Travel, Friendship & Laid-Back Devon Charm: Rosie & James at Ash Barton

Not every wedding follows a set formula; some take shape entirely around the people at their heart. Rosie and James’ celebration at Ash Barton Estate in North Devon was exactly that: easy-going, inclusive, and defined by a shared sense of connection, as friends from across the globe came together to celebrate in one place. Having first met over a decade ago while studying at university in Oxford, the couple have been together since 2014, building a life shaped by shared experiences, travel, and meaningful relationships.

We enjoyed talking with Ryan Goold Photography about all areas of Rosie and James’ celebrations, he explains, their July celebration felt less like a formal event and more like an extended weekend with the people who matter most. Guests travelled from far and wide to be there, a reflection of the couple’s love for exploring and meeting people along the way. The day also carried a quiet layer of poignancy, as it followed the recent loss of James’s dad in March 2023 - a presence deeply felt and thoughtfully honoured throughout the celebrations.

Photographer Ryan Goold, from Ryan Goold Photography, remembers the day as wonderfully relaxed from the start.

“They’ve clearly travelled a lot and met a lot of people along the way,” he explains. “There were guests coming in from all over, and that created this really nice atmosphere where everyone was just genuinely happy to be together.”

Rosie’s calm confidence set the tone for the day, while James, who admitted he was slightly nervous about being photographed, quickly settled into the moment once the celebrations began.

“It was one of those weddings where nobody wanted a big fuss,” Ryan says. “They just wanted to enjoy the day with their friends.”

And that simplicity is exactly what made it memorable.

The venue - Ash Barton Estate

Deep in the North Devon countryside, Ash Barton is the kind of venue that feels completely removed from everyday life.

“It’s in the middle of nowhere,” Ryan laughs. “But that’s exactly the beauty of it.”

Surrounded by rolling countryside and historic buildings, the estate has a slightly wild, festival-like charm that encourages guests to slow down and settle in for the whole experience. The venue works especially well for couples who want their wedding to feel like a gathering. Instead of moving between multiple locations, everything unfolds naturally across the estate’s different spaces, from the ceremony to the courtyard celebrations and late-night dancing.

For Rosie, the location also carried a personal connection.

“She’s from Devon,” Ryan explains. “Choosing Ash Barton made perfect sense, it brought everyone together somewhere that already meant something.”

With accommodation onsite for up to 45 and more options nearby the venue it’s perfect for guests to spend the entire weekend together. The setting was an added bonus and helped create that relaxed, almost house-party atmosphere that defined the celebration.

The photography - Ryan Goold Photography

Ryan’s approach to wedding photography centres on preparation and presence. Rather than directing every moment, he prefers to plan carefully ahead of the day so that couples can fully relax once the celebrations begin.

“My main goal is making sure everything’s organised beforehand,” he explains. “Then on the day, the couple doesn’t need to worry about anything. They can just enjoy being with their guests.”

That approach worked perfectly for Rosie and James, whose priority was spending time with the people who had travelled so far to celebrate with them. James had been slightly apprehensive about the camera before the wedding, something Rosie had gently warned Ryan about ahead of time. But by keeping the photography natural and unobtrusive, those nerves quickly disappeared. As Rosie recalls, “Ryan was the most fantastic photographer for our wedding day… He’s so friendly, and made us feel at ease.”

“I try not to make it feel like a photoshoot,” Ryan adds. “The best photos happen when people forget the camera’s there.”

Ryan Goold Photography’s Top Tips for Relaxed Wedding Photos:

• Plan the schedule in advance so the day flows easily

• Choose suppliers whose personalities match yours

• Spend time with your guests rather than worrying about photos

• Focus on enjoying the moment as that’s what creates the best images

the Ceremony

The ceremony carried the same relaxed energy that ran throughout the entire day. With friends and family gathered closely together, the focus remained entirely on the couple and the people who had come to celebrate them. Rosie’s Maid of Honour and best friend, Georgie, led the ceremony as celebrant, adding a deeply personal and heartfelt touch, while local musician Jacob Jerry provided live music, singing throughout and filling the space with warmth and emotion. There was laughter, conversation, and that unmistakable sense of excitement that builds when two communities of friends come together. James may have been a little nervous at the beginning, but once the ceremony began, everything settled into place.

