Superb sandstone church and rustic barn autumn wedding at St.Mary’s Church, Enville and The Bridal Barn, Shropshire

the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-40
Phil and I had really been looking forward to being part of April and Brook’s wedding day, and it certainly didn’t disappoint! We had a great time together at their pre-shoot, and they were also present at April’s sister Steph’s wedding a few weeks ago, as we shot that one as well. It was really great to be amongst such a lovely family all over again.

April got ready at home with family and friends in Stourbridge. Bridal prep was a fun and relaxed affair, with just the minimum of wardrobe dramas! Roles were reversed: recently it was April helping Steph get ready, now it was Steph’s turn to assist her sister, even to the point of removing a tiny little bogey that appeared in the bridal nostril! #sisterlylove 👭

April’s transport to the church was a beautiful and highly polished Rolls Royce. Phil even had a lift in it too! I hope he’s not getting any ideas about what we should get for our next car…

Meanwhile, Brook was at the pub, an activity I can get on board with. He’d arrived in style in a jaw-droopingly gorgeous red Ferrari, and met with family and friends of his own at The Manor House of Withington. It’s a really nice pub, housed in a very old building that I’ve driven past loads of times, but never visited until now. Best man, Brook’s brother Tim, and the rest of the groomsmen were already having a laugh with the groom, and doing their best to put him at his ease.

As is often the case in pubs, which seem to have clocks that run at a different speed to clocks everywhere else, suddenly it was time to get to the church! Brook was buckled into the bucket seat the Ferrari, to be whisked off in the direction of Enville, and I did my best to keep up in my slightly less sporty Smart.

St Mary’s in Enville is a beautiful and ancient red sandstone church that again I had often admired (I’ve got a bit of a thing for church architecture) while driving past, but not visited before April and Brook’s pre-shoot. The awesome Reverend Deb was there to meet us all. I’ll freely admit to over-using the adjective “awesome”, but that’s exactly what Reverend Deb is! She was rocking the traditional cassock and surplice, but also a cool radio mic, and purple Doc Marten boots. Thank you, Deb, for making us so welcome, and for a beautiful and occasionally humorous ceremony.

Reverend Deb had given us the confidence to discreetly be in the right places to get great shots of April and Brook during her wonderful ceremony. April entered the church on her dad’s arm, followed by her bridesmaids. There were great readings from relative Gail, who had travelled all the way from Canada, and Steph, who lives just round the corner, and some wise words of marriage advice from Reverend Deb too. I was in the perfect spot to take shots of rings being exchanged and that iconic first kiss as a married couple. Ink was applied to the register and marriage certificate at the top of the nave.

After just a few group shots outside the beautiful front door of St Mary’s, April and Brook made their way across the churchyard to get to their respective vehicles. Brook must have been a bit distracted, because he dropped his freshly-written marriage certificate on the ground and didn’t even notice! Fortunately April and her mum were on hand to scoop it up! Good save 🙌

Just a short drive away from St Mary’s, in matching red sandstone, is the Bridal Barn, a beautiful and welcoming venue tucked away in acres of Shropshire woodland, stunningly decorated for April and Brook with flowers from Country Wild Weddings. After a fabulous confetti walkthrough, prosecco and canapés were served, and we got the short list of family group shots under our belts. The Wigornia String Quartet provided excellent music, and I reflected, as I often do at weddings, whose job it is to arrange the hits of Coldplay and their colleagues for violins, cello and viola.

The wedding breakfast took the form of a gorgeous afternoon tea prepared by caterers The Vintage Chefs, who were very kind in looking after me and Phil, too. There were cream profiteroles with salted caramel sauce and chocolate toppings that I’m getting emotional about as I recall them. The table favours were something we’ve never seen before, and will likely never see again: little bottle of home-made limoncello, brewed by April herself! I spotted some of the guests adding shots of theirs to their prosecco, which I bet was a gorgeous combination.

