Relaxed Festival Wedding at Eakley Manor Farm
On a soggy Saturday in April I had the joy of photographing Kirsty & Phil’s big day. But despite the weather, there was nothing that was going to dampen this couple’s mood! The celebration started at St Andrews Church in Great Linford which was decorated by the sweetest array of jars filled with colourful bunches! I loved watching the guests arrive and be greeted by Phil and his groomsmen- the mood was high, there was lots of smiles and big hugs, and you could tell everyone was all really happy to be there to celebrate with the couple.
It may sound surprising but one of my favourite parts of the wedding day is the service itself! This part of the day is told through the little moments. Nervous looks before the music starts, when eyes meet down the aisle, hand holding throughout the readings, shared jokes and knowing glances and Kirsty and Phil’s service didn’t disappoint either! The service was lovely.
After the service guests wandered through down the road to Kirsty and Phil’s local pub whilst we went off and took some portraits in the Manor grounds in Great Linford. This couple were so fun! they didn’t take themselves too seriously and it was really lovely to watch them share those first moments as a married couple.
After a swift half at the local pub, the celebrations moved over to a venue just outside Newport Pagnell. Eakley Manor Farm is a wonderful venue nestled just outside of Milton Keynes. Their Willow Meadow holds 100 guests under their modern marquee which is decorated with festoon lights, with loads of space to spill out onto picnic benches and host lawn games. Its an ideal venue for a festival wedding or rustic styled wedding.
This was such a relaxed wedding, everyone got tucked into the lawn games, booze from the big cooler and it created this festival wedding vibe where everyone mingled together and the party got into full swing. Kirsty and Phil being the fun loving couple they are had lots of adorable references to themselves; like their green cake wedding cake made of cupcakes, mushrooms details next to their guest book and card box, plectrums wedding favours with their initials on and even personalised hot sauce!
Speaking of hot sauce- Kirsty and Phil are big BBQ fans so this wedding had an alternative wedding breakfast, using the venue’s on site caterers and sister business- The Shack MK, who provided an incredible feast. I think this is one of my favourite supplier meals so far! So if your looking to serve your guests something different, I would seriously consider a BBQ Wedding Breakfast.
As the evening went on fire pits and marshmallows were brought out, giving the festivities this cosy feeling as kids and adults alike got their faces mucky, only enhancing this feeling of a festival wedding.
