A spring wedding with Dottie, confetti and an April sunset
Rachel and Harry’s spring wedding at The Beverley Barn in East Yorkshire was a pretty special one for me.
I've actually known Rachel for over 16 years, so getting to photograph her wedding meant a lot. I've photographed plenty of weddings over the years, but there's always something a little different about capturing the big day of someone you've known for so long.
And what a wedding it was! A beautiful outdoor ceremony, plenty of laughs, a whole load of confetti, a special appearance from their sausage dog Dottie and somehow, an absolutely incredible sunset in April!
A Sunny April Wedding at The Beverley Barn
If you've ever planned anything outdoors in Yorkshire, you'll know the weather can be pretty unpredictable. Especially in April!
Thankfully, Rachel & Harry couldn't have asked for much better weather. The sun made an appearance, which meant they could have the outdoor ceremony they'd planned and everyone could enjoy the gorgeous grounds of The Beverley Barn.
The Beverley Barn is one of those venues I always enjoy returning to. It's just outside Beverley in East Yorkshire, and it's got a lovely mix of rustic charm, modern styling and plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy themselves.
I've photographed weddings here a number of times now, and every wedding manages to feel a little different depending on how each couple makes the space their own.
Rachel & Harry's day was no exception, with the venue looking fantastic thanks to the styling from Belle Bijoux Events and beautiful flowers from Ivy Lane Florist. Everything worked together brilliantly without feeling too formal or overdone.
A Relaxed Wedding Morning (With a Bit of Bridgerton!)
The morning started with Rachel getting ready, surrounded by her favourite people.
There was plenty going on, as you'd expect on a wedding morning, but the whole atmosphere was lovely and relaxed. I also remember the Bridgerton soundtrack playing in the background, which was a pretty fitting choice for the morning!
These are always some of my favourite parts of a wedding day to photograph. The little moments between everyone, the excitement building, the laughter and all those things happening naturally without anyone really paying much attention to the camera.
That’s exactly how I like to photograph a wedding. Just letting everyone get on with enjoying themselves while I document everything as it happens.
An Outdoor Wedding Ceremony at The Beverley Barn
One of the things I really like about The Beverley Barn is having the option of getting married both indoors and outdoors.
Rachel & Harry were lucky enough to make the most of the weather and have their ceremony outside, surrounded by their family and friends.
The outdoor ceremony space is a lovely setting, especially when you've got the sun shining. It feels intimate without being cramped, and there's plenty of room to capture different angles and those lovely natural reactions throughout the ceremony.
Once they'd officially tied the knot, it was time for one of my favourite wedding traditions...
Confetti!
And they certainly didn't hold back!
With confetti from Proper Confetti, there was a brilliant confetti tunnel waiting for them, full of colour, cheering and huge smiles. Exactly how a confetti tunnel should be!
If you’re planning your own, my guide to getting the best confetti photos covers timings, how much to order and making the most of the moment.
One thing that's always worth mentioning about The Beverley Barn is how good the team are at making everything run smoothly. From organising everyone for the confetti tunnel to keeping the day on track, they're always incredibly helpful.
It's something that makes a big difference, not just for couples but for suppliers too, and it means everyone can concentrate on enjoying the wedding rather than worrying about what's happening next.
Drinks, Laughs and a Special Guest Called Dottie
With the ceremony finished, everyone headed off to enjoy the reception, grab a drink and catch up with friends and family.
This is usually the part of the day where I spend most of my time wandering around, looking for all those natural moments.
The hugs, the laughter, the little groups of people chatting away and all the things that happen when nobody's being asked to pose for a photograph.
There was also some brilliant live music throughout the celebrations, with Connor Penson Music and Dani Quiney Music both helping create a fantastic atmosphere.
And of course, Rachel & Harry had a very important guest making an appearance...
Dottie, their sausage dog!
She came along for some photographs, and honestly, I'm always up for having dogs involved in wedding photos.
If you're thinking about bringing your dog along to your wedding, do it! Even if it's just for a few photographs like Rachel & Harry did, it's such a lovely way to include them in your day.
Natural Couple Photographs Around The Beverley Barn
If you've had a look around my website before, you'll probably know I'm not someone who wants to disappear with a couple for an hour taking hundreds of posed photographs.
My approach is much more relaxed.
I like to grab you both for a quick wander, find some nice light, have a laugh and get some lovely photographs without making it feel like a full-on photoshoot.
The Beverley Barn is brilliant for this. There's plenty of space around the grounds, and you don't need to go far to find somewhere lovely for photographs.
For Rachel & Harry, we kept things simple and made the most of the surroundings.
Then, later in the evening, something pretty amazing happened...
One of the Best April Sunsets!
I'm always keeping an eye on the weather and the light throughout a wedding day, particularly as we get closer to sunset.
Sometimes nothing happens, sometimes you get a few minutes of nice golden light, and then every now and again you get something really special.
Rachel & Harry got the latter!
We were treated to an absolutely gorgeous April sunset, so naturally I grabbed them both for a few quick photographs while the light was looking its best.
These little evening sessions are always worth it when the weather plays along. It usually only takes five or ten minutes, and it's a nice opportunity for couples to have a bit of time together away from everything that's going on.
And the light that evening was incredible.
Definitely one of my favourite parts of their day!
A Brilliant Evening at The Beverley Barn
After a lovely afternoon of celebrating, it was time for everyone to tuck into some food, with The Cart Shed taking care of the catering for the day.
