Alex and Mel's Wedding Photography at New Lodge Vineyard

Wedding Photography by Emma Lowe Photography

Alex and Mel’s wedding at New Lodge Vineyard in Northamptonshire was such a lovely day to be part of. With a beautiful outdoor ceremony, colourful flowers, rustic styling and celebrations surrounded by the vines, their wedding had a wonderfully relaxed and personal feel.

This was my first time photographing a wedding at New Lodge Vineyard, and I was really impressed by the setting. The rows of vines, open countryside and lovely outdoor spaces offered so many opportunities for photography, and I couldn’t wait to explore the venue with my camera.

The weather was an unexpected bonus too! The sunshine appeared and stayed with us, giving us beautiful light for the ceremony and photographs throughout the afternoon.

A Relaxed Morning at New Lodge Vineyard

When I arrived at New Lodge Vineyard, Alex was already busy with his groomsmen, making sure the final details were ready before the guests arrived.

It was lovely seeing how involved he was in the preparations, from arranging decorations to checking everything was in place. There was plenty of laughter between the boys, and I enjoyed capturing those informal moments before the ceremony.

I also took the opportunity to photograph the venue and all the little details that Alex and Mel had put so much thought into.

Their rustic wedding theme suited the vineyard perfectly, with wooden signs, wildflowers, greenery and natural decorations creating a lovely atmosphere. I always enjoy photographing these details because they’re such an important part of the couple’s plans and help tell the complete story of their wedding.

Mel’s Arrival in a Classic VW Camper Van

One of my favourite moments from the morning was Mel arriving at the vineyard in a classic VW camper van with her bridesmaids.

It was such a lovely entrance and fitted the relaxed character of their wedding perfectly.

Mel looked beautiful, and I particularly loved the colours she had chosen for the flowers. The combination of burnt orange, coral and rich green looked wonderful against the natural surroundings of the vineyard.

Her long veil was another feature I couldn’t wait to photograph. It moved beautifully in the breeze and later gave us some lovely opportunities for creative portraits among the vines.

With everyone ready and the sunshine making an appearance, it was time for the ceremony.

A Personal Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Among the Vines

Alex and Mel held their wedding ceremony outdoors, surrounded by the beautiful vineyard and their closest family and friends.

What made this ceremony particularly special was that Alex’s mum conducted it. I thought this was such a lovely personal touch, making the occasion feel even more meaningful for everyone involved.

Mel walked down the aisle accompanied by acoustic guitar music, and Alex’s reaction when he saw her was wonderful to capture.

The ceremony was filled with smiles, laughter and a few emotional moments as they exchanged their vows.

One moment I particularly enjoyed was when Alex and Mel turned towards their guests and gave everyone a wave. It was such a spontaneous, happy moment and perfectly reflected the relaxed atmosphere of their wedding.

There was plenty of cheering and applause as they shared their first kiss, and I loved photographing the reactions of everyone celebrating with them.

Natural Wedding Photography Around the Vineyard

Following the ceremony, everyone enjoyed drinks and time together in the sunshine.

The relaxed atmosphere was perfect for capturing natural photographs of guests chatting, laughing and congratulating the newlyweds.

We also organised the family group photographs, making the most of the lovely vineyard surroundings.

One of the things I really enjoyed about New Lodge Vineyard was the variety of photographic opportunities. The rows of vines created beautiful natural lines in the photographs, while the open countryside provided a lovely backdrop for more relaxed portraits.

I took Alex and Mel for a walk through the vineyard, giving them a little time together away from the celebrations.

They were both great fun to photograph, and I loved how comfortable they were trying different ideas. We captured a lovely mixture of natural moments, romantic portraits and a few more creative photographs.

Mel’s long veil looked particularly beautiful among the vines, especially when it caught the breeze.

Getting Creative with the Wedding Party

One of the highlights of the day for me was photographing Alex and Mel with their bridesmaids and groomsmen.

They were such a fun group and were more than happy to get involved with some of my ideas.

Alongside the more traditional wedding party photographs, I wanted to create something a little different.

With a bit of furniture rearranging, some carefully positioned lighting and plenty of cooperation from everyone, we managed to create a fantastic group photograph.

I love having the opportunity to get creative with wedding photography, particularly when couples are happy to try something a little unusual.

It was definitely worth the extra effort, and I was delighted with the finished photograph!

A Rustic Wedding Reception Filled with Laughter

Alex and Mel continued their celebrations in a beautifully decorated marquee overlooking the vineyard.

The rustic styling carried through into the reception, with wooden tables, greenery, colourful flowers and fairy lights creating a lovely setting for the wedding breakfast.

The atmosphere was wonderfully informal, with guests enjoying a sharing-style meal, chatting and spending time together.

I particularly enjoyed capturing the interaction between everyone around the tables. These are often the photographs that couples don’t realise are being taken, but they can become some of their favourite memories from the day.

The speeches were another highlight, with a lovely mixture of emotion and humour.

Mel’s dad gave a heartfelt speech, followed by plenty of laughter during the best man’s stories. Alex also gave a lovely speech, and it was wonderful to photograph all the reactions around the marquee.

Beautiful Sunset Wedding Photography

As the afternoon turned into evening, we were treated to some gorgeous golden-hour light across the vineyard.

I couldn’t resist taking Alex and Mel back outside for a few more photographs.

The softer evening sunlight looked beautiful filtering through the vines, and Mel’s veil caught the light perfectly.

These were some of my favourite portraits from the entire day. The couple were completely relaxed, enjoying a few quiet moments together while we made the most of the beautiful surroundings.

Later, as the sky began turning pink, we captured another lovely moment when Alex spontaneously pulled Mel close for a little dance among the vines.

There was no posing or direction needed. It was simply the two of them enjoying a moment together, and I was delighted to be there to capture it.

For me, these unexpected moments are what make wedding photography so rewarding.

First Dance and Evening Celebrations

Back in the marquee, the evening celebrations were getting underway.

Alex and Mel shared their first dance surrounded by their guests, before everyone joined them on the dance floor.

The fairy lights and evening lighting created a lovely atmosphere, and there was plenty of energy as guests of all ages enjoyed the music and dancing.

I always enjoy photographing this part of a wedding because everyone is relaxed and having fun. There are so many wonderful expressions, funny moments and spontaneous interactions to capture.

It was a fantastic end to a day that had been full of personality from beginning to end.

My Memories of Alex & Mel’s New Lodge Vineyard Wedding

Looking back on Alex and Mel’s wedding, there are so many things that stand out for me.

I loved photographing at New Lodge Vineyard for the first time. It’s such a lovely location for a wedding, particularly for couples who enjoy the outdoors and want a relaxed countryside setting.

The ceremony conducted by Alex’s mum was a really special part of the day, and Mel arriving in the VW camper van was another moment I’ll remember.

From a photography perspective, I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to be creative with the wedding party photographs and to make the most of the gorgeous evening light.

But what I enjoyed most was how relaxed Alex and Mel were throughout the day. They were happy to have fun with their photographs, and their personalities really came through in the images we captured.

It was a pleasure to be their wedding photographer, and I hope their gallery brings back all the happiness, laughter and lovely memories of their wedding for many years to come.

Alex and Mel, thank you for choosing me to photograph your wedding. Wishing you both every happiness together!

Emma x