Sophie and Will’s wedding was my first visit to The Mill Barns, one of the Ensarb “Best Day Ever” venues. I am lucky enough to be on their preferred supplier list, so it was great to finally see the place in action with a relaxed, vegan, family-focused day that felt very them.
Arriving at The Mill Barns
What strikes you as soon as you arrive at The Mill Barns is the entrance. The whole venue seems to float on the water, and walking over the footbridge towards the barns feels like stepping into a private little world created just for your wedding day.
Sophie and Will first viewed the venue around two and a half years ago. After visiting a few other places that all seemed to have something missing, they kept coming back to The Mill Barns in their minds and eventually knew it was the one for them: spacious, great for a bigger celebration, and with on-site accommodation so their families could stay over and make a proper weekend of it.
Getting ready in the dressing rooms
I started the day with Sophie and her bridal party in The Dressing Room. It has plenty of space, mirrors and light, which made it perfect for that cosy, excited build-up with her four bridesmaids and flower girl.
Only a few doors away, The Mill Barns also has a separate preparation space for the groom, so I could move easily between both rooms to capture Will and his ushers getting ready, tying ties and sharing those slightly nervous laughs before the ceremony.
Sophie had always known she wanted long sleeves on her wedding dress. The gown she chose had lace sleeves, an off-the-shoulder neckline and a fitted silhouette with a long train, covered in floral detail and sparkle. It suited the relaxed, romantic feel of the day and looked incredible every time she moved.
A relaxed and emotional ceremony
Both Sophie and Will were a little nervous about the ceremony and the idea of speaking in front of everyone. The registrars did a brilliant job of keeping things light and friendly, which really helped them relax.
Sophie walked in after her four bridesmaids and her flower girl niece. She was already in tears before she even entered the room, which says everything about how much this moment meant to her. The ceremony barn looked incredible, and their guests loved the atmosphere, with the water and outdoor views.
Their rings were carried by Sophie’s nephew and the child of one of Will’s closest friends. They were both very young, needed a bit of help, and absolutely stole the show. Sophie and Will said they “aced it”, which I completely agree with.
Woodland-inspired styling and personal touches
Sophie and Will’s styling was very much inspired by woodland tones and textures. They chose greens and browns, with bark-style candle holders and stands, green and cream florals and eucalyptus trees at the start of the aisle to tie everything together.
Green is one of Will’s favourite colours, so it ran through the day in a very natural way: bridesmaids in green, groomsmen in earthy suits and Will in a green suit of his own. It felt cohesive without ever feeling too “matchy”, which works really well in a modern barn setting.
One of my favourite details was how they included their dog, Ned. He could not be there in person, so they brought framed photos of him to place on all of the tables, which made everyone smile and kept him very much part of the celebration.
Vegan food, magic and a fun drinks reception
After the ceremony, everyone headed out for drinks and canapés. As The Mill Barns is a no-corkage venue, Sophie and Will brought their own beers, ciders, Prosecco, soft drinks and wines for the meal, which kept the whole day feeling very personal and relaxed.
They also had a magician, Chris Fletcher, entertaining guests during the drinks reception. I was very into magic as a teenager, so I always enjoy watching professionals work the room and capturing those genuine “how on earth did he do that?” reactions. Chris was a huge hit and is still being talked about.
To reflect their values, Sophie and Will had asked for vegan canapés and an entirely vegan wedding breakfast. The catering team did an amazing job, and guests really embraced it; it felt like a true reflection of the couple rather than a compromise. Of course, I sampled a canapé or two as I moved through the crowd with my camera.
They had also created their own playlists for the drinks reception and wedding breakfast, which added another layer of personality and meant the soundtrack for the day felt completely theirs.
A chilled, family-focused wedding breakfast
From the very beginning, Sophie and Will had a clear set of “must haves” for their wedding. They wanted vegan food, good music, a relaxed atmosphere with as little stress as possible and a day that felt centred on family.
During the wedding breakfast, those priorities were obvious. The room was full of conversation and laughter, with people who do not often get to see each other taking the chance to catch up. The speeches were a real highlight, given by Sophie’s mum and dad together, her two sisters, and then Will’s brother and closest friend. There were plenty of tears from both Sophie and Will at this point.
Their guests later said one of the things they enjoyed most was simply everyone being together in one place, with great food, free-flowing drinks and no rush to be anywhere else.
First dance and party on the dance floor
Sophie and Will did not feel comfortable with the idea of being in the spotlight for a long, traditional first dance. Instead, they chose “How Deep Is Your Love” by the Bee Gees, a song they both love, and invited their guests to join them on the dance floor almost immediately.
It was a great way to start the evening. Rather than everyone standing in a circle watching, the room filled quickly with couples, friends and family all dancing together, which perfectly matched their hope for a relaxed, inclusive and fun night. From there, the party never really stopped.
Why they chose The Mill Barns
When they started looking for venues, Sophie and Will searched online for somewhere big enough for their plans, rather than a very small or traditional space. They visited a couple of venues but each time felt that something was missing.
Then they found The Mill Barns on Google. Even though it was a little further away than some of the other options, they decided to visit, loved it instantly, and later brought some of their family back to see it again. The combination of water, modern barns, accommodation on site and plenty of room for everyone made the decision very easy.
Choosing their wedding photographer
Sophie and Will first came across my work as I am one of The Mill Barns’ recommended photographers. They went through the full list on the venue’s website, narrowed it down to two photographers whose work they liked, and booked video calls with both of us.
They told me afterwards that they chose me because the vibe felt right and they thought I would fit in with their relaxed, fun, slightly nervous crowd and help everyone feel at ease. Knowing that weddings can feel stressful, they wanted someone who would blend in, keep things calm and still capture all the emotions. Hearing that the photos and the atmosphere matched what they had hoped for means a lot.
Planning your The Mill Barns wedding photography
If you are planning your own celebration at this venue and looking for The Mill Barns wedding photography, you are in a very good place. The whole setting is purpose-built for weddings, with three interlinked oak-framed barns, waterfront walkways and terraces, and eight acres of landscaped gardens that give you a huge variety of backdrops in any season.
Set in Alveley near Bridgnorth in Shropshire and part of the Ensarb group that also created venues like Hanbury Barns, Pendrell Hall, The Ashes and Foxtail Barns, it offers exclusive use, on-site accommodation and a relaxed flow between ceremony, drinks, dinner and party. Whether you are planning a fully vegan day like Sophie and Will, a big family gathering or something more intimate, I would love to help you make the most of this unique “floating barn” setting with natural, relaxed photography that lets you enjoy every minute.
If you want to chat wedding photography for your wedding at The Mill Barns, get in touch!
