Documentary Wedding Photographs With 28 Bridesmaids Dresses

We both began the morning of this wedding not with the bride or groom but the 28 bridesmaids! Yes you read that right 28 bridesmaids dresses. 28 sets of wedding hair and make up and 28 pairs of bridesmaids shoes. We love a challenge.

Tom and I have spent quite some time debating what the appropriate collective noun for this many bridesmaids should be. After spending the day with these girls, seeing them prep, having them charge across a road at us and being worriedly surrounded by them on a dance floor we decided the word legion would suit.

We knew Sarah and Matt’s countryside wedding photography would be unusual when they booked, Sarah’s energy and passion for her big day was inspiring. Sarah explained that many years ago she had proclaimed that “When I get married I will have all of my nieces as bridesmaids”. Being a member of such a large family (her family photograph involved over 120 people!) she probably knew what she was letting herself in for!

Wedding Morning Preparation Photographs

Obviously, it was a very busy morning with the girls in a whirlwind of preparations at the family home.  A clothes rack strained uner the weight of the pink Greco Roman bridesmaids dresses and little white numbers for the flower girls. The joy of this style of dress is that there are hundreds of ways to wear them. Even with twenty eight identical bridesmaids dresses a variety of styles were sported.

In amongst the blur of hair, make-up and refuelling chaos Francine from Just Add Flowers arrived with literally a truck load of flowers.

Every room of the house was utilised by the girls in varying stages of preparation. Hair curling in one, make up styling in another, eating in another, dress fitting in another and so on. The sounds of chatter, laughter and music mixed with smells of hot tongs, hairspray and perfumes. This made for one hell of a sensory experience. Even the garden was being used by the flower girls who had to get their morning’s bouncing in on the trampoline.

Getting this number of bridesmaids to the church on time could have been a logistical nightmare. Thankfully Romeround were on hand with their open top bus to transport all of the bridesmaids to St Mary’s church in Sturminster Marshall.

Bridal Preparation Photographs

In a calm contrast ‘Wedding Aunty’ Sarah was getting ready at her parents’ house. Ever smiley and laughing she had her nails and make up styled watched by close family. Before she knew it she was buttoned into her gorgeous white detailed wedding dress. Looking absolutely stunning she headed out into the bright sunshine outside.

Tom left to the church in the unsuspecting village of Sturminster Marshall. Inside the quiet solace was interrupted by high pitch wailing sound as a bus packed with whooping bridesmaids drove past.

By the time Sarah arrived in a Packard wedding car from RR Elite her legion of bridesmaids were assembled outside ready to lead her in. Inside the church Matt waited with his best men dressed in traditional wedding suits with long jackets. Their outfits were completed with cravats and pocket squares in the maroon of the Parachute Regiment .

Church Wedding Ceremony Photographs

Sarah’s father stood just inside the church porch greeting his granddaughters as they came in. The church aisle was then flooded with a blur of pink bridesmaids dresses as the girls led the wedding procession. Finally he got to his daughter and escorted her up the aisle to meet her husband to be.

The lovely traditional church wedding service was followed by two of the bridesmaids sang while another played piano. Sarah and Matt now grinning from ear to ear walked back down the aisle as husband and wife to a standing ovation.

After gathering outside the church the legion of bridesmaids re-boarded the bus and set off for the wedding reception venue

Castle Court School Wedding Reception Photographs

As a teacher at Castle Court School Sarah had access to this beautiful venue near Wimborne. This gorgeous country house and buildings is set in 35 acres of stunning Dorset countryside, today it hosted a marquee wedding reception on the lawns.

Outside the school gates Sarah and Matt joined the bridesmaids on the open deck of the bus. After a group photograph they made their way to the marquee and lawns. An inflatable pub supplied by Dorset Mobile Bars sat next to the marquee. Inside the marquee an array of afternoon tea delights were laid out to enjoy.

The guests were treated to some heart warming wedding speeches. Matt’s sons did a wonderful job of keeping the laughter going with their best men’s speeches. In the hot summer sun the newly weds and their guests enjoyed the garden and bouncy castle from Castle Mania.  A chance to cool down in the swimming pool proved particularly popular with the children.

Evening Entertainment

With everyone back from the swimming pool it was time to cut the wedding cake . This four tiered sweet creation had one side decorated with flowers. The other with British paratrooper wings badges either side of the famous SAS ‘Who Dares Wins’ insignia.

The Bride and groom took their places for their first dance. A flurry of pink bridesmaids dresses could be seen as the girls practised their assault on the dance floor in the background. Matt and Sarah swirled about the dance floor surrounded by family and friends.  It did not take long for the practice turn into the real thing and the legion literally took over the dance floor while the Funk City Party band banged out the party anthems.

It didn’t take long for the guests to join the bride and bridesmaids on the dance floor while others enjoyed a drink as the sun set over the gardens.