Intimate outdoor wedding at Normanton Church in Rutland – Darren & Natasha

Love the countryside? You’ll love this outdoor wedding for inspo.

Darren and Natasha got married at the unusal Normanton Church – where you can have a civil ceremony in a classic church right on the water’s edge. 

‘Classic’, ‘cheery’ and ‘chilled out’ sum their day up. Everything slotted together effortlessly… An intimate gathering of their closest family and friends, the backdrop of Rutland Water, a cosy civil ceremony, a slap-up meal at their favourite restaurant and lots of fun banter. Wedding tetris level 27: Complete.

Want to know their secret to creating an effortlessly relaxed wedding? Coming right up: Be yourselves and dontcha worry ’bout a thing A-a-ayy (soz if that’s stuck in your head now).

And as for the photography? Darren and Natasha wanted that to slot in effortlessly too. They wanted beautiful photos taken in the moment without any cliches. Happily, that’s my jam on toast!

Getting ready

My day started with capturing Natasha getting ready at home with her family in Loughborough. 

The morning was full of fun, tea and laughter. One of my favourite moments was Natasha opening her wedding gift from Darren – an adopted lobster. I knew then it would be a day with lots of character to capture.

After capturing Natasha showing her dress to her two sons for the first time and then putting her dress on ready to get married, I headed off to Rutland to meet Darren and capture all the action as the guests arrived. 

The ceremony

The ceremony was a moving occasion, with personal vows that Darren and Natasha wrote themselves, their sons as ring-bearers and interchangable tears, banter and excited hand-squeezes . It was a joy to witness and photograph.

After the ceremony, the Darren and Natasha mingled with their guests by the waterside. I soaked up the relaxed and fun moments as they enjoyed champagne and delicious canapes. Strong winds tested everyone’s resolve but the church walls are a great place to shelter.

Natasha’s first words on seeing her photos…

You have had me in tears!

You have captured everyone and their personalities perfectly. We are absolutely delighted with all the photos, I don’t know how we will choose favourites. 

I can’t wait to show them off to family and friends! 

Thank you, thank you, thank you! 

I’m going to be looking at these so often., they are brilliant.

Are you planning a relaxed ceremony at Normanton Church?

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a message here or if you’re happy looking around at the moment then clickety-click here to see more of my photography at Normanton church.