East Afton Farmhouse Wedding - Isle of Wight
I can’t begin to tell you how excited I was to travel to the Isle of Wight to photograph Sarah & Jon’s wedding day last year. The couple and I have a mutual friend (Cornwall based) who recommended me to them but it just so happens that I also have family friends who live in the Isle of Wight too. As a child, I had many holidays to the Isle of Wight, visiting the family friends - so it was so wonderful to be able to return to the island many years later. I actually travelled there a day early, just so I had some time to catch up with the people I know there and revisit some places from my childhood.
It’s also always exciting when I get to work at a new venue. East Afton Farmhouse looked amazing from what I’d seen online and it was definitely worth the travel!
Getting Ready…
As East Afton Farmhouse was a new venue for me, and with my hotel just 15 minutes away, I made sure to arrive early and take it all in. Keen to explore, I began in the Events Barn - the main space for the celebrations, which was looking stunning and perfectly prepared for the wedding breakfast.
I spent the rest of the morning moving between the rooms of the Farmhouse, quietly capturing everyone settling into the day. With accommodation for their nearest and dearest, it felt relaxed and wonderfully homely. Guests flicked through photo albums in the kitchen over strawberries and coffee, while Sarah had her hair and makeup done.
Outside, Jon and his groomsmen were adding the classic ribbon to their wedding car, ready for Sunday’s send-off. Leo, their dog, was fully involved - investigating carrier bags, accepting treats, playing with toys, and later peering out of the window at me while I was busy outside.
There was no strict avoiding each other that morning - Sarah and Jon met before getting dressed for some photos with Leo, before taking turns in the same room to finish getting ready. The morning ended with Sarah’s first look with Jon, and then with her dad - a lovely, emotional pause before the ceremony.
Hair and make-up by Lynsey-Marie Isle of Wight Beauty
Dress from Catherine’s Bridal
The Ceremony
I was able to catch a bit of time with the guests whilst they were enjoying drinks in The Coach House (another indoor space licenced for ceremonies) and garden games in the Courtyard; before they all made their way to the Stone Barn for the ceremony.
Confetti
&
Canapés
There were approximately 80 guests at this wedding, which made for quite a long confetti aisle. Sarah and Jon really wanted their confetti aisle to start by the doorway to the Farmhouse, so this meant the aisle snaked up the path and under the blossom trees.
It was a bit of a challenge for me, going around corners backwards - and the light changed dramatically when we were under the shade of the trees. But I did like being able to capture the different backdrops as we moved up the garden.
Instead of going straight into group photos, we all moved into the Courtyard for Canapés and drinks. People are always going to want to say hello - hug and congratulate the happy couple. So I think it’s really important to factor in some time with your guests before heading straight into formalities like group photos.
Group Photos
We moved back to the garden (outside the Farmhouse) to have group photos underneath a big, beautiful blossom tree.
As a predominately documentary wedding photographer, I don’t tend to share many group photos on these blogs. But that doesn’t mean they’re not important - I actually have a separate blog all about group photos and how best to plan them into your day, which you can find HERE.
Now for just some photos of the happy couple, with Leo the dog and their baby bump.
More time with guests in the Courtyard
These in-between moments can be perfect for documentary, story telling photography.
I know it’s not an eye catching photo but I do really love the photo of the coats hanging on the tree. I find these mundane things just as interesting as the beautifully shot portraits.
It’s a photo that tells a story: A tree being used to hold handbags, jackets and coats on a beautiful spring day. The shadows of wedding guests cast across the green grass. And then, you notice a little girl sat sulking on a step in the background. She really didn't look impressed. Don't worry though, all the kids made up and danced together on the dance floor later that day.
Let’s just take a moment to appreciate the genius in this:
Re-using the plant pots that decorated the ceremony aisle, as centre pieces for the wedding breakfast.
The Wedding Breakfast
It’s normally a bit of a rule of mine to not take photos whilst guests are busy eating their food. It can make people feel uncomfortable if there’s a camera pointing their way when they’re mid-chew.
Plus, this is the time of the day where I get to have a proper break - so the camera is not usually out.
But as you can see, I did take some photos during the meal on this occasion.
In the Events Barn at East Afton Farmhouse, there are steps, leading to a cosy seating area that looks down over the tables.
So, I was sat up there eating my meal and every now and then I got up and took some photos from the balcony.
The light was really great meaning I didn’t need to use an intrusive flash - alerting people to what I was doing. And I wasn’t in people’s faces at all - I don’t think people really noticed what I was doing.
I also absolutely loved being able to get some photos of food from above - I made a little game out of it, trying to perfectly time my photo with the waitresses serving the food.
Food by Seasoned Kitchen
I want to shine the spotlight on this brilliant idea!
On every table, there was an anniversary card. Table 1 had a one year anniversary card, table 2 had a two year anniversary card, and so on.
Guests were left a pen and told to all write a message in the card on their table - which will be opened by the couple on that corresponding anniversary.
Speeches!
Again, the balcony gave me a really great vantage point!
A trip to a local beach
The beach we used is called Compton Beach, and it was less than a 10 minute drive from the venue.
When we got back to the venue, the sun was starting to set and The Events Barn was getting set up for the evening reception.
The PARTY
DJ: OfficalDJOMAR
Saxaphonist: Debbie Toots
Here’s what Sarah & Jon had to say about me…
“We are so grateful to both Leah and the friend who recommended her as photographer for our wedding in April last year. ❤️ Right from the first introductory meeting, Leah was the perfect balance of fun, friendly and professional. You could tell that she was really passionate about capturing beautiful moments and photographing weddings! This showed in her detailed planning, and how smoothly things went on the day. Our friends and family also thought she was fab.
Leah provided a truly excellent service and we would absolutely recommend her.”