Josie & Dan — Quantock Hills Pre-Wedding Shoot & Hertfordshire Marquee Wedding | Em & Woz, Somerset Wedding Photographers
I first met the lovely Josie and Dan for their pre-wedding shoot exactly a year before their wedding day — we are Somerset wedding photographers, but we love to travel, and this one started close to home, high up on the Quantocks near Porlock.
The landscape was alive with soft purple heather and sunny bursts of yellow gorse, the hills stretching out under a golden late-summer light. It’s one of their favourite places, so it felt really special to capture them there — relaxed, laughing, and completely at ease with each other…and with me of course! They have such a gentle, easy energy together, and from that very first shoot, I knew their wedding day would be something truly beautiful.
Their wedding itself took us further afield — but the heart of the day felt every bit as rooted and real as those golden Somerset hills.
Josie and Dan’s wedding day took place at Bingham’s Park Farm near Hemel Hempstead, surrounded by rolling fields that seemed to stretch on forever. A beautiful marquee stood at the heart of it all, decorated with bright, festive colours that perfectly captured the fun, relaxed vibe of the day.
Dan got ready at one of his ushers’ homes just a few minutes down the road with his groomsmen — and Woz, who thankfully came to the rescue with some spare pins for the buttonholes! There was even time for a few cheeky golf putts before they headed off. Meanwhile, Josie and her bridal party were getting ready at a nearby farmhouse belonging to close friends. The morning was filled with laughter and a calm, joyful energy — from a spontaneous round of air aerobics during hair and makeup.
The bridesmaids looked incredible in mismatched dresses in every shade of colour, each one complementing Josie’s classic white gown and the festival-inspired theme they had imagined. And Josie’s fuchsia bridal shoes? Absolute perfection — a bold pop of colour that brought everything together beautifully.
The ceremony took place under the trees of a gorgeous woodland, with the gentle hum of summer all around. Josie walked down the aisle absolutely beaming from ear to ear and Dan crying! You could just feel the love in the air — with their happy tears, big smiles, and that special energy that only comes when two people are completely right for each other.
We got a few group shots immediately afterwards with Woz up a skeletal Forester’s Ladder, which would normally be used for spotting deer!
After the ceremony, guests spilled out onto the grass, drinks in hand, surrounded by bunting, children playing and the joyful hum of live music. Everywhere you looked there was colour, laughter, and a sense of celebration. This was a wedding with such a beautiful sense of community at its heart. Everyone played a part in making the day so special — from the food, lovingly prepared together by friends, to the colourful decorations that came to life through everyone’s creative hands. It felt like one big celebration of love, friendship, and togetherness. You could really feel that this wasn’t just Josie and Dan’s day — it was a day shared and shaped by everyone who loves them
As the sun began to dip, fairy lights flickered to life across the marquee, and the evening turned into a festival of dancing, music, and pure happiness. Josie and Dan’s friends truly made it a party — the kind that keeps everyone smiling long after the last song.
Looking back, their day felt like the perfect reflection of who they are as a couple: fun, laid-back, full of heart, and surrounded by people who love them.
It was such a joy to capture it all — and a reminder of why we'll happily travel anywhere in the UK for the right couple and the right day. If you're planning something a little out of the ordinary, wherever you are, we'd love to hear from you.
Em & Woz are documentary wedding photographers based in Somerset, covering weddings across the South West and beyond. Josie and Dan's pre-wedding shoot took place on the Quantock Hills near Porlock, Somerset. Their wedding was held at a private estate in Hertfordshire, featuring a woodland ceremony, festival-themed marquee reception, and outdoor evening dancing.