A beautiful ceremony at the iconic Hertford registry office followed by the most rocking reception in a tipi at Woodville Weddings. This wedding was an absolute blast and one to remember! Here is the story of Natalie and Matty’s day.
Woodville Weddings Photographer
I arrived early at the couple’s house where the girls were getting ready. There was music playing right off the bat which was something that was to be an important part of this wedding from start to finish. Music is at the heart of this couple’s relationship and it was woven into so much of their wedding. Oh yeah, and it was punk rock music so I wholeheartedly approved!
The girls enjoyed some fizz whilst having their hair and makeup done. I quietly snapped candid moments and picked up detail shots too. Not least bride Natalie’s amazing custom white leather jacket and Converse High Top trainers! Matty had arranged for a gift hamper to be delivered that was filled with personalised and thoughtful gifts for Natalie (future groom’s take note!)
Emily of Blank Space Events soon arrived with the wedding flowers. Beautiful brightly colourful and summery blooms including chrysanthemums, oxeye daisies and eucalyptus foliage. More of her fabulous work will feature later as she styled the tipi for the reception at Woodville Weddings.
Storytelling wedding photography in Hertfordshire
Natalie looked stunning in a white A-line wedding gown with spaghetti straps, lace appliques, floor length tulle skirt and long train. She made it her own with those super cool Converse High Tops and her custom leather jacket!
With Natalie, her mum, and her bridesmaid’s ready to go we arranged a sweet first look moment for her dad. Then, I quickly packed up and made my way over to the registry office.
Hertford Registry Office Wedding Photographer
Groomsmen greeted me at the door of Hertford registry office. They were busy undertaking their duties directing guests to the ceremony room and cracking jokes along the way! The venue was quickly filling up as groom Matty coolly waited for the arrival of his bride. He and the rest of the guys looked super smart in a tweed brown three piece suit.
Natalie arrived with her dad and her bridesmaids aboard a retro 1970’s VW camper van. Having snapped a few pictures of their arrival I returned to the ceremony room in readiness for the start of the wedding. Following her bridesmaids, Natalie entered on her father’s arm, smiles beaming between her and Matty waiting at the top of the aisle. The ceremony was heartfelt, funny, moving and a treat to photograph!
Experienced Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer
Outside we took some quick couples photos under the lovely arches for which the Hertford registry office is so famous. Then we had some fun making some group shots of the wedding party before we made our way over to Woodville Weddings for the reception.
Hertford Registry Office Wedding Photography
Woodville Weddings is a beautiful setting. Surrounded with tall corn crop (we’d make use of this later for some couples photos) a large paddock is set aside amidst rolling Hertfordshire countryside. The focal point is of course the huge tipi. There is also a rustic outdoor bar, hay bales and fire pits, and guest accommodation perfectly befitting the setting – rows of yurt glamping tents!
When Natalie and Matty drew up in the VW camper we quickly grabbed some fun shots with the car before they were welcomed into their venue with whoops, cheers, applause and handfuls of windswept confetti!
Hertfordshire Tipi Wedding Photographs
The tipi was filled with more bright and beautiful flowers by Blank Space Events. Candles and rustic features including milk urns and apple boxes completed the look. The couple’s striking wedding cake was three-tiered with a bright watercolour design adorned with fresh yellow roses and berries.
Speeches were undertaken inside the tipi early in the afternoon. Next there was a fun and informal food service including a delicious afternoon tea service by Alternative Catering and a variety of street food including yummy hotdogs and paella from food trucks that pulled onto the site.
Creative Wedding Photography at a Hertfordshire Tipi Wedding Venue
Woodville Weddings is a stunning outdoor venue for couples portraits. We used the long corn crops, a woodland glade and of course the backdrop of that rolling Hertfordshire countryside. To end the night I would take a night shot using studio flash to light the couple in front of the tipi.
As is my usual approach I took the couple out for a couple of quick 5 minute mini-session rather than one long photo-shoot that would have eaten away time on their wedding day. This is great as it gives them a little break together and means that we get a far more varied set of photos with the changing light throughout the day.
During our conversations ahead of the wedding, Natalie and Matty had asked if we could create photos of the bridal party in the style of the famous Sum 41 ‘All Killer No Filler’ album cover. This was hilarious. We were all in stiches taking these shots as each person took their turn to shake their head and pull these beautiful faces for the camera!!
Later, the newlyweds kicked off the party by cutting their cake and then taking to the dance floor together. Their crowd whooped and cheered the couple’s first dance and then flooded the floor as the next song kicked in. The couple hired live band Honey I Punked The Kids who absolutely belted out classic 00’s punk rock tunes that had the crowd bouncing, head banging and slamming air guitars! It was epic fun!
Golden hour wedding photography
Thank you so much Natalie and Matty for choosing me to photograph your epic punk rock wedding day at the Hertford registry office and Woodville weddings, it really was a blast!
If you are planning a wedding at the Hertford registry office, Woodville Weddings 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 awesome photos of it!
