When people talk about dream outdoor wedding ceremonies, this is what they mean.

A blazing summer day at Folly Farm in Bristol, the kind where the sun doesn’t politely soften itself for photographers. No clouds. No golden haze. Just FULL. GLORIOUS. SUN.

And honestly? It didn’t matter.

Because when the couple are this good, you don’t need golden hour.

An Outdoor Ceremony in Full Sun (And Owning It)

Let’s address it straight away… Yes, it was bright.

Yes, it was high sun.

Yes, it was warm.

And it was PERFECT.

The views at Folly Farm do what they always do… Rolling countryside, big skies, that “how is this real?” Somerset backdrop. But what made this ceremony wasn’t the light. It was them.

Relaxed. Present. Fully in it.

No squinting stress. No overthinking. Just two people standing in front of everyone they love, absolutely buzzing to get married.

This is why I always say: the vibe matters more than the lighting.

The Dress. The Cape. The Moment.

We need a paragraph just for the cape.

A wedding cape in summer? Bold. Dramatic. Slightly editorial. Completely iconic.

When the breeze caught it during the ceremony I nearly ascended.

It moved. It framed her. It gave main-character energy without trying too hard. And against the rustic backdrop of Folly Farm’s stone buildings and wild greenery? Unreal.

Proof that you can do relaxed countryside wedding and still serve fashion.

Future you will be very grateful for this decision.

Scandinavian Wedding Traditions (And Why We Need More of Them)

Now let’s talk speeches.

This wedding brought in Scandinavian traditions, which basically means one thing:

Everyone gets involved.

Instead of just a few formal speeches, friends and family stood up throughout the meal. Stories. Toasts. Surprises. And then… Singing.

Yes. Singing at the tables.

Whole tables joining in. Napkins waving. Laughter bouncing off the walls. It felt less like a “wedding breakfast” and more like the best dinner party you’ve ever been invited to.

It was chaotic in the best way. Emotional without being stiff. Structured but totally unforced.

And from a candid wedding photography point of view? GOLD.

Real reactions. Belly laughs. People mid-song with wine glasses in hand. This is the stuff you can’t stage.

Chill Vibes, Zero Pressure

One of my favourite things about this day was how un-performed it felt.

No one was trying to impress.

No one was chasing perfection.

No rigid timelines squeezing the joy out of things.

Just a couple who trusted the process and wanted everyone to have the best time.

And that energy? It spreads.

A Dancefloor That Understood the Assignment

When I say fun-filled dancefloor, I mean:

Shoes off.

Arms in the air.

Sweaty foreheads.

Absolutely no holding back.

From the first song it was ON.

There’s something about summer weddings at Folly Farm… Once that barn fills with music and fairy lights, it transforms. Warm air drifting in from outside, people spilling onto the terrace for a breather before running back in for the next banger.

It felt like a festival. In the countryside. In your best outfit.

No Golden Hour — And It Didn’t Matter

We didn’t get that soft, glowy, sunset moment.

The sun dipped behind the hills without putting on a show.

And honestly?

Not once did it feel like something was missing.

Because golden hour is lovely. But connection is better.

And this couple had that in abundance.

Every glance. Every in-joke. Every squeeze of the hand. They were fully themselves… And that will always photograph better than perfect light ever could.

If you’re planning a summer wedding at Folly Farm, here’s your reminder:

You don’t need perfect conditions.

You don’t need a Pinterest sunset.

You don’t need to perform your day.

You just need to be in it.

And trust that future you will be obsessed with how it felt.

Want your countryside wedding captured in a way that’s relaxed, candid and still gives you those “how is that us?!” moments?

You know where I am.