Jasmine + Ben at The Octagon Barn | July 2025
“You made our wedding. I thought my favourite bit would be the evening but you made the ceremony so special that’s my highlight.”
The warmth of this occasion really comes across in the photos; and not just the fact it was a gorgeous mid-July day, but the beaming smiles and happy tears from Jasmine and Ben’s assembled friends and family. The cheeky chappy father-of-the-groom, Ray, showed me his personalised hanky - “For Raymondo’s happy tears” - and it definitely came in handy for him. I love the confident masculinity of seeing men cry and, in this ceremony, we had a hat-trick on Ben’s side: tears from the groom, his best man brother and of course Ray. The man, the legend.
Images by Hannah Bentley Photography
There was a little drama before the wedding began - a nearby traffic jam meant both the bride and videographer Bruno were held up for a short while. Bless Jasmine, she was texting me from the car like she owed anyone an apology. Which of course she bloody did not.
I always tend to go and see the bride in the morning as she’s getting ready, I was relieved in this instance that I’d gone straight to the venue instead (Jasmine was getting ready the other side of Norwich and time felt too tight), and I was there to meet guests and let them know she was en route. It was bad enough to have the bride and videographer held up, without the celebrant absent too.
I loved The Octagon Barn, having never been before. And it looked so breathtaking with the draped fabric and the blush-and-orange tonal flowers by Romeo & Succulent as the sound of string quartet Kavolini wafted through the midsummer air. Octagon Barn has this indoor-outdoor hybrid space which was brilliant - the best of both worlds - especially on a hot day. We were outside, but completely covered, one barn wall open to the elements so a lovely breeze circulated but nobody was sitting in direct sun. I always worry for the older folks if it’s hot and we’re outside. And the babies. And the baldies. And myself to be fair, I get adrenaline-sweaty as it is.
The perfect indoor-outdoor situation, in my humble opinion. Also a little bit like if baby Jesus had a wedding venue.
The ceremony was so fun, Ben and Jasmine being not only the sort of couple who don’t mind laughing at themselves but provided me with ammunition to do just that. I will remember this ceremony as one full of laughter,
I’d like to end by thanking Hannah Bentley: she didn’t only capture beautiful photos, she was also kind enough to let me know, as we waited for the bride to arrive, that as I talked and swung my ponytail around, my hair was dangerously close to catching on fire from a candle on the shelf behind me. Hannah: on fire with her photography and on fire with her fire prevention.
I’d done a big, sassy high ponytail that I was quite proud of, but they can be lethal. Clearly. It was a warm, warm wedding in so many ways but I do draw the line at accidentally catching my head on fire.
Lighting a candle together to symbolise their new family, my hair well away
“Every single person commented on how brilliant you were and the venue want to pop you on their recommended supplier list - they said it was the best ceremony they’d ever seen!”