Almshoe Bury Farm Wedding Photographer

I thought I had been to pretty much every laidback wedding venue in Hertfordshire by year 12 of my wedding photographer career. But, I was wrong. Just 20 minutes away from my house is this absolute beauty of a venue, Almshoe Bury Farm. There's this feeling when I pull up to a beautiful wedding venue, where I feel all warm and excited about the day ahead. And getting out of my car to the blue skies and incredible view of rolling hills from the high up spot of Almshoe Bury Farm was one of those.

An unusual Wedding timeline

Ellie and Jack did something I've not seen before. They invited all their guests to have lunch before their 3pm ceremony. Ellie was there in a pink, heart print dress with Jack (ahead of a costume change for the ceremony). They got to greet all their guets, while enjoying some delightful and punny pizza from a horsebox.

Not only did this battle that weird I-skipped-lunch-because-I-was-driving-here issue you often have at a wedding. But, it must have been so much nicer for the couple to be able to actually say a proper hello to their guests, to not feel like they were rushing to the ceremony or glimpsing them in a blur walking down the aisle for the first time that day.

Ellie then went off with her Mum to one of the glamping pods at Almshoe Bury Farm and put her wedding dress and gorgeous floral crown on. So, she still got her big reveal moment walking down the aisle.

While we're speaking of firsts, this is the first time I've ever seen anyone get stung by a wasp at their wedding. Nevermind on their ring finger. You read that right, not too long after the ceremony, a cheeky wasp, no doubt confused by the weirdness of summer 2023, stung Ellie right on her ring finger, where here new wedding ring sat. In fact, it got so swollen that she had to wear her engagement and wedding rings on a necklace. I don't think this is a bad omen at all, these two were meant to be, instead, Ellie suggested that it brought them closer because Jack is a bit paranoid about wasps.

Outdoor Ceremony at Almshoe bury Farm

It's always a nice surprise when an outdoor wedding venue is licensed for legal ceremonies. Almshouse Bury Farm is licensed, so Ellie & Jack got legally married (whoop) here in a bloody delightful ceremony. Firstly, there were butterflies everywhere, one landed on my shoulder while I was taking photos and I had to restrain myself from telling people to look during the ceremony. It was kind of magical. Jack is a mega fan of Feeder and the reading he chose was Feeder lyrics. The readings, the music, it was all so personal and fun.

In the true spirit of things, guests carried their own chairs from the reception marquee to the ceremony area and back again. This is one of those weird details that could just seem like a practicality, but, I love this kind of thing, it really sets a tone for the type of day you're having. And this felt like a wonderful garden party/festival/wedding hybrid.

A Music-Lovers Wedding

While I'm talking about the music, let me give a shout out to the best wedding playlist I've ever heard. Ellie and Jack caught me singing along to myself pretty much every time they saw me and I did even squeal, "The Cribs!" at them at one point like the indie teenager in me had taken over my usually very professional (hmm) demeanour. Their tables were named after some of their favourite albums and looking at all those album covers was a glorious adventure.

There were a lot of lawn games at this wedding too - highlights include some very aggressive rounds of swing ball and the football game that delayed the speeches because the boys couldn't walk away without a winner.

A Vegetarian Wedding

I'm vegetarian, which usually means that as food sails past me I'm having to ask if it's veggie. But, this wedding was totally vegetarian. I ate SO well at this wedding!

Firstly, there was the pizza before the ceremony - yes. Some of the cold pizza made its way inside onto the snack table to be picked at. There were also crisps on this snack table. Yes.

Then, the main food arrived after the ceremony, in the form of two food trucks. Vegan Indian food and Falafel. This is when I should tell you that the groomsmen missed their group shots (don't worry, we made up for it) because they were busy pushing one of the food trucks up the drive because it had conked out on its way.

And for dessert there was one of my favourite, charming ice cream vans- Ice Baby. I did end up with melted ice cream all over me. But it was so worth it.

Evening food came in the form of loaded fries. Basically...there was no way anyone was leaving this wedding hungry. Including us vegetarians and vegans.

Ellie and Jack's wedding was a real testament to what happens when you prioritise the stuff you really care about and love. There wasn't a big wedding cake, but, there was a ton of food. The tables weren't the most elaborately decorated I've ever seen, but, the names meant something and there were loads of places to sit, loads of games and even a kids tent for the kids to be super entertained.

OK, I'm going to have to stop gushing about this wedding. But, seriously, this was totally my type of wedding, if you're having a laidback outdoor wedding, let me know right now and book me.

NICE PEOPLE (CREDITS)

Photographer - Hannah Mia Photography

Venue - Almshouse Bury Farm Glamping

Florist - Boho Flowers

Pizza Van - Dough with the Flow

Curry Van - Chai Walla Cambridge

Falafel Van - Boho Kitchen

Ice Cream Van - Ice Baby

DJ - Ian Stewart

Fries Van - Hey Spud