportunity to celebrate their marriage exactly as they had imagined.
I joined Deb from Stott Weddings to photograph this wonderfully relaxed wedding celebration at the groom's parents' beautiful family farm just outside Market Drayton in Shropshire.
Home weddings always have something incredibly special about them. They're personal, meaningful and impossible to recreate anywhere else. Every corner tells part of the family's story, and every guest immediately feels at home.
The ceremony itself was unlike any other.
Set on a small island within the gardens, Liz and Jonny exchanged their vows during a celebrant-led ceremony officiated by one of their close friends. It couldn't have been a more perfect setting. Surrounded by mature trees, water and nature, it felt wonderfully peaceful and intimate despite having all of their family and friends there to celebrate with them.
One of the highlights of the ceremony was the handfasting ritual. Steeped in tradition, handfasting symbolises two lives being joined together, making it a beautiful and meaningful addition to their wedding celebration. It perfectly reflected the relaxed, personal nature of the day and created some incredibly emotional moments for everyone watching.
The atmosphere throughout the day was warm, welcoming and full of laughter. There was no rush or formality just family and friends enjoying every moment together.
As with many home weddings, the personal touches made all the difference. The catering team kept everyone wonderfully fed while guests relaxed in the gardens, chatted, laughed and celebrated together. Every part of the day felt authentic and completely centred around Liz and Jonny.
The speeches were another highlight. Heartfelt, funny and emotional, they had everyone smiling. I always love seeing brides give speeches too and Liz spoke beautifully, adding another personal moment to an already unforgettable day.
My coverage finished shortly after the speeches, leaving everyone to enjoy the rest of the evening celebrations with their loved ones.
Looking back through these photographs reminds me exactly why I love documentary wedding photography so much. It's not about staged moments or elaborate timelines. It's about preserving genuine memories, authentic emotions and all of the little interactions that make every wedding unique.
If you're planning a relaxed wedding at a family home, on a farm, or an outdoor celebrant-led ceremony with personal traditions such as handfasting, I'd love to tell your story in a natural and unobtrusive way. These are exactly the kinds of celebrations I love photographing.
What is a handfasting ceremony?
A handfasting is an ancient Celtic tradition where ribbons or cords are gently tied around a couple's joined hands to symbolise two lives becoming one. Many modern celebrant-led weddings include handfasting as a deeply personal and meaningful alternative or addition to exchanging rings. It photographs beautifully and creates one of the most emotional moments of the ceremony.
If you're planning a relaxed wedding at a family home, on a farm, in a beautiful garden or somewhere that means something special to you, I'd love to hear all about your plans.
Whether you're celebrating with a full day of family and friends, planning a celebrant-led ceremony, or incorporating meaningful traditions such as handfasting, my approach is always the same—capturing genuine moments as they naturally unfold so you can relive your day for years to come.
If my documentary style feels like the right fit for your wedding, I'd love to chat.
