FUN WEDDING
PHOTOGRAPHY 2021 TOP 40

chris barber photography

Hello. I'm Chris.

I like fun wedding photography. It’s definitely one of my very favourite types of wedding photographies. I also like “fun” more than complete despair so I guess that’s why I shoot fun wedding photography.

It’s important to define ‘fun’ though because there’s a huge difference between cheesy fun + “cool that looks like they were actually having a good time”. Jazz hands = cheese. Laughing because I snapped you with a face full of pizza = party.

I’m not a fan of fake fun, organised fun, or forced fun in any shape or form. Forced fun is like when your mate is like “you’ll love this song” + they watch your face throughout the entire song to see your reaction to a specific lyric or bass drop.

“Wait for it! ….Here it comes. This bit”

It’s always underwhelming. I prefer to just be in the right place at the right time + give people the freedom to be themselves, regardless of who they are or what they’re doing. 

Rob an independent charity shop… kill a kitten…verbally assault your grandparents. I don’t care. Just be happy whilst I photograph it.

Anyway, let’s get into this…

01

Me at parties.

COUNTRYSIDE WEDDINGS

I don’t know about you but sometimes I just find myself sitting alone in the middle of a field at a party with a glass in each hand + a vacant expression on my face whilst clearly mouthing “I can be sociable” repeatedly into one of my drinks. 

We’ve all been there. Haven’t we? 

documentary wedding photography
zetter townhouse wedding

02

Quick little photo of a dead cat.

WEDDING AT THE ZETTER TOWNHOUSE, CLERKENWELL

The Zetter Townhouse in Clerkenwell, London has all sorts of fun little quirky details throughout the accommodation. 

It literally has loads. All sorts. 

But I chose this dead cat.

Always dreamt of having being surrounded by dead animal carcasses on your wedding day? There’s literally hardly any at this foodie St John restaurant wedding.

03

The undeniable delight of Lynx Africa.

PUB WEDDING INSPIRATION

It’s your wedding day. You know your armpits. You know the stench potentch. I’m here to help you out with a really hot-take that you won’t have considered. 

You might think the brides don’t schtank but B.O literally stands for “bridal odor”. B.O is amplified if you’re wearing Vera Wang. Only science knows why. 

Get your sis (cameo played here by the wonderful Natalie of Natalie + Nick’s Cripps Stone Barn wedding fame) to spray, spit, or roll-on your sweaty shoulder caves with your favourite bottle of Impulse + bathe in the sheer joy of temporarily masking the reality of your own stench.

You didn’t come here for a personal hygiene consultation but I really like to under-promise + then just completely overwhelm you with wedding wisdom.

 

wiltons music hall wedding

04

One day I'll be ready.

WILTON'S MUSIC HALL WEDDING

I would love to report that “future foretelling frame” fully foresaw the future but he in actual fact he thoroughly failed.

Turns out we’re still in that same hotel room, totally stuck in time. Layla never got ready + we’re just eternally stuck here until she finishes getting ready. 

SIKE…Layla + Al loved every minute of their alternative Wilton’s Music Hall Wedding + it’ll go down in everyone’s memory as one of the great pizza dancefloor distribution disasters in the last decade. 

Oh + also they sliced through the Croquembouche like it had just disrespected their mothers.

05

Children on the verge of pain.

BATTERSEA PARK WEDDING, LONDON

Giant inflatable beach balls in central London. I’m head under heels for this Battersea Park Wedding. 

This is actually from a series of photos where the kid survives + has a wonderful time but I’ve taken this snap out of the context of safety because there’s literally nothing funnier than a kid splatting face first over a giant beach ball + because I have a messed up sense of humour.

If you’re into big bouncy balls, check out this super laid-back Battersea Park wedding.

battersea park wedding
rayavadee wedding

06

Life's a beach.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN THAILAND

From the big bouncy balls of Battersea to the rare sighting of a bridal sand angel on the shores of Krabi, Thailand – we’re sticking with this beach theme. 

