In a country where it unapologetically rains for at least 156 days of the year (thanks, Great Britain), a garden marquee wedding is more than a genius solution for combining your gorgeous wedding with the great outdoors - it’s also the most unique and personal venue there is.
We might bemoan our often moody British weather, but you can’t deny pitching your (admittedly rather large) tent in your own back garden offers an opportunity to create a unique space that's just yours.
Your options are endless. You can go classic with a sailcloth marquee and décor designed to look like an orangery, or create a flower-filled oasis that’d be equally at home at the Chelsea Flower Show. You could channel a boho festival vibe, or let your imagination run wild and transport your guests into another country entirely.
But it’s not all about the style.
With all that personal input, marquee weddings have substance too. There’s nowhere more meaningful or relaxed than the place you call home.
So it’s no surprise that some of the marquee weddings I’ve shot have been some of the most intimate, personal and meaningful weddings I’ve captured.
You get to celebrate your love in a meaningful location. And with no venue rules or regulations, you can design your own wedding and make it a real reflection of you, which means images that capture your unique style. Speaking of which …
The purest of natural photos. The natural backgrounds of a beautiful garden paired with natural moments? It’s like tasting raw, organic honey as opposed to the processed supermarket stuff. There’s just no comparing it.
The relaxation is real. Retreating to the countryside means infusing your day with a sense of peaceful serenity that puts everyone at ease. Surrounded by greenery and great views, you and your guests can’t help but be relaxed. Which means I get to capture photos of everyone looking chilled out and gorgeous!
You set the pace. With no venue-enforced timings, you can create your own schedule for the day, allowing all the time you want for fun and cake (and for me to capture every moment of it!) This means your day will be structured just enough to ensure everything runs smoothly, but there’ll be no need to rush about from formality to formality. You can even party until dawn if you want to (just make sure you invite the neighbours!)
You get to savour the season. By bringing the outside in (or is it the inside out? Hmm…), you’ll give your stories more depth and dimension, allowing the season and weather to feature fully in your photos. Think multicoloured leaves cascading down the surrounding trees, kids racing raindrops as they trickle down windows, guests dashing to the bar under big brollies and glorious rainbows hugging the marquee.
All in all, a match made in natural wedding photography heaven!
Oh! In my excitement to chat, I forgot to introduce myself. How silly. Let me put that right.
Hi! I’m Sarah. Wedding photographer, coffee cake connoisseur, and lover of love.
I’m based in Northamptonshire, and most of the weddings I capture are for couples getting married at a private countryside home - with a classic church or outdoor celebrant ceremony and a garden party reception, followed by a marquee or tipi for dinner and dancing.
Which. I. Love.
Partly because I adore spending time in nature, so shooting weddings in countryside villages is a dream.
But mostly because this kind of wedding is so relaxed.
Without the rules and restrictions of a commercial venue, you can make your day what you want rather than fit someone else’s vision. There are traditions and rituals, but largely it’s a day for family and friends to come together and celebrate. Everyone can simply be themselves and make special memories in a really meaningful location. It’s everything I could hope to capture as a wedding photographer that’s about capturing real-life at weddings.
Dominic & Serena
"Sarah was a great choice. She is very friendly and warm, and really puts you at ease. She made us feel special and really focused on what was important to us about the day. She coped very well with our large (pretty stressed) families. She made the formal photos fly by, and she and her team also captured so many pictures of all of our guests, which were great to include in thank you cards."
Just imagine yourselves - and your photos - at home…
Find out what it’d be like to have me as your wedding photographer.
Wahey! *crosses everything I’m free* Tell me about your plans so far and I’ll get back to you with my availability and next steps.
You’ve already got a lot on your wedding planning plate. There’s the power sources, security, parking, water supply, accommodation for overnight guests, access for suppliers, and even the neighbours are testing your A-game planning skills.
… And now, there’s your wedding photography to think about. But you don’t have to navigate this alone. I’m here to help you get that bit right.
In my free guide, you’ll find my pro tips on making your at-home wedding photo-friendly, including how to ensure your lighting actually lights up your gorgeous faces, where to do group photos if it rains, and how to stay calm when Uncle Pete stumbles into your wedding cake. (I lied about one of those.)
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