A Classic, Classy and Minimalist Marquee Wedding at Home- Shropshire

Some weddings are effortlessly timeless – classy, classic, and beautifully simple. Annabel + Dan hosted a gorgeous summer wedding in the garden of Annabel’s parents family home, set against the rolling countryside of Shropshire in The Midlands, their celebration was thoughtfully planned with minimalist styling in elegant neutral tones, creating a day that felt both personal and timeless.

The morning

There’s something incredibly special about a home wedding – especially in a home that has seen generations of family memories. As I arrived in the morning, I was greeted not only by the friendly family dog at the door but also by Annabel's incredibly welcoming family. The house was buzzing with excitement – there was a sense of anticipation and joy filling every room as family members gathered to prepare for the day ahead.

Annabel was having her make-up done by the very talented Georgia Round ( https://www.georgiaroundmakeupartist.com/) she was glowing!! She wore simple linen white pjs that her sister had thoughtfully embroidered with the wedding date and her new last name – a beautiful personal touch that added so much meaning to the day.

Annabel wore the Skye gown by Stella York, sourced from Wedding Belles of Four Oaks (https://weddingbellesbridal.co.uk/) in Birmingham. The gown's clean lines and elegant silhouette were a perfect match for her minimalist vision – chic, classic, and effortlessly timeless. The moment Annabel stepped into her dress in her childhood bedroom was emotional for everyone, especially when she shared a first look with her dad in the same room. It was such a beautiful, intimate moment to witness and capture.

“I love classic, classy, traditional, and very minimalist looks. The day was guided by tradition, which meant that we would be having a church wedding. This was extremely special to me and Dan. Colour-wise, I didn’t want any. I wanted clean, crisp, and classy – something that would always look timeless in my eyes. Also, as Dan was wearing his uniform, I wanted it to look smart to match the vibe of that.” (Annabel)

The ceremony

Annabel and Dan exchanged vows in St. Margaret’s Church in Ratlinghope – a church close to Annabel’s heart. Walking down the aisle with her dad by her side was a moment filled with so much emotion. The ceremony was further enriched by the presence of family members who played the organ, cello, and violin, making it even more personal and meaningful. To top it off, Annabel’s Nanna and Auntie gave readings during the ceremony, adding another deeply sentimental touch to the day.

After the ceremony, the newlyweds were showered in confetti as they made their exist. They chose large flower petals as their confetti which works wonders. (Tip- Having a basket filled with petals rather than cone for bags is a much easier way for confetti to be handed out to guests). 

“Our photographer was Danielle Victoria. I spent ages looking through Instagram to find the style and vibe that I wanted, and then got recommended by another photographer to use Danielle.

She was amazing! She made the day even more special than we could imagine. The style of her work and everything was just perfect. She just fitted in with our families and made everyone feel so comfortable.” (Annabel)

The reception

The reception, set beneath a beautifully styled Muddy Boots Marquees, was a masterclass in understated sophistication. Anne Whysall Florist created floral arrangements including roses and gypsophila, that brought drama and elegance to both the church and marquee. The marquee reflected perfectly what Annabel and Dan wanted out of their wedding, and was the perfect setting for a Summer wedding. When the weather was as warm as it was on this day and the drinks were flowing in the family back garden, it became the ultimate backdrop to such a stunning day. The speeches were touching and heartfelt, I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. There was a lovely moment after the speeches had finished where family members and friends all gathered together at the top table and embraced one another. It was so touching, and moments like this really stick with me as a photographer. Capturing the true connections and love between people in these moments, really give me my “why” of why I love do this job, and why I love it so much! 

The weather continued to be radiant into the evening, where we were blessed with golden light drenching the hillside in which we were. This is when I took the opportunity to capture some portraits of the newlyweds together. At this time, they had both fully relaxed into the day and it was the perfect time to capture some natural and relaxed photos between the two of them. My mission as your photographer, is to ensure that you feel as comfortable as possible in front of the camera, and this was the perfect time to do this. Never wanting to keep the bride and groom away from their guests for long, we headed back to the marquee to prepare for the arrival of evening guests, and for the evenings entertainment. 

The evening

When your bridal party kick off the night with a flash mob you know it’s going to be a good party! When the sunglasses were passed around, ABBA belted through the speakers, we all knew we were in for a good surprise. This was the best way to kick off the evening activities, and followed by the cake cut (which Annabel’s mom had made for her) we headed straight into the first dance. Tiny Dancer by Elton John! Music from the Riptides (https://www.bandsforhire.net/function-bands/item/570-riptides) really got the evening going and the dance floor was well a truly packed! 

I usually stay for about an hour after your first dance, but I always say to my couples if your dance floor is rammed… it makes it so much harder to leave. So moral to the story is, get EVERYONE on that dance floor!

It was hard to leave this wedding, and as I left, the marquee under the clear starry sky, the smell of the fire pits which were creating a cosy outdoor atmosphere. I could hear the music playing in the distance, and it was one of those moments that I will cherish. I love weddings that have so much personality and touching moments. I knew how important this day was, not just to Annabel and Dan, but to their families. Home weddings do something to my soul that I adore. And it makes me so grateful to be able to capture days like this! 

This wedding was also featured on Love My Dress, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see it shared with so many others!

Suppliers

Me- www.daniellevictoriaphotography.co.uk

Videographer- https://www.rmweddingfilms.co.uk/

Marquee- https://muddybootsmarquees.co.uk/

Dress Designer- https://www.essensedesigns.com/stella-york/

Bridal Boutique- https://weddingbellesbridal.co.uk/

Earrings- https://mejuri.com/

Shoes- https://www.asos.com/]

Bridemaids- https://prettylavish.co.uk/

Make Up- https://www.georgiaroundmakeupartist.com/

Hair- https://www.rizzo.co.uk/

Flowers- https://www.annewhysall.co.uk/

Catering- https://getgourmetcatering.co.uk/

Entertainment- https://www.bandsforhire.net/function-bands/item/570-riptides