Tithe Barn Wedding Photographs of Darren & Lucy’s Wedding Day

I met Darren and Lucy back on a sunny May morning on a bar terrace overlooking the river in Fordingbridge. I was aware that Darren has one hell of a reputation as a professional magician and magic consultant.

Over a couple of coffee’s their excitement and passion for their Tithe Barn wedding plans completely quieted the part of my brain wanting to scream “show me some magic!”

With a gorgeous countryside venue, split screen VW van, live music, guest entertainment and a secret plan involving Jason Donovan my photographic passion was roused. In essence Lucy and Darren wanted to create a day of unique, relaxed fun in the country summer sun. This is exactly what they got- and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer couple!

Park House Hotel Wedding Morning Photographs

Cut to a scorching Saturday morning in August and I travelled with excited anticipation to the luxury Park House Hotel & PH₂O spa in West Sussex. In one of the gorgeous private accommodations I found Lucy and her bridesmaids preparing for the day ahead.

The light and airy room with a balcony view over the gardens and countryside made for a perfect wedding morning.
Ivory wedding dress floral detail photographAfter the excitement of our last meeting I wasn’t quite expecting Lucy to be as incredibly calm and relaxed as she was. Her bridesmaids rallied around her. Hair was styled and there started the wedding day surprises. Her bridesmaids held back the tears as they received gifts and read the accompanying cards. Lucy then received a wonderful bound collection of ‘letters to the bride and groom’. This required some serious breath control and hand flapping to read!

Bride reads wedding card on wedding morning Bridesmaid styles her wedding hair in mirror Black and white photograph of wedding hair stylingAround the room I noticed the details that would help make up the day. Custom coat hangers held the dresses, Pac man socks for the chaps, a diamanté head-piece, congratulations cards and champagne bottles all had their part to play in the day ahead.

With the aid of the natural light streaming into the room I aimed to capture the essence of the morning’s preparations. The bridesmaids zoomed round as they prepared. The busyness of hair and makeup artists, the sporadic appearance of family members, all set against the calm collected bride ‘in transformation’

Bride with wedding makeup artist on wedding morning  Bride makeup styling in mirror with makeup kit Bride dress hanger with ivory wedding dress photographDelightful floral scents had started to drift into the building. Downstairs in the cool of the hallway lay the glorious creations of Rose Cottage Florists. In keeping with the soft pastels and countryside themes of the day they had created some stunningly unique wedding bouquets and button holes.

Soft pastel countryside wedding bouquet photographBack upstairs the last of Lucy’s makeup was being styled. Her bridesmaids donned their gorgeous Grecian dresses. Lucy’s floral diamanté head-piece was incorporated into her incredible hair. Finally it was time for her to be helped into her beautiful wedding dress.Bridesmaid helped to put on soft pink Grecian dress

Bride with head piece helped into wedding dress photo Bride buttoned into wedding dress with two pairs of hands Bride with diamonte floral head piece photograph The floral lace detailing perfectly complemented her head-piece.  Lucy had finished her calm transition into a stunning bride.

Outside in the hot sun a wonderfully decorated VW split screen camper van from Vinnies Vintage Vehicles (one of our recommended wedding suppliers) arrived to transport the girls to the Tithe Barn wedding venue (not to be confused with the Tithe Barn in Symondsbury). Here Darren and the guests were waiting expectantly.

VW camper van at The Tithe Barn wedding Father of the bride checks his watch on wedding morning

The Tithe Barn Wedding Ceremony Photographs

Set in 300 acres of South Downs National Park land The Tithe Barn is a jaw dropping grade II listed wedding venue. The huge stone arches and flagstone floor make it amongst the most unique and aesthetically pleasing wedding venues we work at.

Enjoying the sun there was a happy buzz about the wedding guests. They waited for the ushers to guide them into the wedding ceremony.

wedding guest reflective sunglasses at The Tithe Barn wedding wedding guest in bright blue suit at The Tithe Barn Tithe barn wedding venue in VW hub cap photographDarren stood with his best man and brother at the head of the aisle, both sporting sharp blue suits. The waiting brought laughter and as the VW van pulled up outside some fleeting nerves. These soon dissipated as the happy couple caught each other’s eyes for the first time in the day.

vw wedding van at Tithe Barn wedding bride enters Tithe Barn wedding with vw camper van Groom waits for bride at The Tithe Barn wedding venue bride sees groom for first time at Tithe Barn weddingThe wedding ceremony perfectly reflected Lucy and Darren’s fun and loving nature. From my vantage point behind the registrars I even noticed Lucy’s father jokingly hand signal that a monetary exchange would be appropriate for giving away his daughter!

signing the register at Tithe Barn wedding ceremony Black and white wedding photograph at The Tithe Barn weddingOne of the two lovely readings from the service will probably stick out in my mind forever. Not just because I am reading ‘Oh, the Places You’ll Go’ by Dr Seuss to my son at the moment but because one of their guests read it perfectly from memory as if he was presenting on the stage.

The Tithe Barn Wedding Reception Photographs

The newly-weds left to a standing ovation to their drinks reception in the glorious sunshine. After drinking, laughing, greetings and exploring the grounds I organised a few group shots precariously balanced upon some step ladders.

groom high five leaving Tithe Barn wedding ceremony  groom jumping from vw wedding van in blue wedding suitLucy and Darren’s friends and family shared in their fun-loving nature. Even a few of the group shots became ridiculously hilarious (especially after the ‘go on have a kiss, suggestion!). All of the guests were so very friendly and helpful. I know many of our clients comment that having us at the wedding is like ‘having a guest with a big camera’ but I truly felt like a guest. Funny wedding group photograph kissing

Wedding Couple Photographs

Whilst the wedding guests enjoyed the weather and surroundings, Darren, Lucy and I explored the Shepherds hut, trees and nearby field for some ‘couple shots’.

