Wellington Barn Wedding Photography - Hannah & Michael

Weddings

31 Jul

Hannah and Michael's wedding at Wellington Barn near Calne proved that a little rain can't dampen the joy of a perfect celebration - and sometimes the most meaningful photos happen because of the weather, not despite it!

The couple had opted for shorter coverage, with me joining them just before their ceremony and staying until they sat down for their meal. It's a lovely option for couples who want professional documentation of their key moments without the full day experience.

Wellington Barn really is a stunning venue, surrounded by the rolling hills of the Wiltshire countryside. I’m not sure if their original plan had been for an outdoor ceremony, but the weather meant that it wasn’t an option! Instead, their ceremony took place inside the beautifully cosy rustic barn. There's something rather romantic about the intimate atmosphere created by the wooden beams and fairy lights when the rain is pattering on the roof outside.

Speaking of rain - it really did pour! Guests arrived clutching umbrellas, and we even heard a proper thunderstorm rolling around after the ceremony. But, as any experienced wedding photographer will tell you, you learn to work with whatever the weather throws at you!

We were incredibly lucky to catch a brief break in the downpour, which meant we could dash outside to the meadow for that essential confetti moment. Nothing stops a good confetti throw - not even a thunderstorm! We also managed to squeeze in a handful of formal family photos before retreating back to the shelter of the barn.

The remaining group shots were taken inside under using the rustic arch from the ceremony as a backdrop once the staff had cleared away the ceremony chairs. But the trickiest shot of the day? Definitely trying to gather all the grandchildren together for a photo - most of them were under three years old! With a little encouragement and some strategic use of the ball pool as a distraction, we managed to get them all looking roughly in the same direction. Victory!

The most special moment came when Hannah and Michael made a very specific request. Every year on their anniversary, they visit the Wellington Monument and take a photograph together - it's become their tradition. They'd deliberately chosen to get married on their anniversary date and they absolutely wanted to continue this ritual on their wedding day.

As luck would have it, we got another break in the weather, so we took a wander down the driveway with their son to capture some photos with the monument visible in the distance. These shots are probably my favourites from the entire day because I know just how much they're going to mean to Hannah and Michael in years to come. It's these personal traditions and meaningful details that make documentary wedding photography so rewarding.

Wellington Barn's location meant we could capture this sentimental moment while still being close enough to the reception to not miss anything important - the perfect compromise on a weather-challenged day!

As the speeches began, it was my cue to leave Hannah and Michael to enjoy their celebration with their family and friends. Despite the rain, thunder, and toddler wrangling, it was a beautifully intimate day that perfectly showcased why Wellington Barn works so well for couples who want a relaxed countryside wedding.

Below you will find a small selection of my favourite photos from their day. To view the full gallery, please contact Hannah and Michael.