Magical UK beach wedding at The Barn on the Bay, Northumberland
As a wedding photographer, there are certain weddings that you just know are going to change your brain chemistry in the work you do - this was one of those weddings for me. I met Yaz and Eilidh in person ahead of them booking with me, when we went for a beer together and ended up hanging out for two hours as if we’d known each other forever! We all knew then that this was a wedding photography partnership made in heaven, and I’m SO grateful that they trusted me to capture their magical, effervescent wedding day at The Barn on the Bay, Northumberland.
Wedding sea swim at Druridge Bay
The day began in the best possible way a wedding day could, in my humble opinion, with a sea swim at Druridge Bay with the brides’ loved ones. I was SO excited to be invited along not only to capture it with my camera, but to take a dip in the sea myself! Armed with cozzie and cameras, I met this gorgeous group of humans at 8am on a sunny Saturday morning at The Barn on the Bay’s on-site cottage, before heading up the dunes and over to the stunning beach just a few metres away.
Bridal prep at The Barn on the Bay
After an exhilirating swim, I left the wedding party to get ready and rejoined them a couple of hours later for prep photos. There was SO much love crammed into that little cottage, with custom nails being applied, family members coming and going and emotional moments as the ceremony grew closer. Yaz and Eilidh got ready together, creating such a beautiful and relaxed atmosphere with members of both families sharing those special morning moments with both brides.
One of my favourite things about this wedding was Yaz and Eilidh’s decision to meet all of their wedding guests in the barn ahead of the ceremony for tea and sandwiches. Lunch is a business that Yaz and Eilidh take seriously, so this part of the day was very ‘them’! There was such a wonderful emotional moment as everyone applauded their entrance and hugs and kisses were dished out in abundance.
Northumberland coastal wedding ceremony
As the ceremony time approached, loved ones made their way up the dunes to the stunning elevated ceremony space which overlooked the skies and sea of Druridge Bay. Yaz and Eilidh followed shortly after, arm in arm with close family members. The ceremony itself was so full of love and joy, with emotional readings from friends and family and accompaniment from a musical duo. In front of the sea where Yaz spent her childhood summers, these two wonderful humans made the most important promises to each other.
Beach wedding portraits at Druridge Bay
Portraits, prosecco and games followed on the beach, with raucous shrieks and emphatic efforts made as an exciting games of rounders unfolded on the sand. Beach weddings are something rare here in the UK, but this gorgeously relaxed and fun part of the day made me wish I could photography every wedding on the beach! Being able to take photographs of people having so much fun with the sand between my toes made this coastal girl VERY happy indeed.
Back in the perfectly decorated barn (think vibrant sunset colours, personal motifs and the most beautiful custom ‘queer joy’ banner), heartfelt speeches unfolded before a relaxed wedding breakfast. The evening brought yet more fun and vibrancy with a lively ceilidh followed by live music.
Northumberland wedding photography at The Barn on the Bay
Having the chance to get to know Yaz and Eilidh and be a part of their wedding day was such a genuine privilege - it really felt like clients who became true friends, which is the most you can ever hope for as a wedding photographer! A truly wonderful wedding day for two truly wonderful people.