It might look like Emma is a mermaid being rescued by her page boy after being swept ashore but I can ASHORE (sorry) you that this is actually the only way to round off the wedding of your dreams as the sun sets over any wedding at Rayavadee. 

See more: fun wedding photography for your destination wedding 

07

Choking hazard.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

What?! You don’t double deepthroat a single creamed banana on camera?! Weird.

fun wedding photography
natural wedding photography

08

Quick one about Betty's virginity.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY IN LEEDS

It’s bridal prep. I’m in a lovely hotel in Leeds, hanging out with Becca (the bride in her PJs on the left) + Betty – Becca’s grams. I’m dotting around doing fun wedding photography things + trying to act like a normal functioning human being.

I have conversations with grandparents quite often + it’s usually a really sweet moment when a Grandparent tells me how proud they are of their granddaughter/son. 

But Betty doesn’t conform to the norm of polite wedding small talk. Nope. 

Betty tells me the age she lost her virginity + now I know that information for the rest of my life.

09

Anal.

CREATIVE FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Yep. Nobody saw that coming.

I guess we all have that one friend that’s just really, really …organised.

Emma + Ryan’s wedding was a disorientating blur as I tried to comprehend life without my appendix (which was removed from my carcas literally a few days before) but it was also host to some of the most fun-loving, creative + entertaining wedding guests I’ve had the pleasure of coming across. 

This person, included.

For clarity… I didn’t “come across Anal” 

 

wedding comedy
patterns wedding brighton

10

Yay.

BRIGHTON WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

I love real life moments like this at weddings. Just because it’s a wedding, doesn’t mean there isn’t any opportunities to mindlessly scroll through the advertisement loop of Instagram or check the score. 

Actually it’d be pretty fun modern love story for two people to be swiping Tinder – only to realise that they matched + they’re at the same wedding.

Plot twist is that they’re related. That’s fun wedding photography!

 

11

Smack yourself in the gob.

CASTELLABATE WEDDING, ITALY

It’s kind of funny how we smack our mouths really hard when we’re shocked or surprised, isn’t it? I wonder why we do it? My guess is that it’s a preventative measure to keep the shock-vomit from projecting itself into the face of small children, but you’re not a body language scientist or an expert in vomit so you’ll just have to pretend that I’m right.

I’m also giving away five elusive Barber-points to anyone who can guess what was on the piece of paper. You can redeem your Barber-points at your local Barber-gift-shop, which unfortunately had to be shut down due to an infestation of funny jokes.

wedding photographers london
london party photographer

12

F*** Chris Barber.

PATTERNS BRIGHTON WEDDING

One of the things that immediately strikes me about this photo is the pure, unwavering love + support that my couples show me on their wedding day. This kind of kindness + respect is one of the reasons that I love my life.

I’m also really proud of this shot because it’s so sharp.

13

I'm actually a really likeable personality.

NEON MUSEUM WEDDING, LAS VEGAS

It really is becoming quite hard to ignore the multiple outpourings of gratitude + positive energy on display towards me from my couples. 

I really feel like I bring out the best in people + that my constant witty banter is a source of upmost joy for my brides on their wedding day. 

Thank you Nicole, I love you right back.

alternative wedding photographer
gosfield hall wedding

14

Probably the nicest out of focus photo that Kiri has of her palm.

GOSFIELD HALL FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Actual adoring aggression, this time.

Kiri reaches out to me, presumably to stroke my camera before telling me that I have now become a really good friend + that she thinks I’m an insanely talented photographer.

These violent displays of affection have really inflated my ego over the years so I try to keep myself grounded + balanced by crying myself to sleep + over analysing situations that might never actually happen.

15

This is your captain speaking.

LEWES CASTLE WEDDING

Hello ladies + gentlemen.

Before we depart, I’d like to remind you that the nearest exit may be behind you + that you should fasten your seatbelt whenever you see the seatbelt sign.

On behalf of everyone Bridal airways, we’d like to wish you a wonderful wedding.

