“You have made me whole, better, made me stronger and overall, you have enriched my life” – Brian Membry
Ground Films were lucky enough to film Joanna and Brian’s wedding day at the beautiful Blackstock Country Estate in mid-September 2021. Set in the East Sussex countryside the couple got married in the rustic barn accompanied with dark wooden beams and an array of amazing livestock in the grounds.
Brian and Joanna first met when Joanna went to buy a bed from the shop that Brian was working in! Joanna says she’s “Not sure if it was his winning personality or just his good salesman technique but he definitely made a lasting impression!!” and the rest is history! Who would have thought you would meet your soul mate in a bed shop!
The couple got engaged in 2019 when Brian arranged a surprise three-day trip away and on the first day took Joanna to Pentillie Castle & Estate in Cornwall where they filmed the TV series ‘Delicious’ as they had both commented on how beautiful the grounds were and said they'd love to go there one day. As they took a walk around the grounds trying to spot the places they recognised from the show it started to rain, they took shelter under a little hut down by the water where Brian proceeded to get down on one knee and asked the big question. “I instantly said yes of course - well after I'd finished crying anyway”.
Joanna arrived with her two best friends wearing her Pjs ready for the mornings preparations. The sun was blazing, and Joanna was calm. Being someone who doesn’t wear a lot of makeup Joanna was apprehensive about having her makeup done but throughout the process she settled into the seat and loved it. The makeup perfectly complimented her features and she still felt like herself. Joanna’s hair was beautifully styled into a half up half down hair style delicately decorated with fresh flowers that perfectly intwined her colour scheme into her wedding look. As wedding videographers, we love to capture these details as on the day your head is swimming with lots of emotion that you can’t take in the beauty of everything all at once. This means that when you watch everything back in your beautifully crafted wedding film you can simply take in and remember all those stunning details that you spent hours planning.
Brian being the most kind-hearted gentlemen was cool, calm and collected in the morning, sorting out any last arrangements that needed doing. He steadily got ready into his suit and enjoyed some beers with his groomsmen before the guests arrived. Joanna got into the most incredible lace fitted dress. It had a beautiful keyhole back which was fasted by gorgeous satin buttons.
The intimate Tudor barn ceremony area was lovingly covered in stunning decorations as you can see in the Ground Films wedding film above. As Joanna walked down the aisle there was nothing but joyous faces for the couple. Heartfelt readings from Joanna’s mum and a friend were read throughout the ceremony of which Ground Films lovingly captured. Joanna and Brian were so unbelievably happy to be getting married that they both couldn’t stop beaming and embracing each other!
As the couple were pronounced husband and wife, they headed out into the sunny courtyard where they drank champagne with their friends and family! Towards the end of their drink’s reception, wedding videographers Ground Films and wedding photographer Samantha Pells took the couple on an excursion of the farmland for some shots. The couple shots were incredible with backdrops of a secluded lake, and organic paddocks framing them. Joanna and Brian couldn’t take their hands off each other and they were just naturally so perfect for couple photos!
In a similar manner to the ceremony room the reception room was decorated beautifully – with an abundance of gorgeous chic and rustic wedding décor. As wedding videographers, we love to capture these exquisite details – we especially loved the individual cacti that served as name places and wedding favours.
They then headed in for their dedicant meal which comprised of numerous courses of delicious food – everyone was stuffed. Joanna and Brian had the most fun wedding guests – one even falling off a chair during dinner making the speeches even more exciting with heckling and jokes. The speeches were amazing: Brian lovingly talked about his new wife and their adventures, Joanna’s dad couldn’t be more complimentary of Brian, and Brains best men shared funny pictures of Brian throughout their friendship with him!
As wedding videographers, we always hope and pray for a sunset during the summer season and as the speeches finished the most stunning sunset graced us. We were so incredibly lucky and happy to capture Joanna and Brian with it!
From here the couple danced the night away – we mean quite literally danced the entirety of the night! It was just amazing!! They had the most epic time with all their loved ones and celebrated their dream wedding.
Brian and Joanna, we wish you every happiness in your lives together, it is like nothing, or nobody is around you when you are with each other, your love is so beautiful and powerful it filled every room you walked into with endless joy.
A massive thank you to the suppliers involved in Joanna and Brian’s wedding day:
Photographer - @samanthapellsphotography Venue - @blackstockcountryestate Flowers - @willowrosefloristry Shoes - @dune_london Jewellery - @thefinejewellerycompany Perfume - Chloe Dress - @wed2b (#lovewed2b) Decoration - @inspiration.decor7 Cake - @emilysmixingbowl Makeup - @gracebensonmua Hair - @bridalhairbytash @tasha_jane Band - @gocommandoband DJ - @unlimited_promotions Singer - @bandsforhireagency (Robin) Photobooth and Sweet cart - @snappyshotevents