Natural, Joyful Church Wedding in Yaxley, Cambridgeshire
July 4, 2025
Weddings in Cambridge are something I’ll always come back to even though I’m now a Kent wedding photographer in Ramsgate. Chelsea and Luke’s November Natural Joyful Church Wedding in Cambridge in the village of Yaxley was super authentic. As a wedding photographer with a documentary and editorial approach, I’m always drawn to the real stuff. This wedding was exactly that with the addition of autumn leaves, warm family moments, and understated elegance of a couple who knew what mattered most to them.
They’d searched for a Christian wedding photographer who shared their values, and I was genuinely honoured when they chose me. What followed was a wedding day full of depth, subtle beauty, and the kind of atmosphere where children could be themselves, family could just be, and joy didn’t need over-styling to be fully felt.
Before we get into it, here was a review from Chelsea & Luke:
As far as photographers go, Tom is is a 10/10. On our wedding day we were so nervous about having photos because we are two extremely awkward and photogenic people 😂 but he made us feel so comfortable to the point we forgot he had a camera! The photos speak for themselves, he captured our happiness and all of our guests so perfectly. The photos are everything we imagined and more, we’ll cherish them forever. On top of that it’s a bonus to have gained a lifelong friend, who always asks after our son. If for some reason you are between photographers before making a choice, you will not regret picking Tom!
Contents
- The Setting: A Cambridge Village Wedding in Yaxley
- A Warm Christian Ceremony with Family at the Heart
- Golden Hour Portraits and Autumn Leaves
- A Relaxed Pub Reception with Cake, Laughter and Sparklers
- My Style and Approach to Wedding Photography
- Experience, Expertise and a Love for Real Weddings
- Final Thoughts and Booking Enquiries
The Setting: A Cambridge Village Wedding in Yaxley
Yaxley is a small town on the edge of Cambridgeshire that’s often overlooked when people think of Cambridge weddings, usually it’s colleges. Yet this quiet spot brought with it a sense of real community and meaning to this Natural Joyful Church Wedding in Cambridge. As I arrived that chilly November afternoon, the sky was itching for sunset. It gave everything a cinematic tone, especially when paired with the deep browns and golds of the fallen leaves.
Chelsea and Luke had chosen to be married in their local church, a towering and atmospheric space that felt both humble and grand which I think is a perfect metaphor for their day. The church itself was dark and dramatic, which can be a challenge for some photographers. Yet with the right technical knowledge and an eye for contrast, it made for strong images that truly represented their ceremony as it happened.
One of my favourite moments from the beginning of the day was the arrival of Chelsea, accompanied by a renowned bagpiper whose music echoed down the path leading up to the church. It was unexpected and powerful giving me some incredible scene-setting photos. Her arrival, with the stirring sound of bagpipes and the soft golden light of late afternoon, really started the day off well.
A Warm Christian Ceremony with Family at the Heart
As a Christian myself, I know what it means for couples to want a wedding that honours their faith while also feeling natural and personal. Chelsea and Luke’s Natural Joyful Church Wedding in Cambridge, led by the kind and thoughtful Rev. Sarah Hare, was exactly that. The tone was reverent yet relaxed and it was clear that the heart of the day was about love, not religious obligation.
One of the stand-out aspects of the ceremony was how beautifully children were included. The couple’s young son, about the same age as my own, was given space to be himself. Rev. Sarah even encouraged him to bring toys out of the church crèche, which meant I was able to capture a string of truly authentic moments featuring a toy car. It was so cute watching him quietly playing near his parents during the vows, and cheeky glances towards grandparents. These are the kinds of images they’ll remember and they planned for it well.
Luke had a strong group of groomsmen around him who brought the energy throughout the afternoon. The camaraderie between them was genuine, with lots of banter and support. You might think this could be distracting, but it was decent and always helps couples relax in front of the camera.
Even in a large and relatively dim church, I work in a way that doesn’t distract from the ceremony. My background in fashion photography means I’m comfortable in complex lighting conditions and always ready to adapt. But the priority for me is always the people, photographed authentically and edited in a way that looks fashionable.
Golden Hour Portraits and Autumn Leaves
After the ceremony, guests gathered outside to cheer on the newly married couple as the sun began to dip. It was one of those magic moments you hope for. Picture it: the setting sun creating a natural backlight just in time for confetti and it’s getting chilly. I always encourage couples to time their confetti shot for a transition moment (i.e, before going to the reception or next thing). Golden hour was just a bonus and in this case, it gave the scene a golden glow that was just epic.
