Meg and Chris’ Autumnal Priston Mill Wedding

A bride and groom share their first dance in front of a love sign.

We’ve shared a fair few summer weddings on our blog recently, but today we’re sharing this delightful Priston Mill wedding that we had the pleasure of shooting later on in the year.

Meg and Chris’ Priston Mill wedding took place on 30th November. We’re not sure whether that counts as an autumn wedding or a winter wedding but whatever it was – it was absolutely gorgeous! It was a really dry and warm day considering how late in the year it was, which meant we were able to take some portraits outside as well as inside the venue. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves! First things first…

Priston Mill Wedding Venue

….the setting itself, Priston Mill wedding venue. Nestled in a valley in Somerset, Priston Mill is an idyllic place for your big day. The buildings are historic – by which we mean properly ancient, as not only does the barn date back to 1720, but the watermill dates back to King Athlestan and the 10th century! This amazing historical charm coupled with the modern sophistication is what we love about Priston Mill weddings, because you get the best of both worlds. Millennia-old bricks with state-of-the-art entertainment and cuisine? Yes please!

Meg and her 5 bridesmaids got ready in accommodation a few villages over: the brilliantly named ‘Spud Shed’. It was a really lovely and chill morning, with her bridesmaids cosying up on the sofa under a blanket whilst they took it in turns to have their make-up done. Once they were all ready to go in their sequin dresses, it was time to help Meg into her stunning lace dress. After an emotional first look with her Dad, Meg hopped into a vintage Rolls Royce and set off!

Barn wedding ceremony

There are a couple of ceremony spots for a Priston Mill wedding, but Meg and Chris had decided to host their ceremony in the Tythe Barn. You can’t help but be wowed when you step into the Tythe Barn, as your eyes are immediately drawn upwards to the oak-beamed rafters and the vaulted roof (which is 15 metres high!).

Luckily their guests had had time to soak it all up because as soon as Meg entered, all eyes were on her. She walked in to a song that Chris and one of his groomsmen, Lewis, had written together, which Lewis was singing and performing on the keyboard live. It was super personal and tender, and a gorgeous way to start the official portion of the day.

Another great thing about choosing the Tythe Barn for your Priston Mill wedding ceremony is the mezzanine level. If you’re not using it as extra seating for guests, it’s a perfectly-situated height for extra decor which looks brilliant in the back of your photos. Meg and Chris opted for big marquee lights spelling LOVE.

Gorgeous grounds

As we said before, we struck lucky with the weather for this autumn/winter (answers on a postcard) wedding, because the relatively warm and dry conditions meant that we could shoot some portraits in the ground. After a confetti throw with a TON of white confetti – a.k.a. The correct answer to the question “How much confetti should we get?” – we whisked Meg and Chris away for a walk around the gardens.

Despite how late in the year we were, the rolling, well-kept lawns were still really green, making a beautiful backdrop as we ventured down the manicured paths. We also passed by the lakeside, where the trees had laid a carpet of red and orange leaves. Not wanting to keep them away for too long, we circled back to the barn. (We love Meg and Chris’ portraits, because they look so in love. We always tell any couples who are nervous about posing “if you can walk, hold hands and smile at each other, you’ve nailed it”, and we think these guys are testament to that, because look how good they look!)

Wedding reception

Back at the ranch, we mean barn, the brilliant Priston Mill wedding team had cleared out the ceremony and replaced it with the reception setup, complete with Just Married bunting hung up on the stone wall. As well as a wedding singer there was also a caricaturist, who definitely kept the guests entertained!

After a delicious meal, it was time to cut the cake – which for Meg and Chris was a delicious, drool-worthy stack of cheese, piled high with fresh fruits and topped with a heart-shaped cheese. (They’d had cupcakes waiting at each seat as their wedding favours, so guests with a sweet tooth had had their sugar fix too.)

Remember what we said about the old stone walls but the modern tech and stuff? When it was time for the first dance, the lighting was absolutely epic, with a bright spotlight on the dancefloor, some uplighters that showed off that ridiculously cool 15-metre ceiling, and a huge projection of two hearts intertwined on the walls. Megan and Chris’ guests danced the rest of the night away, in a party we’re pretty sure would have blown King Athelstan’s mind…

Two women taking a picture in a kitchen.
A bride sits in the back seat of a vintage car.
A group of champagne flutes sitting on a table.
A bride and groom kissing in front of a lit up love sign.
A man in a suit.
A bride getting her makeup done by a makeup artist.
A groom looking up at the lights in a barn.
A bride and groom kissing in front of a window.
A group of bridesmaids in grey dresses standing on a path.
Black and white photo of a bride putting on a tiara.
A bride and groom giving a speech at their wedding reception.
A beautiful wedding dress hanging elegantly in a doorway, captured by a talented Somerset wedding photographer.
A group of groomsmen wearing blue suits and ties.
A bride and groom walking down the aisle at a wedding ceremony.
A group of people sitting at a wedding ceremony.
A bride and groom share their first dance in front of a love sign.
A pair of white shoes and a buddha mask on a red wall.
A bride and groom embracing in front of a stone wall.
An old car on a road.
A woman standing in a kitchen.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom walking in the woods.
A bride and groom walking down a path in a garden.
A bride and groom kiss during their wedding ceremony in a barn.
A bride and groom posing in front of a stone barn.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom looking at each other.
A black and white photo of a wedding reception in a barn.
A bride and groom standing in front of a wooden door.
A black and white photo of a woman holding a glass of wine.
A bride and groom walking down the aisle in front of a lit up love sign.
A man playing a piano with a microphone.
A bride and groom cutting their wedding cake.
A man and woman dancing.
A bride smiles as she puts on her wedding tiara.
A man and woman walking down a aisle.
A man holding up a caricature drawing at a wedding.
A black and white photo of a bride and her bridesmaids.
A bride and groom walk down the aisle with confetti thrown at them.
A bride and groom walking down a pathway in front of a castle.
A bridesmaids gift bag with a dvd in it.
A bride and groom dancing at a wedding reception.
A group of bridesmaids sitting on a couch in a living room.
A group of bridesmaids taking a selfie in front of a stone wall.

Bristol and Bath wedding photographers

If you’re thinking of having a Priston Mill wedding, either in the Tythe Barn or the Watermill, and are looking for relaxed, natural photography to capture it, we’d love to chat. Or perhaps you’re getting married elsewhere in the area, and are looking for Bath wedding photographers – we’re your people! Get in touch with us here to tell us all about your plans so far. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Other brilliant Bath wedding suppliers

Dress: Essence of Australia from Laura May Bridal in Cardiff
Hair: Louise Alway
Make-up: Elle Hitchens
Flowers: Wild about Flowers
Venue: Priston Mill
Cake Favours: Creative Cake Designs by Linda