Herefordshire Wedding Photography at The Cider Barn near Leominster
24th February 2025
This was my first time photographing a wedding at The Cider Barn, near Leominster in Herefordshire. The day didn’t start off as planned—I got a flat tyre on my way to bridal prep! Horrific! Luckily, one of the parents was driving by shortly after it happened, and they were able to drive me the rest of the way. I just abandoned my car and left it for the RAC man to change the tyre while I was busy. So it worked out okay in the end! No drama… well, a little bit of drama, but it was fine. I arrived at prep and everyone was having a lovely time. I was really happy with the results too. The Cider Barn is my kind of venue—I absolutely loved the rustic wedding charm of the place! While I was shooting some environmental photos, I was chased off by a small gang of honking geese, which gave me the biggest smile! It is such a lovely place.
1) Please tell us how you first met.
We met at secondary school through a mutual friend and ended up walking home together most days. We quickly became close friends but then lost touch when we went to different universities. Several years later, Drew called Katie on a whim in the middle of the day and they ended up talking every day. We agreed to meet when we were both back for the summer. We went to the cinema (Captain America, The First Avenger). Katie disputes this was an official date. We had a year-long ‘will-they? Won’t-they?’ but everything worked out in the end. 
2) When was it you knew they were the one?
2) When was it you knew they were the one?The summer after the first ‘date’ we went interrailing in Europe with a group of friends. We weren’t official when we started but a series of romantic European cities worked their magic. Drew engineered a detour to Verona which did the trick. 
3) Could you give us the story of the proposal?
Which proposal? Thanks to the pandemic there were several failed attempts.
Plan A) We were in Japan in March 2020 on a rooftop onsen viewing Mt Fuji at sunset (all as Drew planned) but he didn’t have the ring as the designer couldn’t get it done in time due to lockdown.
B) Holiday to Corsica. Drew booked a place you can stay in little glass pods on a mountain that gives a 360° view of the island. The holiday was cancelled at the last minute due to COVID-19.
C) Katie loves puzzles, escape rooms, murder mysteries, etc. Once lockdown started to ease, Drew planned a treasure hunt around London with riddles to figure out the next location (e.g. I am on the single hair street). It ended back at the flat, via a wine bar, and Drew popped the Q as the last piece of the puzzle. 
5) What is your perfect day together?
We love to travel, so anywhere exotic or just exploring somewhere new. Preferably with good food and drinks involved.
6) Apart from the obvious, what are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?
For all the planning to be done.
7) What was it that inspired you to go for the theme or the decor you chose for your wedding?
We love Lord of the Rings and specifically the idyllic look of the Shire, so the theme was loosely inspired by Bilbo’s birthday in the first film.
8) Please tell us one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your wedding planning process.
Katie: If you find a photographer, florist, dress, etc, that you love, don’t hesitate! You’ll be gutted if you lose out on something because you dithered.
Drew: Everyone will offer advice and opinions on your choices. Don’t let your plan drift too far from your ideal wedding just to please others. Don’t be unrealistic or stubborn but remember it’s your day.
9) When searching, what were you looking for in a wedding venue?
Drew’s parents moved to Ludlow several years ago and we fell in love with it the first time we visited. It’s been our haven away from London ever since when you need to slow down. The venue is the perfect combo of rustic but chic and isn’t too big. Given the Shire theme, it gave the right vibe with the meadow and barn. It’s also a very good restaurant and we were keen to serve a nice meal, so it ticked that box.
5) What is your perfect day together?We love to travel, so anywhere exotic or just exploring somewhere new. Preferably with good food and drinks involved.
6) Apart from the obvious, what are you most looking forward to on your wedding day?For all the planning to be done.
7) What was it that inspired you to go for the theme or the decor you chose for your wedding?We love Lord of the Rings and specifically the idyllic look of the Shire, so the theme was loosely inspired by Bilbo’s birthday in the first film.
8) Please tell us one thing you wish you had known at the beginning of your wedding planning process.Katie: If you find a photographer, florist, dress, etc, that you love, don’t hesitate! You’ll be gutted if you lose out on something because you dithered.
Drew: Everyone will offer advice and opinions on your choices. Don’t let your plan drift too far from your ideal wedding just to please others. Don’t be unrealistic or stubborn but remember it’s your day.
9) When searching, what were you looking for in a wedding venue?Drew’s parents moved to Ludlow several years ago and we fell in love with it the first time we visited. It’s been our haven away from London ever since when you need to slow down. The venue is the perfect combo of rustic but chic and isn’t too big. Given the Shire theme, it gave the right vibe with the meadow and barn. It’s also a very good restaurant and we were keen to serve a nice meal, so it ticked that box.
10) Could you tell me the process you went through when you were looking for a wedding photographer?
We were keen for the wedding to not be too formal or stuffy and so the photographer also needs to be able to capture those candid moments of laughter and fun, which is difficult. In our first conversation, Duncan seemed to understand the brief intuitively so we feel confident we will get the mandatory family-portrait wedding photos but also capture the actual day more naturally.
