Surrey Wedding Photography – Relaxed Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Ellen and Tom’s Modern, Relaxed and Intimate Outdoor Wedding Ceremony and Marquee Reception

 

Ellen and Tom – dare I say it – had the most perfect outdoor wedding ceremony in Surrey, in my opinion. I should not really be biased but how often can you get married under a 400 year old oak tree? The childhood sweethearts, who had been dating since secondary school, were lucky enough to be married on their family friends beautiful land.   Standing underneath the 400 year oak tree was something kind of magical. The couple recited their own vows and had their best friends marry them under the branches of the fabulous oak tree.  Ellen recalled “we’d written our ceremony script with our two friends who married us but unbeknownst to us they threw in a few little personal touches and surprises which had us all crying with laughter!”  

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride Laughing During Vows

 

Ellen And Tom’s Natural And Relaxed Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

 

As the couple had hired a space and a venue that was a completely dry hire they had the luxury to design their wedding in the exact way that they wanted. Tom and Ellen said that  they “could plan and design it however we wanted to and that was really liberating. But none of it would’ve been possible without the help and support of our friends and family.”   From our first meeting together it was very clear that Ellen and Tom wanted to focus their day around their family and friends and ultimately organise a fantastic party. Ellen said “we chose at the very beginning three things that were important to us: good music, good food and plenty of booze! Everything else was going to be a bonus” which I think is a brilliant ethos couples should adopt when planning a wedding. 

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Candid and Energetic Dance Floor Photography

 

After their outdoor wedding ceremony the guests walked to the marquee reception where they were met with fabulous food and drink. The day was exactly as relaxed and wonderful as Ellen and Tom had planned. With hilarious and heartfelt speeches, a street food tapas wedding breakfast catered by Vamos Paella and a DJ duo that they had once seen at a festival to provide the evening entertainment it is hard to say which part of the day that Ellen and Tom enjoyed more, so I asked them a couple of questions about their wedding from their perspective.

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Burnt Orange Bridesmaid Dresses with Sunflower Bouquets

 

What was the best moment of your day? 
It’s so hard to choose just one moment from a whole day of wonderful moments and memories. People say to you that their wedding day was the best of their life and it’s hard to comprehend just how true that is till you’re experiencing it yourself. Its a cliche but its true!!  We asked two friends to marry us for our outdoor wedding ceremony under a 400 year old oak tree and we wrote the script ourselves. Being under that tree with our loved ones and singing and laughing with them as we made our vows to each other stands out as a memory that we will treasure forever.

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom in Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

 

Is there any advice you would give to other couples? 
I think its really easy to get swept up in wedding mania. It starts the moment you get engaged and its really hard to escape it. At times it got a bit overwhelming, especially because we planned everything in a relatively short space of time – about six months – and we were told on quite a few occasions that we were leaving things too late. In our experience, that just isn’t really true and with enough support and enough spreadsheets, anything is possible! We loved being engaged and the process of planning the wedding. It’s a really special time as a couple and it’s important to treasure it.   In terms of the wedding day itself, we’d been told by a couple of different friends to take a few moments together, just the two of us. We did that after we’d exchanged vows before we met everyone for drinks and canapés and again while the band were playing. Just taking a moment together to watch on as our guests enjoyed themselves was really important and really special. 

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Natural Couples Portraits

 

How would you describe your wedding? 
It was us. 100% us. We had a blank canvas to start from and we made sure that every decision and every touch was personal to us. It was also incredibly relaxed. We laughed throughout the ceremony and didn’t worry about trying to keep a straight face!

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Bride Reveals Her Catherine Deane Bridal Gown To Her Bridesmaids

 

Did you break from any traditions? 
We got married outside by our friends using a script we’d written ourselves so I guess that counts as breaking from tradition in one sense. But we wanted to make sure we were including the parts of a traditional service that we value and respect, while personalising them to us. We love the tradition of singing in church weddings so we chose three songs for everyone to sing – Stand By Me, It Must Be Love and With a Little Help from my Friends.  We still had readings and we wrote our own vows so I’d say the ceremony was our take on tradition. 

