Saturday, 5th August 2017 was the date of Charlotte & Stuart’s gorgeous Skylark Farm wedding, near Daventry, Northants. I was honoured to act as their wedding photographer.

In the week leading up to Charlotte & Stuart’s wedding, the forecast had been pretty dreadful. Even on the morning of the wedding itself, it seemed impossible that there would be any decent conditions at all. And then, miraculously, all of a sudden there was a glimmer of hope. The forecast storms were now due to arrive significantly earlier.

Bridal Preparations – De Vere Staverton Estate Hotel

Charlotte and her bridal party got ready at the nearby De Vere Staverton Estate Hotel. As I made my way there, the heavens absolutely opened and thunder and lightning was all around me. The temperature dropped right down to 11C according to the car!

Preparations were already under way with Tanya ( http://www.desiredlengths.co.uk ) and Liz (https://www.facebook.com/Elizabethjaneweddinghair/ ) hard at work when I arrived.

Charlotte was an incredibly chilled out bride, and we headed outside for some piccies just prior to her departure to the venue. The worst of the weather had thankfully passed.

Skylark Farm Wedding Ceremony, Staverton, Northants

Skylark Farm at Staverton is one of Northamptonshire’s newer wedding venues. As the name suggests, the place started out as a farm and indeed still fulfils that role, at least in part, today. As you drive in there are fields of Christmas trees on your right. A chicken farm (enclosed) sits at the bottom of the hill, along with a restaurant (ordinarily open to the public but closed when a wedding is on) and the barns within which wedding receptions (and other events) are hosted. Charlotte & Stuart’s wonderful Skylark Farm wedding ceremony was held in the restaurant itself.

https://vimeo.com/236203579

By the time the ceremony had concluded, the clouds had parted and the sun was beating down. The area outside the restaurant overlooks the stunning, rolling countryside. There was still a threat of further showers, so we decided to crack on with the group shots while the weather was on our side.

Skylark Farm also has a few unique items of interest for kids of all ages! There’s a zip-wire, a play area and even a pair of reindeer! (though the latter were not especially keen on having their pictures taken) Charlotte was up for all of it and wasn’t at all precious about her dress.

We did a confetti shot, Charlotte threw her bouquet, and I then took the happy couple away for a little wander.

Skylark Farm – Wedding Breakfast & Evening Reception

Guests enjoyed a gorgeous dinner prepared on-site. Speeches from the Groom, Brother-of-the-Bride, and a joint effort from Stuart’s two best men followed.

Charlotte & Stuart cut their cake and enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife.

Evening entertainment was provided by The Jerseys, an excellent Frankie Valli tribute band. Outside, a football pool table had been set up, and we even had a second set of LOVE letters to play around with.

All told, it was an amazing day and a perfect example of why you should never waste too much time worrying about a weather forecast!

Wishing the new Mr & Mrs McClarty every happiness for long, happy and healthy lives together.

Further Information

Looking for your own wedding photographer? You will find further information about my wedding photography services on the following pages:

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How I Work – Wedding Photography by Karl Drage

A Typical Wedding Day – Documentary Wedding Photography by Karl Drage

Portfolio – Wedding Photography by Karl Drage

Why Can Wedding Photography seem so Expensive?

Questions you should ask a wedding photographer

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To enquire about my availability, to discuss other options or if you have any queries, please use one of the methods on the Contact Us page to get in touch. I am based in Northamptonshire, but am willing to travel out of area. If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my Wedding Portfolio.

Karl Drage is a professional Northamptonshire-based wedding photographer who also covers surrounding counties such as Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Rutland, Oxfordshire & Warwickshire. If you are looking for a wedding photographer in the towns of Northampton, Kettering, Wellingborough, Oundle, Corby, Peterborough, Leicester, Huntingdon, Towcester, Rugby, Daventry, Oakham or nearby, please use one of the methods on the Contact Us page to get in touch. He will be only too happy to go through your needs with you and will endeavour to put together a competitive solution that meets them.