Hauser & Wirth Somerset Wedding | A Modern Garden Ceremony and Design Led Reception in an Art Museum Courtyard

Hauser & Wirth Somerset Wedding | A Modern Garden Ceremony and Design Led Reception in an art museum courtyard in the south of england

Sarah and Chris had the most beautifully designed and modernist wedding day. Their ceremony was held in the Garden, designed by Laplace, on the grounds of the Hauser and Wirth Museum in Somerset, England. The Garden does not only have award winning landscape designer as it's creator, Piet Oudolf, but in the backdrop of the ceremony was the lovely Radić Pavilion. Radić Pavilion is a modern piece of architecture designed by Smiljan Radić. It reminds me of something from another planet, in the best possible way, like a designer spaceship. 

Sarah and Chris both got ready with their closest friends and had their guests stay at "At The Chapel" hotel nearby in the quaint town of Bruton. It was the perfect hotel as it is one of the most modern, renovated and historic hotels nearby. It was also close enough for all of the guests to walk back at the end of a beautiful evening of celebrating. 

After the Ceremony, we strolled around the garden while I gave them time to chat amongst themselves while I captured bridal portraits of them. Even if I direct a few of the portraits, most of the formal "bridal portrait" session time I try to shoot from a distance to let the couple talk amongst themselves and walk hand in hand while living in those exciting first few moments together as husband and wife. We were able to take photos with the lovely Smiljan Radić in the background, as well as a few inside the beautifully designed pavilion as well. 

I never like the portraits to take too long, as I am all for each couple getting back to their friends and family for drinks during their cocktail hour. So we headed back to the part of the garden where the guests were drinking and mingling, so Sarah and Chris could hug everyone and catch up with everyone before being seated in the main dinner reception area.

This was one of the sunniest days I've had the pleasure of photographing for an English wedding, and I have to say, I loved the color images. I am known to have a bit of moodiness overall in my work, but I loved capturing the brightness of this vibrant wedding day. The crisp blue sky and the stunning landscape of a lush shade of green, really captures the essence of the carefree happiness and joy that filled this wedding day. 

For the dinner, the guests were escorted to another lovely area of the Hauser and Wirth Museum, where the Roth Restaurant courtyard sits. The tables were in long rows and beautifully decorated with uniquely designed floral arrangements from Forest and The Flowers. Roth restaurant is listed in the Michelin Guide and they serve a local and seasonal menu in a relaxed setting. 

The evening was full of speeches, laughter, dinner beneath sunny to sunset skies and then dancing the night away with their loved ones. I couldn't be more grateful for another beautiful wedding day in the beautiful English countryside, especially for such a kind, joyous and sweet couple. x

Wedding Venue // Hauser and Wirth Museum Somerset @hauserwirth - Ceremony // @hauserwirthsomerset - Landscape Designer // @pietoudolf - Radić Pavilion // Smiljan Radić - Wedding Dress designer // Bon Bride @bonbride - Florist // forest and the flowers @forestandtheflowers - Catering // Roth restarurant @rothbarandgrill - Roth Architectural Designer // Laplace

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Romantic Micro Wedding in Chicago | Amina & Vinnie | Chicago Elopement Photographer | Melody Joy Co.

Romantic Micro Wedding in Chicago | Amina & Vinnie | Chicago Elopement Photographer | Melody Joy Co.

Amina and Vinnie revived my love for intimate micro weddings! This wedding day started with Amina and Vinnie getting ready together in their downtown high rise flat. We then walked around downtown Chicago to take portraits in some of their favorite pieces of architecture. The first stop was The Chicago Theatre, next was The Board of Trade building on La Salle, then there was The Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue. We must have walked a couple of miles downtown, but we had so much fun together strolling around and Amina was extra impressive with how good she was at walking long lengths in heels! She said her Thunder Heel Pumps from Prada were plenty comfy!
After we took their portraits we walked up Michigan Avenue to the ceremony and reception venue, The Skyline Club. The Skyline Club is the Penthouse of a high rise overlooking the Chicago River. If you are looking for a stunning rooftop view surrounded by skyscrapers as your outdoor rooftop wedding ceremony backdrop, then The Skyline Club would be the perfect fit for you! You can also have indoor or outdoor seating for your cocktail hour or reception!
The night resumed with endless family time, a thank you speech, their cake cutting, a delicious meal and a table of homemade desserts! All in all, I would say having a micro wedding with just twenty of your closest family and friends is the way to go to be able to enjoy these season, specifically with the laws in different countries, or if you simply want to provide a higher quality of celebration for your loved ones. The less people you have attend your micro wedding as well, the more time you have to have full conversations with all of them too! Overall, it’s a sweet way to have a celebration while still making it feel intimate and just about you both. If you ever need any advice on elopements or a micro wedding, I would be happy to share my thoughts on venues, styles, details and timelines that will work well for a beautiful micro wedding day! x

Wedding Dress - Emilia Wickstead Bridal // Wedding Shoes - Prada // Wedding Head Piece - Jennifer Behr // Wedding Portraits - Board of Trade Building and Art Institute of Chicago // Wedding Florals - Design de Flores // Chicago Wedding Venue for outdoor Ceremony and indoor Reception - The Skyline Club //