There are venues that photograph beautifully regardless of the season. Rackleys Barn in the Buckinghamshire countryside is one of them. Nestled in the most stunning setting with sweeping views over the Chiltern Hills, it is one of my absolute favourite wedding venues to work at. Furthermore, in autumn it takes on a warmth and richness that is simply extraordinary. The golden tones, the beautiful countryside and the cosy barn interior all come together in the most magical way, and Andrea and Craig’s black-tie autumn wedding there was everything I love about this time of year.
It was a day full of love, laughter and genuine joy from start to finish. I had the most wonderful time capturing every moment of it, and I hope you enjoy looking through their highlights as much as I enjoyed being there.
A Beautiful Wedding Morning in the Bridal Suite
The day began in the bridal suite at Rackleys Barn, where Andrea and her wonderful team of bridesmaids spent the morning together. The talented Mariella and Nicola were on hair and makeup, and they did the most fantastic job of making everybody look and feel completely wonderful.
Andrea beamed all morning with excitement and anticipation. She looked absolutely stunning in her Caroline Castigliano wedding dress, and her beautiful headband completed the look perfectly. It was the most elegant and timeless bridal look, perfectly suited to a black-tie autumn wedding in the Buckinghamshire countryside. Her dad could not have looked prouder, and her bridesmaids were absolutely beaming when they saw her. Those reactions are always some of my favourite photographs of the whole day.
A Joyful Ceremony in the Main Barn
Andrea made her way across to the main barn at Rackleys for the ceremony, and it was a truly beautiful celebration. Craig beamed the moment Andrea walked down the aisle. The two of them smiled and giggled their way through the entire ceremony, which is honestly one of the loveliest things to witness and capture as a wedding photographer. They could not have looked happier to be getting married, and the joy in that room was completely infectious.
I had been keeping a very close eye on the weather forecast all morning, as the rain app was not giving me particularly encouraging news. Andrea really wanted her confetti moment outside, and I am so pleased the rain held off just long enough for us to capture some truly epic confetti shots before the heavens opened. Literally the moment we finished, the rain arrived, and everybody dashed inside. The timing could not have been more perfect.
Drinks Reception and Portraits at Rackleys Barn
A little drizzle was absolutely not going to stop Andrea and Craig, and I love that attitude entirely. During the drinks reception, we managed to slip outside during a brief break in the rain and capture some stunning portraits in the grounds of Rackleys Barn. The autumn colours surrounding the venue were breathtaking, and the soft overcast light created the most beautiful and flattering conditions for photography.
Rackleys Barn has so many wonderful portrait locations throughout the grounds, and even with the rain threatening we managed to take in several of my favourites before we were rained off. Furthermore, one of the things I love most about Rackleys Barn is that even when the weather does not cooperate, it simply does not matter. The interior of the barn is every bit as beautiful as the outside, and a rainy autumn wedding at Rackleys Barn is still a completely stunning one.
Meanwhile, the wonderful Soph and Simon played live music inside the barn throughout the drinks reception, which created the most lovely and cosy atmosphere. On a rainy autumn afternoon in the Buckinghamshire countryside, it was absolutely perfect.
The Wedding Breakfast and Speeches
The wedding breakfast tables looked absolutely beautiful. Deep red and white autumnal flowers with candles created a warm and elegant table setting. It suited the black-tie autumn wedding perfectly. The whole barn glowed with warmth and colour, and the combination of the autumnal florals, the candlelight and the beautiful Rackleys Barn interior was simply stunning.
The speeches were a wonderful mix of touching and hilarious, which is always the perfect combination. Furthermore, Andrea also stood up and said a few words of her own, which I absolutely loved. More and more brides are choosing to speak at their own wedding. I think it is a wonderful and long overdue move. Her speech was brilliant, and the room loved every word of it.
An Epic Evening Party
After the portraits and the wedding breakfast, the dance floor opened and this group absolutely delivered. The brilliant Bangers and Brass brought the most incredible energy to the evening. They played some seriously cracking tunes on the sax. Who does not love a sax at a wedding party? Nobody, that is who. The dance floor was packed from the very first song and the energy in that barn was electric all evening.
I was right in the middle of it all, dancing away and capturing every joyful moment. I could genuinely have partied with them all night. It was the most perfect ending to a truly beautiful black-tie autumn wedding in the Buckinghamshire countryside.
What Andrea and Craig Had to Say
“Suzy has done the most incredible job capturing our wedding day. The photos are absolutely beautiful and exactly what we hoped for! She’s captured the moments of the day perfectly and we’re over the moon with the group, portrait and candid shots!In the build up and on the day it was an absolute pleasure spending time with her; she’s calm, guides the portraits in the most subtle way making them a really enjoyable experience and overall is a wonderful person to be there with you on your wedding day.We love Suzy’s natural, timeless and romantic style and as soon as we spoke with her we knew she was the perfect photographer for us!Thank you so much Suzy, you’ve captured photos we’ll treasure forever!”
Andrea & Craig
Planning Your Own Autumn Wedding in Buckinghamshire?
Andrea and Craig’s day showed exactly what a black-tie autumn wedding in Buckinghamshire can look like. Elegant, warm and completely full of personality and joy. Whether you are planning an autumn celebration, a black-tie barn wedding or simply a beautiful Buckinghamshire wedding in the most stunning countryside setting, please get in touch; I would love to hear from you.
Take a look at my dedicated Rackleys Barn wedding photography page for more of my work at this wonderful venue. For more real weddings and wedding tips, head over to my blog. For a taste of my recent work, take a look at my portfolio page. I would love for you to take a look.
