Chiltern Hills & Countryside Buckinghamshire Wedding Photography

Wedding Photography for the Chiltern Hills and Buckinghamshire Countryside

Old Barns, Big Views and Weather That Changes Its Mind

Countryside weddings in this part of Buckinghamshire usually come with a view. Old barns, brick and flint, farmland, and the Chiltern Hills somewhere on the horizon.

I photograph weddings across the Chilterns and the Buckinghamshire countryside, and the main thing I’ve learnt out here is to keep an eye on the sky. Light changes quickly over open hills, and the best few minutes of the day don’t always turn up when the timeline says they will.

So I keep the plan loose, stay ready, and make the most of it when it happens.

What a Chilterns Wedding Usually Looks Like

Most venues out here keep the whole day in one place, with the ceremony, drinks, meal and party all on the same site.

Guests spend a lot of time outside when the weather lets them, and summer evenings tend to stretch out. The lawn games come out, and somebody always takes them far too seriously.

At Winters Tale Country Barn, Kate and Luke skipped couple portraits completely so they could spend the whole day with their guests. The games carried on outside into the warm evening, and Kate took the hammer game very seriously. Sorry Luke, she won.

Skipping portraits is completely fine, by the way. It’s your call. If you’d like some, around 15 minutes is plenty, using whatever’s right outside the barn.

Countryside and Chiltern Hills Venues I’ve Photographed

Three Buckinghamshire countryside venues I’ve photographed weddings at, and what stuck with me about each:

Rackleys Chiltern Hills, a barn that’s much brighter inside than most, with brick, flint and views across the hills
Notley Tythe Barn, a 12th century barn with whitewashed walls, a gallery and gardens looking towards the Chilterns
Winters Tale Country Barn, a bright vaulted barn with a courtyard where everyone naturally gathers

At Notley Tythe Barn, Babna and Luis got married in winter, with flooding about, so I travelled the day before to be safe. It was grey all morning, then the sun came out just after the ceremony. I drove them up the hill in my car for a few portraits in the low light and had them back with their guests in no time. Later, Luis and his friends gave everyone a surprise live music performance. The first time I’ve seen a groom bring his own band.

How I Handle the Day

For most of it, I’m watching rather than directing.

I’ll get the groups done on the lawn while everyone’s already together, sort out the confetti (or bubbles, depending on the venue), then fade back into the background and let the day get on with itself.

If it rains, these barns keep everything together under one roof, and the weather doesn’t have to stop portraits either. I’ve photographed a rainy night portrait at Rackleys, so a wet forecast just changes the plan a little.

Couple kissing at wedding, romantic sign in background.

FAQs

Do you photograph weddings in the Chiltern Hills area?
Yes. I’ve photographed weddings at Rackleys Chiltern Hills, Notley Tythe Barn and Winters Tale Country Barn, and I cover the rest of Buckinghamshire too.
Can we have confetti at countryside venues round here?
It depends on the venue, so it’s worth checking early. At the time of writing, Notley Tythe Barn doesn’t allow confetti and suggests bubbles instead, while Rackleys and Winters Tale allow natural flower petals outside. Rules do change, so confirm with your venue.
How do you handle changing light in open countryside?
By keeping an eye on it all day. If the sun comes out for ten minutes, I’ll make the most of those ten minutes, then get you back to your guests.