Hannah & Josh’s Stunning August Syrencot Wedding
I first met Hannah & Josh way back in November 2021 at a wedding fair. It was quite a biggie as the world of weddings (and fairs) was opening up again after all the restrictions that had been put into place during the pandemic. Couples were excited to get their teeth back into planning weddings and suppliers too were equally happy to feel back in the game they love!
Chatting to Hannah & Josh further, after the TOTAL sensory overload of a wedding fair, I was so happy to book them in for their August Syrencot wedding. It’s a venue I’ve always wanted to explore as it just looks stunning! I really value the relational side of my job as a wedding photographer, truly believing that the better I can get to know a couple and build on our relationship. The more rapport we share will result in more natural images on your wedding day. The more comfortable and safe you feel with me, the more you open up with me “stalking you with my camera” on what is perhaps the most intimate, stressful and exciting day of your life! Ultimately, I want to capture the essence of who you are.
This starts with a pre-wedding shoot. This first shoot isn’t just about capturing your proposal/engagement. You may have been engaged for 2 weeks or 20 years! It’s about getting to know one another in a low stress environment. We walk, we talk, I shoot! During this time I also help break the ice of the awkwardness many feel about having their picture taken. With gentle guidance on posing tips and techniques, we also establish how you connect as a couple in front of the camera. I help you develop ways of connecting for the camera that look natural AND are flattering!
The big day finally arrives!!
My morning started with a degree of excitement over my journey… I was taking the route to Syrencot across the A303. Whilst this may mean nothing to many of you, my teenage years consisted of listening to Kula Shaker, especially their song, The 303. My second shooter, Lee, picked up the energy vibe straight away, and there we were downloading the album to iTunes, creating silly videos en-route to show the sat nav and play list in total sync! Anyhow, my quirks aren’t why you’re here. Back to Hannah & Josh’s stunning August Syrencot Wedding….
The lead up and drive through to Syrencot is just beautiful. The grounds are landscaped to perfection with so many different areas to explore. Lee and I were chomping at the bit to ensure we included as many of these photographic opportunities with Hannah & Josh as possible.
Hannah and her bridesmaids had full access to the bridal suite. Oh boy was it filled with space and light! A photographers dream! Throw in the fact that Hannah, her bridesmaids (who were also her sisters and niece) and her mum were so welcoming and friendly. The vibe was great from the start!
While the girls were busy being coiffed and made up, I took the time to ensure those little details weren’t missed. Hannah chose a light, bright palette of whites and silvers which was complemented in this airy space, adding pastely pops of colour with the confetti and bouquet.
While the girls were deep in their prep zone, Lee had discovered that the boys were still in their casuals roaming around the venue. I believe there was a sense of order to this exploration, but no one at the time was admitting to being lost or on the search for something! It was a perfect moment to see how the venue dressing was coming along. Each space at Syrencot has been thoughtfully, and stylishly designed.
I love being able to capture the preparations before a wedding. Observing the dynamics between families, the enjoyment of being pampered and the bubbly invariably being opened! Once the dresses and suits start to go on the energy definitely shifts, it’s almost like someone switches a “this shit’s got real” button!!
Hannah had chosen her gown from Botley Mill Bridal, with the girls sporting their dresses from Next. Josh had a tailored suit from Dartagnans in Chichester, opting for Moss Bros for the rest of the groomsmen. The full list of suppliers and their links will be at the bottom of this post 🙂
Before we kick off the ceremony, let’s take a moment for those wonderful Dads out there who are able to be major players in their daughter’s wedding day. I appreciate that not everyone has a smooth sailing relationship with their parents, or some are sadly no longer with us. But when they’re there, hearts on sleeve, tears twinkling in the corners of their eyes, boy! My heart strings are well and truly pulled!! Hannah’s Dad was no exception. He was fully present during the prep, playing cards with his granddaughter, opening the bubbly and happily being kicked out of the room while the dress went on. Impatiently waiting for the door to re-open, here’s his big, beautiful moment…
While everyone was busy with the finishing touches, a fine array of beautifully dressed guests were arriving! Josh and his groomsmen were now suited up and on form, playing the part of dutiful hosts, ushers and conversationalists while the guests took their seats. Managing to catch the boys together was also a success, as well as a quick moment with Hannah and her bridesmaids too!
It’s Ceremony Time!!
Hannah and Josh chose August for their Syrencot wedding. The venue has so many incredible spaces, both indoors and out, but for now, let’s talk about the buildings. When you pull up through the long, sweeping driveway to the Georgian, red brick, manor house you can’t help but feel the splendour of its time. The inside has been extensively restored, renovated and designed for style and comfort. With the BIlliard room perfect to accommodate your wedding preparations, a sumptuous master suite ideal for the newlyweds on their wedding night and 12 additional exquisite rooms, it really is a venue that can cater for you and your guests.
