An Outdoor Wedding at the Family Home in Hampshire

Today we venture deep into the Hampshire countryside for a beautiful, summery wedding in the garden of the bride’s family home…
Bride and groom share a moment at their wedding reception

It’s such a lovely thing when a couple are able to hold their wedding at the family home. Having the freedom to shape the day exactly as they wish, and to bring friends and family together at such a special place which holds so many memories – and continues to create new ones – is a real treat. Amy & Mike tied the knot in the back garden of her parents’ house, and then brought the party to Hampshire with an awesome tipi reception setup in the fields beyond. First things first: any outdoor wedding in the UK brings with it a certain element of risk whatever time of year. Fortunately for us all it was an absolutely gorgeous day. Phew.

A home wedding also means you’ve got the run of the house for all your pre-ceremony prep needs: bride and bridesmaids on one side, groom and groomsmen on the other and all doing their best not to cross paths too much in amongst the chaos of family and friends arriving and helping to set up through the morning. Great for me too as it meant everything was happening in the one place and I could flit around, catching up with all the action as it happened and also ensuring that everyone was still able to have some valuable time away from the cameras as they did their thing.

Natural light bridal make-up in front of dressing room window Dress and shoe details during bridal prep Bridesmaids getting ready before the wedding Bride sat with bridesmaids on bed in dressing room Groom prep details - cuff links and hip flask The groom reaches for his waistcoat Groom getting dressed Groomsmen walk down the drive towards the wedding ceremony Groom with groomsmen in front of house Exterior details of garden seating for ceremony and flowers on chairs The garden of the family home set up for the marriage ceremony A young guest arrives at the wedding Wedding guests gather in the garden before the ceremony Exterior view of garden ceremony venue

The room for the bridal prep looked straight out over the garden where the ceremony was to take place so there was a real sense of the buzz building as the moment drew near. (It also required a bit of ducking and keeping out of view of the guests below at key moments to avid any last minute spoilers). Finally, with first looks taken care of, groom in position and guests seated, it was time for the reveal…

The bride's mother helps the bride into her wedding dress Portrait of bride in her wedding dress A first look for the groomsmen before the ceremony Bride with page boy The father of the bride sees his daughter in her wedding dress Grandfather with his grandson before the ceremony Page boy keeping busy before the wedding Home wedding ceremony location in back garden of family house Family members take their seats for the marriage ceremony The celebrant welcomes guests to the wedding as the page boy walks down the aisle The groom watches as the bridal party walk down the aisle The bride walks down the aisle on her father's arm Bride and groom from different angles during the marriage service Wedding party watches as the couple make their vows A friend of the couple gives a reading as part of the ceremony The bride and groom exchange rings The couple exchange rings and make their wedding vows Bride laughing happily during the ceremony Guests watching the wedding ceremony Bride and groom walk back down the aisle as husband and wife The couple exit the marriage cermeony Successfully married, it was time to celebrate. Let the record show that Amy, Mike and families know how to put on one excellent party. The setup with the tipi and bell tents had late night revelry written all over it. Food and drink were excellent, the band were on fire (love a live band at a wedding if you want your dancefloor packed) and the free bar probably helped things along as well. At opportune moments we were able to slip away for some couple photos, or bring friends and family together for some of the more traditional groups, but for the majority of the day candid, documentary photography was the order of the day – capturing all those little moments as they happened and just watching the story unfold…

Hugs for the newly married husband and wife The start if the drinks reception The bride and groom walk towards their wedding reception The bride and groom are greeted with confetti Tipi marquee wedding reception Drinks and canapes for the wedding guests Garden games and a hammock for the wedding guests A girl plays table tennis at the wedding reception Black and white candid photos of bride and wedding guests Wedding reception teepee interior details Table set-up inside the wedding reception tipi marquee Drone image of the wedding reception with tipi marquee and lamping pod bell tents Wedding reception candid images Group photos - bride and groom with wedding party Couple portraits - bride and groom with dress and ring detail Portrait of the couple in the garden at their wedding reception An intimate moment with the bride and groom during their portrait session The couple head towards the tipi for the wedding breakfast Guests welcome the bride and groom into the tipi for the start of the wedding breakfast Candid guest photos during the meal and speeches Black and white documentary image of groom with groomsmen Black and white images of guests chatting during the meal Guests talking and laughing during the wedding reception Wedding reception tipi marquee The bride's bouquet A young wedding guest sits in a hammock Wedding guests enjoy the evening outdoors Drone image of wedding reception in the Hampshrie countryside

As the speeches were wrapped up we were able to nip out for a few final couple photos, capturing the very last of the evening light before dusk drew in and the tipi lit up and switched into full-on party mode. And from everything I’d seen up to that point the rest of the night was going to be, without question, an epic one.

The father of the bride starts the wedding speeches Guests listening to the speeches Father of the bride speech The groom makes his wedding speech The best man stands in front of the guests to make his speech Laughter during the best man's speech The page boy takes control of the mic during the speeches Bride and groom during the speeches Black and white couple portraits in the evening light Bride and groom in the gardens of the family home for their couple portrait The wedding couple share a moment on a quiet country lane Bride portraits in the evening light in the countryside of rural Hampshire The tipi lit up and night for the evening party Bride and groom cut the wedding cake Black and white first dance image Groomsmen hit the dancefloor after the first dance Wedding guests kick off the evening party Dancing during the evening wedding reception Wedding guests hit the dancefloor Live music at the tipi wedding reception Guests dancing during the wedding party Tipi marquee lit up at night for the evening party

An absolutely cracking wedding and an awesome couple – I really loved photographing this amazing day. The photos above are just a small selection – friends and family can view the full set and relive (or try and remember) the moments in the bride and groom’s private gallery, but you’ll need to have the password with you to access them.

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Making it happen…

Venue: Family home, Hampshire

Planning & Coordination: Wild Wedding Company

Hair: Gaudions

Dress: Anya Bridal Couture

Catering: The Little Kitchen Company

Cake: Bonita Bakes

Flowers: Petal & Posies

Band: Entertainment Nation

If you are currently planning your Hampshire wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do get in touch to check availability and ask me any questions you might have. I’m only too happy to help however I can.

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Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again soon for many more photos from many more beautiful weddings!