The Gate Bricket Wood Hertfordshire Wedding Photographer

I'm going to just tell you now that this wedding is kind of my perfect wedding. I went home and told my boyfriend, "this is what we're doing when we get married." I love a pub wedding.

Ashely and Kevin had a really relaxed wedding at a little pub called The Gate in Bricket Wood. To be honest, I think I only saw the inside of the pub briefly to use the loo because the sun was out and everything happened in the gardens. While the pub isn't licensed for ceremonies (though, maybe when the law changes pubs can get in on this action?!), Ashley and Kevin had a celebrant carry out an incredibly touching and personal ceremony at the bottom of the garden. Without all the formalities, the ceremony just felt so intimate, there were no chairs, all their guests crowded around them in a circle and they had the chance to face out towards their guests. It was honestly pretty amazing.

The party itself was super laid back, it was basically like one of those long days in a pub garden - you know, like a bank holiday Sunday where you don't notice quite how much you've had to drink until you try to move. There were no set seats, just some simply table decorations and photos from the couple (all that bunting was already there from a festival the pub had held a few days before) and the meal was a delicious barbecue. I may be veggie, but, you can't beat a good barbecue. This meant everyone could move around to chat to different people, go back for seconds and eat at their own pace. It just made for such a lovely atmosphere. I know I keep saying it, but...!

In the evening, there were a couple of speeches, again, no huge formalities here, they were done at a small sound system set up on the patio, guests stood around this area again watching the speeches (crying, laughing, me hiding some tears behind my camera...standard). And then a big surprise - some of their friends snuck out from inside the pub and started playing their first dance, which again, was on this patio which became a great makeshift dance floor. Now, I don't know the exact story of the band, but, from the looks of surprise and excitement on the guests faces, I feel like this was a bit of a reunion gig for them to honour Ashley and Kevin.

Ashley is from Canada, so, they were heading back to have their legal ceremony in Canada (apparently it's much simpler over there). So, Ashley's family hadn't flown over for this day. However, a couple of her super close friends and "bridesmaids" came over for the event and these ladies were so much fun, you'll spot them doing some Backstreet Boys dance moves and generally having the best time. They let me jump the queue for the barbecue so I'm good with these ladies.

Honestly, I don't need to say anything else, you can just see the fun, how everyone was sharing in their happiness and what a perfect day it was from the photos.