I’ve known Big Bopper DJ Shaun Weed for a number of years, and I was absolutely delighted when he asked me to photograph his and Sarah’s Barton Hall wedding day. This is the story of the day.
Barton Hall, near Kettering
Barton Hall, nestled in the picturesque countryside near Kettering, Northamptonshire, provides the perfect backdrop for a dream wedding. The stately home’s history, architecture, and stunning natural surroundings create an unforgettable ambiance that is perfect for couples seeking a memorable wedding day.
Barton Hall offers a range of indoor and outdoor spaces, including the charming Orangery, the grand Great Hall, and the beautifully manicured gardens, each providing a unique setting for your ceremony and reception, whether you’re looking for a small, intimate gathering or a grand celebration.
The stunning Barton Hall Orangery
I’ve performed a few Christmas party photography jobs at Barton Hall, a UK wedding party photography gig for a couple who had been married overseas, and done some commercial photography work for KTV Venue Stylists, but this was my first full wedding at this gorgeous venue on the outskirts of Kettering. I must admit, I was excited about getting to play in the stunning Orangery!
The beautifully decorated Orangery ready for a Barton Hall wedding
Barton Hall Wedding Day
Bridal Preparations
Sarah and Shaun’s wedding ceremony was scheduled for 1430. Sarah, however, had a large bridal party, including multiple children, so we agreed that I’d arrive at 1100 to cover the preparations. The suite that Sarah had been allocated was absolutely perfect. Spacious, light and with a few nice features to work with.
Bridal prep – hair & make-up
We got heaps of lovely pictures of everyone getting ready, and the girls were all impeccably behaved.
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Hair and make-up done! Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridesmaid group hug – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep team work – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep team work – Barton Hall wedding photography
Bridal prep – Barton Hall wedding photography
I popped downstairs to get a few pictures of Shaun and the boys when they arrived, all looking very smart. They headed into the Orangery to finalise seating arrangements, so I grabbed a few shots at the same time.
Toastmaster Alan Hodge assists Shaun with his buttonhole
Groom and groomsmen in the Barton Hall Orangery
Back upstairs, Sarah was almost wedding ready. I always love to get shots of the bride being secured into her dress, so we made sure we got a few of them.
Sarah’s wedding dress was from Wed2B
Sarah poses with her beautiful bridal bouquet. It along with the other flowers were supplied by Kettering-based Flowers by Louise
Black and white shot of Sarah – Barton Hall wedding photography
And then I grabbed a few pictures of Sarah before she let the rest of her bridal party get a first look.
Sarah gets the perfect reception to her wedding day look
Sarah’s eldest son, Branden, would have the honour of giving his mum away, and he was close to tears when he first saw her.
A very proud young man preparing to give his mum away on her wedding day – Barton Hall wedding photography
A big hug for his mum ahead of giving her away on her wedding day
With Shaun having had his interview with the registrars and having been safely whisked away to the Orangery, it was Sarah’s turn to make her way downstairs to them. Toastmaster Alan Hodge came to collect her. Naturally, we grabbed some shots of Sarah and Branden on their way down.
Sarah and Branden make the way downstairs to Sarah’s Barton Hall wedding
The beautiful Barton Hall staircase on Sarah & Shaun’s wedding day
The rest of the bridal party were held in the bar area, with everybody else now seated in the Orangery.
The groom, brother Nick and Mr Big Bopper himself, Damian Cox
Some excited guests in the Barton Hall Orangery
Toastmaster Alan Hodge leads the bridal party through to the holding point
A brief moment of contemplation for the groom
Barton Hall Wedding Ceremony
Finally, it was time to get married! The sun was shining, and the light streamed into the beautiful Barton Hall Orangery. It really is a stunning location for a wedding ceremony!
Here come the bridesmaids (& page boy!)!
And here comes the bride! Barton Hall wedding photography
The beautiful ceremony went perfectly, and before we knew it, Sarah and Shaun had become husband and wife!
Well, here we are! Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Emotions were running high – Barton Hall wedding ceremony
With this ring, I thee wed – Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Barton Hall wedding ceremony
The new Mr & Mrs Weed! – Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Cheers! – Barton Hall wedding ceremony
Big Bopper had organised some spectacular confetti cannons for the confetti walk. Evidently they also doubled up as snooker cues to match their penguin outfits!
Confetti cannon or snooker cue?
