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Brookfield Barn Wedding | Caroline & Bhavin

Well, that's January nearly over!  It's been a tough month, with the combination of grey drizzle (sadly no snow for us down on the coast) and the continued uncertainly surrounding weddings. 

As I write, I have just two couples holding out for small weddings in April and May, with all my other weddings from the start of the year now postponed.  So whilst we're all hoping for a return to pubs and restaurants soon, I now have 18 months of weddings condensed into 5 months;  if all goes to plan, my social life will just have to wait!  I'm not complaining though, those weddings that my couples have waited so long to enjoy are going to be epic and amazing to capture. 

 

A marriage of Malaysian and Indian cultures

Whilst waiting for the action to start, I'm going to blog a few more of my weddings from 2019, starting with this absolute corker of a wedding at Brookfield Barn in July.   This was the union of a Malaysian bride and Indian groom, packed with traditional wedding customs and alive with the vibrant colour of Asian costumes.

Brookfield Barn Wedding_0062Brookfield Barn Wedding_0062Relaxed couple photos of just married bride and groom at their Brookfield Barn wedding

Newly married bride and groom walk around grounds of Brookfield Barn.  Bouquet by LadyLissy Floristry

 

Bridal prep with a difference:  traditional Chinese-Malaysian challenges!

The day began with the bride and bridesmaids getting ready at an AirBnB the families had rented near Brookfield Barn.  But this was no ordinary morning of bridal preparation.  Once the bridesmaids were dressed and made up, and the bride was helped into her gorgeous princess gown by her Mum and sister, there was a knock at the door.  The groom and groomsmen had arrived, ready to take on a series of "challenges" devised by the bride's family. This is a Chinese-Malaysian custom, whereby the groom comes to collect the bride before their wedding, but before he can see her, has to pass a few tests!  

Challenges included identifying tea flavours, moving sweets from one bowl to another using just chopsticks, and correctly identifying medical xrays (the bride and groom both being junior doctors).  It was absolutely hillarious and I wanted to capture every great expression!  

Bride and groom 'First Look'

Having passed the test, the groom then waited in the grounds for a traditional 'First Look' with his bride.  This is a custom common in the US as well, but in British culture, the couple's first sighting of each other in their wedding garb is usually at the start of the ceremony.  For me, it was a first, and lovely to capture their joy in seeing each other before their wedding.

They returned to the house to rapturous applause from the families before everyone headed to Brookfield Barn to join the other guests in preparation for the ceremony.  

Outdoor ceremony at Brookfield Barn

The vows were said outside under Brookfield's purpose-built ceremony arch, with its beautiful natural backdrop of lake and trees.  Afterwards, a jazz band played whilst guests mingled in the sunshine and I took a few family photos and captured some natural moments of the newlyweds walking around the golf course.  

Ice Cream and a Traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony

After the wedding breakfast and speeches, the 130 or so guests piled back outside, where ice cream was served on the patio.  Then came the second of the big Asian traditions and another first for me to capture - a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony.  This began with the bride and groom changing into traditional Chinese costumes, which family members had brought over from Malaysia, and serving tea to their family elders to pay their respects.  The ritual then continued with the bride and groom sitting down and being served tea by younger family members.  The bridesmaids acted as attendants, handing the beautiful Chinese cups to the couple on ornate trays.

The atmosphere was one of fun and reverance, with lots of hugs and laughter.  I'd definitely be up for another one, although maybe a cushion for my knees next time, as it's quite a lengthy custom with large families on both sides!  

Customary Asian First Dances

Guests lined the barn for the traditional Asian first dance, followed by the bride's dance with her father and a bouquet throw.  And at dusk, with the couple changed back into their original wedding gown and suit, I captured a few romantic photos of the bride and groom with subtle backlighting to showcase Caroline's gorgeous dress.

Couple's Testimonial 

Such a fun celebration, jam-packed with traditions and happy moments between generations.  I'm proud to share the lovely testimonial I received from the couple:

 

"Jenny was really amazing on our wedding day, right through from the morning prep and “first look shoot” and ceremony, through to the evening reception and after-dark photos.

We’re so glad we chose her to photograph our wedding, she completely understood what we wanted and all of the photographs are gorgeous, very special reminders of our big day (and engagement shoot!).

We’d highly recommend her to other couples!"

Caroline & Bhavin

 

