Where do I start!? Firstly, these guys are two awesome people. Friendly, kind and a lot of fun! Then throw into the mix a whole host of amazing friends and family, who certainly know how to party. This Cooling Castle Barn wedding, was that perfect mix of a cool and relaxed wedding, with full on party in the evening. I wish these guys so much happiness for the future. Check out Gemma and Jason’s amazing wedding day below. But before you do, let’s hear a little about these two…
First names: Jason & Gemma
Ages: 30 and 25
Wedding date: 14th October 2017
Venue: Cooling Castle Barn
How did you guys meet, tell me all?
I was a student at university and working as a waitress at a local restaurant. Jason came in for a meal for his 24th birthday with a group of friends and I was his waitress for the evening. Jason was very charming and not bad looking either so I plucked up the courage at the end of the night to give him my number (admittedly, I was under threat from my work friends that if I didn’t do it, they would!). Jason then lost my number!! Thankfully one of his friends picked it up and put my number in his back pocket… a couple of days later I get a text from Jason asking me out on a date and the rest is history!
Jason says there was a moment at the restaurant when he knew I was the one – he ordered four pints of beer for him and his friends and I told him that a four-pint pitcher was cheaper. In his eyes we were meant to be !
How did you get engaged, is there a cool story?
It was my birthday a couple of years ago, Jason took me out shopping and for a lovely lunch. As it was a weekday we decided to head to a pub in the afternoon for a quick drink before my family finished work. We ended up at the Huntsman & Hound which is where we had our very first date six years ago –at the time I didn’t realise the significance of the location. It was a lovely sunny day so we sat in the beer garden and before I knew it Jason was on one knee holding a beautiful ring in front of me. My reaction was one of complete shock and I think I asked him about one hundred times if he was “being serious?!” before shouting “Yes”.
After another drink we headed back into the pub only to find our parents beaming with excitement – they had been in on his plan the whole time! We stayed at the pub for a while before Jason’s mum suggested that we headed home to open some birthday presents and tell our siblings the good news. As we arrived at Jason’s parents I walked into a surprise engagement party with balloons, presents and cake everywhere. Both of our families were there and all very excited to see us both! People still tell me that I looked in complete shock and spent the whole evening grinning like cheshire cat.
Much later in the evening I cheekily reminded Jason that he hadn’t given me a birthday card, it must have been about 10 pm when he handed me an envelope. As I opened the card the whole room went quiet as I read “PACK YOUR BAGS we are flying to MOROCCO!” Before I knew it my suitcase was in front of me and I was on route to Gatwick airport. It was such a whirlwind but one of the nicest things anyone has ever done for me and such a great memory!
What made you choose your wedding venue, did you look at many?
We both knew that we wanted a very rustic feeling barn venue and had looked at a few closer to home. For one reason or another they weren’t quite right. Jason actually found Cooling Castle and made the appointment. When we got there it was everything we wanted, from the beautiful ceremony room with beamed ceilings and exposed bricks to the breath-taking Tithe Barn. It was just perfect!
At the end of the tour the wedding coordinator asked us if we wanted to discuss dates and prices. Jason and I hadn’t actually discussed our thoughts on the venue (having walked round in awe-struck silence) but both responded without hesitation – YES! We knew it was the one.
What was the inspiration/theme of your wedding?
The date of our wedding was actually our inspiration. Despite booking our venue in May 2015 we got the very last Saturday in 2017, which ended up being in October. So we decided to go for a very autumnal theme and picked our colour scheme around that, using lots of purples and burnt oranges to mimic the changing colour of leaves at that time of year. It really complements our venue and we both loved it as it had a warm and vibrant feel to it.
What is your first song and why?
We went for Bob Marley’s ‘Is This Love’ as it’s a song we both really enjoy listening to. I have some great memories of us two dancing around our kitchen listening to this song so it always puts a smile on my face.
What would be your number one tip to other couples planning their wedding?
Take your time (if you’re lucky enough to have a longer engagement) as it helps to relieve the stress of planning and do it your way – don’t compromise or make changes for other people as you only get to do it once!
Jason’s tip is – don’t let the bride use the excuse “we only get married once” to blow the wedding budget. Spend your money on the things which are essential to your day and will create the best memories.
Check out Gemma and Jason’s Cooling Castle Barn wedding below.
The photography: All images captured with two Fujifim X-Pro 2’s.
Lenses: Fujinon XF 16mm f1.4 R WR, Fujinon XF 23mm f1.4 R, Fujinon XF 56mm f1.2 R
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Feel free to pin any image you love on your Pinterest boards.
Other Suppliers at this Autumnal Cooling Castle wedding.
Hair stylist: Final Checks by Daniel Everitt
Website: http://www.final-checks.com/
Make up artist: Final Checks by Daniel Everitt
Website: http://www.final-checks.com/
Brides dress: Pronovias @ Matchmaker Bride
Website: http://www.matchmakerbride.co.uk/
Bridesmaids dresses: David’s Bridal
Website: http://www.davidsbridal.co.uk/
Suits: We put them together ourselves – all high street, mix n match!
Website: N/A
Florist: Danny Watchorn
Website: https://danny-watchorn.squarespace.com/
Cake: Creative Cakes
Website: http://creativeweddingcakes.co.uk/
Cheese Cake: Costco
Caterer: Venue
Website: https://www.coolingcastlebarn.com/weddings/
DJ: Venue
Musician: Andre SaxMan Brown
Website: https://www.facebook.com/AndreSaxManBrownOfficial/
Stationary: All from Etsy
Website: https://www.etsy.com/
Videographer: Capture Video Productions
Website: http://www.capture-video-productions.co.uk/
Are you looking for a wedding photographer? Would you like someone who photographs it in an alternative, fun and natural way? Fancy seeing your wedding pictures on my Instagram and on other cool wedding blogs? Get in touch and let me know all about your day! I need to know the date, ceremony and reception details and most importantly all the ideas you have!
Let’s chat about your day!
I am a Kent wedding photographer who has been featured within Your Kent Wedding Magazine, Rock n Roll Bride and Your Sussex Wedding Magazine, with images also published in the The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Independent, The News Of The World and many other large newspapers and magazines.
Cooling Castle Barn wedding | Kent Wedding Photographer | http://www.rosshurley.com | Ross Hurley Photography
