The BarnYard wedding in Upchurch was everything Hollie and Phil could have wished for, set within gorgeous apple orchards, in the picturesque Kent countryside.These two are friendly and amazing fun and it was an honour to capture their day. Check out Hollie and Phil’s beautiful day below.
First names: Hollie and Phil
Ages: 25 and 26
Wedding date: 15th October 2017
Venue: The Barnyard, Upchurch
How did you guys meet, tell me all?
We met at work (Kent Life where we had our engagement photos done) We were really good friends, I used to make Phil a tea when I left work and leave it for him on his desk. We used to fight like an old married couple (we have been told) and just saw each other as friends until we moved on to new jobs and realised it could be more than friendship. We were so worried about ruining a great friendship that we very nearly didn’t get together.
How did you get engaged, is there a cool story?
There isn’t really a cool story! We purchased my engagement ring in Corfu on our first holiday together almost 2 years before Phil actually proposed. It is a simple thin band with a White Sapphire stone. Fast forward to the day and Phil took me to a Pub called the Horseshoes (we used to go here as friends) where we had a lovely 3 course meal. Phil picked a pizza that was so spicy he couldn’t eat it! We then went home, he rushed upstairs and I found a lovely card on the table. It had a picture of sunflowers on the front and had the loveliest words he’d ever said. We had only just moved into our house at this point so I assumed it was a moving in present! Phil then re appeared and gave me a speech down on one knee. I couldn’t remember what he said if my life depended on it as all I remember thinking was ‘is this real’. Having waited so long after buying the ring and 3 joke proposals under his belt I didn’t ever expect it to happen! He produced the box and instead of an immediate yes, I said ‘please tell me there is a ring in there!’ and that’s the story basically! Although it wasn’t the most romantic proposal I’ve heard of it meant a lot as it started where our story began and ended in our new house where we have started our next chapter.
What made you choose your wedding venue, did you look at many?
We we’re quite restricted by our guest numbers and the fact that we knew we wanted to get married in a rustic, farmy environment (as our lives revolve around farming) We have known the lady that runs the venue for some time and so knew we would be in good hands if we picked it. We went to view it on a sunny August afternoon and just knew it was the one. We didn’t look at any others and infact had already reserved a date before viewing.
What was the inspiration/theme of your wedding?
Our wedding is rustic, with wellies, hessian, lace, tweed and the odd appearance from an animal. We met on an open farm showcasing the history of Kent and have almost 100 sheep of our own, along with a sheep dog and a cat! We wanted our wedding to be about us and reflect our relationship. The rustic farm (Phil) mixed with the modern luxury marquee! (Hollie) it shows how we have brought our two worlds together.
What is your first song and why?
Our first dance is A Thousand Years – Christina Perri. We just both really like it and it almost tells the story of how we got together. Being great friends and worrying about taking the step to a relationship (how to be brave, how can I love when I’m afraid to fall, but watching you stand alone, all of my doubt suddenly goes away somehow, one step closer) and the fact that we have fought hard to remain best friends no matter what (I will not let anything take away what is standing in front of me). For me personally (Hollie) I have been through some hard times, and didn’t know if I would ever find someone who would accept me for who I am. So it sort of represents that everything I’ve been through has brought me to the person I am today (every breath, every hour has come to this) and to the realization that the person I was so close to, who had been there all along who I loved so dearly, was who I had been looking for, I just didn’t realize that over that time I had fallen in love (all along I believed I would find you, time has brought your heart to me, I have loved you for a thousand years, I’ll love you for a thousand more)
What would be your number one tip to other couples planning their wedding?
Your wedding is just that, your wedding! Make it about you and don’t care what other people think. Have what you want and wear what you want!
Check out The BarnYard wedding below.
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Other Suppliers at this autumnal The BarnYard wedding.
Hair stylist: Bride – Samantha McGovern (Family from Scotland)
Bridesmaids – Rissa (family friend)
Make up artist: Nicola Peen
Website: http://www.weddingmakeupbynicola.co.uk/
Brides dress: Alta Costura – Mori Lee
Website: http://www.altacostura.co.uk/
Bridesmaids dresses: Little pride bride – EBay (UK stockist)
Website: Ebay
Suits: Marc Darcy
Website: https://marcdarcy.co.uk/
Florist: Mocketts Florist (Strood)
Website: don’t have one
(Jars, churns, all containers for flowers provided by Bride)
Cake: Made by Brides Mum (topper by Phil’s sister)
Caterer: Zest Creative Catering
Website: http://www.zestcreativecatering.com/home.aspx
Band/DJ: Apollo Funk
Website: http://www.apollofunk.com/
Stationary: Made by Bride
Caricaturist: Ric Machin
Website: http://www.ricmachin.com/
Candy Floss: Aaron Lloyd – Sugar Crush Entertainment
Website: https://www.facebook.com/sugarcrushentertainment/
White Bouncy Castle: 1 entertainment ltd
Website: https://www.1entertainment.co.uk/
Sweet card made by Brides dad – decor etc provided by Bride.
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.
The BarnYard wedding | Kent Wedding Photographer | http://www.rosshurley.com | Ross Hurley Photography