Brookfield Barn Wedding_0001Brookfield Barn Wedding_0001Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0002Brookfield Barn Wedding_0002Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0003Brookfield Barn Wedding_0003Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0004Brookfield Barn Wedding_0004Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0005Brookfield Barn Wedding_0005Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0006Brookfield Barn Wedding_0006Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0007Brookfield Barn Wedding_0007Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0009Brookfield Barn Wedding_0009Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0008Brookfield Barn Wedding_0008Bride and bridesmaids getting ready for Brookfield Barn wedding. Bride with henna pattern on feet. Brookfield Barn Wedding_0010Brookfield Barn Wedding_0010Traditional Chinese wedding games played with groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids whilst the bride's prepares for her wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0011Brookfield Barn Wedding_0011Traditional Chinese wedding games played with groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids whilst the bride's prepares for her wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0012Brookfield Barn Wedding_0012Traditional Chinese wedding games played with groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids whilst the bride's prepares for her wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0013Brookfield Barn Wedding_0013Traditional Chinese wedding games played with groom, groomsmen and bridesmaids whilst the bride's prepares for her wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0014Brookfield Barn Wedding_0014Asian Bride about to meet Indian Groom for traditional First Look before her wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0015Brookfield Barn Wedding_0015Asian Bride meets Groom for traditional First Look before their wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0016Brookfield Barn Wedding_0016Asian Bride meets Groom for traditional First Look before their wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0017Brookfield Barn Wedding_0017Asian guests mingling before wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0018Brookfield Barn Wedding_0018Groom greets bride's father before wedding at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0019Brookfield Barn Wedding_0019Guests arrive and mingle at Brookfield Barn before Asian wedding ceremony Brookfield Barn Wedding_0020Brookfield Barn Wedding_0020Guests arrive and mingle at Brookfield Barn before Asian wedding ceremony Brookfield Barn Wedding_0021Brookfield Barn Wedding_0021Flower girl at Brookfield Barn before Asian wedding ceremony Brookfield Barn Wedding_0022Brookfield Barn Wedding_0022Guests arrive and mingle at Brookfield Barn before Asian wedding ceremony Brookfield Barn Wedding_0023Brookfield Barn Wedding_0023Guests arrive and mingle at Brookfield Barn before Asian wedding ceremony Brookfield Barn Wedding_0024Brookfield Barn Wedding_0024Bride and Dad come up the aisle at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0025Brookfield Barn Wedding_0025Bride and Groom exchange rings at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0026Brookfield Barn Wedding_0026Bride and Groom first kiss as husband and wife at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0027Brookfield Barn Wedding_0027Bride and Groom sign register at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0028Brookfield Barn Wedding_0028Bride and Groom at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0029Brookfield Barn Wedding_0029Groomsmen take photos at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0030Brookfield Barn Wedding_0030Bride and Groom at outdoor wedding ceremony at Brookfield Barn Brookfield Barn Wedding_0031Brookfield Barn Wedding_0031Musicians play at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0032Brookfield Barn Wedding_0032Guests at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0033Brookfield Barn Wedding_0033Guests at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0034Brookfield Barn Wedding_0034Relaxed couple photos of just married bride and groom at their Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0035Brookfield Barn Wedding_0035Relaxed couple photoson swing of just married bride and groom at their Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0036Brookfield Barn Wedding_0036Relaxed couple photos of just married bride and groom on swing at their Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0037Brookfield Barn Wedding_0037Relaxed couple photos of just married bride and groom at their Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0038Brookfield Barn Wedding_0038Relaxed couple photos of just married bride and groom at their Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0039Brookfield Barn Wedding_0039Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0040Brookfield Barn Wedding_0040Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0041Brookfield Barn Wedding_0041Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0042Brookfield Barn Wedding_0042Brookfield Barn wedding reception. Bride shows henna hands to pageboy Brookfield Barn Wedding_0043Brookfield Barn Wedding_0043Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0044Brookfield Barn Wedding_0044Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0045Brookfield Barn Wedding_0045Speeches at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0046Brookfield Barn Wedding_0046Speeches at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0047Brookfield Barn Wedding_0047Guests eat ice cream at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0048Brookfield Barn Wedding_0048Guests eat ice cream at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0049Brookfield Barn Wedding_0049Pageboy and flower girl play at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0050Brookfield Barn Wedding_0050Guests eat ice cream at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0051Brookfield Barn Wedding_0051Guests eat ice cream at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0052Brookfield Barn Wedding_0052Traditional Chinese tea ceremony at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0053Brookfield Barn Wedding_0053Traditional Chinese tea ceremony at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0054Brookfield Barn Wedding_0054Traditional Chinese tea ceremony at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0055Brookfield Barn Wedding_0055Traditional Chinese tea ceremony at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0056Brookfield Barn Wedding_0056Traditional Chinese tea ceremony at Brookfield Barn wedding reception Brookfield Barn Wedding_0057Brookfield Barn Wedding_0057Guests toast marshmallows on firepit at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0058Brookfield Barn Wedding_0058Guests toast marshmallows on firepit at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0063Brookfield Barn Wedding_0063Bride and groom perform traditional Chinese First Dance at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0059Brookfield Barn Wedding_0059Bride dances with her father at Brookfield Barn wedding Brookfield Barn Wedding_0060Brookfield Barn Wedding_0060Romantic photo of Bride and groom using off-camera flash taken at Brookfield Barn wedding

 

I'm really looking foward to my return to Brookfield Barn - this September all being well!

Do pop back in February for my next wedding blog.  And if you love my relaxed style of photography and are planning a wedding in 2022 or 2023, please do get in touch!  It may seem a long way off, but the pandemic has resulted in many couples postponing to 2022, and dates are filling up much earlier than usual.  I'd love to hear your plans.

 

Jenny x

 

 

Caroline & Bhavin's fab wedding team:

Venue:  Brookfield Barn

Decor: To Have and To Hire

Florist:  LadyLissy Floristry

Cake: Kasserina Cakes

Hair & Make Up:  Kimberley Louise Make Up

Ice Cream Cart:  Boho Gelato (Worthing)

Videographer:  Mark at Short Film Company