Jess + Billy | A sunny Saffron Walden garden wedding
Sometimes it’s only once you can sit back, take stock, and look at certain wedding days again to truly appreciate what an epic occasion it actually was. That’s certainly the case here, with Jessica and Billy’s outdoor wedding in Newport, near Saffron Walden, back on the late August bank holiday. It was an emotional rollercoaster, with a Haka, sparklers, and the most sweltering freaking day I’ve ever experienced!
It was the third of three weddings I shot that weekend, and it was probably the second hottest day of the year (you’ll remember the hottest in July, thankfully I wasn’t shooting that day). Jess and Billy had kindly been offered the use of one of the properties on Newport’s Shortgrove estate in north Essex, and I’m not understating things when I say this gaff was absolutely jaw-dropping. I did their pre-wedding shoot in the same place a few weeks prior, and you can see exactly how incredible it looks here too: Jess + Billy’s engagement shoot at Golden Hour
These guys have an incredible story to tell. Jess is originally from New Zealand, and it was only by chance a couple of years ago she was visiting Europe one summer when she met Billy, both on holiday. Jess was on a girls’ holiday, and Billy with the lads. After a little while together, Jess returned to her native NZ, but decided to move all the way over to England to be with Billy – and the rest is history. Already the stuff of dreams!!
When I got to Shortgrove to capture the girls in the morning, thankfully one of the bedrooms had an air conditioning unit because I kid you not, the heat was already unbearable. Kudos to the couple and all guests to survive the outdoor wedding ceremony just after lunch in what was probably around 33 degrees.
When I look back at their day in Newport, it dawns on me what a complete banger of a wedding this really was. Not only was it coordinated and dressed impeccably, all thanks to the incredible direction of wedding planner Matthew Dawson, everyone was just the absolute friendliest and fun folk you could ever meet! It was so lovely seeing some of Jess’ family and friends who’d made the trip over from NZ be able to share in the experience of the day.
Honestly I could’ve uploaded another 200 images from their day, and it still wouldn’t be enough to illustrate how incredible their day was. It really was the best of times and made this photographer very happy…. scroll below to read a little more about their day, and to see a selection of images from this garden wedding:
