The Buttery and Glasshouse Wedding Photography | Judy & Zak
Some weddings just have that feeling from the moment you arrive. Relaxed, warm, full of people who genuinely love being around one another, and completely centred around having a really bloody good day.
Judy and Zak’s wedding at The Buttery and Glasshouse was exactly that.
From the beautiful rustic setting and incredible food to a dance floor that started with everyone piling on together, their wedding felt less like a day built around traditions and more like a huge celebration with their favourite people.
And honestly? That is exactly the kind of wedding I love photographing.
A Relaxed Wedding at The Buttery and Glasshouse
When Judy first got in touch, she described the vision for their wedding as:
“Family rustic with good food, drinks and music.”
Which, in hindsight, sums up their day pretty perfectly.
She also told me that photography was one of the things they really wanted to get right. They wanted images that felt authentic, candid and told the story of the day rather than photographs that felt overly staged or disconnected from what was actually happening.
That approach suited their wedding at The Buttery and Glasshouse so beautifully.
The venue has such a relaxed atmosphere and gave us loads of opportunities to photograph things naturally as they unfolded. Rather than constantly pulling Judy and Zak away from their guests, we could concentrate on the interactions, conversations, hugs, laughter and all those tiny moments happening around them.
It’s definitely a venue I’d love to photograph at again.
Documentary Wedding Photography That Feels Like You
One of my favourite things about Judy and Zak’s wedding was just how lovely everyone was.
They were surrounded by the most amazing group of family and friends, and you could really feel how much love there was for the two of them throughout the day.
For me, this is where documentary wedding photography really comes into its own.
Of course, we still make time for portraits and family photographs, but so much of the story of a wedding exists in everything happening in between. Your friends laughing together while you’re somewhere else. Your parents watching you during the ceremony. Someone getting emotional during a speech. The chaos of everyone finding their seats. People hugging, drinking, eating, talking and eventually completely losing themselves on the dance floor.
Those are often the photographs that transport you straight back to how your wedding actually felt.
And Judy and Zak’s day was absolutely full of them.
Adding 35mm Film to Their Wedding Photography
Judy and Zak also chose to add 35mm film photography to their wedding coverage, which made me VERY happy.
Kaye and I both absolutely love shooting 35mm film, and a day like this is exactly where it shines.
There’s something about film that lends itself so naturally to weddings. The grain, colours, softness and slight unpredictability give the photographs a completely different feeling to digital images.
It also encourages us to slow down and be intentional about the moments we capture.
Rather than replacing digital photography, I love using 35mm alongside it. You still get the full story of your wedding day, but woven throughout the gallery are these little film photographs that feel almost like memories in themselves.
For Judy and Zak’s relaxed, rustic wedding, it was such a gorgeous addition.
No First Dance? No Problem.
One of my favourite choices Judy and Zak made was deciding not to have a traditional first dance.
Instead of having everyone gather around to watch the two of them dance alone, they invited everyone to join them on the dance floor.
And it was PERFECT.
There was no awkward moment of feeling like they were performing in front of everyone. The dance floor immediately became a celebration, with their family and friends right there alongside them.
It’s also a good reminder that you genuinely do not have to include traditions on your wedding day just because they’re expected.
If you love the idea of a first dance, have one.
If the idea fills you with dread, skip it.
If you want everyone you love to pile onto the dance floor with you instead, absolutely do that.
Your wedding should feel like the two of you.
Why I’d Love to Photograph Another Wedding at The Buttery and Glasshouse
The Buttery and Glasshouse was such a lovely setting for the kind of wedding photography I’m drawn to.
It suited Judy and Zak’s relaxed approach perfectly and gave the whole day that intimate, rustic feel they had envisioned from the beginning.
For couples who care less about putting on a performance and more about spending proper time with the people they love, eating great food, having a few drinks and ending the night dancing, it works beautifully.
And photographically, I loved it.
There was plenty of space for candid storytelling, beautiful pockets for portraits and a setting that complemented the day without overpowering it.
I would happily be back there with a couple of cameras and a few rolls of 35mm film tomorrow.
Looking for a Wedding Photographer for The Buttery and Glasshouse?
If you’re planning your own wedding at The Buttery and Glasshouse and you’re looking for photography that feels relaxed, candid and genuinely representative of you and your people, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
My approach to wedding photography is focused on storytelling. The big moments matter, but so do the weird little interactions, the hugs, the laughter, the people you love and everything happening around you while you’re busy actually enjoying your wedding.
And if you want to add a few rolls of 35mm wedding photography into the mix, even better.
Judy and Zak, thank you for having us. You two were an absolute joy, your family and friends were wonderful, and this was such a gorgeous day to be part of.
I’d go back in a heartbeat. If you’re planning a relaxed and fun wedding at The Buttery and Glasshouse, get in touch
