Harry & Rachel’s wedding at The Oak Grove
A sun-filled, family-centred wedding beneath the trees at The Oak Grove in Upchurch — and a chance to reconnect with an old childhood friend.
Some weddings have an extra layer of meaning before I even pick up the camera. Harry and I grew up spending a lot of time together, but it had been around fifteen years since we last saw each other. Photographing his wedding to Rachel was a lovely way to reconnect.
A summer wedding beneath the trees
The sun was blazing on Harry and Rachel’s day. One of the things I appreciated most about The Oak Grove was the natural shade: the trees gave everyone a cooler place to spend time together, while the summer light filtered through around us.
For couples considering an outdoor wedding in Kent, that balance of open space and shelter is worth experiencing for yourselves. On this particular day, it made a real difference to how comfortable the celebration felt.
A real family affair
Harry and Rachel looked incredible, and the day had such a warm family feeling. It was the people, as much as the setting, that made it memorable. Being there to photograph those connections felt especially personal with so much shared childhood history in the background.
The venue team were incredible and helped a great deal throughout the day. That kind of support is something I notice as a photographer: it gives the couple and their guests more room to enjoy themselves.
Photographing a wedding at The Oak Grove
The woodland setting is a beautiful part of this venue’s character. I loved the contrast between the bright summer sunshine and the cooler pockets beneath the trees. It gave the photographs a strong sense of the place Harry and Rachel had chosen.
The Oak Grove describes itself as a summer-only woodland wedding venue, with a limited number of dates each season. For the latest arrangements, speak directly to the venue using the link below.
Looking back at this wedding, I remember the heat, the shade, the helpful team and the feeling of being surrounded by family. Most of all, I’m grateful that my camera brought me back into an old friend’s life for such a meaningful day.
Planning your own celebration?
If you’re planning a wedding or civil partnership at The Oak Grove, or somewhere else that feels like you, I’d love to hear about it.
Tell me about your day