With much of my work taking me into the centre of London, it’s not often I get to explore the beautiful Essex countryside so I jumped at the chance to provide Michaela and James’ Gaynes Park wedding photography. I had visited Gaynes Park previously for another wedding, and knew what to expect, so I was excited to return to this stunning venue once more to work my magic.
As a London wedding photographer, working in one of the busiest and most lively cities in the world, heading out to the countryside is a welcome change of pace. Gaynes Park is a wonderful wedding venue, especially for couples who enjoy the great outdoors, and are looking for a natural, airy, and spacious celebration, incorporating the well-kept gardens into their nuptials.
Michaela and James opted to hold their ceremony in the Orangery, a large, pretty, yet simple venue located at the end of the lush green Victorian garden. There are two amazing aspects to the Orangery. Firstly, it’s ideal for brides and grooms who want their ceremony to be a bit more low key – there’s no fuss here, it’s just a fresh, clean, and contemporary environment. Secondly, for a London wedding photographer like me, the amount of natural light that shines in through the windows is just what I need to capture some breathtaking shots during the vows.
Following the ceremony, I took the bride and groom outside to make good use of the scenic nature of the Victorian garden. Colourful flowers, looming trees, and green grasses contrasted greatly against Michaela’s white gown. The garden also included benches, for relaxed-looking pictures, and a fairylight-covered pagoda, adding a twinkle to the couple’s outdoor shots.
The reception was held in the Mill Barn, which looks exactly as it sounds. With exposed brick walls, dark wooden panels, and low hanging ceiling beams, this venue was perfect for the couple who wanted to get back to nature. Despite the traditional style of the barn, Michaela and James added a modern feel to their day with mood lighting and their own decorations, so it really is a venue that couples can customise to suit their personalities.
Flowers by the very talented Poppies Designer Flowers, based in Chelmsford Essex.