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Giggling and Happy During Wedding Ceremony

 

Is there anything from your day that you are particularly proud of? 
We started the process of planning the wedding feeling quite daunting by the prospect of starting from scratch but also really excited by the potential it offered us. My sister made our wedding cake, one of the groomsmen designed and made the table plan, my mum made the decorations, Tom’s dad sourced the wedding favours, Tom’s mum made the groomsmen’s ties. Seeing everything and everyone come together in the days leading up to the wedding was so special and we’ll treasure the memory and feeling of that forever. 

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Home Made Three Tier Wedding Cake with Lego Cake Toppers

 

ELLEN AND TOM WERE KIND ENOUGH TO SAY SOME LOVELY WORDS ABOUT ME TOO:

“From the first meeting with Jesse we knew she was the right person to photograph our wedding. She has such a calming demeanour and she knows everything there is to know about making a wedding work! In the lead up to the wedding she always made herself available to answer any questions we had and was there to calm any anxieties or concerns we had. 

 

On the day itself, her professional, calming and sweet nature shone in abundance. She was always present but not overwhelmingly so. You can tell that she loves her job and cares as much about you as the bride and groom having the best day of your lives as she does about capturing beautiful photos of you. And the photos are just that – they’re beautiful and they captured the day perfectly.”

 

Thank you Ellen and Tom

 

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Outdoor Wedding Ceremony With Wooden Chairs

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Outdoor Wedding Ceremony With Wooden Chairs

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Outdoor Wedding Ceremony With Wooden Chairs

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Catherine Deane Bridal Separate Gown

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Catherine Deane Bridal Separate Gown

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, White Bridal Shoes

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Candid and Natural Bridal Preparation Photography

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Candid and Natural Bridal Preparation Photography

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Bride has her make up applied on the morning of her wedding

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Details of The Wedding Rings

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Groomsmen Has His Button Hole Applied

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Groomsmen Has His Button Hole Applied

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Mother Of The Bride Helps Her Daughter Into Catherine Deane Bridal Dress

Mother Of The Bride Helps Her Daughter Into Catherine Deane Bridal Dress

Bride in a Catherine Deane Bridal Dress

Bridesmaids Cheers with Champagne the Morning of The Wedding

Gorgeous Bride Reveals Her Catherine Deane Bridal Gown To Her Bridesmaids

Bride and Her Sister Help Their Dad With His Cufflinks

Gorgeous Bridal Bouquet of Sunflowers

Gorgeous Bridal Bouquet of Sunflowers

Bride Arrives To Her Outdoor Wedding With Father and Bridesmaids

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Groom Waits Patiently For His Bride

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Bride Arrives To Her Outdoor Wedding With Father

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride Walks Down the Aisle for an Outdoor Ceremony

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Beautiful Outdoor Wedding Under A Tree

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride Laughing During Vows

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride with Sunflower Bouquet During The Wedding Ceremony

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride Laughing During Vows

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride with Sunflower Bouquet During The Wedding Ceremony

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom in Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom in Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Share First Kiss

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Walk Across Field To Reception

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Guests Walk To Reception

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Reception Canapés Little Sausages

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Marquee Decorated with Green and White Flowers and Decor

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Marquee Decorated with Green and White Flowers and Decor

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Place Setting With Green Fern Favour

White Marquee Back Garden Wedding Decoration

Childrens Table Setting

Back Garden Wedding Marquee Decoration

Flower Table Setting Favour

Back Garden Wedding Marquee Decoration, Surrey Outdoor Wedding

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Place Setting With Jurassic Park Themed Table Names

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Place Setting With Green Fern Favour

Back Garden Wedding Marquee Decoration, Surrey Outdoor Wedding

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Place Setting With Personalised Baby Cham Glasses

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Place Setting With Green Fern Favour

Home Made Wedding Cake With Lego Figuring Cake Topper

Home made lemon wedding cake with fruit decoration

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Home Made Three Tier Wedding Cake with Lego Cake Toppers

