Upcote Barn Wedding | Lily and Charlotte
CALPOL & PRISMS
This weekend I headed down to the Cotswolds. A place I used to see in (now) old school photo magazines full of pristine idyllic villages & perfect houses. When Lily & Charlotte got in touch for me to photograph their wedding at the Barn at Upcote in the Cotswolds. I also decided to take the family for a little holiday for a couple of days.
Of course a holiday with two kids now equals mental breakdowns in a nice setting as opposed to at home. Relentless questions from Casey like "who made that house? was it lightning McQueen poo bum?" Sidney doing what I can only describe as the John Cena you can't see me all over his face with every food substance that enters his hands. Casey collapsing in tears at the 2p machines because it is not in fact a shop where I can purchase said prize. It's all part of parenthood ain't it, & as I sit here at my desk like an unwashed vagrant I can't help but smile at the magic moments in between the madness.
One good chunk of that magic came from The Barn at Upcote on Upcote Farm, home to 2000 trees festival but today home to the spectacular love of lily & Charlotte. The wedding began with me driving Paige's drug dealer like Mercedes through some woods to deliver Calpol & prisms to Lily's parents home for all the getting ready greatness. Sharing these moments with these two amidst such a spectacular family home was just proper spesh. But when we headed to Upcote Barn it was time for the wedding magic to truly begin.
Holy yellow hair & black dress Goddesses just frickin check these two out. A magical first look paved the way for such a beautiful ceremony inside the candle lit flower filled Upcote Barn. Firstly just look at their adorable dogs Teddy & Pickle who were the cutest ever ring bearers. SQUEEE! But also hearing Charlotte & Lily's story from the fantastic Pea Mercer didn't leave a dry eye in the place.
In fact all day long hearing how friends & family talked about these two & their love & the road Lily especially had in becoming who she is today was just beautiful to witness. Such an inspiring couple who even make badass beer (which I may have sampled) over at their London Based queer & trans owned brewery Queer Brewing.
After their Upcote Barn wedding ceremony it was epic confetti & beaut portraits amidst the "not so" secret garden before heading into a nearby field to make even more portrait magic. Back inside it was unreal food especially for me who got delivered four yes FOUR main courses for my vendor meal as I was the only one there haha. WIN! (Side note I could only eat two) Tear laden speeches with all the feels ramped up for the party to begin as Lily & Charlotte lifted the roof off Upcote Barn with their epic frickin love.
A huge thank you to Lily, Charlotte & all their beaut friends & family for such a special day. I'm so honoured to have been able to photograph this perfect slice in your love cake of greatness. XOXO
Are you having an Upcote Barn wedding & want some awesome photographs & Super 8 film to go with it? Then Say hello to Shutter Go Click!
SUPER 8 MOVIE
THE REVIEW
“Ryan is the absolute best and you should 100% hire him as your photographer.
We found Ryan on another photographer's recommendation, as we were looking for creative, innovative, and fun wedding photography, and from simply looking through his enormous and varied body of work, we knew he was the right person for us.
As soon as we had our first call with him we knew we'd get along: he and I share the same silly sense of humour, and—I mean this with great love and respect—he's absolutely batshit in the very best way. He quickly understood what we wanted from our wedding photos, and we immediately felt confident he'd deliver.
On our wedding day he showed up nice and early to capture my wife and me, and our bridespeople and families, getting ready. He was immediately a bright and vibrant addition to the morning, making stupid puns and cracking everyone up, but also being an incredibly reassuring and calm presence when we (I!) needed it most.
It was lovely to have someone there with us throughout the day who we felt was just there for us—of course he was taking photos of everyone else, and capturing every moment, but we loved having him by our side throughout to reassure us, help us have moments away from the hustle and bustle, and to just be there for us. It was one of those really lovely instances of feeling like you've become good friends with someone you've known for a few hours, and in the months since this feeling has continued.
Obviously, the images are incredible and are everything we were hoping for. He turned our previews round so quickly, which made us both cry quite a bit, not just because we were reliving the day, but because of how beautiful the images were and how perfectly he'd captured everything and everyone. A week or so ago we received our full gallery and our Super 8 video, which did exactly the same. Ryan is so talented, skilful, and perceptive: he captured so many moments and details that the gallery and video really feel like stepping back in time to the day.
If you're thinking of hiring a photographer for your wedding who creates interesting and different work, hire Ryan. If you're thinking of hiring a videographer as well, also hire Ryan: I was curious to see how he'd have time to photograph everything as well as capturing it all on the Super 8 to have enough footage to not make the video feel like an afterthought, but he did it brilliantly. The video is tender, beautifully framed and shot, and just so wonderful; everything looks like it was filmed with love, rather than just capturing something. I'm so pleased we asked him to do both, as the work is literally perfect—including literally the best photos anyone's ever taken of me or of us as a couple—and he's simply so much bloody fun.
Whenever people whom I haven't seen since before the wedding comment on it, the first thing they say is "Congratulations on your wedding!" followed immediately by "Aren't the photos incredible??" Sure, we both look smoking hot, but most of the comments about the photography are about the creativity, the artistry, the compositions, and the images themselves. I don't want to be overshadowed when it comes to my own wedding, but if we're talking about the photos, then crack on: they are the best wedding photos I've ever seen.
Hire Ryan: he's the best, the kindest, the nicest, the goofiest, and has such an excellent quiff. Corrugated Ryan 4eva ❤️”
SHOUT OUTS
Venue: The Barn at Upcote
Celebrant: Pea Mercer
Magician: Fletcher Magic
Hair: Jade Rayner Hair
Beer: Queer Brewing
Venue styling: Ambience Venue Styling Cheltenham
Catering: Ross and Ross Events
THE PHOTOGRAPHS
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