Shustoke Barns Wedding Photography | Rhianan & Joe's Winter Wedding
There is something rather magical about a December wedding.
The twinkling lights, the warmth of everyone gathered together, the smell of mulled wine and that wonderful feeling that Christmas is just around the corner all seem to add something extra to the atmosphere.
And when you're getting married just four days before Christmas, you might as well embrace it!
That's exactly what Rhianan and Joe did for their beautiful winter wedding at Shustoke Barns, a gorgeous Cripps & Co venue in Warwickshire.
This was my first visit to Shustoke Barns and, having spent the day photographing Rhianan and Joe's wedding, I really hope it won't be my last.
A beautiful December wedding at Shustoke Barns
Shustoke Barns is one of those venues that gives you so much to photograph.
The exposed brick, high vaulted ceilings and beautiful winter light create an incredible backdrop, but it was the atmosphere inside the barn that really made this wedding.
I was working alongside my good friend Deb from Stott Weddings, and between us we covered the day from groom prep through to after the speeches.
It was a lovely way to tell the full story of Rhianan and Joe's wedding, from those quieter moments at the beginning of the day through to the laughter and celebrations later on.
A bride in champagne and a groom in Louboutins
Rhianan looked incredible.
Rather than a traditional white wedding dress, she chose a beautiful champagne-coloured gown with lace and beaded detailing that caught the winter light beautifully.
And then there was her gold-toned cloak.
Elegant, warm and completely perfect for a December wedding, it added another beautiful layer to her bridal look.
Joe brought his own personality to his outfit too, pairing his beige suit with Louboutin trainers.
I love details like this because they're the things that make a wedding feel personal. It's not about following a particular idea of what a bride or groom should wear. It's about choosing the things that feel like you.
And these two absolutely did that.
Arriving in a family classic
Rhianan didn't arrive at Shustoke Barns in a conventional wedding car either.
She arrived in her uncle's classic Zephyr, which was such a lovely family touch and made for some fantastic photographs.
There was a real sense throughout the day that this wasn't simply a wedding put together for the photographs.
It was about family, friends and the people who had travelled to celebrate with them.
Those are the details I love documenting because they become part of the story of the day.
Christmas at Shustoke Barns
Being just four days before Christmas, there was never going to be any escaping the festive season!
And Shustoke Barns looked beautiful.
Festive greenery, twinkling lights and warm golden tones made the whole place feel incredibly cosy, while the scent of mulled wine added to that unmistakable December atmosphere.
The room styling was beautiful too, with warm lighting and carefully chosen details that worked perfectly with the character of the barn.
I wanted the photographs to retain that feeling of warmth, so I've kept the edit soft and golden to reflect how the day actually felt.
Photographing the day as it happened
My approach throughout the wedding was relaxed and documentary.
Rather than constantly pulling people away from the celebrations, I wanted to give Rhianan and Joe the space to actually enjoy their wedding while I photographed everything happening around them.
The groom greeting guests.
Friends catching up.
Family conversations.
The laughter.
The little moments that happen when nobody is looking directly at the camera.
Those are often the photographs that bring a wedding back to life years later.
Of course, there are times when I'll organise the photographs that need organising, but I don't believe your entire wedding day should revolve around photography.
You should be able to get married, hug your friends, laugh with your family and enjoy the party.
I'll be there watching, anticipating and quietly documenting it all.
A winter wedding I'd happily photograph again
Rhianan and Joe's wedding was such a lovely one to be part of.
Beautiful without feeling overdone, festive without becoming a Christmas cliché and full of all the warmth, laughter and emotion that makes a wedding memorable.
And Shustoke Barns?
I definitely hope I'll be back.
There is something about photographing a wedding in a venue with so much character, particularly in the winter, that I absolutely love.
Getting married at Shustoke Barns?
If you're planning your wedding at Shustoke Barns, or somewhere else in Warwickshire or the Midlands and you're looking for wedding photography that is relaxed, natural and focused on the real story of your day, I'd love to hear from you.
You don't need to spend your wedding day posing for photographs or following a long list of traditions that don't feel like you.
I want you to enjoy the people, the atmosphere and all those moments you've spent so long planning.
I'll photograph the laughter, the happy tears, the hugs, the details, the chaos and everything in between, giving you a collection of photographs that takes you straight back to how your wedding actually felt.
If that sounds like the kind of wedding photography you're looking for, get in touch and tell me all about your plans. I'd love to have a chat and see whether I'm the right photographer for you.
Until then,
Tracey
