If ever there was an ideal setting for a picture perfect wedding, Manor Farm in Gloucestershire was it. The sun was shining and the swathes of cornfields reflected the golden light. Chris, the groom and resident farmer had yet to harvest and the field outside the farmhouse was beautifully picturesque with the spectacular wedding marque situated amongst the swaying crops.

I had visited Manor Farm earlier in the summer to take some engagement pictures of Becky and Chris, an excellent opportunity for us to get to know each other better, and a chance for them to get used to having a lens pointing towards them and feel more relax in front of the camera before the wedding day. You can see their engagement portraits here.

I also took the opportunity to explore the local setting and so as I arrived on the morning of the wedding, I already knew that the beautiful cornfield would reward me with a stunning sunset at the close this already promising day.

I started my wedding reportage at Becky’s parents’ house, which was just ten minutes down the road in the neighbouring village of Nettleton. As the preparations started, the relative calm was somewhat disturbed by Badger, Becky’s adorable dog. She had already been washed, groomed and prepped for the big day, but whilst the bridal party started getting themselves ready, she managed to sneak off, have a good dig in the garden (honouring her name) and returned covered in mud! She did have the good grace at least to look pretty guilty and the laughter that ensued helped to relieve any last minute nerves.

With the bride ready and groom waiting we set off to the ceremony at St Michaels in Great Badminton. The grade 1 listed church on the estate of the Duke of Beaufort has a stunning interior with particularly high-backed benches, that you can just peek over. The traditional ceremony, touching and poignant, was followed by a few portraits in the church grounds, an idyllic wedding backdrop, before we headed to the reception marquee standing prettily in the  field.

The marquee really did look fabulous with beautiful decorations adorning the inside and I faced my fear of heights to take the group shot from the top of a cherry picker! I was delighted to get the picture without a trip, slip or fall!  My good luck didn’t extend to the videographer however, one of the couple’s friends using his drone to film the day. The battery ran out while the drone was flying over the middle of  the field. He did locate it but it took him a couple of hours and he found it just as the light, which was out of this world, was fading, and as I captured my farm-yellow sunshine, spectacular sunset.

More weddings you’ll love: