Cripps Stone Barn  – Sophie and James

Wedding photography at Cripps Stone Barn, Upper Windrush, Gloucestershire.

Sophie and James were married at the gorgeous Cripps Stone Barn in Upper Windrush near Burford. The weather, as expected for an October autumn wedding was looking suspiciously wet, but there was no way on this planet this was going to dampen the spirits of this wedding, I think the evening festivities proved that! Sophie started her preparations in Cirencester at the Kings Head Hotel with her reasonable sized entourage. The room was full of excitement, and the usual hussle and bustle of  hair, make up and of course fizzy bubbles!

Hair and make-up was done by the talented Isabella of makeupbyisabella and Mychal Moore of Hair&Moore they fired through the girls, making sure they were ready for the carriages. The girls looked amazing and I loved their light sage green coloured dresses (don’t shoot me if I have the colour wrong!) which were perfectly complimented by the beautiful flowers by Go Wild Flowers. The girls gathered in the room ready for Sophie to show off the dress for the first time, and of course dad’s first look time, quite possibly one of my favourite parts of the day. Myself and Rich Shelton of Aurora Films who was filming the wedding, grabbed a corner and waited for Sophie to come out and wow everyone in her absolutely stunning dress. The reactions were as expected and just what we wanted for the photos and film, smiles, cheers, excitement and emotional tears, pretty much the theme for the day! Sorry James!

The guys also got ready at the hotel and were on top form, a quick meeting in the bar after suiting up to settle the nerves, nothing beats a glass of champagne for dutch courage! Champagne downed and all groomsmen headed over to Stone Barn to get the proceedings underway. The girls weren’t far behind and were transported in the beautiful cars of The Oxford Limo Company (bridesmaids) and Vintage Triumph Weddings for Sophie in the very cool 1938 Triumph Vitesse.

The ceremony, in the main old barn of the venue, was beautifully lit, and had gorgeous floristry to add to the rustic features, which in my opinion is one of the perfect places to get married. Sophie was hidden away down the bottom of the corridor behind the big wooden doors. James waited in anticipation, nervous and a tad emotional , (totally understandable). As the doors opened the bridesmaids made their way down, masking Sophie and her dad until she was in sight as James tried his hardest to hold it together. I think… judging by the photos below he failed, and again nothing wrong with that, it just proves how much he loves and adores Sophie (was clear to see). I always joke that men cry at three things, football, the birth of your child and at your wedding, James has definitely ticked one box, not sure who he supports so could be two boxes! NO rush for the third James, enjoy your marriage first, otherwise there will be an overflow of tears!

The ceremony was beautiful, the entrance , the exit all harmoniously treated by the voice of super talented Chris Quigley of Tux Fizz. The legal part was sealed with the first kiss and a few scribbles and it was then time to get the party button pressed, it’s safe to say that was pressed!

Photos first though, before it all went in to hyperdrive, Stone Barn as alway is an amazing backdrop for photos and with all the autumn colours on show we had to make the most of them. Formals and a few portraits snapped out the front of the barn, before the weather decided to shower more tears! 🙂

Speeches were as to be expected, sentimental, loving and funny and James took a battering from his groomsmen but he took it well and again showed regardless nothing was more important than Sophie sat next time him. Fast forward the food part (which by the way is always exceptional at Stone Barn) to the evening!

A secret first dance… A fun choreographed dance by Sophie and James went down a storm, it was one of the best I have seen in a long time and everyone was up shouting and cheering, they really got involved which you don’t see very often, the photos say it all! The music was provide by the fantastic Tux Fixx (full band) a band that get really involved with the crowd, making it so much fun, the interaction is priceless! And talking of storms we finished the night, photography wise with a few shots in the rain, not alcoholic shots, there were plenty of those going around inside, no a nice romantic photo in the rain, or heavenly tears as i’d like to call them for Sophie and James.

It was a magnificent day, full of all the right things for a perfect day and I am delighted for Sophie and James, congratulations and big love to you both, I want to wish you the very best for your future together. x

“Noel was absolutely amazing from start to finish and I am so so glad that me and James chose him as our photographer. He was friendly, understood all parts of a wedding so when I started to freak out he calmed me down and was so creative and took every opportunity to get beautiful shots of me and James. He is so talented and I would recommend him to any couple getting married, he is worth every penny.”

Thank you Noel,  I spent all of last night looking at them and we’re obsessed, they are so beautiful and I am in love.

– Sophie and James

Stone Barn wedding photography – If you are getting married at Stone Barn and would like me to capture your big day here or in the Cotswolds, drop me a message with a few details via my contact page. We can then discuss availability and further information about your photography requirements. I look forward to hearing from you and finding out more about your wedding plans!