Barn on the Bay, set on Druridge Bay near Cresswell, Northumberland is pretty unique as wedding venues go. Laid back wedding venue? Festival wedding venue? Coastal wedding venue? Beach wedding venue? Country wedding venue? Farm wedding venue? Yep - it’s ticks all these boxes!

This was my first time covering a wedding at Barn on the Bay and it was so lovely to be there for Ruby and Tom’s special wedding day. I’d met Ruby and Tom a few weeks previously when we did a pre-wedding shoot together - a great way to settle the nerves if you are feeling a bit unsure of being in front of the camera all day.

I was photographing from bridal preps to first dance and arrived to find Tom and the ushers in the barn adding the finishing decorative touches.

For those who don’t know the venue the main space is a large and beautiful barn which has been thoughtfully converted to include space for a ceremony, wedding breakfast, straw bale seating and general chilling areas and bar area with gin and cocktail wagon. A great job has been done to create a comfy, beautiful area without losing the rustic and charming barn vibe.

Ruby arrived customarily slightly late(!) having had taxi problems in Jesmond where she was having her hair done at the Boiler House. @mollyboilerhouse1 No worries, she arrived and got installed in Poppy cottage, a cute country cottage which is part of the wedding venue. She and her sister set to sorting their makeup.

After popping back to catch some more photos of Tom, now in his finery, we set about hiding from passing guests and getting some photos of Ruby in her gorgeous wedding dress.

And with her amazing flowers of course. And bridesmaids. And her Mum. Who coincidentally did the amazing flowers!

Once Dad arrived it was time to walk over the where the ceremony was being held. Ruby and Tom really wanted to get married in the dunes overlooking the sea. The registrar couldn’t do this so the solution was two ceremonies! One on the dunes for all the guests, conducted superbly by Ruby’s brother, followed by a short legal ceremony conducted by the registrar in the barn just for Ruby, Tom and the two witnesses.

The walk from Poppy cottage to the place in the dunes where the ceremony takes place is a little walk across the fields. So maybe think about how high the heels are you are choosing to wear! I left mine at home.

What an amazing place to make an entrance!

This was a beautiful ceremony full of joy and love and lots of laughter.

And so into the barn for a brief, private ceremony with the registrar. And the deal is signed!

And then it was back to the dunes for some family and friends photos with the sea as a backdrop, a quick nip from a hip flask and Ruby, Tom and I took the very short walk down to the beach for a few photos of the happy couple. You definitely CANNOT get married at Barn on the Bay without a few pics on the beach. The Northumberland coastline is just too good to miss.

I don’t like to take a couple away from their guests for too long for photos like these. Most of my work is just capturing the action as it happens. However 15 mins away actually gives the couple a bit of break after the ceremony. And we can of course get some stunning photos for the wedding album.

I know it’s not completely unique but none-the-less you don’t need too many fingers to count the number of wedding venues which come complete with alpaca! It certainly keeps the children entertained!

So the time came to start the wedding breakfast. The table were arranged in unusual but really effective square with everyone facing inward. It worked perfectly!

After speeches, food, drink and fun came the first dance. And the fun went on into the evening.

I loved my day at Barn on the Bay. So relaxed yet so efficient with staff trying all they could to do the extra bits which make special days like this a success. It really was a day I’ll remember for a long time. I’d love to get back there again soon. If you are thinking of getting married at Barn on the Bay and need a wedding photographer or are getting married at another venue in Northumberland or beyond and like my work please get in touch and let’s chat!