A Farm Wedding in Cheshire: Storm Skies, an Old Oak and Marquees Under the Trees
The sky behind the old oak had turned almost black when Becky and David walked out into the field. For a few minutes the sun broke through underneath it, lighting up her enormous tulle skirt against the clouds. That was their Cheshire farm wedding all over: umbrellas at the ready, laughter at every turn, and a blazing sunset to finish.
A farm wedding in Cheshire: coming home
Becky and David both grew up in the countryside, if in somewhat different circles: David spent his time playing football, while Becky was a Cheshire Dairy Queen. Their romance began a long way from either, in London, where each had headed south for a career in fashion. At heart they both love the countryside, but life has a way of putting us in the right place at the right time, and for them that meant the city.
They had recently moved back to the North, so their farm wedding really did feel like the start of their lives together. The setting gave us everything we could want. There were open fields under big skies, a huge old oak with a rope swing and lights in its branches, and traditional peaked marquees beneath the trees.
Very sensible, and great fun
There’s a misconception that being pragmatic means you can’t have fun, as if you have to choose to live life one way or the other. That year, perhaps more than ever, we met couple after couple who totally dispelled that myth. One of the first things David and Becky told us at their engagement shoot was that they were both very sensible. As sensible as they may be, it certainly isn’t what defines them. Their wedding was a glimpse into their infectiously happy life together, and we were honoured to be part of it.
Umbrellas, tulle and a fit of the giggles
The morning was full of smiles, with David grinning in a T-shirt before the bow tie and shoes went on. Becky, in a strapless lace gown with the fullest tulle skirt, came down the stairs to a row of bridesmaids waiting at the bottom. Stepping out onto wet gravel, it took an umbrella, a helping hand and a lot of laughter to get her and that skirt to the car.
At a sandstone church with a square tower, little bridesmaids and a page boy led the way down the aisle. The vows came with a fit of the giggles, Becky laughing so hard her eyes closed. Outside, the umbrellas came out again under a heavy sky.
Storm light, an old oak and a sunset
We’re never happier than with a dramatic sky, and this one delivered. The clouds turned the colour of slate while the low sun lit the field and the oak. Meanwhile a page boy in a dinner jacket looked very serious about the whole thing. We photographed Becky and David from above too, tucked in among the gnarled roots with her skirt spread across the grass.
In the marquee, the speeches had David laughing with his head in his hand. Then the sun went down in orange and purple behind the two of them, the trees outside glittered with fairy lights, and the first dance began under a chandelier. Later, the light-up dance floor glowed purple as Becky swirled her skirt under a starlit ceiling. Surrounded by family and the friends they’d met along the way, they both exuded happiness.
Why we love a farm wedding in Cheshire
If you’re thinking about a farm or marquee wedding, here’s our honest take after Becky and David’s day:
- The sky is part of the day. Open fields give you big skies, and even a stormy one makes incredible portraits when the sun breaks through.
- Find your tree. An old oak in the middle of a field is hard to beat as a backdrop, especially with a few strings of lights in its branches.
- Plan for weather, then forget it. Umbrellas by the door and marquees close at hand meant the showers never slowed anyone down.
- Stay out for sunset. With nothing on the horizon, you get the whole of it, not just a glimpse.
Planning a farm or marquee wedding in Cheshire?
There’s no place like home, and for David and Becky home will always be more than a geographical location. If you’re planning a day like theirs, see more of our marquee weddings, summer weddings and Cheshire wedding photography, or get in touch to check your date.