Confetti cannon walk – Barton Hall wedding photography
Confetti cannon walk – Barton Hall wedding photography
Confetti cannon walk – Barton Hall wedding photography
With Hodge making it me aware that we only had 45 minutes for the group shots before guests needed to be seated for the wedding breakfast, we cracked on with them straight away. Normally I’d let the bride and groom have a bit of a meet and greet with their guests, but we were up against it a little.
Wedding day group shots in front of the Barton Hall Orangery
The Big Bopper team raises a drink to the newlyweds
We did have a bit of time to have a quick play with Sarah’s veil, which produced some really lovely stuff.
Barton Hall wedding veil fun with the bride and groom
Barton Hall wedding veil fun with the bride and groom
Barton Hall wedding veil fun with the bride and groom
An enormous tree in the Barton Hall grounds
Barton Hall Wedding Breakfast
And then it was time for the wedding breakfast. Sarah and Shaun elected to eat before the speeches.
The wedding cake was made by CC’s Cupcakes and was decorated by Sarah herself! – Barton Hall wedding photography
The wedding rings with the bridal bouquet – Barton Hall wedding photography
Big Bopper testing out PicMe Booths‘ new audio guest book tool
Barton Hall wedding guests
Barton Hall wedding guests
Speeches came courtesy of Sarah’s son, Branden, Shaun, Shaun’s brother, Nick, Big Bopper and then Sarah herself. There were plenty of laughs and also a few cringes!
Barton Hall wedding day speeches
Barton Hall wedding day speeches – bride’s reaction
Barton Hall wedding day speeches
Barton Hall wedding day groom’s speech
Barton Hall wedding day speeches – the bride!
Barton Hall Wedding Room Turnaround
During the room turnaround, we headed outside. Sarah was itching to have a go with the camera, so I gave her a very quick lesson, and away she went! Her son Mackenzie had a go, too.
When the bride takes charge of the camera!
One of Sarah’s shots!
And one of Mackenzie’s of his mum!
Mackenzie at work
I noticed we were about to lose the sun, almost certainly for the rest of the day, behind a big bank of cloud on the horizon. I grabbed my portable studio light from the car, and we had a quick play, trying to squeeze more colour out of the sky than was actually there. It wasn’t great, but it was better than nothing.
Barton Hall wedding day silhouette
Love is all you need – Barton Hall wedding photography
The unofficial first dance – Barton Hall wedding photography
A few people then asked for pictures, so we put the studio light to use some more. Having lost the sun, we were treated to quite a nice blue hour, which delivered some nice images, especially when combined with the colours of some people’s outfits.
Barton Hall wedding photography
I’m always really happy to take requests from the crowd! Barton Hall wedding photography
Barton Hall Evening Reception
Live entertainment for the evening was split between the numerous attending Big Bopper DJs and wedding and party band Pure Genius.
The action, though, was kicked off with the cutting of the cake and the first dance. Barton Hall does not employ your average cake knife, however!
Barton Hall wedding – Cutting the cake
Barton Hall wedding – Cutting the cake
The actual first dance – Barton Hall wedding photography
The actual first dance – Barton Hall wedding photography
We’d spoken about having a play in the Orangery after dark, and Sarah and Shaun had elected to use the smoke grenades included in their wedding photography package in the dark, too.
Playing around in the Barton Hall Orangery after dark
After dark smoke grenades at Barton Hall
After dark smoke grenades at Barton Hall
Finally, we made use of the sparklers that are also included in my wedding photography packages, and then everybody switched to party mode!
Barton Hall wedding day sparklers
Pure Genius party and wedding band
Pure Genius party and wedding band
Dancefloor action
Dancefloor shenanigans – Barton Hall wedding photography
Handbag swinging on the Barton Hall dancefloor
Pure Genius party and wedding band
Dancefloor shenanigans – Barton Hall wedding photography
Dancefloor shenanigans – Barton Hall wedding photography
Pure Genius party and wedding band
Dancefloor shenanigans – Barton Hall wedding photography
It had been an amazing day. Here’s wishing Sarah & Shaun all the very best for many years of health and happiness to come.
SEARCHING FOR YOUR OWN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?
If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.
For more information on what happens when you decide you want me to photograph your wedding, please see: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Karl Drage – How I Work
While every wedding is different, there are certain elements which are usually broadly similar. Take a look at a typical wedding day to get a feel for the primarily documentary wedding photography style I’m likely to employ for your big day.
There’s much more work involved in photographing a wedding than just rocking up and taking the pictures. I’ve put together this guide to explain why wedding photography can seem expensive but it’s really not.
I’ve also put together this wedding photography FAQ list and my responses – Questions you should ask a wedding photographer!