It was then time for some truly excellent speeches. April’s dad started off proceedings with really lovely words. Brook followed with some really funny stories about his courtship to April and one truly startling joke that nearly made me drop my camera. If you were there, you’ll know which one I mean! However, if you were there, I’m sure you’ll agree that the speech show was well and truly stolen by the bridesmaids, who took turns with the mic to well and truly roast April and Brook!

As afternoon turned to evening, guests gathered around the outdoor fire pit. I enlisted the unpaid assistance of one of the young guests as a photography assistant! We had a great time changing the colour filters of my off-camera flash stand, and experimenting with moving it to different spots to get some great after-dark shots. Thanks, dude, you were the best!

A great live band provided the music for first dance in the Bridal Barn’s outdoor tipi. April and Brook kept themselves warm outside with matching hand-decorated leather jackets bearing their names! There were marshmallows to roast, and delicious evening treats in the form of fajitas, and best of all: a packed dance floor to take loads of great action shots, and join in with the boogieing! The fabulous and well-stocked Iglu Mobile Bar had kept the party going all day with drinks, the favourite of which seemed to be their espresso martinis - I saw a lot of those being consumed!

Thanks to April and Book for making us Dignums part of their truly great wedding day. Here’s an early look at a small selection of your pictures!

the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-1the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-2the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-3the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-4the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-5the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-6the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-7the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-8the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-9the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-10the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-11the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-12the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-13the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-14the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-15the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-16the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-17the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-18the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-19the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-20the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-21the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-22the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-23the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-24the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-25the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-26the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-27the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-28the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-29the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-30the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-31the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-32the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-33the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-34the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-35the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-36the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-37the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-38the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-39the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-41the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-42the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-43the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-44the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-45the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-46the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-47the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-48the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-49the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-50the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-51the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-52the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-53the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-54the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-55the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-56the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-57the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-58the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-59the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-60the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-61the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-62the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-63the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-64the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-65the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-66the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-67the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-68the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-69the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-70the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-71the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-72the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-73the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-74the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-75the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-76the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-77the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-78the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-79the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-80the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-81the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-82the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-83the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-84the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-85the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-86the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-87the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-88the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-89the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-90the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-91the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-92the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-93the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-94the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-95the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-96the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-97the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-98the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-99the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-100the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-101the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-102the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-103the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-104the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-105the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-106the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-107the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-108the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-109the-dignums-bridal-barn-wedding-photography-april-brook-110
Currently planning your wedding at St. Mary's in Enville with the lovely Deb, The Bridal Barn, Claverley, or anywhere really, and want fun and relaxed wedding photography? Get in touch!

If you'd like to see more of our wedding shoots just click here.

Share this post!




CREDITS
Ceremony: Rev. Deb at St. Mary’s Church Enville - https://stmarysenville.wordpress.com
Reception Venue: The Bridal Barn, Shropshire - https://www.bridalbarn.wedding
Dress: David’s Bridal - https://www.davidsbridal.co.uk
Hair: Bliss & Bliss - https://www.blissandblisshair.co.uk
MUA: Sarah Hunston - https://www.sarahhunston.com
Cake: Maisie Cakes - https://www.mymaisiecakes.co.uk
Florist: Country Wild Weddings - https://www.facebook.com/countrywildweddings
String quartet: Wigornia Strings - http://www.thewigorniastringquartet.com
Catering: The Vintage Chefs - https://www.the-vintage-chefs.com
Bar: Iglu Mobile Bar - http://iglubars.co.uk
Band: iParty - https://www.i-partyband.co.uk

If you were another of the great suppliers that help April and Brook have an amazing day, please get in touch, we'd love to credit you. If you'd like to use photos to promote your business and services, it's super important you get in touch with us before using any photos. Have a read go our wedding supplier page.

If you're secretly with the privacy police you can find the details you're after on our Privacy Policy page. It's got all the juicy privacy and cookie shiz you're looking for.