Last Saturday I joined Karla & Bethan for their amazing wedding at Samlesbury Hall near Preston in Lancashire. And what a perfect day it was too!
Samlesbury Hall is an enchanting Lancashire historic house – over 700 years old – and a perfect backdrop for a unique wedding!
These two are such a sweet pair, meeting on Tinder in 2019, and within 3 months decided to take an adventure to Borneo together that kindled their love! When Covid hit, they bubbled up and have loved life ever since…
Well, almost! Their fairytale wedding on a beach in Koh Phi Phi in Thailand last year was sabotaged when Bethan lost eyesight in one eye! While spending most of the trip in hospital, they still married in a Thai registry office (in a region that’s inscribed inside their wedding bands!) and on the day before their 7 year anniversary, I joined them for the final part of their celebration in Lancashire, with their near and dear!
In the morning, I joined the girls and the mums for hair & makeup at Bethan’s fave hair dressers in the amazingly named Oswaldtwistle near Accrington, before heading to Samlesbury Hall‘s historic Gatehouse to get ready.
It was so nice seeing these two going through their 7th annual photobook, before putting on their matching altered suits. They’d not told anyone they were wearing custom suits, and it was lovely to see the mum’s reactions when they came to collect them! After a quick shot from margarita filled hip-flasks, we were off…
The 15th century ceremony chapel and Great Hall at Samlesbury Hall are so enchanting for guests, and the grounds make for stunning photos
After the happy couple walked down the aisle together, Bethan’s mum (a Welsh reverend, who’s not done a wedding before) did a smashing job delivering their blessing! I found the poems she read really moving (especially The Promises of Marriage – by Bettie Meek).
Later, we headed back out in the glorious afternoon sunshine for cuddles, confetti and canapés, along with ice cream and lawn games! Their musical family friend Vicky Bedwin – a veritable one woman band – entertained everyone while guests milled and munched on delicious nibbles. During this time it was also fab to catch up old pals Kelly & Pete (who’s wedding I photographed many moons ago!)
After a delicious meal in the great hall, we were blessed with another round of lovely pics in the evening golden sunshine, before cutting the cake, having a boogie and finally being rocked out by her brother’s amazing band ‘Sleeping Through The Day’! After shenanigans finally died down, many guests retired to the stylish glamping Shepherd’s Huts on site to sleep off all the partying…
I do love doing gay & LGBTQ+ wedding photography and shooting weddings in Lancashire and it was great to be back at Samlesbury Hall for the second time in many years!
Now – grab a mug of tea (or a hip flask full of margarita!) and hit play on the slideshow below to check out all their lovely wedding highlights below…
Feel free to pre-register to see their full set of images here: https://barnabyaldrick.pic-time.com/client/bethan-karla/register (and your email address will only be used to let you know when the gallery is launched)
In the meantime, feel free to share this loveliness to Facebook using the buttons at the bottom (or copy and paste the web address into a status) or via my Facebook business page here.
What a lovely wedding hey? Here’s wishing this delightful pair huge congratulations, a wonderful life together!
Big love,
♥️ Barnaby 
A huge high-5 goes out to the wonderful suppliers that brought the magic at Samlesbury Hall in Lancashire:
Venue: @samlesburyhall | Hair & Makeup: Lou McGonagle @loumacmua | Florist & Cake: done by the couple! | Suits: Groom/Chrichtons – Chester | Music/Entertainment: Vicky Bedwin AKA Victoria Kewley (Singer), Sleeping Through the Day (Band) @sleepingthroughtheday18, Adam Solarbeats (DJ) @solarbeatsofficial