 

candid wedding photography

16

The wedding grub ghoul.

PENNARD HOUSE WEDDING

Weirdly – this happens a lot. 

I’ll look around the room + I’ll sense a haunting presence. You can see the man on the right trying to fend off the evil spirit with a straw but this ghost ain’t afraid of no straw when it’s already got a mouthful of its own fingers. 

I’m rarely a guest at a wedding so I really can’t imagine the process the leads to wedding ghosts appearing. Like…what makes someone put a napkin on their head…THEN give it sunglasses? 

I’m afraid I only have questions + literally no answers. 

 

17

The one when Ross gets blindfolded.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Y’know you’re at a good party when there’s a groom with a tie on his head but it’s surely gonna be an AMAZING party if we’re in that situation whilst getting ready.

Or maybe Ross + his mate are just rocking some kind of new high fashion groom look that we’re not artsy enough to fully appreciate.

Either way, blindfolding the groom with his tie is how I fully intend to do ‘first looks’ from now on.

pennard house wedding
fun wedding moments

18

Like Mum, like daughter

A RELAXED TALTON LODGE WEDDING

Mum + daughter getting hammered. We love to see it. 

Especially when the daughter is two years old.

Just me? Okay.

19

Kinky cactus.

A FUN SYON PARK WEDDING

Firstly, it’s clear that he’s having a really good time + who are we to judge how someone gets their thrills at a wedding? Some people like watching couples cut the cake + others like to sit on a cactus. Not kink-shaming, you do you + own it. 

This is a man who takes his pleasure seriously. How many people do you know that could impale a cactus for fun + not spill a single drop of Lambrini?

Nothing but admiration for this legend.

9/10: He needed to shout “fun wedding photography” whilst doing it.

syon park wedding
meme wedding

20

Lulz.

A LAID BACK LOCAL LONDON PARK WEDDING

Dino thinks that the joke is hilarious but he can’t clap to show his appreciation, because smol arms.

 

 

 

21

Talk to the hand.

CANDID + FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Unclear what’s happening here. 

I mean…It’s evident that Ross wants to be a hanging basket bracket but we also can’t rule out the fact that Ross’s shadow might be trying to grab some ass.

Ross checked with his hand. They had a little conversation but Claire + I stood back + let them finish so we couldn’t hear the chat. 

Maybe Grooms chatting to their hand is the driving inspirational force behind your wedding planning…Good news! You can get your hand talking fix by checking out Claire + Ross’s fun Pennard House wedding.

fun wedding photography
lewes castle wedding

22

I shot the bride + bridesmaids.

LEWES WEDDING

“Shooting” puns…I’m going there + I already hate myself for it.

It was definitely a super hot day for Jas + Sam’s relaxed outdoor wedding in Lewes, but we absolutely shouldn’t rule out that Jas + her girls might just be really into grass +/or tanning their armpits. 

Fun wedding photography doesn’t have to be high energy. It can be chill + introduce hot new poses for bridesmaids. In this case… the armpit tan.

 

23

Pigs may fly.

PUMPING HOUSE WEDDING

Just some of Andy + Zintis’s friends + family discussing quantum physics whilst someone wallops an inflatable pig around at this Pumping House wedding. 

I was starting to believe that pigs might actually fly but then we ate a hog roast + that was definitely dead + most pigs can’t fly when they’re dead. 

Pigs also don’t have wings, so the evidence really suggests that pigs + buffalos probably can’t fly.

But then the camera never lies so I’ll leave it to you to draw your own educated conclusion.

fun wedding photographers
wiltons music hall wedding

24

Five a day.

WILTON'S HALL WEDDING, LONDON

Flower girl really doesn’t care about photos. Flower girl just wants to chill bare foot + eat her oranges. As inconvenient as she is…you’ve really got to appreciate her dedication to getting her 5-a-day. 

25

Shane getting face fingered.

AN ELEGANT, BOTANICAL SYON PARK WEDDING, LONDON

Sometimes the most fun wedding photography comes from just letting couples have a moment just to be themselves.

