A St Albans Cathedral Wedding and Relaxed Lodge Farm Reception | Andrea & Paul

A cathedral ceremony, oversized pretzels and Prosecco, a double-decker bus and sunset portraits in the fields. Andrea and Paul’s wedding on 22 August 2026 brought together an extraordinary setting and a wonderfully relaxed celebration.

From getting ready at Lodge Farm to sparklers outside the tipi, the day felt completely theirs. There was plenty to photograph, but what stayed with me most was how affectionate and playful they were together, and how warmly their family and friends celebrated alongside them.

Getting Ready at Lodge Farm, Hitchin

Andrea spent the morning getting ready at Lodge Farm in King’s Walden, surrounded by her bridesmaids, her mum and Paul’s daughter. Everyone was in high spirits, with some lovely reactions as Andrea put on her dress from Bridal Reloved Tring.

Having Paul’s daughter there with the girls made this part of the morning particularly special, especially hearing the words she would share later in the day.

Andrea’s mum also created the wedding flowers, adding a personal contribution that carried through the celebrations.

Meanwhile, Paul got ready at home before everyone made their way to St Albans. With the fathers of the bride and groom driving the two cars, even the journey to the ceremony became a family affair.

An Intimate Ceremony at St Albans Cathedral

The scale of St Albans Cathedral was one of the things that struck me most about photographing this wedding. There is so much space around you, yet Andrea and Paul’s ceremony took place in a smaller area towards the back, giving their vows a more intimate feel within the enormous building.

Andrea walked in with her father, although the entrance came with one unexpected moment when he accidentally stepped on her veil and pulled it from her hair. Those little unscripted interruptions become part of a wedding’s story, as much as anything planned in advance.

During the signing of the register, one of Andrea’s friends sang solo. Having someone close to them provide the music made that part of the ceremony especially personal.

Afterwards, we walked through the cathedral towards the front. Moving through the building gave us a chance to make photographs that showed its remarkable scale, alongside the quieter moments between Andrea and Paul.

That balance is something I love about photographing weddings: seeing the whole setting while still paying attention to the people at the centre of it.

Pretzels, Prosecco and a Double-Decker Bus

Outside, everyone gathered on the grass for photographs, large pretzels and Prosecco. It was a lovely way to spend time together after the ceremony, with room for congratulations, conversations and something to eat before the journey back.

Then came the double-decker bus.

The bus photographs are some of my favourite memories from the day. Travelling together keeps the celebration going between venues, and it gives me another opportunity to photograph guests enjoying themselves as everything unfolds.

For Andrea and Paul, it connected the cathedral ceremony with the countryside reception beautifully.

A Relaxed Tipi Reception at Lodge Farm

Back at Lodge Farm, guests were welcomed with drinks before heading into the tipi for dinner and speeches.

Andrea and Paul wanted a relaxed, chilled atmosphere, and that feeling ran through the reception. With everyone together over food and drinks, there was space to settle in and enjoy the afternoon.

One of the most meaningful moments came during Paul’s speech, when his daughter said a few words and welcomed Andrea into the family. It was a small part of the day in terms of time, but a significant part of its story.

These are the moments I’m always watching for: the words, gestures and reactions that explain what a wedding means to the people involved.

Lawn Games, Glitter Tattoos and Time Together

After the speeches, everyone moved out onto the lawn for drinks and games. Sunglasses and glitter tattoos added to the fun, with guests making the most of the space around the venue.

It suited Andrea and Paul perfectly. Their favourite weekends involve eating, drinking and listening to live music, and their wedding carried that same easy enjoyment of being together.

There was no need to manufacture much here. Friends and family spending time together, joining in and letting themselves relax gave me plenty to photograph.

Playful Sunset Portraits in the Fields

Later, we slipped away into the fields at the back of Lodge Farm for sunset portraits.

Andrea and Paul were brilliant together: affectionate, playful and happy to have some fun. We kept things unposed, giving them time to enjoy each other’s company while I photographed what happened naturally.

I love making room for this part of a wedding day. A short walk away from the reception gives a couple a little time together, and the photographs often take on a different feeling as a result.

For Andrea and Paul, these portraits continued the mood of the day relaxed, loving and full of personality.

A First Dance and Sparklers Outside the Tipi

The evening brought everyone back together for the first dance, followed by sparklers outside the tipi.

After a day that had taken us from the vast interior of St Albans Cathedral to the fields around Lodge Farm, it was another lovely setting in which to photograph them surrounded by their guests.

Looking back, it’s the combination of those places and personal moments that makes this wedding memorable: Andrea’s friend singing during the ceremony, Paul’s daughter welcoming her into the family, the bus journey and the two of them laughing together in the fields.

Andrea and Paul, thank you for having me there to capture it all.

Andrea & Paul’s Wedding Suppliers

• Reception venue and coordination: Lodge Farm, King’s Walden, Liz

• Ceremony: St Albans Cathedral

• Flowers: Andrea’s mum

• Catering: Kingfisher

• Ice cream van: Ice Baby

• Band: KatieplusJuan

• DJ: DiscNyts

• Saxophonist: Andres Sax

• Hair: Jade Anna

• Bridal makeup: B Mills MUA

• Wedding dress: Bridal Reloved Tring

• Bridesmaids’ dresses: Azazie

• Bride’s shoes: Vintage

Planning a St Albans Cathedral or Lodge Farm Wedding?

If you’re planning a wedding at St Albans Cathedral or Lodge Farm in Hitchin, I’d love to hear what you have in mind. My approach combines documentary photography with an editorial eye, capturing the atmosphere, the people and the moments that make the day yours.