Autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding at Stanford Farm Shropshire

Heather and Matthew’s autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding was a long time coming, but totally worth the wait.

They’d rearranged their wedding quite a few times due to – of course – C*vid, with lots of dates planned and then rescheduled. By the time they finally got married, they also had two children – one of my favourite photos of the day happened during the bridal prep, where Heather is breastfeeding and her gorgeous wedding dress is hung up in the background – and lots of their guests had babies too! Luckily, they’d always wanted a relaxed wedding day, and so their plans didn’t have to change too much and I was there as wedding photographer to capture it all.

Laidback farm wedding venue

Heather and Matthew had initially planned for quite an outdoorsy wedding. “We originally wanted a festival vibe with picnics and camping, but then swerved into something more November appropriate.” Heather explains.

Either way, they “wanted a relaxed atmosphere with DIY possibilities”, and this came in the form of Stanford Farm. Stanford Farm is an award-winning rustic barn on a vintage farm in the beautiful Shropshire countryside, just outside of Shrewsbury. With everything you could want and need – including accommodation in the farmhouse, Shepherd’s Hut, hobbit houses and a converted double decker bus on site – it was an ideal setting for their autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding plans.

Autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding ceremony

Their autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding ceremony took place in The Stables, a rustic 19th century barn that has been lovingly restored. The old oak beams and original feature doors mean it looks super rustic and feels extra cosy, but the white brick walls help it feel light and airy too. With such beautiful interiors, the room doesn’t need much decorating, and Heather and Matthew kept it simple with a tall arrangement of pampas grass tied in one corner, and a macramé backdrop at the top of the aisle.

Dried flower wedding decor

Dried flowers were a running theme throughout Heather and Matthew’s day. The Shropshire Land Girls created amazing dried arrangements for Heather and her bridesmaids, full of fluffy bunny tails, pops of brilliant orange and autumnal red, as well as super shapely foliage. (The colours in the bouquet were also perfectly mirrored in Heather’s bridesmaids’ dresses, which were a selection of forest green, taupe and metallic orange). The buttonholes also featured this stunning, warm red as the accent colour against the textured beige of the bunny tails. Dried flowers also decorated the tables for the reception, with stems of lavender and wheat bunched together and displayed in tall bud vases down the centre, and lavender sprigs attached to each place card too.

An autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding reception

During the drinks reception in the courtyard, I took Heather and Matthew away for a few moments for some couples’ portraits. The early November weather was glorious, with a low sun that diffused a lovely glow into all the photos. There was also a breeze that made Heather’s ethereal, boho Anna Kara dress dance dreamily, emphasised by the sheer wings that she had attached to the straps (a really great idea if you love the idea of something dramatic, but don’t want anything in your hair!)

We went for an explore around the farm, capturing different backgrounds as we strolled. There was the corrugated navy of one of the farming sheds, as well as the open green expanse of the beautiful Shropshire countryside. We also took some photos in the cute outdoor cedar gazebo next to one of the Hobbit Houses.

Wedding DIY elements

A number of elements of Heather and Matthew’s autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding were DIYed; in fact, when I asked Heather what her favourite part of wedding planning was, she replied “Crafting! Always wanted a glue gun.”

For example, they created all of their signage themselves, with their tables named after various places that spoke to both bride and groom’s love of climbing and adventure. (They initially bonded over this as well as a love of films, which they also represented in their wedding. They had a quote from Almost Famous on their rings – which is also one of my favourite films, something we discovered we share when I posted something on my IG stories about it and Heather replied!)

They’d also created an impressive table plan, which Heather had decorated by drawing a wheat wreath design as well as attaching lots of deep, rich autumnal leaves. She wasn’t the only crafty one who’d lended a hand, either: their talented friend Lucy created their wedding cake. The three tiers were covered in white buttercream, then adorned with colourful flower petals and herbs.

A sparkling wedding evening

With the late autumn sun setting, it was time for the evening celebrations to get started. Heather and Matthew had their beautiful first dance in front of the rustic LOVE sign, before everyone jumped on the parquet dance floor to join them. Guests could also grab a drink from the cocktail caravan outside, and enjoy them whilst sat by the roaring fire pit, which they also used to light sparklers for the younger ones. Our final portrait session took place outside under the tipi frame, festooned with beautiful fairy lights that twinkled against the inky night sky.

Relaxed, rustic, romantic wedding vibes

I loved working with Heather and Matthew so much, for so many reasons. I loved all the details of their autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding, and also loved just them as people – they were super laid back, relaxed, and happy to go with the flow of the day, which is always the approach I advise my couples to take if they want the wedding of their dreams!

If you’re planning an autumn rustic relaxed barn wedding and looking for a wedding photographer to capture it all as it unfolds, then I’d love to chat – please do get in touch here.