From glorious mansions to the ‘secret garden’ corners of the capital, our nine happy couples photographed for this Absolutely Weddings Country Style wedding album show that rustic celebrations will always be a romantic classic
Absolutely Weddings Country Style never go out of date. We all love to escape the noise and bustle of the city once in a while – and for life’s great celebrations a backdrop of verdant greenery adds magic and romance to the whole proceedings. Then, of course, we are spoiled for choice when it comes to locations, as this album of romantic images from leading photographers shows. With grand and royal mansions, fragrant summer gardens, ancient village churches and glorious rustic corners of London in the mix, here is proof positive that the rustic wedding is a British classic, wherever and however we choose to organise it.
Joanna and Nick
Joanna and Nick chose Gosfield Hall, a picture-perfect Tudor mansion near Braintree that hosted Elizabeth I and was once home to the entire French Royal Court in exile. The misty late October weather proved to be perfect for atmospheric photography next to the grand stone stag standing sentry over the landscaped grounds. plentytodeclare.com
Danielle and Konrad
Danielle and Konrad chose to have a small, intimate wedding at Burgh House in London’s leafy Hampstead, with just their immediate families attending for the ceremony and celebration lunch. Captured here by photographer Laura Babb after the traditional farewell shower of confetti, they headed on to Hampstead Heath for their wedding portraits, before escaping for a mini-moon weekend in the country proper. babbphoto.com
Sally and Chris
Sally and Chris chose a traditional summer country wedding, returning to Sally’s family home in Leicestershire for a village-church service surrounded by friends and family. The after party was held in the grounds of her family’s home, with the glorious gardens providing superb photo opportunities. johnnassari.co.uk
Rachel and Joe
Wimpole Hall offered the perfect backdrop for Rachel and Joe’s wedding. After marrying in a local Cambridgeshire church, they headed on to the Georgian mansion, which has its own model farm in the grounds, stopping to pose with their guests in front of the grand façade. benbull.net
Olivia and Brett
Olivia and Brett were married in St Bride’s Fleet Street, before heading further east in vintage Routemaster buses for a grand celebration dinner and ball at Eltham Palace, former home of the Courtaulds. With its stunning Tudor and Art Deco interiors and beautiful vistas over the City skyline from the grounds, this was a memorable backdrop for romantic album portraits created by photojournalist Nick Ray. nickrayphotography.co.uk
Katie and Andrew
Katie and Andrew hired the elegant Cambridgeshire mansion Barrington Hall – former country seat of the Bendyshe family – for a relaxed summer garden party where guests included many young children. With ample grounds to explore, it was not hard for the couple to sneak away from their guests for a few wedding portraits. Son Tom joined them and agreed to be in some of the shots. benbull.net
Simone and Nick
New Zealanders Simone and Nick had originally planned to marry on home turf, but opted to get the family to fly over instead. They were married at Islington Town Hall and then headed down to Petersham Nurseries in Richmond for a relaxed late lunch. With delicious food and a deliciously rustic setting, it was a perfect slice of country not too far from the city. Simone’s beautiful dress is by Martina Liana. nickrayphotography.co.uk
Isabelle and Stephen
Isabelle and Stephen chose Hampden House in Buckinghamshire’s glorious Chiltern Hills for their high-summer wedding celebration, taking a small detour in their vintage white wedding car to capture an impromptu wedding shot next to St Mary Magdalene, the 13th-century parish church in the estate grounds. plentytodeclare.com
Sarah and Sean
Sarah and Sean were married near Wokingham, Berkshire and, this photo was captured in woodland en route to their reception. Sarah, who has Scottish lineage, couldn’t resist the opportunity to be snapped in the southern heather. Photographer Anne Schwarz says: “Sarah was wearing the most amazing sparkly stilettos but off she went into the field. And it was so worth it for the photos”. anne-schwarz.com
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