Daisy and George chose Milling Barn as the venue at which to host their beautiful autumnal wedding. Milling Barn is a gorgeous countryside wedding venue in Hertfordshire close to the town of Buntingford. This was an absolute blast of a wedding day bathed in the most perfect gold autumn sunshine. Here is the story!
Milling Barn is a super popular Hertfordshire wedding venue and it’s easy to see why. The rustic 17th century barns are in an idyllic countryside location on a family run farm. The venue is exclusive use too so it is all yours for your special day. It is always a pleasure to photograph weddings there, and it is certainly a place that all of us Hertfordshire wedding photographers love to shoot!
Milling Barn Wedding Photography
I was recommended to Daisy and George by a close friends of theirs who had seen me work at a previous wedding. A lot of couples find me by referral and it is always really humbling to be recommended in this way. When we met and I heard about their plans for the wedding I knew we were going to have a lot of fun. Daisy was particularly keen to get some golden hour photos (boy did their day deliver for those!) and to do a couple of dramatic night time pictures too, the type that have become a staple within my portfolio.
I arrived at Milling Barn early so that I had time to set my equipment up (and to scoff a bacon sarnie!) before joining the girls in the bridal prep room. It was a lovely autumn morning. Low mist hung over the fields and as the sun rose it streamed through it and through the branches of the trees. This was good indication that the light for this wedding day was going to be something special.
Experienced Hertfordshire wedding photographer
In the Milling Barn I found Beth of Miss Carlyle and Co dressing the tables with her team. Beth and I have worked on several weddings together this year. It is always a treat to photograph venues after she’s worked her magic. She really does make them look amazing.
I also met Helen of Cakes by Helen Louise who was adding the final touches to a fabulous tower of autumnal themed cupcakes, topped with a caramel semi-naked cake. All were adorned with gold flakes, handmade pumpkins, pinecone and leaves.
In the bridal prep room Daisy and was with her mum and her friends who were bridesmaids. I spotted another familiar face straight away. Beth, of B Mills MUA was making sure that the girls all looked their very best and helping their morning to flow just right in her usual calm and kind way.
I started by snapping some photos of Daisy’s beautiful dress. An elegant gown with delicate lace detailing, it had a mermaid silhouette and soft train. Then I photographed her very cool custom Converse high tops, perfume and wedding jewellery. In short order the wedding flowers arrived. Stunning bouquets of autumnal reds, oranges and greens. The flowers by Flowers by Charlotte Davis included dahlias and roses, and autumnal berries and foliage. Further floral arrangements were added to the venue dressing and the wedding cake. Daisy’s reaction to her bouquet says it all!
It was a really lovely and chilled morning as everyone enjoyed getting ready and final preparations were made to the venue. I quietly snapped away between both the girls room and the boys until ultimately it was time for Daisy to put on that dress as the wedding guests gathered outside.
Creative wedding photography at a Hertfordshire countryside wedding venue
The wedding ceremony was held inside the Oak Barn. A romantically rustic space perfectly befitting the occasion. George welcomed friends and family. And, as he anxiously awaited the arrival of his bride I set about capturing candid images of excited guests chatting and taking their seats. Groom George was looking sharp in a deep blue three peace suit, complete with burnt orange tie and matching colour rose cravat. His groomsmen look smart too but none as handsome as the couple’s son in his miniature version and dickie bow!
The flower girl and bridesmaids made their entrance first in elegant dresses or varying styles that all matched the colour scheme. Then Daisy herself arm in arm with her very proud mum. The ceremony, led by registrars from the Hertfordshire Registration Service, was a joy to photograph. Daisy and George beamed at each other throughout and their little boy conducted ring bearer duties in the cutest way possible.
Rustic barn wedding photographs
The bride and groom, now husband and wife, left the barn to applause, cheers and whoops from family and friends. DJ Mike Readings, acting as MC for the wedding day, ushered the guests outside and got everyone ready for the confetti run! Then, as everyone enjoyed drinks and some very yummy canapés, George and Daisy stole away for a peaceful five minutes together on Milling Barn’s famous rope swing. A perfect photo-op moment!
Storytelling wedding photography in Hertfordshire
Before we knew it, it was time for the wedding breakfast. Mike directed guests to the main barn and organised an epic entrance for Daisy and George complete with belting music, waving napkins and rapturous applause! The couple had arrange to host the speeches ahead of the food service so they started right away. Speeches are always a really fun part of the day to photograph, not just to capture the speakers themselves but the reactions of the crowd too.
As the food service came to an end and the wedding guests made their way back to the bar in the dairy barn, the couple and me took the opportunity to sneak out for another little photo-session. I had been watching the light carefully throughout the afternoon. Now was the perfect time to make some photographs against the backdrop of a glowing autumn golden hour. September and October really are the best months of the year for this.
Golden hour wedding photography
We had such a fun time making these pictures as George and Daisy reflected together on their day so far and I quietly clicked away.
After some fun cake cutting moments the couple took to the floor for a romantic first dance. Then Mike kicked the party off in style with some banging tunes that kept the floor filled all night. This is a great part of the day for candid photos. I’ll always be in the thick of it on the dance floor, capturing all the moves being busted, the laughter and the love.
It was Daisy who spotted the huge full moon glowing through the clouds above the barn. When she asked if we could use it in a photo I grabbed my studio flash and said let’s give it a go!
It was such a privilege to photograph this epic wedding day with Daisy and George, congratulations and thank you so much for everything.
I will leave the last word to Daisy herself:
“Best photographer. Absolutely adore Stephen, such a genuinely nice person, and made our wedding photos so dreamy and gave us the exact vibe we wanted. Incredible!”
If you are planning a wedding at Milling Barn in Hertfordshire or somewhere further afield, please don’t hesitate to get in touch to chat to me about how we can capture lots and lots of beautiful photos of it!
