Emily & Tom's Alternative Festival Wedding at Shalfleet Church

A Midsummer Dream with Rock and Roll Heart

From the very first time I read Emily and Tom’s enquiry, I knew this was going to be something special. Their booking form was full of love, adventure and the kind of personal touches that make you feel instantly connected. Best friends turned soulmates, Disney at Halloween, a heartfelt proposal and a wedding day full of magic, music and meaning.

On a warm June day, Emily and Tom were married at the beautiful Shalfleet Church on the Isle of Wight, followed by a reception in the village hall tucked just behind. But this was no ordinary church wedding. Think Midsummer Night’s Dream meets punk rock festival, with tattoos, leather jackets, food trucks, fairy wings and an incredible energy that flowed through the entire day.

Their wedding was a true reflection of who they are. From emotional vows to crowd-surfing vibes, everything about it was completely unique and unapologetically them.

A Ceremony Full of Emotion at Shalfleet Church

Shalfleet Church is a beautiful, peaceful spot tucked away on the Isle of Wight and it made the perfect backdrop for Emily and Tom’s emotional ceremony. The service held extra meaning too, as it was important to Tom’s family’s Christian faith—a lovely way to start the day grounded in love, intention and tradition.

Emily arrived looking effortlessly cool and completely radiant, and the moment she stepped inside the church, everything felt still for just a second. The atmosphere was full of anticipation and you could feel how much this moment meant, not just to them, but to everyone there.

Their ceremony was traditional in structure but so deeply personal. It was full of love and meaning, with glances, laughter and heartfelt tears from start to finish. It was one of those rare weddings where even the quiet moments held so much weight. Photographing them standing together at the front of the church, holding hands and exchanging vows, was honestly a privilege.

After the ceremony, the church doors opened to a sea of warm greetings and happy hugs. Everyone made their way through the grounds to the village hall behind, and as we got closer, the unmistakable sounds of “High School Never Ends” started to fill the air. Mitch, the one man band behind it all, set the tone straight away. It was loud, full of energy and exactly what the afternoon needed, like stepping into a mini festival as soon as you walked through the gate.

Festival Vibes and Dreamy DIY Wedding Details

The village hall and surrounding grounds were transformed into a dreamy midsummer setup, full of personal details that made the day feel totally unique to Emily and Tom. Inside the hall, guests helped themselves to drinks and canapés while I photographed all the incredible DIY details Emily and Tom had poured their time into. They’d spent weeks preparing for their apothecary-style bar, drying and foraging ingredients to create homemade fruit liqueurs, which were served in vintage teacups. It looked amazing and tasted even better. Around the venue, there were giant paper flowers, glowing toadstools and old books turned into crystal-like sculptures. Everywhere you looked, there was something fun and unexpected to discover. Even the favours had a personal twist, with edible paint-your-own biscuits... although most guests happily skipped the painting part and went straight to eating the palettes.

Mitch from High School Never Ends played on throughout, bringing the best kind of pop-punk nostalgia into the air. You couldn’t help but tap your foot (or full-on dance) as people mingled and laughed. We took a bit of time for some family and group photos while the vibes were high, and then popped back into the church grounds for a few couple portraits, including some shots with Tom’s motorbike and Emily’s custom wedding jacket by Niamh Designs. It was the perfect blend of cool, romantic and totally them.

Once everyone gathered in the marquee, it was time for speeches, and this part of the day really brought the emotion. There were heartfelt stories, lots of laughter and more than a few tears. You could see how deeply Emily and Tom are loved by everyone there. It’s always one of my favourite parts of a wedding, but this one hit especially hard.

Glitter Tattoos, Food Trucks and Pop-Punk Anthems, The Ultimate Alternative Wedding

Afterwards, the reception came back to life with the kind of energy that only food trucks and glitter tattoos can bring. Prickly Pear Kitchen served up tacos and spicy Mexican goodness while Don Burgers delivered the comfort food hits. People genuinely couldn’t decide what to go for first. Tables were set up for sand art pictures and guests of all ages got involved while the music rolled on in the background.

And then came the dancing. Emily and her dad absolutely rocked the floor with a brilliant father-daughter moment that had everyone grinning. Later, Mitch brought Tom up for a surprise performance of Rollin’ by Limp Bizkit, which absolutely brought the house down. Then it was Emily’s turn, joining Mitch for Sk8r Boi by Avril Lavigne, a perfect nod to her inner pop-punk soul and a memory shared with her uncle. “I had no idea until Tom's performance that he didn't know a single word other than 'Keep rollin!'” Emily said. “It was pretty funny but he played it off very well!”