With the last of the daylight, I took Chelsea and Luke aside for their couple portraits. No rigid posing, ever, just a gentle walk together enjoying the fact they had just got married. They were more focused on each other than the camera, which is exactly how we like it.
There was one little spot I’d scouted just earlier in the day where autumn leaves had carpeted the ground. It was simple but stunning, and the perfect location for a few more editorial-style portraits. As always, still rooted in nature and the environment, but composed artistically to show their unique connection. I always tell my couples that it’s simply being themselves and me capturing it. If you feel relaxed and connected, the photos will show that.
Even though they’d booked shorter coverage and hadn’t done a pre-wedding shoot, Chelsea and Luke had connected with me on socials so felt super comfortable. I think that’s often the case when people choose a photographer who truly understands them, even if they’re not on Instagram.
A Relaxed Pub Reception with Cake, Laughter and Sparklers
Not every couple wants the grandeur of a stately home or the pressure of a highly curated venue, and that’s completely okay. Chelsea and Luke chose their local pub for the reception, wanting to keep things low-key and close to home. It wasn’t the most photogenic space I’ve ever worked in, so the focus was really on the people.
I always tell couples that what makes an image powerful is the emotion it captures, not just the location. And in this case, there was so much laughter (especially when the couple cut the cake). I was really thankful that they had a vegan option during the carvery. I don’t expect everyone to share my convictions around food and not eating meat so it always feels like such a kind gesture when there’s something proper on the plate for me, not just a pile of lettuce.
Dancefloors can sometimes feel intimidating, especially in a larger venue, but in this close-knit pub space, it was the opposite. The crowd was jam-packed in, and that creates such a brilliant, intimate energy with everyone relaxed and ready to celebrate.
And of course, the sparkler exit. It could have been a bit of a dud with the limited number of sparklers and not a huge outdoor setup. However, I brought a flash with a warming gel to lift the whole image and we just had fun with it. This is where technical experience really comes into its own – knowing how to enhance a moment without changing its reality. Not everybody knows how to use off camera flash, did you know? The result is a set of beautifully lit sparkler images that feel magical, even in a simple setting. These finishing touches matter, and they’re often the difference between a good photo and a great one.
My Style and Approach to Wedding Photography
When people think of a “luxury wedding photographer,” they might picture something over-fancy or impersonal until they discover my approach. For me, luxury is about time, care, and the freedom to be yourself. It’s about photos that capture the heart of your day, not necessarily the styled-shoot version of it.
My background in fashion photography means I’m comfortable with editorial-style composition, but always blended with documentary storytelling. I’ll give suggestions of where to walk or stand if ever necessary but I never interrupt real moments just for the sake of a photo. My style is emotionally honest, warm, and always people-first.
On a practical level, I work quickly, quietly and naturally. I’m comfortable in my own skin during ceremonies or sensitive moments. I use natural light wherever possible, and when I need to use flash I do it with intention and subtlety. That means your gallery will feel consistent, elegant, and real.
Experience, Expertise and a Love for Real Weddings
Over my time I’ve photographed everything from fashion stories to celebrity portraits and 13 years of weddings in between. I’ve worked in low light, high heat, torrential rain and everything else Britain can throw at us (and it throws everything smh). I’m proud to be recommended by a number of venues in Kent and Cambridge and I am always honoured when couples like Chelsea and Luke find me on Google because we share deeper values.
Having a young family myself, I also understand what it means to juggle big life moments with tiny hands and nap schedules. When children are part of the day, I see them as part of your story rather than something to “manage”. Whether it’s toddlers crawling up the aisle or 90 year old grandparents enjoying themselves, I make space for it all.
Photography for me has always been about photographing people authentically.
Final Thoughts and Booking Enquiries
Chelsea and Luke’s wedding was a perfect Natural Joyful Church Wedding in Cambridge, heartfelt as can be. It didn’t have elaborate décor or endless suppliers, but it had sincerity and so much love. For me, those are the weddings I never forget.
I have to go back to this quote from Chelsea & Luke: “If for some reason you are between photographers before making a choice, you will not regret picking Tom!” – so, if you’re planning a wedding in Cambridge (or anywhere nearby) and looking for a photographer who blends documentary moments with natural, editorial portraits, I’d love to hear from you. Big or small day, quiet or quirky, you deserve to remember your wedding.
You can get in touch via my contact form or explore more of my work on the blog. And if you’re a couple who shares Christian values and are looking for a photographer who understands that part of your story – that’s great too. I’m honoured to be part of your day.
