Shimpling Park Farm Wedding - Anna & Fran

29th July 2024

Shimpling Park Farm, Bury St Edmunds

If you’ve ever dreamed of a wedding that throws tradition out the window and replaces it with fun, laughter, and a bit of playful competition, then Anna and Fran's wedding at Shimpling Park Farm was the one. This was a day that proved you don’t have to follow the old wedding playbook to make lasting memories. In fact, they made sure to throw that playbook out completely and create something truly unique.

Anna and Fran’s wedding day began in the most relaxed, down-to-earth way possible: They both prepped for the big day at their respective parents' homes. The vibe was easygoing and full of love—no stress, just a lot of excitement for the fun ahead.

The ceremony was at the beautiful Stowmarket Parish Church, with an extra special element... Anna’s dad was the one leading the service. Yes, you heard that right—Anna’s father was officiating their wedding! How cool is that?

Of course, no wedding is complete without a little flair. As Anna and Fran were announced as husband and wife, party poppers went off in a burst of colour and excitement, much to the delight of their guests.

Now, if you’ve ever been to Stowmarket Parish Church, you know that its tower is tall. And when I say tall, I mean tall. But a good photographer knows that sometimes you have to go above and beyond to get the perfect shot. So, after the ceremony, I climbed multiple vertical ladders up to the church’s roof. I won’t lie, it was terrifying! But let’s just say, the view was totally worth it, and I’m pretty sure I captured a group shot that Anna and Fran will cherish forever.

Once the ceremony was wrapped up, we all piled into cars and drove over to the next big adventure: the reception at Shimpling Park Farm. And let me tell you, the fun didn’t stop for a second after that.

Shimpling Park Farm was the perfect backdrop for their relaxed, games-focused wedding day. Instead of sitting through long speeches or waiting for the traditional cake-cutting, guests were immediately greeted with a wide range of activities to enjoy. There were garden games (giant connect 4, anyone?), a bouncy castle for the young and the young-at-heart, jigsaw puzzles, and even a paint-by-numbers station. But the real crowd-pleaser was the enormous table full of board games. If there’s one thing that Anna and Fran’s wedding proved, it’s that fun is the main ingredient in any great celebration.

After dinner, things got even more lively. In the courtyard, Anna and Fran hosted a hilarious game that had everyone in stitches. The game involved paddling pools and hooking rubber ducks, and each guest was put into teams. From there, the game got competitive, to say the least.

Of course, I captured some truly beautiful moments of Anna and Fran wandering around the farm’s scenic grounds as the sun was starting to go down. The love between them was so evident, and it was a joy to photograph those intimate moments.

As the evening continued, Anna and Fran kept the fun going with an epic twist. Forget the traditional wedding cake—they opted for a tower of sweets and brownies, which was a huge hit with everyone. It was a refreshing change, and the guests couldn’t stop raving about it. But, of course, there was still more fun to be had. Instead of a first dance, the couple threw a pub quiz-style game that had everyone splitting into teams and testing their knowledge. If you thought the competitiveness was over, think again—this quiz was a serious affair!

By the time the night wound down, everyone had smiled, laughed, and bonded over fun activities that made Anna and Fran’s day uniquely their own.

Anna and Fran’s wedding was a testament to what’s truly important: making your day reflect who you are as a couple. They didn’t feel the need to follow tradition for the sake of it. Instead, they created a wedding that was all about fun, family, and making memories with the people they love.

It was an absolute pleasure to be part of such a special day. Here's to more weddings like Anna and Fran’s—where the focus is on creating a day that’s your perfect version of a celebration. Cheers to you both!

Suffolk Wedding Photographer - Shannon Parker