I met Meg and Alex after I’d been recommended to them by their dear friends Beckie and James whose wedding I’d photographed a few years ago. What a wonderful recommendation from both sides and how blessed I feel to have been chosen to photograph their wedding day at the stunning Huntstile Organic Farm in Somerset.
This was the first time I had been to Huntstile Organic Farm and I very much hope that we get the opportunity to go back and photograph many more weddings there. It was insanely good!
From being invited to join Meg and Alex and their families for pizza night on the eve of the wedding, right through to their viewing of their wedding story; this has been a wonderful journey with this lovely couple. A journey I hope is just the very start!
Our electric car needed charging on our way down to a holiday in Devon, and the range extender had failed on us. We had stopped at Bridgwater service, and they were so terrible that we looked to find somewhere else to charge. Seeing an organic farm on the map with a public listed charge point, we thought we’d go for lunch before continuing on the journey.
When we arrived we found the venue was an active farm (which also did weddings!) we fell in love with the place very quickly, and put in a reservation on the spot – paying the deposit on the way home from holiday.
I wanted to wear a normal suit, but something special and new for the day. I bought a tailored Ted Baker suit with matching waist coat.
I was not allowed to see my tie until the special day – because it was the same colour as Meg’s dress – so the tailor really helped to ensure things wouldn’t clash.
It was made of sage green silk with antique lace from Barcelona over it – it was a one of a kind creation and I fell in love with it when I first wore it.
Old : Necklace made by Meg’s mother when she was a child
New : Most of my attire 😉
Borrowed : Hair clip from her close friend Jess – which she had kept since she was a little girl
Blue : Sapphire Earrings as part of a surprise gift from Alex on the day
We met around the office, when Meg was reviewing my CV for a job with a new sub-team. A mutual friend introduced us to each other, and we became fast friends from there.
Muse – Time is running out, played by a string quartet
For both of us – the moment we first saw each other by the wedding arch during the ceremony was a moment we’ll remember forever, and all anxieties about the day disappeared.
Almost 100% – we were very lucky. The only mishap was when the registrar forgot the second reading, but we fitted that in at the end!
Alex proposed to Meg on a cruise ship in Barcelona harbour, looking out across the bay to Sagrada Familia and the Castel Montjuic, as we set sail into the Mediterranean.
Alex’s father gifted him a pocket watch on the day – silver and dated from 1890.
Meg wore a necklace that her mother made, and a hair clip borrowed from one of her close friends Jess which she had kept since she was a child.
“You were the only photographer who actually listened to what we wanted rather than continually suggesting how YOU wanted to do the photos.
You made us feel cared about, and at ease very quickly.
It was like meeting up with a friend each time we came to speak to you – Thank you”
Meg spent months making all the origami paper stars on the ceiling of the tent.
Meg’s mother made the table lights. We tried to keep nature and recycling (as much as possible) as part of our desires – so the table cards were made from pinecones we had gathered, the favours were seeds we collected from wild flowers.
We still have that to do! However we went straight on a mini-moon in Devon to the same cottage which helped us find the venue.
Falafel, bread, olive, and hummus starters.
Beef bourginon, or roasted butternut squash main.
Brownie, Apple brulee, banoffee pie for desserts.
All meals were organic and 98% of the ingredients were grown on site at Huntstile Organic Farm.
Everything went off without a trouble, and the whole day was completely memorable and wonderful for us.
We were very very grateful for Nikki and Charlotte’s enthusiasm and enjoyment in the day, which made us feel much more at ease during the photos.
Nikki’s Notes… I’d never been to Huntstile Organic Farm before so we spent some time the day before doing a recce. We off roaded for about a mile over fields and a dirt track to reach this stunning look out.
It took about 1 year, but not intensive work.
It is more fun than you worry it will be.
Someone once told me – don’t stress if something doesn’t quite go to plan on the day – you were the only people who knew the plan, and all those present are the ones who love you dearest and are only noticing how wonderful and happy everything is.
We went for a selection of cheeses as our wedding ‘cake’ picking a few favourites and some other complimentary (and some safe) cheeses.
Nikki’s Notes… I do love a shot which involves technical know how! When we took this it was pitch black as there are no street lights in this area polluting the light. We set this shot up and then went to find Meg and Alex to take this lovely sequence of images. When people ask me if I am ‘natural light’ photographer this is why I say no! Yes I take beautiful images with the light I have during the day however… to take shots like this you have to know your lighting!
Wedding Photographer: Nikki Kirk
Ceremony venue: Huntstile Organic Farm
Reception venue: Huntstile Organic Farm
Flowers: JW Blooms
Dress: Cocoa Couture
Bridesmaid dresses: H&M
Groom’s outfit: Slaters
Cake: Cheese J From the Cheeseworks
Catering: Huntstile Organic Farm
Transport: None
Stationery: Pinecones
Entertainment: Spotify
Favours: Bee friendly flower seeds (from wild flowers)
Hair and beauty: Alison Ward
Rings including engagement ring: Engagement ring from Lynall Jewellers (Birmingham JQ), Wedding bands from Hockley Jewellers (Birmingham JQ)