Wedding Personalised Instax Polaroid Photo booth

Home made Jurassic Park Table Seating Plan

Burnt Orange Bridesmaid Dresses with Sunflower Bouquets

Burnt Orange Bridesmaid Dresses with Sunflower Bouquets

Navy Blue Three Piece Suits For Groom and His Groomsmen

Navy Blue Three Piece Suits For Groom and His Groomsmen

White Garden Marquee Wedding Reception

Bride and Groom Walk into Their Marquee Wedding Reception

Father of The Bride Gives His Wedding Speech

Smiling and Cheerful Wedding Guest

Bride in Hysterics As She Opens Her Wedding Present

Groomsmen Holds Up The Hand Made Wedding Present

Bride and Groom Share a Moment Together During Speeches

Smiling and Cheerful Wedding Guest

Guest Cheers During Wedding Speeches

 Street Food Style Wedding Food

Street Food Style Wedding Food

Street Food Style Wedding Food

Natural Wedding Photographs With Bamboo Forest Backdrop

Bride and Groom Share a Kiss With Bamboo Forest Backdrop Surrey Wedding

Natural Wedding Photographs With Bamboo Forest Backdrop Surrey

Natural Wedding Photographs With Bamboo Forest Backdrop

Natural and Candid Wedding Photographs

Bride and Groom Walk Together In A Field

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Smile and Laugh Together as They Embrace

Bride and Groom Smile and Laugh Together as They Embrace

Handsome Groom In Three Piece Navy Blue Suit With Yellow Flower Button Hole

Handsome Groom In Three Piece Navy Blue Suit With Yellow Flower Button Hole

 Stunning Catherine Deane Bride with Gorgeous Sunflower Bouquet

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Stunning Catherine Deane Bride with Gorgeous Sunflower Bouquet

Stunning Catherine Deane Bride with Gorgeous Sunflower Bouquet

Bride and Groom Walk Together In A Field

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Black and White Photograph Bride and Groom Walk Together In A Field

Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Natural Couples Portraits

Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Smile At Each Other Lovingly

Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Natural Couples Portraits

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Hand Made Model Of Bride and Groom With Jurassic Park Theme

Hand Made Model Of Bride and Groom With Jurassic Park Theme

White Marquee Outdoor wedding

Gorgeous Catherine Deane Bride and Groom Cut The Home Made Wedding Cake

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Share an Energetic and Lively First Dance

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Bride and Groom Share an Energetic and Lively First Dance

Black and White Photograph Of Bride and Groom Share an Energetic and Lively First Dance

Bride Enjoying Herself On The Dance Floor

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Smoove and Turrell DJ Perform a Wedding Entertainment Set

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Black and White Photograph Of Wedding Guest Energetically Dancing

Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Guests Dancing Lively and Energetic Dance Floor Photography

Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Guests Dancing Lively and Energetic Dance Floor Photography

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Smoove and Turrell DJ Perform a Wedding Entertainment Set

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony, Surrey Wedding Photography, Night Light Festoon Lights

Surrey Wedding Photography, Wedding Marquee at Night

 

There you have it!

 

I think that you can agree that no one has ever laughed or been more cheerful than Ellen and Tom at their wedding! How cute were they? An didn’t their outdoor wedding ceremony rock? If you are planning an outdoor wedding ceremony as well for your wedding, why don’t you check out Thea and Henrik’s Outdoor Woodland Swedish Wedding on my blog?

 

Thank you to the wonderful suppliers that made Ellen and Tom’s day possible:

Flowers: Wild Thyme Flowers

Dress: Catherine Deane

Suit: Beggars Run

Entertainment: Smoove and Turrell

Catering: Vamos Paella

Hair: Hair By Jodie

Marquee: One Six Events

Bridesmaids Dresses: ASOS

 

If you would like to have a chat about your wedding photography why not contact me and we can have a talk about your plans and where you are with planning? Perhaps you too are considering an outdoor wedding ceremony like Ellen and Tom? I would be happy to answer any of your questions hello@jessicagracephotography.co.uk

 

SINCE PHOTOGRAPHING ELLEN AND TOM’s WEDDING

 

Ellen’s sister and her partner booked me to photograph their destination wedding in France! They too had the most amazing outdoor wedding ceremony in a French vineyard and it was sublime. Like her sister, Grace’s wedding was relaxed, fun and was an absolute blast to photograph.

Jesse x