As a Kent based wedding photographer, I get to work at the very best wedding venues in the county and this is certainly the case when I return to capture wedding photography at Cooling Castle Barn. Katie and Sam chose the perfect location for their summer wedding in Kent.
Cooling Castle Barn consists of three interconnecting timber framed barns that combine to provide you with the perfect Kent barn wedding venue. Outside their perfectly landscaped grounds offer stunning views of beautiful countryside. It really is a stunning wedding venue and a real favourite with us Kent wedding photographers.
On the day, I headed to Cooling Castle Barn early so I could capture those all-important morning of the wedding images. As the weather was good, I was able to use my drone camera to capture some great aerial images of the venue. Drone photography (weather permitting) is included in the price in most of GRC Photography’s wedding packages.
I then headed to Cooling Castle Barn’s stylish Moat House bridal suite to catch up with Katie and her bridal party. Its light and airy interiors made the perfect backdrop for bridal preparation images. And it was so spacious that there was plenty of room for Katie, Katie’s mum, her maid of honour Rachel, her three bridesmaids, her hairstylist and make-up artist – ‘Kayleigh Wood hair and mua’ and myself.
The girls were in high spirits and things looked super organised with co-ordinated robes and clothes hangers, breakfast platters and a little bubbly to get the celebrations started early.
I also found Sam and his grooms party getting ready in the stables. Not literally, the original stables that have been converted into luxury guest accommodation. The boys looked very smart in traditional black-tie suits. And I got some great images of them outside the original castle entrance.
By this time the bridal party were ready. Katie looked stunning in an off-shoulder dress with a fairytale A-line skirt that gave her an amazing silhouette in all of my images. She teamed it with a pretty bouquet made by florist Danny Watchorn who did all of the flowers on the day. Katie’s maid of honour and bridesmaids looked elegant in soft silver/grey dresses and before leaving for the ceremony I captured a sweet father seeing the bride moment.
By now, guests were beginning to filter into the Fathom Barn for the ceremony and I got some great candid images of everybody excitedly chatting and waiting for the ceremony to begin. Katie was walked down the aisle by her dad, to be met by Sam who was in the capable hands of his best man Tom.
Natural and candid wedding photography at Cooling Castle Barn
Fathom Barn was elegantly decorated with the aisle strewn with flower petals and candles. Soft drapes, a floral arch and candles created a feature point against the red brick wall where Katie and Sam stood to take their vows.
After a lovely ceremony, everybody headed outside to enjoy a drinks reception in the garden. The weather was sunny with a few light clouds which allowed everybody to make full use of Cooling Castle Barn’s outside spaces. Then there was a fun confetti moment which produced one of my favourite images of the day. Here, take a look!
The wedding reception was held in the majestic Tithe Barn that looked amazing all dressed and ready to go. Nets of twinkly fairy lights across the ceiling illuminated the vaulted ceiling and there were gorgeous floral arrangements hanging above each of the tables. It looked stunning. There was also a giant LED lit ‘K & S sign’ provided by De-lights.
After a delicious three-course meal prepared by the talented team of in-house chefs at Cooling Castle Barn, there were some very well received speeches that were both funny and emotional, ensuring that one way or another there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Katie and Sam then cut a delicious two-tiered wedding cake that had been made by Sam’s talented mum.
Award winning Kent wedding photography
As the sun was still out, guests took their drinks outside where the youngest guests could let off some steam. It gave me the perfect chance to get some great group images of the wedding party. With Katie and Sam’s guests happily enjoying exclusive use of Cooling Castle Barn, I was able to whisk them away for a few minutes for a walk and a romantic sunset photoshoot. We got some lovely images that I know Katie and Sam are thrilled with. Here, take a look!
When it came to evening celebrations, Katie and Sam had thought of everything. There was a ‘pick n mix’ sweets table and a fun photobooth provided by 20-20 Sounds. Who doesn’t love a photobooth!
Celebrations started with a romantic first dance for Katie and Sam under strings of fairy lights that looked magical and perfectly suited to my style of fun, natural yet luxurious photography. Not that they were on the dancefloor alone for long. Katie and Sam’s guests were really up for a party and it wasn’t long the dancefloor was packed. And I took to the dancefloor myself to get some really fun images!
A laidback, fun and super-stylish wedding for a lovely couple with the loveliest of guests. Congratulations to Katie and Sam for getting married and creating such an amazing day for yourselves, your family and your friends to remember.
If, like Katie and Sam, you’re getting married at Cooling Castle Barn and are looking for an experienced Cooling Castle Barn wedding photographer to capture your day with beautiful storytelling images. Then feel free to get in touch. I’d love to hear about your wedding plans.
I’ll leave the last words to Katie and Sam. Here’s what they had to say about me.
“Ryan was a great photographer and captured our day perfectly. He listened to the photos we really wanted to get and also took a lot of candid photos all throughout the day. He was willing to take photos that our guests wanted as well as using the venue brilliantly to create lovely photos of me and my wife.”
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Cooling Castle Barn Wedding Photographer – Katie and Sam’s Day
As a Kent based wedding photographer, I always love capturing wedding photography at Cooling Castle Barn. Katie and Sam’s day was a joy from start to finish. See my blog for more images from their amazing day.
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