Funny bride and groom in VW wedding van bride give thumbs up in VW wedding van at Tithe Barn

Bride and groom wedding photograph in Willow treeFor the first time in the day the couple had ten minutes to chat and relax, still beaming with love. I hate posing people for photographs almost as much as people hate posing for photographs. So I tend to take a few steps back and let the couple lead the camera.

Bride and groom kiss in sunlight at Tithe Barn wedding Bride and groom kiss in Tithe Barn shepherds hutOver the years I have seen so many contrary ‘documentary wedding photographers’ fill their portfolio with obviously posed images. The couples may look beautiful and amazing but they will look at their posed images and see them as ‘un-natural’. Not really what our clients have in mind for their timeless wedding photography.

Bride and groom at Tithe Barn countryside wedding flowing veil and bride at Tithe Barn countryside weddingDarren and Lucy are so relaxed in front of the camera any thoughts of false posing went out of the window. They decided that all of the beauty and emotion of the day could be dealt with by having a good run about the place. Of course followed by an impromptu jumping competition!

Bride chases groom in countryside at Tithe Barn wedding Bride and groom jump for joy at The Tithe Barn wedding

The Tithe Barn Wedding Breakfast Photographs

Before we knew it wedding breakfast was called and they re-entered The Tithe Barn to rapturous applause. wedding table plan at The Tithe Barn wedding

Looking around the room the amount of thought and detail that had gone into their dream wedding was apparent. A picture frame with their parent’s wedding photographs greeted the guests next to a huge seating plan. The tables were adorned with handmade table and place names, flowers and wedding photo sharing information.

Parents wedding photographs in picture frameThe Tithe Barn wedding photographs sharing sign The Tithe Barn wedding table name picturesTourelle Cuisine supplied a mouth-watering three course meal. After coffee’s the champagne glasses were filled for the speeches.

The Tithe Barn Wedding Speeches Photos

All of the speeches no matter how tear jerking and emotional had one theme in common – they were hilarious. I’m not sure I have ever seen a room full of people laugh for so long at a wedding. Lucy’s dad, quiet all day was a natural comedian and speaker. Darren held his own and delivered tears of joy and laughter. Darren’s brother (and best man) had the crowd in the aisles. Darren squirmed in various states of embarrassment and shock.

Funny wedding T-Shirts at Tithe Barn wedding Wedding speeches photograph at Tithe Barn Wedding

A Jason Donovan Wedding Surprise

The most poignant moment of the speeches however (that I alluded to earlier) was a secret kept by myself and a select few. In looking back over Lucy’s childhood photographs Darren had noticed that Lucy was for a long time (and still is) a huge Jason Donovan fan. She was often snapped wearing a t-shirt with is face on. So as a wedding day present Darren had organised a framed photograph of none other than Jason Donovan himself wearing a t-shirt with Lucy’s face on it. I’m not sure she could quite believe it!

Jason Donovan with bride's face on T-Shirt reaction Jason Donovan wearing T-Shirt with bride's face on Tithe Barn wedding best man's speech reaction photographTithe Barn wedding speeches guest's reaction photograph

The Tithe Barn Wedding Evening Photographs

To calm down and recover the wedding party drifted back outside into the low summer evening light. The band set up, the bar opened, evening guests arrived and it was time to cut the cake. The stunning home-made wedding cake not only smelled but looked amazing. Even more so when cut for the first time exposed its rainbow interior.

Time out with the baby at The Tithe Barn wedding wedding guests in countryside at Tithe Barn wedding Child wedding guest photo at The Tithe Barn wedding Wedding guests in Tithe Barn's shepherds hut Bride and groom portrait with sunset at The Tithe BarnTithe barn wedding cake with countryside flowers

First Dance Photographs at The Tithe Barn

One of the groomsmen picked up his guitar and beautifully played Darren and Lucy’s first dance. I couldn’t help but think how very ‘them’ the scene in front of me was. Surrounded by singing and smiling friends and family the loving couple swayed and spun about the dance floor. All of the time beaming into each other’s eyes.

Wedding guest plays first dance on guitar at Tithe Barn wedding The Tithe Barn wedding first dance photograph Bride and groom dance to first dance at Tithe Barn Bride applauds wedding guest for playing first dance

Wedding Dancing Photos at The Tithe Barn

Decade wedding band were next up, filling the dance floor with their anthem covers. From then on in the guests, no matter what age or size did not hold back. The dancing flip-flops went on and the moves were coming out.

Decade wedding band at The Tithe Barn weddingwedding dancing flip flops in wicker basket  Bride and groom dancing at The Tithe Barn wedding Wedding welcome sign with dancing guests at Tithe Barn Wedding guests dancing at The Tithe BarnBride and groom singing and dancing at Tithe BarnUpstairs on the balcony, overlooking the main room the sweet table was being ‘investigated’ by children and adults alike. The wedding party took it in turns to take their own pictures behind a huge Polaroid frame with chalk boards.

Wedding guests on The Tithe Barn balcony Groom and guest in picture frame at Tithe Barn weddingAs I packed my kit away and left the dancing was still in full force. The evening guest’s brought a renewed energy to the dance floor. Outside groups sat around the fairy lit tables and tree’s filling the cool night air with sounds of chatter and laughter. In true Darren and Lucy style some of the guests had decided that quick running contest was called for!

A lovely fun packed day for a lovely fun-loving couple.

And they lived happily ever after wedding sign

You can see what Lucy & Darren thought of our wedding photography service without time limits in their Hampshire Wedding photographers review.

 

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