We’re bringing you such a fun and laid back country wedding shoot today, set at Hilltop barn, a rustic family-owned venue in Cheshire.
Photographer and filmmaking master Bruce Marshall of Love Two Film had a plan to create an intimate fun shoot with local suppliers and a real homespun feel. He lucked out with Hilltop, a converted wedding venue space with views of the Peak District that’s been in the same family since it was built in the 1930s and is now offering limited dates to lucky couples. How romantic!
Using a palette of earthy tones, some beautifully blousy pink blooms and a selection of rustic textures and tones to bring the venue to life, the team have created an undone look in this amazing old barn. The addition of some experimental smoke bombs and frolics in an incredible vintage Triumph (the venue’s own!) has brought together a cohesive look that we reckon is going to get you inspired to get planning your own barnyard celebration! Let’s hand over to Bruce to find out how the whole day went down.
With images by Love Two Film
CONCEPT
Bruce says: I wanted to meet and collaborate with local suppliers and to explore some ideas as creatively as possible. I live a few minutes away from the venue and walk my dog past it regularly so I thought, why not do a barn themed shoot and use the beautiful Peak District as a backdrop. The venue is also uniquely placed to get views of Manchester.
LOCATION
The shoot was based at Hilltop, just outside the Cheshire town of Poynton, near Macclesfield. The barn was converted to a wedding venue by Charlie Ding and his father, who own the space, and was originally built by his grandfather in the 1930s. The family made the decision to book a limited number of weddings per year and couples are able to dress the barn as they wish. I love the very naturalistic style of the barn, it feels very handmade and the exterior looks like a small farm holding. Very little has been done to make it into an overly groomed wedding venue.
STYLING
Amy from Ink and Alder was both a venue dresser and model for us, along with her husband Tom. Amy says: “We handmade our copper arch with a geometric style in mind, enabling brides and grooms to add flowers, macrame, whatever they like, all with ease! Large handwritten canvas signs tie the rustic feel of the barn and the modern copper arch together. Table styling involved using handmade, reclaimed scaffolding tables and adding a mustard yellow velvet runner down the middle, with brass candlesticks and vintage jars and boxes scattered throughout, finished with our naturally dyed napkins, floral resin place cards and mismatched chairs. For the seating area, I used earthy tones with a splash of colour in the rugs – wickers, velvets, and dark wooden textures. I wanted this to be a serene place for guests to sit, relax, and chat under the candlelight and floral arrangements.”
Flowers were by Niccola at No.5 Blooms who says: “The flowers were a loosely tied but well thought out arrangement of gorgeous shades of pink roses complemented with fluffy pampas grass and bleached elements. I love using different textures to create and add interest, the dried florals really give a boho feel that tied in so well with the styling of the shoot.”
The bouquet ribbon was provided by Cheryl of Silk & Purl, tied in seasonal shades of rustic and soft silk ribbons to adorn your style.
Lucy from Little White Attic provided an amazing macramé piece.
ATTIRE
We featured a plunge neck lace gown designed by Zavana Bridal from One Fine Day in Newcastle Upon Tyne.
BEAUTY
After visiting the barn the night before the shoot and seeing it all set up in such a beautiful rustic vibe, the hairdresser opted for a similar boho, rustic style – very beachy with messy curls and a messy fishtail plait to compliment the natural and earthy aesthetic of the venue.
RESULTS
It was all an experiment! It was hard work but loads of fun and gave us great freedom to just try new things. I didn’t think I’d like smoke bombs but they really added some drama and we were really lucky because the farm loaned us a great little classic Triumph Herald which was a great prop.
Look out for the Juxtaposed Creative website up and running now! I’ll be tweaking the site and packages offered to provide fun photo and film options at a price everyone can enjoy, catering for small weddings, intimate weddings and micro weddings. If you want one awesome supplier for both film and photo then check it out!
