Stratford-Upon-Avon Town Hall and DIY laidback wedding – Warwickshire wedding photographer

Elly + Sam

”Our key focus was to avoid a traditional & formal wedding in favour of a more casual, laidback party.”

And they managed to do just that! We loved working as Warwickshire wedding photographers at Elly and Sam’s laid back wedding. The couple chose historic Town Hall in Stratford-upon-Avon (for those who do not know – it is a birthplace of Shakespeare!) for their ceremony. With its impressive interiors and history dating to 17th century it was a truly stunning location for their wedding. I am so pleased we were allowed to take a few portraits at Stratford-Upon-Avon Town Hall  after the ceremony!

Both Elly and Sam did not want a very traditional or formal wedding though so for the rest of the celebrations the party moved to a family friends’ farm in Kenilworth, Warwickshire, where Elly comes from . Spacious and light filled marquee was a perfect setting for a relaxed food sharing meal, hilarious speeches and party until wee hours. The place was filled with hand made DIY decorations, fresh flowers and paper flower backdrop wall for guest pics. We were so lucky with the weather too! It rained the day before but skies cleared up and we had gorgeous sunshine for our photos in the nearby fields. There was also a horse that, probably only fellow photographers will understand, caused us a lot of delight. Who does not like to have wedding photo with a horse? Well, some people do not…when they are allergic to them! Thankfully Sam informed me before I insisted he stroked the horse!

Read more about this Stratford-upon- Avon Town Hall laid back wedding below.

The story and beach proposal

We met at university in Manchester 11 years ago where we lived in halls opposite one another. We got engaged two Easters ago when Sam proposed on a beautiful beach in Cornwall where he is from.

Check this engagement shoot we did in London here

What made you choose Stratford upon Avon Town Hall for your wedding? Why did you opt for a DIY wedding party after?

We chose Stratford upon Avon town hall for its historic character and original features and chose to have a marquee in a field for a laid back casual party. We prepared most of the things for the party ourselves with help of family friends. Flowers and flowers decorations were prepared by Elly’s aunt and cousin.

We had two readings for our ceremony, one by Elly’s good childhood friend Amanda who read John Cooper Clark’s ‘I wanna be yours’ and a second read by Sam’s sister Emily who read a poem by Bob Marley.

Our outfits and this gorgeous long sleeved dress!

Elly’s dress was hand made by a family friend as a one off commission.

Our first dance song

We had Billy Joel’s “Always a Woman to Me” as this is a song that we fell in love with together back at university.

The entertainment 

We love live music and hired a band called The Balloon Animals – we chose them because of their style and charisma, adding to the laid back party vibe.

What was your favourite part of the day and why?

Hard to say but, the guest all seemed to enjoy the band and silent disco which followed. For Elly & I we enjoyed the father of the bride and best men speeches.

Inspo board:

Dress: handmade

Bride’s shoes: Dune

Bridal make up: Chloe Parasmo HMUA

Bridesmaid dresses: Asos

Suit:

Venue: Stratford-upon-Avon Town Hall and East Chase Farm, Kenilworth

Band: The Balloon Animals

Flowers: by family

Decoration: DIY couple, family and friends