A fashion focussed summer wedding at The Great Barn, Devon

A Relaxed Summer Wedding at The Great Barn Near Exeter, Devon

This summer wedding for Hannah & Oli at The Great Barn near Exeter was a beautiful balance of relaxed Devon countryside charm and thoughtful, editorial detail. Warm light, considered styling and an unmistakable English country garden feel ran through the day from start to finish, creating a celebration that felt effortless and deeply personal.

The Great Barn is a wonderful, exclusive use venue for summer weddings in Devon. Surrounded by curated gardens and planting, stone buildings and trees, it offers a setting that feels natural and unfussy while still allowing space for elegant, fashion-led editorial photography. Hannah & Oli’s wedding leaned into that beautifully with details and decor complementing the setting with pastels and watercolours.

Calm Summer Preparations and Thoughtful Details

The morning began slowly, with soft summer light spilling through the windows and a sense of quiet excitement building. Details were styled simply in natural light, allowing texture and form to take centre stage. Bridal accessories, soft florals and stationery were given space to breathe, creating imagery that felt editorial without ever feeling staged.

The bride owns a wedding stationery design business (Hannah Louise Stationery), and she designed all of the stationery and signage for the day herself. From the welcome signage to the finer paper details, everything felt cohesive and beautifully considered. It added an extra layer of meaning to the day and tied the entire aesthetic together in a way that felt both personal and refined.

An English Country Garden Aesthetic

The overall styling of the day felt unmistakably English country garden. Soft florals, natural greenery and a muted colour palette worked perfectly with the Devon setting. Nothing felt overly polished or forced. Instead, the design choices enhanced the surroundings, creating a sense of ease and warmth throughout the day. The bridal party styling reflected this perfectly. Soft fabrics, gentle tones in yellow and blue and relaxed silhouettes complemented the landscape and allowed the photographs to feel timeless rather than trend-led.

A Lace Wedding Dress with Timeless Elegance

The bride’s lace wedding dress was a standout detail. Elegant, romantic and beautifully suited to both the church ceremony and the countryside setting. The intricate lace added texture and softness, while the silhouette remained classic and understated. Lace Bridal dresses photograph beautifully in natural light, especially during summer weddings. The way the fabric catches light and movement adds depth to images while maintaining a true colour, filmic feel throughout the gallery.

A Traditional Church Ceremony in Devon

The traditional ceremony took place in the nearby church close to the venue at Higher Ashton. A beautiful space, rich in texture, history and atmosphere. Candlelight, florals and bespoke details created a setting that felt intimate and cinematic, offering a striking contrast to the openness of the rest of the day. The ceremony was emotional and full of joy. When the couple walked back down the aisle together, it was all smiles, raised hands and laughter. Moments that never need direction and are always a joy to document.

Confetti, Celebrations and Relaxed Portraits

After the ceremony, celebrations continued back at in the courtyard and the gardens at The Great Barn. Champagne moments, embraces and laughter unfolded naturally as guests gathered in the sunshine. Portraits were kept relaxed and fluid, allowing space for movement and genuine interaction. One of my favourite moments was wandering through the gardens together, parasol in hand, letting the afternoon unfold naturally. These are the moments that define my approach to editorial wedding photography. Romantic, natural and completely unforced. All captured beautifully on video by Adam of Pittstop Films.

A Summer Reception Filled with Light and Laughter

The reception felt relaxed and joyful, with thoughtful styling that never overwhelmed the space. Elegant signage, soft florals and a champagne tower added visual interest while still allowing the atmosphere to remain easy and welcoming. As the afternoon moved into evening, glasses were raised, speeches were heartfelt and the barn filled with warmth and conversation. Summer weddings have a way of feeling expansive yet intimate, and this day captured that balance perfectly.

Photographing Summer Weddings in Devon

As a wedding photographer based in the south of England, Devon is one of my favourite places to photograph summer weddings. The light, the landscape and venues like The Great Barn near Exeter lend themselves so naturally to true colour, film-inspired imagery.

My approach is always editorial but relaxed. Romantic without being over-styled. Focused on preserving how the day actually felt. Whether shooting digitally or on 35mm film, my aim is to create images that feel timeless, honest and beautifully considered.

A Timeless Summer Wedding at The Great Barn Near Exeter

This summer wedding at The Great Barn was a perfect example of how elegant and personal a Devon wedding can be. An English country garden setting, a lace wedding dress full of texture and meaningful, self-designed stationery all came together to create a day that felt entirely unique.

If you are planning a summer wedding at The Great Barn near Exeter, or elsewhere in Devon, and are looking for true colour, filmic and editorial wedding photography, these are the celebrations I love documenting most.