A Godwick Great Barn Wedding / David and Olivia
Does it matter if your wedding videographer hasn’t been to your venue before?
With my six years of experience as a wedding videographer (and counting!) going to say no, not really!
I go to new-to-me wedding venues all the time, and I find it quite exciting. I look at the spaces with fresh eyes, and seeing gardens or staircases or big bay windows filled with natural light for the first time fills me with inspiration for shots.
Every wedding is different, and I roll with the day you’ve planned - whether or not I’ve been in a specific room before doesn’t change my candid filming style and documentary approach to the day. The weather changes, room layouts change, the light changes, the seasons change, where the sun sets changes, venues get renovated, and staff members change, the other wedding vendors you’ve hired may be new to me too - I adapt to your wedding day as I find it.
When I’m going to a new venue, I arrive early to get situated. I’ll give myself a bit of extra time to have a look around, learn my way around and introduce myself to the staff. I’ll have had a nosy online beforehand too, checking out their social media and websites. I might be familiar with the venue already, and just haven’t had a chance to shoot there yet - which is what happened one August day for David and Olivia, as they celebrated their wedding at Godwick Barn.
David and Olivia held their summer wedding in north Norfolk, in three new-to-me locations. I started my business when I lived in Nottingham, so despite living in Norwich for a couple of years, there are still a lot of venues I haven’t worked at before.
First up was prep at the Brisley Bell. A gorgeous country pub, with both the bridal party and groom’s party getting ready in the private accommodation. Shout out to the Bell for letting us shoot in their restaurant and bar too! Those patio doors let in so much natural light, it was too beautiful to ignore.
From the Bell, I drove over to St. Andrew’s Church, my first visit. I had exchanged a couple of emails with the vicar ahead of time so while I didn’t know the layout of the church or how the light would shine through the windows, I felt confident in where I was allowed to place my cameras. It was a beautiful ceremony, a real joy to witness. And maybe the windiest confetti I’ve ever filmed!
After a few group shots outside of the church, it was time to head over to Godwick Great Barn. I’d seen a lot of photos online and it was even better in person. From the stairs at the front of the building, to the garden at the back of the barn, perfect for smoke bombs and sparklers, to the tractor ride to the famous Godwick ruins - seeing it all for the first time irl didn’t mean I felt unprepared or unable to capture the magic.
Which is just as well, as there was plenty of magic to be had!
And who doesn’t love a ceilidh, bringing some Scottish culture down for the Edinburgh cohort. Ten out of ten!
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Photography: Sophie Fewtrell Photography
Hair: Lisa Marie Hair
Make-up: Love Moi Makeup
Flowers: Floral Sistas
Venue styling: Synched Events
Catering: Florentina
Ceilidh: Fairgreen Ceilidh
Frankie May Weddings - Natural Documentary Wedding Videography based in Norfolk UK, capturing beautiful moments wherever love stories are found.