Editor loves and inspiration

Kat and Ben knew they wanted a barn wedding. Having visited a few venues, the pair clicked most with Nic and Carol at Alpheton Hall Barns. The venue offered a lot of scope for personalisation, and it was clear they thought carefully about small touches and little details that helped bring the day together. This was perfect for Kat and Ben as the date was set for 4th May 2025, also known as Star Wars Day. To honour the date, they hid miniature Star Wars spaceship models around the venue for guests to discover! 

Lauren and Roy Hudson added a touch of noir to their exquisite wedding at Leez Priory. Lauren knew the dress was 'the one' the moment she tried it on. Lauren remembers, “It was important to me to get my grandma's seal of approval, being an alternative gown. I knew it was the one after showing her white gowns first and the moment I popped on the black gown she said, 'oh that's so you – you look beautiful'.”

Eucalyptus, Star Wars, and Stilton the cat: a truly personal celebration for Benjamin and Katharine Ruddy at Alpheton Hall Barns. Kat and Ben knew they wanted a barn wedding. Having visited a few venues, the pair clicked most with Nic and Carol at Alpheton Hall Barns. The venue offered a lot of scope for personalisation, and it was clear they thought carefully about small touches and little details that helped bring the day together. This was perfect for Kat and Ben as the date was set for 4th May 2025, also known as Star Wars Day. To honour the date, they hid miniature Star Wars spaceship models around the venue for guests to discover! 

Roy and Lauren have known each other for as long as they can remember. Over time, they realised that their friendship had potential become something more. They were right, and on 5th August, 2025 the pair joyfully tied the knot at Leez Priory.

Wedding celebrant and shoot coordinator, Gabrielle Jones, wanted to bring a photo shoot together full of queer people and allies of the LGBTQ+ community with vibrancy and fun and boy did she fulfil the brief. Gabrielle says, "I wanted to create a stage to allow everyone to be themselves and to promote love. I met Charlie, from Farlie Photography and we clicked straightaway. Charlie not only understood my vision but skilfully brought it from concept to reality.” The models are a real-life couple who celebrated an intimate wedding the year before, so this colourful shoot was a beautiful chance for them to feel that newlywed love all over again.

Channelling Regency sophistication with a nod to Bridgerton, shoot coordinator Caroline Gould designed a styled shoot that perfectly complements the hotel's historic grandeur. Caroline recalls, “Weddings at Wivenhoe House Hotel often take place in the Garden Suite but we wanted to focus our efforts on showcasing the Drawing Room for ceremonies and Signatures Room for dining. It's such a beautiful space, steeped in history and the perfect location within the Hotel for Weddings of up to 60 guests. Having worked in the wedding industry for over 20 years, mostly as a wedding planner, I've met some fantastic suppliers in the Essex area that really are at the top of their game. So, when it came to selecting collaborators for this shoot, it was super easy and an absolute pleasure to work with them all.”

Wedding celebrant and shoot coordinator, Gabrielle Jones, wanted to bring a photo shoot together full of queer people and allies of the LGBTQ+ community with vibrancy and fun and boy did she fulfil the brief. Gabrielle says, "I wanted to create a stage to allow everyone to be themselves and to promote love. I met Charlie, from Farlie Photography and we clicked straightaway. Charlie not only understood my vision but skilfully brought it from concept to reality.” The models are a real-life couple who celebrated an intimate wedding the year before, so this colourful shoot was a beautiful chance for them to feel that newlywed love all over again.

Channelling Regency sophistication with a nod to Bridgerton, shoot coordinator Caroline Gould designed a styled shoot that perfectly complements the hotel's historic grandeur. Caroline recalls, “Weddings at Wivenhoe House Hotel often take place in the Garden Suite but we wanted to focus our efforts on showcasing the Drawing Room for ceremonies and Signatures Room for dining. It's such a beautiful space, steeped in history and the perfect location within the Hotel for Weddings of up to 60 guests. Having worked in the wedding industry for over 20 years, mostly as a wedding planner, I've met some fantastic suppliers in the Essex area that really are at the top of their game. So, when it came to selecting collaborators for this shoot, it was super easy and an absolute pleasure to work with them all.”

Both Joshua and Rhea fell in love with Apton Hall, and it matched their sage green colour scheme perfectly, to Rhea's delight! Rhea wore a stunning, satin off-the-shoulder ballgown, purchased from Bellissima Weddings. Her bride tribe were by her side on the day she said yes, and it was safe to say there were tears all round. The design, Essence of Australia was another nod to travel! It was certainly meant to be. The groom and his fellow groomsmen looked dapper in cream three-piece suits, whilst the bridesmaids wore mix and match gowns in sage.

Vaulty Manor was the location for this boho celebration of family & forever – fur babies included! At the core of the shoot is shoot organiser, Janie's, deep personal connection to the venue, which was once her great-grandmother's home and is now a beloved family-run wedding space. The photos capture areas she remembers fondly from childhood, making the entire shoot feel personal and rooted in family history because, ultimately, everything about this venue comes back to home.