Hannah and Mark, Saturday 8th April 2017 , Wedding at Butley Priory
Some weddings just seem to fit their venue perfectly, and Hannah and Mark's day at Butley Priory was one of those.
Set amongst the Suffolk countryside, Butley Priory has an atmosphere all of its own. The historic building, with its incredible stonework, grand windows and beautiful grounds, provided the perfect backdrop for a wedding that felt effortlessly relaxed from start to finish.
The day began quietly, with spring sunshine already lighting up the grounds. Daffodils lined the pathways around the priory and the soft morning light gave everything a calm, almost cinematic feel before the celebrations began.
Inside, the bridal preparations were well underway. Hannah's dress, shoes and accessories were carefully arranged beside one of the Priory's beautiful leaded windows, making the most of the character and textures that can be found throughout the venue. There was plenty of laughter in the bridal suite too, with bridesmaids keeping things light-hearted while hair, makeup and final preparations came together.
One of my favourite moments from the morning was seeing Hannah's reaction as she caught her first glimpse of herself in the mirror. Surrounded by family and friends, it was one of those genuine moments where the reality of the day starts to sink in.
Meanwhile, Mark was outside greeting guests and trying his best to hide the nerves. Like most grooms, he looked relaxed on the surface, but the smile gave him away. Standing outside the Priory entrance with his groomsmen, he was clearly counting down the minutes until he would see Hannah.
The ceremony took place within the stunning surroundings of Butley Priory itself. The historic architecture created a wonderfully intimate setting despite the grandeur of the building. As Hannah made her entrance, all eyes immediately turned towards her, and Mark's reaction said everything that needed to be said.
After exchanging vows and becoming husband and wife, the newlyweds shared their first kiss to a huge round of applause from family and friends.
Outside, guests gathered to celebrate as Hannah and Mark made their way through a shower of confetti. The spring sunshine couldn't have been better timed, and the confetti photographs are always some of my favourites from any wedding day. There is something about that mixture of excitement, movement and complete unpredictability that creates such natural images.
With the formalities out of the way, everyone relaxed into the afternoon. Guests enjoyed drinks on the lawn while making the most of the beautiful weather and the stunning grounds surrounding the Priory.
We then took some time away for portraits around the venue. Butley Priory offers so many fantastic locations without ever needing to travel far. The gardens, lakeside views and open lawns all provide a variety of backdrops while still keeping the focus firmly on the couple.
Hannah and Mark were completely at ease together, which made photographing them effortless. Whether walking hand-in-hand across the lawns, enjoying a quiet moment beside the water, or simply laughing together between photographs, they brought so much natural energy to every image.
As the afternoon moved into evening, the celebrations continued with plenty of laughter, drinks and a few fun moments with friends. The bouquet throw brought plenty of competitive spirit, while guests enjoyed the last of the sunshine across the grounds.
As the sun began to drop, we were treated to some beautiful golden evening light. Those final portraits often become favourites because everything naturally slows down for a few minutes. After a busy day filled with family, friends and celebrations, it gave Hannah and Mark a chance to simply enjoy being together.
One of the final images of the day shows exactly what their wedding was all about: two people completely relaxed, laughing together and enjoying every moment.
A huge congratulations to Hannah and Mark. It was a pleasure to be part of such a fun, relaxed and genuinely joyful wedding at one of Suffolk's most beautiful venues.