Combe Manor Autumn wedding with vinyl records & travel vibes.
Travel vibes & Vinyl records.
Close to Combe Gibbet in West Berkshire, Combe Manor Barns is found. A gorgeous privately owned venue where the barn has been likened to a medieval banqueting hall !
Liam & Kathy fell in love with the 17th century house, the barn & the rolling hills surrounding it when hunting for Berkshire wedding venues.They’d found me on Bridebook, a wedding planning directory where I’m listed as a West Berkshire wedding photographer & after a zoom call we were booked !
I met up with them in person at Combe Manor in early Spring for a walkaround before their pre wedding photoshoot at the impressive Combe Gibbet. It was my first visit to this West Berkshire venue & also my 1st meeting with the proud owner Sybille who’s family has owned Combe Manor since the 1960’s!
Liam & Kathy share a love for music & travel & this mutual passion was evident in the wonderful home made wedding decor they’d created. Vinyl record table centre pieces & a seating plan created entirely with vinyl records had been carefully home made. I loved the personalised logo designed as the vinyl record labels ! The waves & graphic a nod to their love of travel.
Their guest tables were named after their favourite bands !
Dried allium seed heads had been spray painted dark red & complimented the circular origami paper fans. Vintage suitcases became card boxes. Even the mountain engraving on the front of their guest book gently reflecting their love for all things outdoors & travelling.
Kathy’s creativity was everywhere to be seen.
Wonderful fresh flower arrangements from Milston Flower Barn included the deep wine & pinks of Liam & Kathy’s wedding day colours.
Beautiful Autumn wedding day.
October 7th was warm, sunny & my birthday !
I arrived at Combe manor just as Liam & his groomsmen were putting the finishing touches to the barn.
After getting ready in the manor house, Kathy walked across to the barn in her espadrilles (to save the shoes!) for the start of the ceremony.
Liam & Kathy had opted for a personalised celebrant led ceremony & had chosen to work with the fabulous & hilarious Beth Hale.
Beth got all of the guests laughing within minutes & any nerves that Liam & Kathy were feeling were quickly forgotten. Despite the early start by the groomsmen, a key detail had been overlooked though;
The candles ! Not lit !
Cue face pulling by the couple & doubled over belly laughing by their guests !
The food & afterparty.
This storytelling post of Liam & Kathy’s autumn wedding day at Combe manor barns wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the gastronomical feast created by Vaughan’s kitchen. The menu consisted of canapes & feasting platters all containing naturally balanced & locally sourced ingredients. Each dish artistically arranged & presented to everyone.
Swing Life Away by Rise Against was the 1st dance tune & after wowing their guests with a dip, they were joined on the dancefloor by everyone as Catch 22 a local band from Wiltshire performed all of their requests & more.
I’d whole heartedly recommend Combe Manor Barns as a venue & if you are reading this & planning a wedding or function there, I’d love to hear from you !
Some kind words from Liam & Kathy;
“My wife and I had the honour of booking Emma (beautiful light photography) for our wedding last year and we could not be more pleased! Emma’s bubbly and outgoing personality shone through in her unique photography style which captured our special day. Emma managed to capture all the emotions felt by us and all our guests throughout the day. Emma’s candid style reflected the fun, the love and the laughter on our big day. We cannot recommend Emma enough as the photographer for your special day.“
