Launcells Barton wedding photography – a wonderful exclusive use wedding venue close to Bude in Cornwall. Sarah & Ben’s wedding was quite simply off-the-charts amazing! What a day, what a place, what a couple. We had sunshine, we had heavenly countryside, an outdoor ceremony, Cornish pastie canapes, a ceilidh… We even had a swarm of bees photobombing the son-of-a-beekeeper groom during the couple portraits. You know those days where everything is just right? Yep, like that.
It’s always exciting to come across a new venue, and Launcells Barton is an absolute peach. It really has got the lot: an absolutely beautiful old house sat in the heavenly rolling hills of north Cornwall – just a couple of miles outside the lovely coastal town of Bude; acres of gorgeous grounds; wonderful barns and outbuildings… and all licensed for outdoor ceremonies under that golden Cornish sunshine. (Don’t fret if the weather decides to go off message – the barn used there for indoor ceremonies is so lovely I was almost sad that we didn’t get to use it. Maybe next time…)
And then throw a couple like Sarah & Ben into the mix – two of the sweetest people you could hope to meet and so clearly meant to be husband and wife. By early afternoon one Saturday in May, they were.
Sarah and the bridal party were set up in the stunning old house getting ready – you can have the accommodation as part of the package – while Ben had the run of the rest of the place. His first task was to actually get there, having chosen to walk out to the venue from his Bude hotel that morning. Rocking up in his hiking gear he was presented with his suit up on the top of a hill. I’m guessing that’s where he changed (I didn’t hang around to photograph that bit – some things are best left undocumented) as the next time I saw him he was striding down the hill all suited and booted with his groomsmen.
One of the great attractions of this wonderful venue is the outdoor ceremony space, set up in the walled rear gardens of the house. I’m not normally one to get too fussed about the weather on a wedding day – whatever it decides to throw at you can always make for beautiful photos (and I do like a bit of drama in the skies) but if you’re seating your guests outdoors you want the weather gods to smile on you at least a little. And oh boy, did they ever for this one. Blazing sunshine was the order of the day, but with just enough fluffy little clouds providing a bit of shade and more even lighting just when I needed them.
Register signed and confetti thrown, it was on with the celebrations. I can say with some confidence that Pimms and pasties is an awesome combination for a drinks reception. Lots of hugs and kisses, garden games (coconut shy anyone?) and general lounging around in the sun – just the way it should be.
That photo two down from here? That’s the basketball-sized bunch of bees I mentioned in the background, and I most definitely didn’t want that lot falling on anyone’s head – yowsers. We made use of the front of the house for the group photos (thank you once again weather gods for providing some cloud cover just when it was required) and gathered everyone on the grass terrace beyond the walled garden for the good old big group photo of everyone, before heading to the new bard for the wedding breakfast. This fab construction is apparently a new addition to the Launcells Barton wedding offering – I think they said it was only completed last year. It’s an excellent space and really beautifully done (there’s also the old barn, one of the traditional outbuildings, which is your indoor ceremony option). Totally self contained with its own bar area, it’s also a fab spot for a party in the evening too, especially if you’re going to be throwing the chaos of a ceilidh into the mix.
Pizza demolished (I’m seeing some excellent wedding breakfasts this season by the way; if it’s not pizzas it’s pies or massive BBQ platters – good work, couples!), speeches made and cake cut, I whisked our bride and groom out and around the gardens for some couple portraits while everyone else geared up ready for the dancing. This isn’t the first time I’ve gone on the record saying how much I enjoy seeing a Ceilidh at the wedding; with the right band you’re guaranteed to get the party properly swinging, and these guys were awesome.
So all in all, an absolutely tip top wedding. Pretty much my perfect day, and I wasn’t even the one getting married! Massive congratulations Sarah and Ben – what a treat to be there to capture it all for you, and I hope looking back through this little selection brings back so many happy memories from your day. Launcells Barton, I very much hope I’ll be back.
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Making it possible…
Venue: Launcells Barton
Dress: Katya Katya
Catering: Wood-fired Kitchen
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little taster of Sarah & Ben’s magical Launcells Barton wedding. Friends and family can view the rest of the photos and an extended slideshow in their private viewing gallery, but you’ll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are currently planning your Cornwall 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.
Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again soon for many more photos from many more beautiful weddings!
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