As I’ve mentioned before, being a Bedfordshire wedding photographer means that I get to shoot at a lot of stunning local venues that I love. However, every now and again I get the opportunity to venture into other counties and explore a host of truly special wedding locations that I can’t stop thinking about for days afterwards. After Sheena and Dan’s magical June wedding, I can confirm that Buckinghamshire’s Notley Tythe Barn has secured its place on that list!

A Little Bit of History

The unique barn itself dates back to the 12th century. Lovingly restored in the 1990’s by the owners, they ensured that the barn retained its charm and sense of history. Beam-lined and hung with greenery and fairy lights, the barn leads directly to the gardens, re-designed by Steven Hendry (a Chelsea Gold Medal winning landscape architect). The barn also looks out over the Chiltern Hills. The rolling lawns are a great place for your cocktail and canapé reception. They provide a scenic backdrop for excellent portrait shots. Likewise, the extended garden area is great for kids to run around and let off some steam.

The Venue

A permanent marquee is home to a spacious dancefloor, while the whitewashed hall transforms into a cosy fairy lit grotto. This is where your wedding breakfast takes place. It offers an intimate and elegant ambiance for your first meal as a married couple. However, as if all of that wasn’t enough, Notley Tythe Barn offers a full hosting service! This means that everything, from music to drinks is taken care of! Definitely a must for couples that want to be fully immersed in their day and not distracted by the little details!

My First Impressions

When I first arrived at Buckinghamshire’s Notley Tythe Barn, on the morning of Sheena and Dan’s wedding, I was stunned by the amount of care that had gone into the restoration of this gorgeous venue. The original features truly shine through. As I captured Sheena’s bridal prep, I couldn’t help but be impressed by her impeccable venue taste. This taste clearly extended into her bridal look too. Sheena donned a beautiful lace-sleeved ballgown, with a jewelled belt adding just a touch of sparkle. The addition of a simple veil and up-do combo completed the look to perfection. 

The Ceremony

Sheena and Dan said their “I Do’s” in the main barn. The oversized windows flooded the space with natural light, a wedding photographer’s dream! Dan selected a classic blue suit, coordinating beautifully with the bridesmaids and groomsmen. He looked every bit the handsome groom. Indeed, as he looked very dapper as he watched Sheena make her grand entrance to many smiles and happy tears from guests. As well as capturing the emotions of the couple during the ceremony, I like to capture a few candid shots of special guests. It’s so important to document just how totally enthralled they are by the ceremony. These shots can be really powerful and convey wonderfully deep emotions in just a single photograph. After exchanging vows and rings, Sheena and Dan were pronounced husband and wife to thunderous applause. 

Reception Drinks with a Bounce!

As I mentioned earlier, Notley Tythe Barn boasts a wealth of outdoor space. In fact the expansive gardens make the perfect spot for a drink and a giggle with friends and family after your ceremony. Sheena and Dan made the most of this space. They hired a bouncy castle, enjoyed by kids, adults and giddy wedding photographers alike! Only a quick bounce for me though. Why? Because drinks receptions are a prime time as a documentary wedding photographer to blend into the background. I love to capture sneaky shots of the bride and groom sharing a laugh, a hug and a smile with their loved ones. 

Blessed by Mother Nature

Following epic speeches and top-notch catering by the venue team, we were lucky that nature gifted Sheen and Dan the most gorgeous golden hour and sunset. The Buckinghamshire landscape, surrounding the venue, shone in all it’s beautiful glory. As a result, I captured some truly gorgeous images of Sheena & Dan enjoying their first walk as Mr and Mrs. It was humbling to see their joy at finally being husband and wife. It’s hugely important to me that my couples are as relaxed and comfortable as possible in front of the camera. So, of course I threw in a few rubbish jokes to create lots of laughter (maybe the jokes weren’t so rubbish after all?). With some light direction to help Sheena and Dan, we achieved the absolute best shots for their gallery.

Time to Party

After the portrait session, with only some dancefloor shots left to capture, I released Sheena and Dan to party into the night. It is so important to make precious memories, surrounded by all your favourite people. This is the point where I get the most joy as a wedding photographer. Everyone is over egging their poses for the camera and all everyone wants to do is have the best time with the happy couple. As you can imagine, this makes for some quirky and hilarious shots of people living their best lives. It’s a real privilege to capture so much happiness and love from so many people at once. 

Sheena and Dan: a huge congratulations on your gorgeous wedding! You both looked absolutely amazing and I couldn’t be happier with your gallery which tells the story of a magical day filled with love and laughter. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your special day as your Notley Tythe Barn wedding photographer, and best wishes for everything that the future has in store for you as Mr and Mrs Flaherty.

If you are getting married at Buckinghamshire’s Notley Tythe Barn and would like me to capture the story of your magical day, click here to have a look at my wedding photography packages. Likewise, don’t forget although I am a wedding photographer in Bedford, I enjoy travelling to different venues, like this one. Therefore, if you like my style, please get in touch for a chat!