Sand Ceremony, Wings and Golden Hour Magic

Guests formed a natural aisle for Emily and Tom to walk through together, and everything slowed for just a moment. The couple had chosen to hold a sand ceremony using sand collected from their favourite beaches across the Isle of Wight, a beautifully simple but deeply symbolic way to honour their connection to the island and to each other.

They stood beneath the trees, surrounded by the people they love most, and read their own personal vows—honest, emotional and completely them—before mixing the sands into one vessel and sealing the moment with a kiss. As they made their way back down the aisle, now as husband and wife for the second time that day, guests showered them with confetti in a picture-perfect moment of joy and celebration.

This also marked the big reveal of Emily’s second outfit. Out came the fairy wings, paired with a beautiful reception dress from Tiffany’s that brought a touch of playful midsummer magic to the evening. It still carried the romantic lace details from earlier, but with a softer, dreamier silhouette. We slipped away into the long grass behind the hall for some golden hour portraits, just the two of them, the soft evening light and a quiet moment to soak it all in.

As the sun disappeared, it was time to cut the cake—and what a cake it was. Front and centre was a swampy green, heart-shaped frog cake (at Tom’s request) decorated with fondant frogs, daisies and lily pads. It was fun, personal and got plenty of smiles. Surrounding it were homemade favourites—Biscoff, marshmallow, rocky road—offered up as a pick-your-own dessert table. I snuck in a few last detail shots while the dancing picked up again and guests hit the floor for one final burst of celebration.

The party rolled on into the night with more dancing, more laughter and a floor full of happy, glitter-sprinkled guests. It was the kind of wedding you don’t forget. Not because of any one big thing, but because of how it made you feel. Emily and Tom poured so much of themselves into their alternative wedding. From the DIY details to the pop-punk soundtrack, and the moments that mattered most, it was all beautifully intentional. But what made it all so special was the two of them. The way they looked at each other, the laughter they shared and the love that wrapped around every part of the day.

A Few Words From Emily & Tom

“We cannot recommend Steve enough for wedding photography. Every single person who has seen our photos has been awestruck by how incredible they are and most have been moved to tears, with my husband and I bawling through the incredible highlights reel Steve kindly provided.

Some of the many reasons you should hire Steve:

– Stunning photos, obviously

– Makes you feel really at ease and comfortable to be yourself and forget you're being photographed

– Takes the time to get to know you as a couple so he can perfectly capture the vibe you're going for

– Takes into consideration any and all special requirements– He is kind, considerate, polite and thorough

– He’s able to teleport and become invisible. No seriously, Steve was everywhere without us even realising.

Steve and team, we cannot thank you enough for the incredible memories you have given us to treasure forever. The immense amount of emotion you managed to capture in our photos will forever be so precious to us. We are so glad we chose you.”

Supplier Credits

A big thank you to the brilliant team of suppliers who helped bring Emily and Tom’s day to life:

Venue: Shalfleet Church & Shalfleet Village Hall Photography: SJ Jones Photography Bride’s Ceremony Dress: Enzoani Bridal Boutique: Bellemariee Bridal Wear Reception Dress: Tiffany’s Custom Jacket: Niamh Designs Groom’s Suit: Next Bride’s Ring: Sapphire Studios Bridesmaid Dresses: TFNC London Cakes: Ruth Bakes Isle of Wight & Yes, it’s Cake Catering: Prickly Pear Kitchen, Nourish by Battle Hippies, Don Burgers Live Music: High School Never Ends Entertainment: Seaside Surprise

Emily and Tom’s wedding was the kind of day, and the kind of couple, I dream of as a wedding photographer on the Isle of Wight. I was lucky enough to photograph their Bembridge Beach engagement session too, so by the time the wedding rolled around, it felt like catching up with old friends. It honestly felt like hanging out with friends, listening to great music and having a really good time. Days like this never feel like work. There wasn’t a moment I didn’t have a smile on my face, wasn’t singing along or holding back a tear behind the camera. It’s days like this that make me so grateful I get to do what I do.

And clearly, I wasn’t the only one who thought their day was something special. Emily & Tom’s wedding was also featured by Rock n Roll Bride. You can read more and see even more of their day here. If you're planning your own alternative wedding and looking for a relaxed, documentary-style photographer, I'd love to hear from you. Whether you're dreaming of a festival-style celebration or something completely your own, let's chat about how I can help tell your story.