The Canary Shed · Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex
The Canary Shed wedding photographer: Philippa & Kristian's September wedding
Being Philippa and Kristian's Canary Shed wedding photographer was a real pleasure. They got married at The Canary Shed in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, on a beautifully warm September day. The sun stayed out from start to finish, so we spent almost the whole day outside in the gardens, with live music in the courtyard, an ice cream van after dinner and a gorgeous golden hour in the vineyard to finish.
At a glance
Venue: The Canary Shed, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex
Date: September 2026
Ceremony: Outdoors, under a ribbon arch
Photo spots: The gardens, courtyard, barn and vineyard
Highlights: Live music, a dog ring bearer, an ice cream van and a sparkler exit
Videography: Wedding Video Essex
Coverage: Full day, from getting ready to the sparkler exit
The morning
Getting ready at The Canary Shed
The Canary Shed is full of colour, and Philippa and Kristian's wedding matched it perfectly. Paper birds hang from the ceiling of the barn, the bar is made up of bright triangles, and the flowers were every colour you can think of.
Philippa got ready with her girls while hair and makeup were finished around her. There was plenty of laughter, a few big hugs, and a very relaxed feel to the whole morning. Over on Kristian's side, the boys were in matching tweed, buttonholes were being pinned on, and the dog was already dressed for the job ahead.
The ceremony
A ceremony under the ribbons
The ceremony took place outside, under a wooden arch hung with ribbons and piled high with flowers. Kristian waited at the front looking calm, until Philippa started walking towards him. Then the tears came, and he wasn't the only one.
The rings arrived on the dog's collar, which got a smile from everyone, and the vows had just as much laughter as emotion. With the register signed, it was time to head back out into the sunshine.
In the gardens
A warm day in the gardens
With weather like this, there was no reason to be inside. Guests lined up for confetti, then everyone spread out across the gardens with a drink in hand while live music played in the courtyard.
It meant the family photos and couple portraits happened in a really easy, relaxed way. Nobody was rushed, nobody was stuck waiting indoors, and the music carried on in the background the whole time.
Dinner and speeches
Speeches, tears and a lot of laughter
The barn looked amazing set for dinner, with long tables under the paper birds and a cupcake tower waiting for later. Philippa and Kristian made their entrance to a room full of cheering guests.
The speeches were full of laughter, and a few tears too. Philippa stood up and gave a speech of her own, and there was even a framed surprise for Kristian. Even the dog joined in, settling down under the top table.
After dinner
An ice cream van and a very well fed photographer
After dinner, an ice cream van turned up, and everyone was treated to a Rossi ice cream. Philippa even had a go in the driver's seat.
I have to say, the team and I were spoiled rotten all day. The caterers made a fantastic sharing platter for me and the videographers from Wedding Video Essex, so we were absolutely stuffed to the brim. Philippa and Kristian had also left us a snack box in our own private room, full of crisps, chocolate and drinks. Thank you both, it was really kind of you.
Golden hour
Golden hour in the vineyard at The Canary Shed
As the sun went down, we had a gorgeous golden hour. I took Philippa and Kristian out into the vineyard for a few minutes away from everyone, and the light across the vines was just right. We stayed out until the sky turned deep blue, which gave us some of my favourite photos of the day.
The evening
Sparklers and a packed dance floor
Back at the barn, guests were playing giant Jenga outside before everyone lined up with sparklers for Philippa and Kristian to walk through. Then the cake was cut and the dance floor filled up for the rest of the night.
Your Canary Shed wedding
Your Canary Shed wedding photographer
The Canary Shed is a venue full of colour and character, with gardens to spend the day in, a courtyard for live music, and a vineyard that's perfect for golden hour photos.
Philippa and Kristian spent their day with their guests, not with me. The family photos were done in the gardens while the music played, and the portraits took a few minutes here and there, so nobody missed the party. The rest of the time I was quietly in position, which is how you end up with Kristian's tears at the ceremony and Philippa's arms in the air during the speeches.
After nearly 20 years of weddings, that's still how I like to work. You can see more of it in my wedding gallery, and if you're still choosing where to get married, have a look at my favourite Essex wedding venues.
If you're looking for a Canary Shed wedding photographer, I'd love to hear about your plans.
Questions couples ask
Photographing a wedding at The Canary Shed
Where are the best places for photos at The Canary Shed?
Philippa and Kristian's day used almost all of it. The gardens and the big willow tree worked well for family photos, the courtyard was lovely during the drinks reception, the barn with its paper birds is full of colour, and the vineyard at golden hour gave us some of my favourite photos of the day.
Can you have an outdoor ceremony at The Canary Shed?
Yes. Philippa and Kristian got married outside, under a wooden arch hung with ribbons and piled high with flowers, with their guests watching from the open-sided barn.
How long do the family photos take?
Usually about two minutes per group, so eight groups takes roughly 15 minutes. At Philippa and Kristian's wedding we did them in the gardens while the live music played, so guests could carry on enjoying the drinks reception.
When is golden hour at a September wedding?
In September the sun sets around 7pm in Essex, so golden hour usually falls during or just after dinner. I keep an eye on the light and take the two of you out for a few minutes when it's at its best, then you're straight back to the party.
Do you photograph the whole wedding day?
For Philippa and Kristian I was there from hair and makeup in the morning to the sparkler exit after dark. Being there all day means I catch the moments nobody plans, not just the ones on the schedule.
