It’s well worth the trip to The Ashes Barns Venue for a wedding, it’s such a brilliant place, we had a ball there. There is so much to like about this venue, that’s why Fi and Gareth chose it, obviously. Fi and Gareth don’t live near the venue so it must have been Fiona’s eye for detail (more later) that came across The Ashes whilst looking for the perfect place for a wedding and this realy was the perfect place for their wedding.
Gareth and Fi live right across the road from our studio, they couldn’t be much closer if they lived upstairs! It was strange going to Stoke and seeing lots of faces you knew from around our little Pennine village of Uppermill, strange but really lovely. Friendly too, I’m pleased to say that this was a friendly bunch who knew how to have a great time.
I don’t think I’m saying anything controversial here but the driving force behind most weddings are women, not always by any means, but quite often. Fiona works in and loves fashion, that style and eye for detail was all over this wedding. Every wedding has a different feel to it, this feel usually comes from the top down so its no surprise that this was a friendly, relaxed and very stylish affair.
Gareth and Fiona along with family, bridesmaids and groomsmen were all getting ready in some nearby cottages when we met up with them, although it has to be said the fellas made a quick exit to a very handy nearby pub which the landlord had opened up just for them. We spent a lovely hour or so with Fiona and her nearest and dearest during the preparations. Its here we witnessed for the the first time the wonderful dress. The dress that Fi had designed, you really could see the fashion edge to it, it truly is a thing of beauty and how good does Fiona look in it. Stunning is an overused word (especially in wedding world) but stunning is a highly appropriate adjective in this case, she looked stunning.
Soon the wedding party were whisked away to The Ashes Barns in a fab vintage VW bus to a waiting Gareth and assembled throng of guests. The service was lovely with some great heartfelt readings and the odd tear shed (one or two by the photographers it has to be said!), it was then out into the courtyard for drinks and a catch up with friends and family. We took this opportunity to sneak off with Fi and Gareth in the VW to a cornfield we had spotted earlier on to get some shots of the newly weds. It was relaxed unposed (uncheesy) photos that Fi and Gareth were after, which is a good job as thats all we do! We had them back with the guests in no time at all whilst we started the photo booth in the upstairs gallery before all were called into the barn for food and speeches.
After the speeches and before the dancing we “shot the booth” ( by the way I’m on BBC Manchester Radio Drive Time at 3:10 pm today talking about photo booths) with the guests getting right into this and producing a lovely book of images and comments for the bride and groom to cherish.
The dancing was well under way when we left and the dance floor was packed with people throwing some right impressive shapes.
Fiona and Gareth we wish you all the future happiness in the world you are a super lovely couple and we hope we bump into you very soon:-)
