Destination wedding in Belgium

February 17, 2020

Belgian destination barn wedding

It is always a compliment of the highest order when a member of a previous client’s bridal party decides to book you for their destination wedding. It kind of shows that they didn’t choose you just on your website, but the full range of your photos sent to them by their friend, and because they got a good vibe from you as a person on the day. I shot Lies and Alexander’s beautiful wedding at The Asylum and it was amazing that her bridesmaid Sarah asked me to come all the way to Belgium for their wedding. I guess it was a destination wedding for me, but not for them as they got married in their home town with a classic barn wedding. I started the day at Sarah’s family home, where she got ready peacefully with her mum and aunt. I loved seeing the unique architecture that is so different from what I’m used to as a Londoner. Sarah is down to earth but classy, and wore a modern dress with lace sleeves and low back. I rarely include black and white photos in my public blog posts, and indeed don’t edit many to black and white in what I deliver to couples, but I found the stunning hard Autumn sun of this largely outdoor Belgian barn wedding too good to resist working with, so forgive me if this blog post looks a little different! Simon arrived at Sarah’s house in a vintage car to do their first look.

Castle couple shots

After that we went Sterrebos, a famous local castle and grounds to do some couple photos amongst the stunning woodlands in bright sun, before heading to Simon’s family home for soup and some family photos.

Back garden wedding

At their parents’ house we had an informal soup and sandwiches lunch in their stunning and perfectly groomed back garden. I love casual family gardens and homes being part of a wedding day as that way everything is personal!

At Simon’s house they rehearsed their lining up and entry into the church, before all heading into a vintage open bus to the church

They got married at Church ceremony in Kortrijk which concluded with a ribbon ceremony and had plenty of performances from Simon’s incredibly musically talented family- his brothers singing and on keyboard and mum on the guitar

After the church ceremony they went back in the vintage bus to their reception venue, a big barn and stables private estate, where they had their first reception. In Belgium they split receptions into two with the party set in the second, and there’s a heck load of oysters. That’s what I’ve learnt.

At the venue the reception area was decorated with photos Simon’s mum had taken of the family, jars of pink elegant flowers and balloons.

After the two receptions which last most of the daylight, everyone went indoors for the speeches and dinner. The couples put disposable cameras on the tables with a photo shot list