One of my favourite things about photographing weddings is capturing everything going on between the bigger moments. The speeches, the laughter, the reactions and all those little things that couples might not even notice happening at the time.
And once the evening rolled around, DJ Ady Cheetham took over the music and got the party going!
I always love photographing this part of a wedding. Once all the formalities are out of the way and everyone's had a few drinks, people really start letting their hair down, which is when some of the funniest and most natural photographs happen.
After such a brilliant day, it was the perfect way to finish off Rachel & Harry's wedding at The Beverley Barn!
Why I Love Photographing Weddings at The Beverley Barn
Having photographed a number of weddings at The Beverley Barn, it's somewhere I always look forward to visiting.
It's a really versatile venue. You've got the option of indoor or outdoor ceremonies, plenty of room for guests to enjoy themselves and some lovely areas for photographs without having to leave the venue.
Another thing that stands out for me is the staff.
They're always friendly, approachable and genuinely helpful, particularly when it comes to organising the different parts of the day, whether that's getting everyone lined up for confetti, helping with timings or making sure everything runs smoothly.
For couples, that takes a lot of stress away, and from a photographer's point of view, it makes it so much easier to focus on capturing what's actually happening.
It's also a brilliant venue for couples who want a relaxed wedding without everything feeling too formal or structured.
And that's exactly the kind of wedding I love photographing.
Planning Your Own Wedding at The Beverley Barn?
If you're getting married at The Beverley Barn and looking for a photographer who'll capture your day naturally, without making you spend hours posing for photographs, I'd love to hear from you!
My approach is all about documenting your wedding as it actually happens. The big moments, the little moments, the people, the atmosphere and everything in between.
I want you to spend your wedding day enjoying yourselves with your favourite people, rather than feeling like you're on a photoshoot.
Have a wedding, not a photoshoot.
You can browse my wedding photography portfolio for more of my work, or get in touch to tell me all about your plans!
You’ll find my wedding photography packages and prices on the pricing page, with full-day and shorter coverage explained.
And if you fancy seeing another brilliant East Yorkshire barn wedding, have a look at Ellie & Dave's Viking-inspired wedding at Riverlands Wedding Barn too.
The Beverley Barn Wedding FAQs
Where is The Beverley Barn located?
The Beverley Barn is on Long Lane in Beverley, East Yorkshire, HU17 0RN. It’s a handy setting for a countryside wedding close to Beverley and Hull.
Can you get married outdoors at The Beverley Barn?
Yes! One of the lovely things about The Beverley Barn is the option of having an outdoor wedding ceremony.
Rachel & Harry were lucky enough to have gorgeous weather for their April wedding, so they were able to make the most of the outdoor ceremony space.
Does The Beverley Barn have an indoor ceremony option?
Yes, the venue also offers an indoor ceremony option, which is particularly handy given how unpredictable the British weather can be.
Having that flexibility means couples can plan the kind of ceremony they'd love without relying entirely on the weather.
Is The Beverley Barn good for wedding photography?
Absolutely! Having photographed weddings here a number of times, I can say it's a brilliant venue for natural wedding photography.
There are some lovely spots around the grounds for couple photographs, as well as plenty of space to capture guests enjoying themselves throughout the day.
Where are the best photo locations at The Beverley Barn?
There are lots of lovely areas around the venue, particularly outside where you can make the most of the natural light and surrounding grounds.
Personally, I prefer to see what the light is doing on the day rather than stick to a set list of photo locations.
That way we can keep everything relaxed and make the most of whatever looks best.
Can you get sunset wedding photographs at The Beverley Barn?
Definitely, weather permitting!
Rachel & Harry had one of the most incredible April sunsets, and we managed to sneak away for a few quick photographs in the evening.
I always keep an eye on the light throughout the day, so if it looks like we're going to get a lovely sunset, I'll usually suggest popping outside for five or ten minutes.
Can you have confetti at The Beverley Barn?
Yes. The venue’s current FAQs say biodegradable confetti or real petals are welcome. Rachel and Harry had a brilliant confetti tunnel after their ceremony. Check the arrangements for your date with the team before ordering.
Can you include your dog in wedding photographs at The Beverley Barn?
Yes. The venue welcomes well-behaved dogs, provided they’re kept on a lead and supervised. Check the arrangements with the team and ask someone to look after your dog while you enjoy the day. Rachel and Harry’s sausage dog Dottie came along for photographs, and even a short visit can work brilliantly.
Have you photographed weddings at The Beverley Barn before?
Yes! I've photographed a number of weddings at The Beverley Barn over the years, and it's always a venue I enjoy returning to.
Knowing the layout and how the venue works is really helpful, but I still approach every wedding differently to make sure the photographs reflect the couple and their day.
How long do you spend taking couple photographs?
Usually not very long at all!
I tend to suggest a short session of around 10 to 15 minutes, depending on what you'd like.
If we get some lovely evening light, we can always head out again for another quick five or ten minutes.
My main priority is making sure you're spending your wedding day with your guests rather than disappearing for ages to have photographs taken.
Are you available to photograph our wedding at The Beverley Barn?
I'd love to!
I'm a Yorkshire wedding photographer based near Hull, and I regularly photograph weddings across East Yorkshire and beyond.
If you're planning your wedding at The Beverley Barn, feel free to get in touch with your wedding date and a little bit about your plans.
I'd love to hear what you've got planned!
