September Wedding at Lartington Hall: Natural Moments and Trusting Your Photographer

Planning an autumn wedding in the UK will most likely mean rain. The forecast for this Lartington Hall wedding certainly suggested that. Grey skies, showers and rain all day, basically the nightmare scenario for a wedding.

But Rebecca, the bride, had her own solution, a silly little old superstition. The night before the wedding, she buried two sausages in the garden, a superstition that supposedly guarantees good weather the next day. Nobody believed it would actually work, yet somehow the rain stayed away for the majority of the day; it surprised everyone. Guests were able to spend time outside, enjoy the cocktail hour, and even a bit of sunshine pushed through the clouds for a while. Whether it was luck or the sausages, the day turned out far better than the forecast promised.

Photographing weddings like this is always a reminder that even when the weather looks uncertain, your day will be shaped far more by how it feels than whether the sun comes out. And more often than not, that feeling comes from the couple themselves.

A Couple Sets the Tone for the Entire Day

There’s something I see again and again when photographing weddings. The mood of the day reflects the mood of the couple. If they’re relaxed and enjoying themselves, everyone else feels it too.

That’s exactly what happened here. Hayden was playful, goofy and full of energy, the person who naturally brings people together. Rebecca was thoughtful, warm and incredibly kind. Together, they created a wedding that felt genuinely joyful, with unmatched energy from start to finish.

Why Getting Ready at the Venue Helps Everything Flow Better?

Both the bride and groom got ready at Lartington Hall, just in different parts of the house. The groom spent the morning in the billiard room with his groomsmen, helping each other with bow ties and jackets before sharing a toast with a glass of Scotch. We used a small gap in the morning to take groom portraits first, which meant once everyone was together, he could simply relax and enjoy the rest of the time with his friends.

Meanwhile, the bride moved into the bridal suite for the final part of getting ready. Her mum helped her into the dress and veil, and those moments together became some of the most meaningful photographs of the morning. When meaningful moments happen, I don’t interrupt them. Instead, I guide things when I can. Maybe a small step toward better lighting, a slight adjustment in where someone stands, it will make a huge difference without interrupting the moment.

That way, the moment stays real, and the photos become more special.

Pro Tip: For your bridal finishing touches, such as putting on the dress and makeup touches, choose the room with the most natural light. This will guarantee your photographs are true to tone and light you up beautifully.

Why Do You Need to Be Comfortable With Your Photographer?

One thing that made this wedding incredibly relaxed was that the couple had already done two photo shoots with me before the wedding day. By the time the day arrived, they knew exactly how I work, how I guide posing, and what to expect from me. This meant they were relaxed from start to finish.

Because of that, they didn’t think about the camera at all. They trusted the process and enjoyed the day. When couples feel comfortable, the photographs become much more natural, and it stops feeling like a photoshoot and starts feeling like real moments being captured as they happen.

Pro Tip: If you are a little nervous about having your photos taken, or you’re camera shy, get yourself a couples' photoshoot with your wedding photographer to see how it all works. Trust me, you will thank yourself for that.

A Wedding Where the Guests Truly Showed Up

Something that stood out throughout the day was how genuinely invested the guests were in the celebration. People spent time talking, laughing, playing lawn games and enjoying their time together. The bride had even written personal letters to every single guest, which tells you a lot about the kind of people they are.

That connection changes the whole feeling of a wedding. When guests feel included and excited to be there, the energy builds naturally as the day moves toward the evening.

The Dancefloor That Was Never Empty

By the time the evening arrived, the breakfast room at Lartington Hall had transformed into the dancefloor space. The band set up their lighting, and the first dance brought everyone together, but what happened after that was what every wedding should have.

The couple changed outfits and made a second entrance with their wedding party holding Labrador cut-outs in honour of their dog, while “Who Let the Dogs Out” blasted through the speakers. Within seconds, the dancefloor was packed, and it stayed that way for the rest of the night. People were dancing on shoulders, singing along, and completely losing themselves in the moment. In four years of photographing weddings, I can honestly say I’ve rarely seen a dancefloor stay that full for that long.

Pro Tip: One thing couples often overlook when planning their wedding is dancefloor lighting. It usually gets left to the DJ or band, but the lighting can completely change how the evening photographs turn out.

Simple lighting almost always works best. Soft coloured lights moving around the room create an atmosphere without overwhelming the space. What I usually recommend avoiding are projected shapes or patterns on the floor. They can make the room feel cluttered and rarely photograph well. The lighting at this wedding was simple and worked perfectly with the energy on the dancefloor.

Final Photographer Thoughts

Looking back at this wedding, a few things stand out.

Rain or shine, don't let it impact your mood.

A couples photoshoot before the wedding makes being in front of the camera feel a lot more natural.

When the energy of the couple, their guests and the music all come together, the celebration becomes unforgettable.

And if burying sausages the night before helps the weather… it might just be worth trying.

With love,

Karolina x

Planning Your Own Lartington Hall Wedding?

If you're planning a wedding at Lartington Hall and want candid, editorial wedding photographs that capture the real atmosphere of your day, get in touch and share your plans. I’d love to hear from you.

Get in touch