A Beautiful Setting
This is one of those amazing weddings where I found it really difficult to choose favourites for my blog. I just loved so many of them! Grainne and Shayne created such a magical celebration with so many fabulous ideas for their Missenden Abbey wedding.
I return to the abbey frequently as I’m on their recommended suppliers list. It is one truly beautiful place to hold a wedding, and I just adore working there!
Missenden Abbey
Missenden Abbey needs little introduction from me, I just feel so chuffed to return there as regularly as I do!
At my pre wedding meet with this lovely couple, Grainne and Shayne said there was nowhere else on their reception venue radar once they’d set eyes on the abbey. And I soon discovered that they were quite excited as we discussed their Missenden Abbey wedding images for their special day.
On the day itself, the building and gardens looked so perfect, and I can totally understand why this is one of Buckinghamshire’s most popular wedding venues! The history, fab interiors, glorious gardens, and amazing service has understandably been a winning formula for countless couples over the years.
The Ceremony & Reception Celebrations
You’ll adore the wedding details – Grainne’s stunning long-flowing wedding gown, her truly elegant flowers, and the amazing interiors of this magical venue. Although my favourite detail was the giant 5ft tall floral letters, these looked breathtaking!
I’ll never forget this wedding, the lively and fun atmosphere was pretty relentless all day. This was evident from the moment I arrived at the abbey on the morning, Grainne and her bridesmaids were just buzzing as I made my way into the bridal suite. In this instant I knew the rest of the day that this was going to be one heck of a party!
The civil ceremony was beautiful, and truly emotional too for everyone in attendance. Grainne and Shyane were clearly loved so much by their nearest and dearest, this was apparent from all the tears being wiped away by those witnessing their lovely wedding vows.
Once the formalities were over, the champagne flowed, and the party really kicked up a few gears! And what wonderful weather they had to enjoy the company of their closest family and friends.
A few family pictures were requested, these looked fabulous with the abbey in the background. A favourite of mine is to use the haha for larger group poses, this historic feature also makes the pictures so much more relaxed. Sitting the guests on the wall makes the images quite different to most formal group poses, and much more fun too!
The Speeches & Evening’s Entertainment
As to be expected, the speeches were a lively affair! Grainne’s sisters made the most incredible speech as they reminisced about growing up with their sister in Ireland. They regularly raised the roof of the marquee with their entertaining and fond memories; and the laughter made for some fabulous pictures too. The shot below of Grainne and her sisters was captured as they had a good giggle soon after the speeches, this shot really says it all!
The dance floor was packed as the newlyweds did their tearful first dance, but it didn’t take long before their guests joined them to get the evening’s dance party started. The brilliant DJ played so many great upbeat tracks, as a result the dancefloor was rocking all evening!
My Favourite Pictures From The Day
Without question, this has to be the candid images. I was presented with endless natural opportunities from this lively crowd, so many of these shots are priceless!
The shot below was of Grainne with her girlfriends, posing a shot with all these ladies was never on the cards towards the later part of the day. So when Grainne’s fun loving girlfriends were called upon for their group photo, it was evident straight away that I was best to abandon the notion of capturing anything posed. Instead, the resulting shots of the ladies larking around tells the story of this moment in time perfectly. This photograph was taken as they were singing and laughing their way across the abbey lawns, the resulting tumble from the bride captured their antics in such a joyful way.
The jovial party atmosphere was still going strong as I left at the end of the evening. Heaven knows where Grainne and Shayne’s family and friends got their energy to keep going at this pace all day!
Kind Words
Dear Mark,
Firstly, thank you for being so attentive and professional throughout the process. You had some great ideas, and your experience clearly shines through. Weddings are very stressful! It was very wise to have a walk around the venue beforehand to scout out the best photo opportunities. Visualising what was possible was so much easier with you there giving us ideas. We are delighted with the results of our photos, and are pleased that we chose you above the many photographers out there. (It was an easy choice from the start.) You were so patient and went above and beyond to get the right shots (even cleaning the dress at times!) We love the natural shots, and especially the shots of the selfies as they were being taken by the guests. These are our absolute favourites. Thank you for helping us have the memories of our big day for the rest of our lives.
Thank you again for the amazing photographs – we love them! Grainne and Shayne
