West Horsley Place Wedding – Cat & Olof

Cat & Olof’s September wedding at West Horsley Place was a masterclass in how to throw a chilled-out late summer celebration. It helps that we were gifted warmth, clear skies and a golden meadow drenched in sunshine, but the heart of this gorgeous occasion lay with Cat & Olof and their utterly laid-back nature. This, my friends, is what happiness looks like. It’s not uptightness, or perfection. It’s rolling with life and grinning all the way.

A Late Switch

I wasn’t originally supposed to be shooting for Cat & Olof, but I was standing in for another photographer who was really unwell. Notice was short, and ahead of the day we only managed a short call. Stepping into these situations is both run-of-the-mill (this is exactly how these occasional crises should be handled) and also quite nerve-wracking. I am the sort of photographer who likes to plan and visualise. Even ‘documentary photographers’ like to be well-prepared. I am pleased to say that after shooting weddings for 18 years, I’ve never missed a wedding due to sickness. I’ve come close, but it’s thankfully never happened. Yet. One day it will, and when it inevitably does, I am confident that another talented photographer will stand in and do a great job.

I wanted to write more about what happens in situations like this. However I quickly realised it was beyond the scope of this post, and would take things too far off-topic. I’ve written a separate post covering what happens if your photographer is ill.

Cat got ready in the main manor house, upstairs in West Horsley Place’s dedicated getting ready room. I LOVE a good getting ready room and this is a reaaal good one. Loads of space, glorious big windows, neutral walls but still loads of character. I’ll shoot wherever the story leads, but when the story happens in a room like this, it’s a good day.

A Debut West Horsley Place Wedding

This was my first time shooting a West Horsley Place wedding and I couldn’t have asked for a better start. Fantastic people in a fantastic setting and frankly orgasmic light. West Horsley Place is a beautiful country house with a truly magnificent façade. It’s better known by many as Button House from the BBC sitcom Ghosts. I haven’t seen Ghosts, so when I rounded a hedgerow and caught sight of it for the first time, it genuinely took my breath away. Wikipedia tells me that it’s an example of ‘Artisan Mannerism’ but to my architecturally uneducated eye, it’s all about shape, texture and the many, many luminous orange hues in its dazzling brickwork.

The ceremony took place outdoors, on a little lawn alongside the main house and could not have been more charming. Cat’s friend presided over events and did a wonderful job – Joey Tribbiani eat your heart out. It was pretty windy, but we were all outside, in September sun, and nobody cared. I honestly think the blowy hair just adds to the easy-going vibe. There’s a reason wind machines exist! Before we knew it, Cat & Olof were married, being pelted with confetti and beaming from ear-to-ear.

Timber Threshold

The reception took place on the lawn and spilled into West Horsley Place’s lovely Walled Garden. Cat & Olof chose to split their speeches, doing a few outdoors and a few before dinner. The tradition of ‘carrying across the threshold’ is a big deal in the Netherlands. With this in mind, Olof brought his very own threshold (a quality chunk of timber) produced it during his speech, swept Cat up, and carried her over! I love a tradition that’s either new to me, or that’s recognised in a distinctive way. Needless to say I hadn’t seen this one before!

Golden Light

While guests made the short walk across to Place Farm Barn, we slipped away to the Library for a few quick portraits before following along. This always tends to work well because it always takes time for a large group of people to get seated. It’s a really good way to use this slightly dead time effectively.

In the evening we were greeted by some truly magnificent light and, once fully refuelled by the fine people at Kearney’s, snuck out to make the most of it. The evening began with drinks and cheese in the Cow Shed followed by dancing in the barn. What a perfect day! While I may not have been planning to shoot this wedding five days prior, it was an absolute privilege to stand-in. Catriona & Olof, thank you for your immense kindness and double-helping of chill. I loved shooting for you both.

I will be back for another West Horsley Place wedding in May – I’m really looking forward to it.