We’ve known Kim and Glynn since they got together four years ago. They booked us within 24 hours of getting engaged. No shopping around, they knew straight away.
They are wedding photographers themselves. Full time, award winning, and big fans of flash. So when Neil and I sat down with them for their pre wedding meeting, nobody needed to explain anything. They knew exactly what they wanted.
All killer, no filler. Dramatic, flash lit portraits that looked like a model shoot, not a standard bride and groom set. Ten images that work hard beat forty safe ones. Three group shots, all done as composites, and no long family list. The portraits mattered more to them than anything else we would shoot all day, and they wanted that obvious from the first frame to the last.
Neil and I own Flash Masters together and teach flash for a living, so this brief suited us down to the ground. Big light, deep shadows, bold colour. Proper drama.
Nobody here is a model. Kim and Glynn just wanted to look like they were. No pressure photographing two people who do our job for a living.
They got married on Saturday 26 September 2026 at Swancar Farm Country House near Nottingham, with 89 guests for the day and around 60 more in the evening. The theme was old Hollywood glam. Black and gold everywhere, and flowers in every loud colour going. They wanted me and my partner Neil Redfern specifically, so we shot the day side by side as equals. Two first shooters, no second.
Getting ready
Glynn and his five groomsmen got ready in the main house from 11. Kim and Glynn swapped gifts before the ceremony, and his came in a Breitling bag.
By the time he was dressed it was on his wrist, next to GK monogram cufflinks and a gold crest embroidered by Katapultz. His suit was Ted Baker, and his grooming was by Arthur’s of Ashby.
The groomsmen wore black tie from Males Menswear. They walked over under a proper blue sky.
Guests started arriving, and Reilly Creative was already sketching them. Over in the glass barn, The Flower Fox Studio had smothered the aisle in huge hot pink, orange, purple and cobalt florals.
Kim got ready in the stables cottage on site, with four bridesmaids, a flower girl and her mum.
Hair and makeup was by Katie Morley, with skin by JAG Aesthetics.
Her Jimmy Choo shoes got a proper scream.
Kim asked for drama. Hard light, deep shadow, black and white.
Her dress was from Veil and Vow, with alterations and customisation by Cherilyn Leeson Couture. Look at those fabric roses tumbling down the skirt.
Shoes on, then the veil from Nola Grey and the bouquet, also by The Flower Fox Studio.
Her dad’s face when he saw her.
The ceremony
Glynn’s entrance started on everyone’s phones. Guests watched a video filmed at Tatenhill Aviation before he walked in.
The ceremony started at 1.30pm. The first person down the aisle was Leila, walking ahead of the whole bridal party as a surprise for Glynn.
Glynn was in tears before Kim had taken a step.
Kim walked in with her dad to Never Enough, sung live by Natalie Nightingale with Chris Keys on grand piano.
Rings by Aspire Rings. Visions of Grace filmed the whole day.
Confetti
Straight out of the barn and into confetti at 2pm. Enough of it to block out the sun.
The flower girl took her confetti job very seriously.
Three group shots, no more
We always tell people to keep their group shot list short. Kim and Glynn went further than anyone. Three group shots only, each one a dramatic composite. No lines of people smiling on demand. This is the bridal party, bridesmaids in black.
The wedding breakfast
Live music carried on outside through the drinks.
Inside, the tables were black, gold and candlelit, with styling and candles by The Wedding Attic and stationery by KDS Calligraphy. The GK logo was on everything.
Every guest got a pair of sunglasses with their name and table number on. That is how they found their seats, and they kept them on.
Kim and Glynn danced in to Pink Pony Club, played live by Chris Keys on piano, Natalie Nightingale on vocals, Alerion Strings and an electric guitar. The room lost it.
Speeches
Speeches came from Kim’s sister, Glynn and his best man. The caricature from Reilly Creative made it to the top table.
Then a private number plate appeared. MR6 SHER. Kim held it over her head for the whole room.
Golden hour
This is the bit Kim and Glynn cared about most. Flash, drama, big skies, and two people who look like they walked straight off a shoot. As a Swancar Farm wedding photographer, you get a lot to play with here. Walls, fields and a huge open sky.
Out into the fields for golden hour.
Then out came one of our mirrors, to reflect them into the sunset sky. That is the one at the top of this post. One last frame with the moon coming up, and we were done.
First dance and the party
Evening guests arrived to fire breathers from Emily Jayne Lee and a sax duo from Fantastic with Fizz in the courtyard.
After the cake from Red Velvet Bakery was cut, Kim changed into a second dress. Their first dance was choreographed by Dancetastic over two years. Tango flavoured, with lifts and a deep dip, danced in smoke and cold sparks in front of MRS SHERWOOD light up letters from Stage Letters. Lighting by TMW Productions, who were also MC for the day, and the cold sparks by Alicat Accessories.
Then Distractions Band took over.
Emily Jayne Lee’s mirror men worked the dance floor.
And GB Fun Casinos kept the tables busy all night.
Our last shot of the night. Champagne, mostly not in a glass.
Kim and Glynn, you told us exactly what you wanted and then gave us a day full of it. Being the Swancar Farm wedding photographer for two people who know exactly what good looks like is a proper test. Thank you for trusting us with it. Now go and cull your own wedding.
With huge thanks to
- Venue: Swancar Farm Country House
- Photography: Helen Williams Photography and Neil Redfern
- Video: Visions of Grace
- Florals, styling and bouquets: The Flower Fox Studio
- Hair and makeup: Katie Morley
- Singer: Natalie Nightingale
- Piano: Chris Keys
- Strings: Alerion Strings
- Sax duo: Fantastic with Fizz
- Band, sax and DJ: Distractions Band
- Choreography: Dancetastic
- Cake: Red Velvet Bakery
- Candles, signage and styling: The Wedding Attic
- Entertainers: Emily Jayne Lee
- Stationery: KDS Calligraphy
- Casino: GB Fun Casinos
- Caricature artist: Reilly Creative
- Light up letters: Stage Letters
- Lighting and MC: TMW Productions
- Pyrotechnics: Alicat Accessories
- Dress: Veil and Vow
- Alterations and customisation: Cherilyn Leeson Couture
- Veil: Nola Grey
- Bride’s shoes: Jimmy Choo
- Groom’s suit: Ted Baker
- Men’s suits: Males Menswear
- Embroidered linen and suits: Katapultz
- Men’s grooming: Arthur’s of Ashby
- Aesthetics: JAG Aesthetics
- Rings: Aspire Rings
- Media and branding: Josh Jameson
- Filming location: Tatenhill Aviation
- I Do Magazine and Trusted Supplier Network
Thinking about your own wedding at Swancar Farm?
If you want a Swancar Farm wedding photographer who will light your portraits properly and still be there when the mirror men come out, get in touch and tell me what you have planned.
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