A Simple Wedding Done Perfectly | Mikida & Jack at St John's Church, Gastard & The Burj at Harp & Crown
Corsham wedding photography
Sometimes the best weddings aren't the biggest, the most extravagant or the most carefully choreographed. Sometimes they're simply about bringing together the people you love, enjoying great food, and celebrating your marriage exactly the way you want to.
That perfectly sums up Mikida and Jack's wedding in the beautiful Wiltshire village of Gastard almost equidistant from Corsham and Melksham.
With St John's Church sitting just a short stroll from The Burj at The Harp & Crown, their entire wedding day flowed effortlessly. No long journeys, no rushing between venues—just a relaxed walk with family and friends between the ceremony and celebrations. It was simple planning at its very best.
June certainly turned up the heat too. One of the hottest days of the year meant everyone was looking for a little shade, plenty of cold drinks, and surprisingly... an incredible Indian curry! The Burj at The Harp & Crown has built a fantastic reputation, and it's easy to see why. It made a refreshing change from the traditional wedding breakfast and was absolutely perfect for a summer wedding.
A Beautiful Village Church Wedding in Wiltshire
St John's Church is one of those churches that feels wonderfully welcoming. Full of character, surrounded by the quiet Wiltshire countryside, it provided the perfect setting for Mikida and Jack to say their vows.
As always, once the ceremony finished, everyone spilled outside into the sunshine ready for one of my favourite parts of the day—confetti.
There were smiles everywhere, handfuls of colourful confetti flying through the air, and a couple who couldn't stop laughing. Exactly how confetti should be.
Relaxed Wedding Photography Without the Rush
One thing I loved about this wedding was how relaxed everything felt.
Because the reception venue was literally around 100 metres from the church, there was never any pressure to keep to a strict schedule. Guests moved across together, with the Bride and Groom leading the way with Jack’s Dad playing the bagpipes, guests chatted along the way, grabbed a drink, and simply enjoyed the day.
Instead of feeling like they were working through a timetable, everyone could just be present.
We took the family photographs straight after the ceremony before moving into some brilliantly fun group shots with the wedding party. Nothing overly staged—just lots of laughs, plenty of personality and a group of people clearly enjoying themselves.
Those natural moments always make the best photographs.
Speeches in the Garden
With the glorious weather, the speeches took place outside in the pub garden.
It's something you don't often see, but it worked brilliantly.
Guests relaxed with a drink in hand, and everyone gathered around to hear stories, jokes and a few emotional moments. There wasn't a hint of formality—just friends and family enjoying every minute together.
It fitted the whole feel of the wedding perfectly.
Doing the Day Their Way
This wedding reminded me that there really is no "right" way to plan a wedding.
You don't have to follow traditions just because everyone else does.
Mikida and Jack planned a day that reflected exactly who they are. A beautiful church ceremony, an amazing Indian meal, speeches outside in the sunshine, plenty of time with family and friends, and no unnecessary fuss.
It wasn't about trying to impress anyone.
It was simply about getting married and celebrating with the people who matter most.
And honestly... that's exactly what weddings should be.
Natural Wedding Photography Across Wiltshire
As a documentary wedding photographer, these are the weddings I absolutely love photographing.
Nothing forced.
Nothing over-posed.
Just genuine moments, real laughter and all the little interactions that tell the story of the day.
If you're planning your own wedding in Wiltshire—whether it's in a village church, a countryside pub, a barn or a grand venue—and you're looking for relaxed, natural wedding photography that captures your day as it really happened, I'd love to hear your plans.
Every wedding is different, and that's exactly how it should be.