The luxury barn (where the wedding breakfast and reception is held) and the Glasshouse (for the ceremony) is a short walk from the house, through landscaped gardens and meandering paths, which in August were in full bloom. Simply breathtaking. More on the barn later, but for now, Hannah and Josh are about to get married in The Glasshouse.
With not a drop of rain in the sky, Hannah’s walk to the ceremony was beautiful. Flanked by lavender in full display, nature doing what it does with butterflies and bees busying around, it really felt like we were in the depths of the English countryside.
Hannah and Josh’s ceremony was intimate, with reading from loved ones and a palpable energy of love in the air. It was a real pleasure to document these moments after all their hard work and preparations to make this day come together.
A wedding isn’t a wedding without confetti! The biggest challenge here is capturing all the guests before they make a beeline for the bar! Seeing as it’s not our first rodeo, Lee and I fell into the long established roles of herding (me) and distracting (Lee). While I whipped the guests into position (and I’d like to think, entertained them too with my witty shuffle moves), Lee took Hannah and Josh on a walk back through The Glasshouse to prepare for their second exit! This is also a great time for us to step back and enable the newlyweds to have a moment of peace together and allow them to process the event that has just occured!
Although I am VERY happy to baulk at any form of tradition…. doing something unique and different, mixing & shaking it up, I have learnt over hundreds of weddings I’ve shot over the last 15/16 years, that when it comes to the group shots that it’s best to get them done. Most people at weddings expect the formal photographs to take place in that lovely gap between the ceremony and the reception. I can mix it up with the newlyweds and bridal parties, but for the general groups it really does work best when done in that gap. People haven’t yet vanished to freshen up, they’re in a mingling mood (and their ties haven’t yet been dipped in the appetisers!). Don’t panic though, when we do our planning and preparation meeting (about 6-8 weeks before your wedding), we cover your timelines, must have shots/formals etc, how to structure what in and when.
Here’s a selection of some of the group shots from this time, including some moments when Josh and his boys got silly with it!!!
Newlywed Portraits!!!
The grounds are just brilliant for all the photographic needs of a wedding day. With places to sit and chat, lean and people watch, wander and observe the beauty of the place… it really does do a lot of my hard work for me! We had structured into Hannah & Josh’s timeline some time to wander the grounds to create their newlywed portraits, and this August Syrencot wedding did not disappoint! From geometric shapes, to natural paths, wild flowers and the backdrop of the surrounding architecture. Lee and I were in our element. Crouching in long grasses, ninja rolling across paths and generally using this time to also give the newlyweds some time to chat to themselves.
Josh’s photobomb moment while Hannah was having her own portraits taken had us in stitches!! It was lovely seeing their playful side come out with one another.
The Reception!
With the last moments of mingling happening before the guests were ushered into the Barn for the wedding breakfast, we could hear hungry noises a plenty! Everyone’s appetites were well and truly whetted by the delicious canapees that were being served. Hannah and Josh were cheered into their places, the welcoming round of applause and hoots of joy and true testament to how loved they are!
The speeches, although naturally including some very embarrassing stories, were also full of love and honour as Josh and Hannah were celebrated for the individuals that they are.
It was lovely seeing the guests filter out in the evening while the sun was still peeping its head. A welcome breath of fresh air after a hearty meal! The guests seemed comfortable, chatty and playful, enjoying catching up with each other in the Wiltshire countryside surroundings. We did feel like creepy stalkers watching Hannah and Josh having a quiet moment together, however the shot was too good to miss… and under the cover of bushes with a super long lens they were undisturbed too!!
The Barn has amazing space for the music and dancing that comes with a wedding celebration! I absolutely LOVE the lighting that is featured along the ceilings. I must admit to taking pictures for myself as inspiration for my own interiors! The industrial design meeting the rustic vibes here is spot on! As was Hannah & Josh’s cutting of the cake and first dance!
Thank you so so much Hannah and Josh for choosing us to capture your August Syrencot wedding. We’ve had a wonderful time getting to know you both on this part of your journey in life and can’t wait to hear what else lies ahead in your future together!
xX Fiona Xx
August Syrencot Wedding Suppliers:
Venue: Syrencot
Suits: Josh: Dartagnans Chichester & Groomsmen: Moss Bros
Wedding Dress: The Bridal Mill, Botley Bridesmaids: Next
Flowers: Penny Lane Flowers
Cake: Daisy Cake Company
Rings: Fanci Bespoke Jewellery
Hair Vicky Leavey & MUA: Georgina Chambers Studios