I remember that dinner was over but Shane was still hungry. He loves a fish finger but Syon Park didn’t have any fish fingers readily available so Hannah knew he had to settle for the next best thing…human fingers. 

Hannah stuck her phalanges all up in his mouth + fingered his face, just the way he likes it. Shane was eventually satisfied with the outcome + we carried on shooting some portraits. 

fun wedding photography
fun wedding photography

26

An intimate, romantic portrait inspired by Ronald McDonald.

A STYLISH AIRCRAFT HANGAR WEDDING, SEATTLE

I’ve seen so many ‘foodie’ weddings. 

There’s not enough appreciation for Ronald McDonald at most of them. I can’t see why the ‘wedding breakfast’ can’t feature a sausage + egg Mcmuffin, followed by a Big Mac for main course + a Mcflurry for dessert. The table favours could be the toys from a happy meal. I’m going to start a wedding planning business.

Anyway, here is the money shot of Bernado firing his fries all over Vidal’s face. 

 

27

Pee into a brass instrument.

THE BELL INN WEDDING, TICEHURST

You’ve got front row seats to the party but haven’t developed the ability to be present or the social skills to pretend you’re interested so just gotta revert to the invisibility coat + hope nobody see’s you.

This was a wedding at The Bell Inn in Ticehurst.

It’s such a quirky wedding venue etc but I’m not gonna lie…I mainly want to go because I wanna re-experience how it feels to pee into a brass instrument. 

best wedding photographers uk
wiltons music hall wedding

28

Tango + Tanstop.

FUN FILLED LONDON FOODIE WEDDING

It’s hard to ignore just how terrible Mati is at “Pin the tail on the wife” in this photo but we can let that slide because they can Tango really well + I think Mati might’ve just been warming up those hips before their spectacular first dance. 


29

Zero deaths.

A ROARING DANCEFLOOR AT SYON PARK

Just Hannah + Shane getting lifted up by their vast array of really little wedding guests who did a surprisingly good job of making this a completely fatality free wedding. 

I love it when nobody dies at a wedding. That’s just my personal preference but I know that sentence can really divide a room.

fun wedding photography
relaxed wedding photographers

30

Bridal bibs.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT VOEWOOD

Jamming stuff into your mouth has been a particularly strong theme throughout this blog post + we ain’t about to slow down at number 30 of 2021’s top 40 fun wedding photography list.

Everyone knows that the best way to calm any pre-ceremony nerves is to go hard on the Xanax get a bridesmaid to waterboard you with Prosecco. Get yourself a bridesmaid that will use their hand as some kind of ‘bridal bib’ because they know you have a tendency to drool at any moment.

See more: Emily + Adi’s creative Voewood wedding.

31

Childs play.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY + SCI-FI THROWBACK

The jam-packed dancefloor in the background. The kids confused expression. The fact that his hair matches his fruit shoot AND the already expertly coloured-in helicopter, which his Mum solemnly swears she can do much better.

candid wedding photographers
ketchup wedding

32

The traditional ketchup in the bouquet

TOWN HALL HOTEL WEDDING, LONDON

It’s been there for you through late night chicken nuggets + many breakfast of champions, so it’s only right that your most loyal companion should be with you on the biggest day of your life..cunningly disguised as a flower.

Also… it’s a dead nifty way to sneak a little bit of what you like in your classy wedding breakfast, without needing to live the social anxiety nightmare of asking for ketchup in a fancy ass restaurant. 

33

Strippers in Las Vegas

A WILD DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS WEDDING

“No Las Vegas wedding is complete without getting a striptease from the Groom in a limo” 

…As the old saying goes.

Just a quick PSA to say that I really miss Las Vegas + I would very much like you (or someone like you) to get married in Vegas *just* because that’s what I want. I think that’s a really strong foundation to start a lifelong commitment to someone.

See more: Nicole + Jamey’s downtown Las Vegas wedding at the Neon Museum

wedding limos in vegas
London wedding photographer

34

Wow would you look at the time.

A DOCUMENTARY ELVETHAM HOTEL WEDDING

Let’s get real. Weddings are not always full of happy tears + belly laughs. Sometimes there are people literally just waiting for enough time to pass so they can go home + fits of despair. 

I love this photo purely for the fact that you can almost sense how ready he is to slap his knee + say “right, look at the time, we better be heading off” 

35

I pushed them.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY W/ CLAIRE + ROSS

Obviously I didn’t push them into a bush. That would be cruel + a really immoral way for me to get a genuine expression + it’s definitely not something I would resort to for my own entertainment whilst shouting “FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY” at the top of my lungs.

Anyway…as the old saying goes “a bride in the hand is worth two in the bush”

pennard house wedding
town hall hotel wedding

36

The hounds of love.

FUN TOWN HALL WEDDING, LONDON

There’s a special place in my heart for dogs that magically appear during weddings. It’s like when it’s a Friday + you’re coming back from work. You see a pigeon on the Tube… you just stare at it in amazement + want to save it from public transport by jamming it into your backpack + forgetting about it until you open it on Monday morning. It’s a bit like that.

Double the fun in this photo because we got dogs with Jordan’s dawgs. Zero pigeons but that’s not really anyones fault.

 

37

Polite PSA.

EAST LONDON PUB WEDDING

I feel like there’s some life instructions that require very definite, clear + concise directions + this is one of them. It’s not clear who this note is to or from but I like to pretend that it’s a note written by a lonely old man to himself or perhaps from a registrar/priest/vicar. 

This delightful frame was taken during Fay + Chris’s super cool East London pub wedding.

natural wedding photos

38

Laughter laxatives.

BRIGHTON FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS

If you look really, really close…you can see that I captured the precise moment that Liam’s laughter laxatives kicked in.

Quick disclaimer: I don’t spike my couples drinks. Our boy Liam just likes poppin’ them + who are we to judge one mans pleasure in the act of laughter?

39

Getting the snip.

DEWSALL COURT WEDDING

Some times I like to just stand back + observe + sometimes I love getting right ‘in there’ at a wedding.  I’m really hands on + I love to just take it all in. There’s no story too big or too small.

Including this really little one about a groomsmen manscaping his crotch tidying up a loose thread in a delicate area. I offered a pair of gardening sheers but he declined …so now we have this romantic wedding photo.

funny wedding photos 2021

40

Fisting your own face.

FUN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY AT DEWSALL COURT

Throughout this post, I have tried to present to you some of the most fun wedding photography in 2021 but I have also been privately hosting the “Why-the-eff-is-this-happening?!” + the “Weirdest-interaction-with-a-mouth” awards.

We’ve had chips flying into open gobs, eating human fingers instead of fish fingers, + even that shared creamy banana …but it’s Amie fisting her own face that steals the show this year. 

She wasn’t pre-warned about these awards so I hope she can continue to live her best life + not be tainted by the unimaginable fame.

Thank you for tolerating this.

That’s the Top 40 fun wedding photography roundup for 2021! Thank you for joining me on this wonderful journey. We’ve experienced dead cats, face fingering, flying pigs + cactus penetration. 

Nobody could’ve prepared us for this delightful opportunity to scroll away our lives.

I’m a big believer in photographing weddings in a way that documents the day by being part of it. I want my couples to see real, raw moments where you can see the personalities of your friends + family whilst avoiding the usual cheesiness + clichés that come with most fun wedding photography. 

If you’re planning a relaxed wedding + you think my super fun wedding photography would be a good match, then please don’t hesitate to say hello. I’d love to hear more about your plans for the wedding day + get to know everything about you both.

Perhaps you’re not ready for an email kind of commitment + you’d just like to poke your peepers at my full wedding portfolio or maybe just check that I am actually a normal, functioning human person.

Either way, I’ve enjoyed you existing in my space + I hope we get to chat soon! 

chris barber photography

Would you like me to drip some of my fun creative juices all over your wedding?