Gaynes Park wedding, Rebecca & Mike
Hi Dave - Just wanted to say a massive thank you - we LOVE the photos! We can't wait
to get more printed and hung up around the house
Gaynes Park Barns wedding, Epping, Essex
When I photographed Becky and Mike’s wedding at Gaynes Park in November, it was the first wedding I had ever photographed there, and it instantly became one of my absolute favourite venues - I LOVE it here, like all time top 10. Even though it is so close to London (you can see the city from here on a clear day) it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere. The venue itself is set on an old family estate of over 1000 acres and the scenery as you drive up the long driveway is just stunning.
Bride prep in the Apple Loft Cottage
After spending a little time at Becky and Mikes apartment in London while the girls had their hair and make up done I made the short drive up to Gaynes Park to meet up with Mike and his groomsmen in the luxurious coach house - the rooms there are seriously stylish. My style of photography is very much capturing the real moments and documenting what’s going on so I just left the guys to do there thing. It wasn’t long before they were down at the barn greeting guests, so I went back to the girls who were now in the Apple Loft cottage - which is the coolest little cottage, like something from ‘Hansel and Gretel’ at the top of the driveway and next to the orangery where the ceremony was to take place.
The long walk to the orangery
Becky and Mike had their ceremony in the stunning, light and airy orangery sat at the top of the beautiful walled gardens. To get there Becky and her dad had to walk through a door in the hedge and up a long straight path that goes right up the centre of the walled garden, what a way to make an entrance! The ceremony itself was super chilled and relaxed as their nearest and dearest gave readings that had the orangery in hysterics. After that it was straight outside for winter mulled cider, hugs and high fives, and faces full of confetti!
Speeches & Dancing in the Mill Barn
The Mill barn is stunning! Such a cool place for the wedding breakfast and the perfect place to party. It has old brick walls and festoon lights hanging from the balcony which made for great shots during the speeches and even better for the first dance, and I loved how it has four tree trunks from the floor up to the ceiling - definitely a unique venue.
What I’ll always remember about Becky & Mike’s wedding though was the party…These were such a great, fun group of people - and a wedding is ALL about the people. They were laughing all day, getting into the spirits (literally) and on the dance floor all night. Enough waffle from me, enjoy some of my favourite moments at one of my new favourite wedding venues.
So as I said - I love this place - and I can’t wait to get back there, so if you are getting married here and looking for a Gaynes Park wedding photographer then please get in touch, I’d love to hear from you!
‘This is Reportage’ Masters, and PKIR awards
The first dance shot at the top, which is possibly one of my favourite shots full stop, earned me an award with the extremely prestigious ‘This is reportage’ as well as a ‘Masters of UK wedding photography’ award, a ‘Photographers Keeping it real’ award and an honourable mention from ‘Fearless’
The mirror reflection of Becky and her dad walking to the ceremony also got me a ‘Masters’ award, and I’ve just found out this morning my 6th ‘This is Reportage’ award!