AVALEN FARM, LANIVET

This month I’ve been looking back on Sophie and Jake’s wedding, held on Saturday 21st June at the beautiful Avalen Farm in Lanivet, near Bodmin. The weather couldn’t have been better, and the whole day unfolded against the backdrop of rolling Cornish countryside.

I began the morning in the farmhouse, photographing Sophie’s stunning Elaine Rawlings dress hanging in her room. Meanwhile, Kirsty captured all of Sophie’s details in lovely flat lays — the rings, perfume, invitations, shoes, and jewellery. I also photographed the bridesmaids’ dresses along with the personalised hangers Sophie had made for each of them. Their dried flower bouquets by Roots & Wild were another gorgeous touch, so naturally we made time to capture those too.

One of the things I love about Avalen Farm is the separate barn used for the wedding breakfast. Because much of it is styled ahead of time, I was able to pop over while Kirsty stayed with the girls during hair and makeup, done by Katarina Lategan and Lisa Poole. The tables looked wonderful, each one decorated with childhood photos of Sophie and Jake as fun centrepieces. More beautiful dried flowers by Roots and Wild were used throughout, paired with the always-impressive styling from the Avalen team.

Once Sophie was ready, we took some photos of her, her bridesmaids, and her mum in the garden, glasses of Prosecco in hand, in their dressing gowns. I shot a few portraits of Sophie on film as well, before heading off to meet Jake and his groomsmen under the Sycamore tree. They looked sharp in their Moss Bros suits and were in great spirits. At the entrance to the venue was a mirrored welcome sign, perfect for a few playful reflection shots of Jake.

Back at the farmhouse, Sophie stepped into her dress with her mum’s help, and I captured both digital and film shots of those last moments before she walked out. The bridesmaids’ emotional reaction to seeing her ready was one of the sweetest moments of the morning.

The outdoor ceremony space was set beneath the giant Sycamore tree on the lawn, and with the weather so glorious, there was never any question of moving it inside. Despite a brief shower earlier, the sky cleared just in time.

It was now time for Sophie to walk across the lawn to the tree. Jake held it together well, waiting calmly in the shade with his groomsmen. The ceremony was full of smiles, and the two of them looked so relaxed and happy standing together under the branches. After the vows and the register signing came the confetti tunnel, a flurry of colourful dried petals from Roots and Wild that made for brilliant photos.

We followed this with group shots beneath the Sycamore tree and at the ceremony arch. The groomsmen lifted Jake into the air for a few fun photos, and the bridesmaids and groomsmen pulled off some Vogue-inspired poses using the seats under the tree.

As guests enjoyed drinks in the sunshine, we moved around capturing candid moments before everyone headed inside for the meal. Speeches brought both laughter and a few tears. Duchy Chef created the most vibrant dishes, so I made sure to capture the beautifully presented plates before they went out.

While the guests ate, I photographed the rings with more dried flowers, and one of Sophie’s bridesmaids, who had baked the wedding cake, added its finishing touches. A Polaroid of the couple, taken just after they’d sat down, made the sweetest cake topper.

After the cake cutting, we slipped outside for more portraits on the lawn. The light had turned soft and slightly overcast, perfect for photography. We walked into one of the fields where the sky was dramatic, and the photos from this set feel especially dreamy. I loved shooting these on film.

Back at the party, guests were already dancing enthusiastically, with one guest even swinging from the barn beams! The first dance came earlier than usual, but it suited the relaxed flow of the day. Afterwards, the sun appeared again, giving us warm golden light for more portraits on the lawn. The couple made shadow shapes and laughed together, and the light filtering through the trees was perfect.

As evening set in, Jax Catering brought out an incredible spread of fruit, cheese, and biscuits, something Sophie had been excited for all day. With sunset approaching, I drove the couple up to nearby Helman Tor, where we captured some breathtaking shots of them on the rocks as the sun went down, including silhouettes and a few off-camera flash portraits.

When we returned to the barn, the groomsmen were enjoying whiskey and cigars as twilight settled in. Sophie joined them with a bottle of wine in hand, looking wonderfully relaxed. Inside, the party was now in full swing, with guests passing around personalised wedding sunglasses, taking instant prints, waving glow sticks, and filling the dance floor.

It was the perfect end to a stunning summer wedding, full of laughter, colour, and so many beautiful moments shared between two genuinely lovely people. Thank you so much for having me shoot your special day, Sophie and Jake, it was a pleasure!

Here’s to everyone involved!

Venue: Avalen Farm

Dress: Elaine Rawlings

Suits: Moss Bros

Day catering: Duchy Chef

Evening catering: Jax Catering

DJ: DJ Cas

Make up: Katarina Lategan

Hair: Lisa Poole

Seamstress: Oriole Bridal

Flowers: Roots & Wild 

If you’d like to book me for your wedding photography, please see this page for a breakdown of options.