Some weddings just have a buzz about them from the very start – and Keely & Martin’s day at Cooling Castle Barn was one of those. From the moment I arrived, you could tell this was going to be a fun, warm, slightly cheeky kind of day. These two have the kind of energy that makes everyone around them laugh – and yes, there was a running joke all day about them both having ADHD.
Morning – Bridal Prep in the Moat House
The morning kicked off in the Moat House, Cooling Castle’s on-site prep suite. Keely and her bridal party were in full swing when I arrived – music playing, make-up brushes flying, laughter echoing around the room. Ebony Payne handled both hair and make-up, keeping things calm but upbeat, while I floated around capturing all the little details – the dress, the jewellery, and those early emotional moments.
Mel Foster (MF Photography) was already there, and as always, she brought her trademark mix of humour and energy. I love working with Mel – she somehow keeps everyone laughing while nailing every shot. She’s brilliant to bounce off throughout the day.
Keely looked absolutely stunning when it was time to head over. Cooling Castle Barn is so photogenic – even the short walk from the Moat House to the ceremony barn gives you perfect light and backdrops.
Ceremony – Cooling Castle Barn
The ceremony was held inside Cooling’s beautiful barn, with warm wood tones and fairy lights setting the mood. Once Keely arrived with her dad, you could feel the room soften. Their vows were full of personality – sweet, funny, heartfelt, and delivered with just the right amount of nerves. Plenty of smiles, a few tears, and a big round of applause when they sealed it with a kiss.
Singing Waiters & Speeches
The wedding breakfast began with a burst of fun: the singing waiters made their grand appearance before any food was served, turning the start of the meal into a full-on party. Napkins were spinning, guests were singing, and the room was alive with laughter. Nelson from VIP Waiters had everyone on their feet within minutes – easily one of the most entertaining starts to a wedding breakfast I’ve ever filmed.
Once things finally calmed down, it was time for speeches – and this lot absolutely nailed them.
Martin kicked things off with a heartfelt thank-you to family and friends:
“It’s been an incredible day so far, and we’re honoured that you’ve all made it here. Keely’s my best friend, my rock, and I honestly wouldn’t be who I am today without her.”
You could feel how genuine he was – a perfect balance of gratitude and emotion, with a few laughs sprinkled in for good measure.
Then came the best man, Alex, who had the whole barn in stitches. He opened with:
“He’s witty, attractive, charming… oh wait, sorry – that was my speech from my own wedding.”
From there, it was a perfect mix of teasing, heartfelt moments, and a few brilliantly embarrassing stories. He wrapped up by saying:
“May your life together be filled with laughter, love, and just the right amount of winding each other up.”
But the highlight came next – completely unannounced. Keely stood up, microphone in hand, and delivered a surprise speech that nobody saw coming. It was funny, emotional, and totally her. She joked about Martin’s quirks:
“I knew he was the one when I realised only someone truly special could make me laugh while asleep – and scratch his bum mid-dream.”
Then she turned beautifully sincere:
“You’re my best friend, my partner in crime, my soulmate, my sun and my stars. You make me laugh when I most need it and remind me to stay grounded when I’m overthinking.”
Evening & Sunset
By evening, the light outside was unreal – that golden late-summer glow filmmakers dream of. Keely and Martin stepped out for portraits and we captured some really special drone shots – rich orange and red tones painting the sky behind them.
Once the sun dipped, the live band took over and the dance floor filled instantly. The energy stayed high all night – hugs, laughter, and the best kind of questionable dance moves.
Final Thoughts
Keely and Martin were a dream to film – fun, relaxed, and completely themselves from start to finish. It felt like spending the day with friends. A huge shout-out to Mel Foster (MF Photography) again – hilarious, easy-going, and fantastic with her couples; always a pleasure working together.
“Ryan was an absolute star – most of the time I didn’t even realise he was there. Very professional, friendly, and worked perfectly with the photographer. We would recommend Talking Fly to anyone looking for the perfect person for filming their wedding. 10 out of 10 – we’re so happy we had Ryan for our wedding.”
Credits
- Venue: Cooling Castle Barn
- Photographer: Mel Foster – MF Photography
- Videographer: Talking Fly Wedding Films
- Hair & Makeup: Ebony Payne Hair and Makeup
- Florist & Décor: J’s Perfections
- Cake: Keira’s Bakes
- Entertainment: 5th Street & Nelson from VIP Waiters
- Games: Finicky Fayre
- Catering: Cooling Castle Barn (in-house)
