An Early Summer Wedding at Otley Hall, Suffolk

Suffolk country weddinsg are always rather lovely. I was very excited when I met Hayley, James and baby Hector at Otley Hall for our walk round before their big day. The hall was closed for winter but as I travelled along the gravel driveway towards the imposing 16th century moated hall, I knew this May wedding was going to be amazing! 

We walked around the grounds so I could plan the different places I thought we could stop for our family and couple shots, each nook and cranny - from the lakes to the daisy covered hill and the treelined pathways made it impossible for me to decide. We would have to cover a lot of ground to get it all in!

The day of the wedding was sunny and warm, when I arrived I was amazed at how cool and calm everyone was, the house was full of family and friends who helped Hayley manage to juggled baby Hector and his brother Isaac whilst doing her own makeup! She went full on princess with a simply gorgeous dress from Lavender and Jude and the flowers created by Callendars Florist, Framlingham, reflected grey and lavender colour scheme beautifully.

All too soon it was time for the ceremony a St Andrews Church in Redlingfield. A beautiful country church set away from the road, it was bathed in sunshine as all the guests arrived. One of my most favourite photographs from the day came when the best man Will, checked the rings during the ceremony whilst James and Hayley were saying their vows. It's so important as the photographer to be vigilant to these little moments that tell the story of the wedding day.

A tractor and trailer took guests back to Otley Hall and the reception. The beamed hall looked incredible in the early summer sunshine, the gardens were full with flowers, birds and butterflies and very naughty peacocks! We were spoilt for choice wandering around the grounds for their couple photographs. 

The reception went with a bang, they crammed in as many friends and family as they could which meant I was busy clicking away all day and well into the evening, everyone  made me feel very welcome. It's one of my all time favourite weddings which is why I wanted to include it in my Looking Back Looking Forward feature and reshare the gorgeous pictures from that beautiful day.

Are you thinking of a May wedding? Get in touch to see how I can help capture your day.

Jim & Hayley, 20th May, Otley Hall

Hair: Carly Daniels

Florist: Callendars

Cake design: Mel Boon Cakes

DJ/Band: Flame Entertainments

Dress designer: Lavender and Jude

Venue: Otley Hall