A Somerset Wedding: Rain, Romance, and Shady Summer Walks

1 Aug

There’s something magical about a Somerset wedding, our lovely county has pretty much all you need, throw in a bit of love and you are pretty much guaranteed a magical day. I had been invited to photograph the wedding of Lucy and Chris in the delightful church at Kingstone, just outside of the Somerset market town of Ilminster.

The Rain-Kissed Morning

The skies above Somerset on the morning of the wedding had their own plan for the day. Rain clouds loomed overhead, threatening a downpour. A careful eye on the forecast kept everyone’s spirit’s up - any rain would be over before the main event and all the meticulous planning of the gardens, the catering and entertainment would not be wasted. Undeterred by the weather, the drenched garden and flower meadows lapped up the fresh water and bobbed in soft cloud light. There was a quiet and dreamlike ambiance with the sound compressed by a zillion pitter-pattering little raindrops.

A lush and fertile scene, and a rather fitting air of contemplation as bride and groom quietly went about their preparations in their separate houses.

There was a whole lamb quietly barbecuing next to a meticulously decorated marquee. As expert was at work keeping the coals just hot enough to slow cook, not wet enough to go out and just seasoned enough to to do justice to the feast.

A small flurry of activity in the kitchen as the grooms party readied themselves, buttonholes, ties, polished shoes and last minute words of encouragement. Then, off on foot accompanied by the dogs, also suitably dress for the occasion.

In the house across the road the bridal party were adding finishing touches and opening a bottle of fizz. Beautiful, elegant and softly lit light from an overcast sky through the low cottage window.

Just time for a quick TikTok and singsonging along to ‘We’re going to the chapel and we’re going to get married’, fingers clicking and champagne flutes in hand. Friends leave to catch the last bus ride to church and bride and daughter spend a couple of precious moments together. The rain didn’t matter a bit, it was cleaning the air, the garden and the road to church. Mother and daughter spent a moment together in their thoughts.

That’s when it really and truly rained! Just as the bride was due to leave, the heavens opened. Thankfully there is only so long a cloud can sustain such a deluge and after holding out as long as it possibly could, it had to stop.

The Fashionably Late Bride

Not a dead stop but a slow subsiding from buckets to sheets to mizzle, Lucy gathered her beuutiful Alice Temperly dress, an umbrella, and mad her way to the car. Fashionably late perhaps, and oh so very beautiful.

The Walk Home

Following the ceremony, and just a little deliberation, the Chris and Lucy stuck to their plans and set off on the walk home, hand in hand, back to the village of Allowenshay. A cut across the fields helped to avoid the busy main road, and then a long stroll down a skinny lane. Lucy with her dress elegantly hoisted up to prevent the hem getting wet and the heels swapped for trainers. Chris with his long stride. There were buses laid on for those who did not wish to walk, but for the newlywed couple a brisk walk through the Somerset countryside had been part of their plans from the start, they would not be put off by weather.

The Unforgettable Reception

Back in the village, Chris and Lucy had transformed their garden for the reception. Guests were greeted with champagne summer cocktails and the lilting music of a four piece mariachi band. Marquees were nestled in-between twinkling fairy lights, floral arrangements, and freshly watered summer meadows and the smell of slow roasting dinner filled the air.

And yes, the sun began to shine!

From the rain-kissed Somerset morning to the scenic walk home, and fairy tale reception, Lucy and Chris’s wedding was a true life Somerset wedding adventure, spirited, elegant, truly magical.

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