phone07531 120817
GET IN TOUCH

Octagon Barn | Norfolk Wedding Photography | Naomi & Alexander

With COVID having affected so many couples wedding plans for 2020, it was a pleasure to be able to photograph at least one wedding in August at Eaton Church and Octagon Barn. Traditionally the busiest month in the calendar for wedding suppliers, I typically photograph around 7 weddings in August in a normal year. It has been a somewhat crazy time and although there were lots of restrictions in place, that didn’t impact on Alex & Naomi creating a mesmerising day.

Love conquers all

If I said the whole day was spent giggling, laughing and generally enjoying every second, that wouldn’t be enough. Naomi has the ability to light up the whole room with her smile and giggles, which was very contagious. She spent the whole day with a massive smile on her face and you could tell that it really didn’t matter to them both that they had to cut the guest list down and tick lots of the COVID boxes to be able to tie the knot. The most important thing for them both was to just get married and become Husband and Wife. Recently, lots of couples have said that “love conquers all” and COVID just goes to show that it really does. 

Alex & Naomi were adamant from day 1 that they would still be getting married on 22nd August, despite the world in turmoil with the pandemic. 

So that morning off I went with my camera gear and my mask. 

The bridal party had hired an Air B&B in Norwich, as they weren’t from around this area. It was a Victorian town house in Unthank road. The day started with champagne in their silk robes. It was all very chilled while they had their hair styled and make-up applied.

I dashed across to the lads at The Red Lion in Eaton, who were also super chilled casually ironing shirts. Usually it is the brides tradition to be late, but it wasn’t the case this time. It was the guys instead!

Luckily the bride and groom were close together, so I was able to move between the two of them.

Per Sempre Wedding Car Hire transported the bridal party the short distance to Eaton Church. The bridesmaids had matching face masks which complemented their dresses perfectly.

The ceremony

The church was very deceptive. From the outside it was a very traditional looking church, but as you walk through, it was completely the opposite! A large modern open space where the church had been extended in recent years. What a beautiful space!  

Due to the COVID restriction of no more than 30 guests, the ceremony was streamed live to family and friends around the world. It was also lovely to see well wishers outside the church gazing in through the tall windows. 

Alex & Naomi’s church band had pre-recorded songs which were projected onto the wall and played to the congregation during the ceremony. Due to COVID restrictions, singing was banned, so guests gently hummed along instead.

There is a long avenue of trees leading up to the church from the road, which was a fantastic photo opportunity. We took full advantage of it!

Octagon Barn

The reception was held at Octagon Barn in Little Plumstead. It was my first time photographing at this venue. I met the couple a few weeks before there so I could do a bit of a reckie to find those all important photo opportunities. 

The guests enjoyed a glass of bubbly and canapes on the lawn in the late summer sunshine while the family groups were photographed and with there being a smaller number of guests this meant they everyone was able to chat to everyone else!

The Octagon Barn is named, as you can guess, because of its shape. The barn is deceptively large inside decorated with thousands of fairy lights throughout.

COVID guidelines had dictated the table plan to an extent with extra space between all of the chairs. The flowers and table decorations made the room look amazing.

Because both sides’ families’ had relatives in far reaching countries and many were unable to travel, a large TV screen was brought in and pre recorded video messages were played during the speeches, which was a lovely and often emotional touch.

There was no after party at this wedding. Naomi and Alexander still had their first dance, but as guidelines dictated, there was no band or disco. I don’t think this worried these two that much. The fact that they had their wedding with their closest family and friends by their side was more than enough.

If you are tying the knot and looking for your wedding photographer, then take a look at what I offer.

Wedding Suppliers included: