You may remember Ryan and Melissa from their Longleat Safari Park engagement photographs. Because we know just how lovely this couple are we were super excited to be shooting their Highcliffe Castle and Bournemouth Hotel wedding.
Bournemouth Hotel Wedding Bridal Preparation Photos
We arrived at The Miramar Hotel on Bournemouth’s east cliff early on a Friday morning. The sun was shining and therefore the temperature rising as we walked past the colourful flowers in the hotel’s garden. Firstly we visited Melissa and her matron of honour in their room on the top floor of their Bournemouth Hotel wedding venue. They were enjoying some morning TV against the backdrop of a sea view.
They were busy chatting about the last night’s preparations. This included a secret run to buy doughnuts for Ryan (doughnuts are a personal favourite of his)! The hair and makeup team from Blushing Brides Bournemouth and Bournemouth Bridal Makeup arrived and I set off to find Ryan and his best men.
Bournemouth Hotel Wedding Groom Preparation Photographs
I entered the room to find Ryan and one of his best men looking relaxed but feeling the heat of the sun outside. The lads started to get into their wedding attire completed with Superman badge cuff links for Ryan. One of his best men went to deliver presents and returned with presents for the groom including a cake stand full of doughnuts (did I mention that Ryan likes sweet doughnuts?). While sunshine poured in through the window Ryan held aloft his new pocket watch and read the inscription ‘meet me at the castle at 1 PM xxx’.
The last piece of the wedding jigsaw puzzle was the gorgeous buttonholes and bouquets from Beyond the Gate Florist.
Meanwhile, Melissa was receiving her gifts including a Pandora charm and a book. Ryan had created a cartoon story of their lives together, which brought a tear to her eye as she read it.
Highcliffe Castle Wedding Ceremony Photographs
Ryan and his best men headed for Highcliffe Castle wedding venue, which we last visited for a Mexican wedding in Dorset! They busied themselves attaching framed photographs of Ryan and Melissa to the guest seats. On closer inspection, they had chosen moments of their lives together leading up to their wedding day.
Meanwhile, Melissa and her grandfather boarded the stunning ivory and black Branford Elite from Christchurch wedding cars.
They arrived at the castle bathed in glorious sunshine while all of the guests and groom waited inside. Melissa and her Grandfather were led to her Groom by Page Boy, Flower Girl, and Matron of Honour.
In the bright light of the magnificent Wintergarden, the happy couple delivered their personal promises and stood opposite each other. After signing the register the newlyweds walked back down the aisle as newlyweds. Their guests showered them in what seemed like a curtain of bubbles, iridescent in the sunlight.
Beach Wedding Photographs in Dorset
We quickly organised some group pictures of the wedding party and headed off for the beach with the bride and groom and videographers from Bride and Zoom. Due to their obvious attire, Ryan and Melissa received congratulations from well-wishers en route.
Bournemouth Hotel Wedding Reception Photographs
Tom and I headed back to the Bournemouth Hotel wedding venue so that we could capture the happy couple being welcomed by their guests. There was time for a drinks reception on the lawn at the front of the hotel with the sounds of Ian Close and his saxophone. After a couple of group photographs, the guests were called for the wedding breakfast.
Wedding Breakfast Photographs at Bournemouth Hotel
Once everyone had been fed and watered it was time for the wedding speeches. Melissa’s mother, Her Maid of honour, and also Ryan had the guests crying and laughing. In addition, the two best men concluded the formal proceedings not without Ryan’s bother cracking a joke or two at his expense.
Bournemouth Hotel Evening Reception Photographs
The wedding party moved outside to enjoy the warmth of the summer’s evening with after-dinner drinks.
In the party room, Ryan and Melissa had set up a chalkboard-style photo booth. Peter Poole of Sharp Soundz was setting up his lighting and Sound equipment (including a mist machine!). The cake supplied by Abby’s truly scrumptious cakes took centre stage on the dance floor, consequently, the guests crowded around to witness the cutting of the said cake.
The cake was moved aside and the newlyweds took their first dance together as a happily married couple. In a loving embrace, they slowly swirled amongst the mist. In amongst the lights and lasers, the wedding guests joined them.
As the sun set outside guests enjoyed lawn games while others applied fancy dress for the photo booth.
Finally, everyone gathered in the garden and armed with sparklers forming a pyrotechnic guard of honour.
You can see our next Highcliffe Castle wedding photographs on our Dorset wedding photography blog. Also, you can see what Ryan and Melissa thought of their Bournemouth wedding photography service in their Bournemouth Hotel wedding photographers review.
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