“It’s always the same,” Ryan says. “People worry about the cameras or the attention, but once the ceremony starts they’re just focused on each other.”

And in that moment, everything else fades away.

The Fashion

The fashion choices really did reflect the relaxed spirit of the day, stylish but not overly formal. Rosie’s look was elegant and natural, perfectly suited to the countryside setting. Her dress, from Browns Bride, moved easily throughout the day, allowing her to enjoy everything from the ceremony to the evening celebrations without feeling restricted.

James opted for a classic but comfortable style that matched the laid-back tone of the wedding. The overall effect felt cohesive and effortless.

Guests followed a similar approach, choosing summer outfits that felt relaxed and comfortable while still celebrating the occasion.

Styling & Florals

The ceremony was set within the exposed brick barn, the styling embraced the venue’s natural character, proving that less can often be more. Rather than over-styling the space, the couple focused on creating a warm, sociable atmosphere, enhanced by soft fairy lights and abundant, foliage-heavy florals, by The Rose Shed, in blush, fuchsia, orange and red. A floral arch framed the ceremony entrance, while white pedestals with arrangements and candlelit lanterns created a striking focal point.

The same effortless approach flowed into the wedding breakfast, where round tables with white linens were softened with blush runners and napkins, and topped with expressive floral centerpieces. Playful, personalised stationery featuring the couple’s dog added charm, while lanterns and a canopy of netted fairy lights brought a soft, ambient glow.

Throughout the day, the styling worked in harmony with the rustic surroundings, allowing guests to relax, explore and enjoy the celebration at their own pace, creating an atmosphere that was beautifully informal

Food & Drink

Food played a big part in shaping the relaxed tone of the day. Rather than a traditional formal structure, Rosie and James opted for something more playful and sociable. Guests were welcomed with fish and chips, provided by a local favourite - Miles Fish and Chips, on arrival as they had factored in lunch before the ceremony so guests can settle in. After the ceremony, ice cream was served instead of traditional canapés, by The Local Scoop, a fun and unexpected touch that immediately set the mood.

Later in the afternoon, guests sat together and enjoyed a feast with a selection of the couples’ favourite curries.

“It was quite unique,” Ryan remembers. “They had food throughout the day in different ways rather than one big formal meal.”

Drinks also played their part in the celebrations - including espresso martinis that appeared during the reception and quickly became a favourite among guests.

FAVOURITE MOMENTS

Couple’s favourite moment:

Spending the day surrounded by friends who had travelled from all over the world.

Guests’ favourite moment:

Enjoying every thoughtful detail including fish & chips before the ceremony and espresso martini’s to get the party started before the evening celebrations!

Couple’s favourite moment:

Spending the day surrounded by friends who had travelled from all over the world.

Guests’ favourite moment:

Enjoying every thoughtful detail including fish & chips before the ceremony and espresso martini’s to get the party started before the evening celebrations!

RYAN GOOLD PHotgraphy’S ADVICE FOR COUPLES

One piece of planning advice:

Plan the structure of the day in advance so you can relax once it arrives.

One thing worth investing in:

Food. Guests always remember the food and the venue.

One thing to worry less about:

Being in front of the camera, the best photos happen naturally.

What made the day truly personal:

The people. Friends travelled from all over to be there, which created an incredible atmosphere throughout the entire celebration.

Suppliers

Venue – Ash Barton Estate

Photographer – Ryan Goold Photography

Second shooter – Alex Evans Photography

Celebrant – Bride’s Maid of Honour & Best Friend, Georgie

Catering – Latitude Catering

Fish and chip van – Miles Fish and Chips

Makeup – Makeup by Liza

Hair – Toni Gogola

Dress – Browns Bride (London)

Florals – The Rose Shed