THOMAS & RYAN
BARLASTON HOUSE, STAFFORDSHIRE
UK Analogue Documentary Photographer at Barlaston House, Staffordshire
Thomas and Ryan didn’t just plan a wedding. They created a story.
When Ryan shared a post looking for suppliers, I reached out with something a little different — an idea to document their day on analogue film. His reply was simple: “I love the concept!”
That meant a lot to me — because it showed they weren’t just “okay” with something different. They genuinely valued the slower, more thoughtful approach that analogue photography brings.
They’d already booked their main photographer, and he was on board with the idea, so we agreed that I’d work quietly alongside him, capturing a quieter, more intimate angle on their story.
Their dogs weren’t just part of the day — they were woven into everything. As their ring bearers and constant companions, they were woven into everything, bringing joy, chaos, and a lot of laughter.
Their October wedding at Barlaston, in the heart of the countryside in Staffordshire, was filled with soft light, autumn colour, and moments that felt quietly cinematic.
Barlaston House became the heart of the day — it was where the groom preparations took place, where the champagne tower was set up, and where friends gathered throughout the morning.
Meanwhile, the church was quietly transformed from ceremony space into a reception room. The night before, Ryan and his friends had worked late into the evening decorating it by hand, turning it into something deeply personal.
Barlaston House and Church wedding details
Barlaston itself feels like part of the story — grand but never overwhelming, full of quiet corners and beautiful light.
In the days leading up to the wedding, friends and family worked late into the night setting up the space — arranging flowers, building tables, and transforming the church by hand. It felt less like a venue being “styled” and more like a community building something meaningful together.
Thomas and Ryan’s attention to detail was thoughtful rather than showy. From the long tables and candlelight to their beautifully personal menu booklet, everything reflected their shared history and values.
The morning was calm, relaxed, and full of familiar faces. In Barlaston House, friends drifted in and out of rooms, helping with final touches, making tea, and keeping nerves at bay.
Soft light poured through the tall windows, catching on mirrors, jackets, and half-finished details. Outside, guests began to arrive, greeting each other in the garden before slowly making their way towards the church.
There was a quiet sense of anticipation building — people pausing in conversations, checking their watches, waiting for the moment when Thomas and Ryan would finally arrive.
It didn’t feel rushed or staged. It felt like a group of people who cared deeply about each other, preparing for something that mattered.
Getting ready at Barlaston House: before the ceremony
A personal ceremony in Barlaston’s unconsecrated church
Close friends sang, personal words were shared, and handmade details filled the space.
When it came to the ceremony, their dogs took centre stage — proudly carrying the rings and stealing more than a few hearts along the way.
Watching Thomas and Ryan exchange vows, framed by flowers their friends had arranged and surrounded by the people who had helped build the day, felt incredibly moving.
After the Ceremony: Champagne, Canapés, and Celebration
After the ceremony, the mood shifted into celebration. Inside Barlaston House, a champagne tower marked the moment — glasses stacked high, bubbles rising, and cheers filling the room.
Soon after, guests spilled out into the grounds, glasses in hand, sharing hugs, laughter, and stories over canapés in the autumn sunshine. Between hugs, conversations, and spontaneous bursts of laughter, the atmosphere never felt formal. It felt warm, open, and full of life.
A tender kiss between the couple in the gardens at Barlaston House
Relaxed Couple Portraits at Barlaston
The main photographer led the couple portraits, making the most of the beautiful grounds at Barlaston.
Working alongside him, I focused on the lighter moments in between — the constant interruptions from their dog, shared glances, and quiet smiles that revealed the deep companionship, love, and trust between Thomas and Ryan.
Piper wants to play—even during the couple shots!
The wedding breakfast and speeches at Barlaston
The wedding breakfast took place in the beautifully transformed church, now glowing with candlelight and flowers arranged by friends.
Speeches were heartfelt, funny, and full of shared history — the kind that leave everyone laughing one moment and wiping away tears the next.
After the speeches: fun, the first dance and the evening celebrations…
An ice cream van in the garden: a perfect Autumn surprise
After the speeches, the garden filled with laughter again as an ice-cream van arrived — an unexpectedly joyful touch that felt completely in keeping with Thomas and Ryan’s relaxed, generous approach to hosting.
Guests drifted outside with cones in hand, chatting, laughing, and making the most of the last of the autumn light.
As evening fell, candlelight and music took over. The first dance was tender and unshowy — more about connection than performance — before the dance floor slowly filled with friends, family, and, eventually, two very tired dogs.
By the end of the night, people were dancing, eating pizzas, laughing, and reluctant to leave — a sure sign of a day well lived.
FAQs about analogue film photography
DO YOU OFFER HOURLY OR HALF-DAY RATES?
If you’re local to Tunbridge Wells (I live in the centre) then I can offer hourly and half-day or shorter day rates for film photography.
If your wedding venue is further away, or you’re using multiple venues for your wedding, I’ll need to charge for travel time or a full day (whichever is cheaper).
I’m able to travel anywhere in the UK and overseas, but I would need to add on additional costs for accommodation and any visa/carnet requirements.
HOW MANY IMAGES WILL I GET?
This is really down to you but normally if you hire me as a second shooter you can expect to see around 350 photos—it really depends on how many you want and decide to pay for. I don’t take nearly as many film photos as a digital photographer but I have a very high rate of ‘keepers’ (meaning they’re good photos) as I’ll have carefully chosen the composition, lighting and colours for the shot.
If I’m your main photographer then we’ll agree the balance of digital and/or film photographs that you’d like me to shoot. If you want more analogue photos that’s an option too, but the developing and scanning costs will need to be added on.
DO YOU WORK AS A MAIN SHOOTER OR A SECOND SHOOTER?
I can do either. I can be your main shooter, in which case I will shoot both digital and analogue, to be sure of capturing everything on your day. I edit my digital shots so they are consistent with the film scans.
I’m happy to be a second shooter if your main shooter agrees for me to be there. In this case I will always aim to get different shots from them and for them to take the lead on the schedule. However, I prefer to be contracted directly by the couple, as I’m responsible for development and scanning of the films.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET MY FILM PHOTOS?
It’s possible I’ll get the scans back from the lab within 3 weeks; so much quicker than for digital as there’s almost no editing required for film photos—the picture is created at the time of taking and the ‘look’ and the gorgeouos grain comes from the camera and the film itself.
If you’re having Polaroid photos, normally I’ll send these over in the post once they’ve fully developed, as I also scan these for you.
DO YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS YOU’D LIKE
TO ASK ME?
Feel free to email me if you have other questions you’d like to ask me or you’re interested in hiring me as your second shooter using analogue cameras at your wedding.
Film Photography: Why not have a unique something ‘old’ at your wedding?
If you’re interested in having analogue film photos taken of your day, either as a second shooter or a main shooter, why not get in touch to check if I’m free for your date, let me know your budget if you have one, as well as tell me about you both and all about your wedding day.
Essays are welcome—I love hearing all about weddings!
