An Intimate Wedding In Rural Dorset
Dan and Agnieszka had never planned to have any Corfe Castle wedding photographs. Originally their wedding day was scheduled for June in a luxury hotel in Wareham, Dorset. Like almost all our 2020 brides they postponed their date and looked for alternate venues. So with lockdown and COVID restrictions, these are very strange times to be a wedding photographer. This is the story of our first wedding since February, joining this lovely couple for their wonderful, intimate Corfe Castle wedding photographs.
Swanage Town Hall Wedding Ceremony Reception
Due to venue limits, we were unable to capture wedding preparations. We couldn’t attend their marriage ceremony at Swanage Town Hall. Instead, we waited on the pavement outside in the hot sun with a small group of friends. We were all to greet the newlyweds on their exit from the beautiful Purbeck stone building.
Agnieszka wore a stunning floral print A-line dress. This perfectly complemented Dan in his Savile Row blue three-piece. They showed off additions of rings and a bouquet of purple, blue and green bigleaf hydrangeas. The smiles, clapping, laughter and tears said it all. Here was a group of close friends and family that hadn’t seen each other in a long time. They were only now coming together to celebrate something wonderful. Emotions were running high. It is still a very weird feeling to witness social distancing and lack of hugging.
A gorgeous Aston Martin Rapide sat on the pavement ready to whisk the newlyweds off. After a few group photographs in the bright sun in front of the Mercers Hall façade, we escorted the wedding party down the road to Corfe Castle.
Corfe Castle Wedding Reception Photographs
The small wedding party gathered outside The Pink Goat Cafe. They welcomed Dan and Agnieszka on their arrival. As a background to wedding photographs, Corfe village is a little unreal. The ancient stone buildings with their stone tile rooves is a scene unchanged from hundreds of years ago. All the time it’s dominated by the looming ruins of Corfe Castle.
We love shooting weddings in this stunning rural Dorset village – you can see a few of them here. Back to the cafe. The pink goat is somewhat of a hidden gem tucked away on Corfe’s main backstreet. The Purbeck stone building hides a modern artistic interior with food and service to die for. Even when ‘COVID Safe’ the space, decoration and feel is appreciated.
Dan and Agnieszka welcomed their guests inside and the volume levels increased. After all, there was a lot to catch up on, many congratulations to make and chats to be had. It’s such a wonderful thing to witness families coming together in such times of separation. Different generations under one roof all enjoying being with each other. Champagne and nibbles arrived. Before they knew it the guests were being seated for the wedding breakfast. Time flies when you are having fun.
Photographs Of Wedding Breakfast & Speeches
After a mouth-watering mezze, Dan started the proceedings with his wedding speech. Thanks were given. His wife complimented and best man gently ridiculed – he ticked all the boxes! Halfway through there was an unexpected pause. For a moment everyone seemed to be thinking the same thing that Dan had lost it. Yet, out came a birthday cake toa round of “Happy Birthday”. As if they needed another excuse to celebrate. One of the guests was sharing her birthday (and cat-shaped cake) with the wedding party.
Agnieszka took the stand and in perfect English (as our Polish is non-existent) spoke. She thanked her new family for all they had done for her. Guests had to wipe away emotional tears that only the tomfoolery of the following ‘act’ could stop.
Now on to Dan’s brother – the best man. Skipping embarrassing content he derived his speech from hilarious fishing tales and jokes. During lockdown, we had become unaccustomed to so much happy laughter from a group of people. It is infectious (bad choice of words)! We ended the speeches and toasts on a high note of cheers and applause. Everyone took a moment to calm before a walk through the village.
Corfe Castle Wedding Photographs
We led the wedding party into the grounds of St Edwards church. Guests arranged group photographs with Corfe Castle and a dramatic sky as a backdrop.
Those who could make it up the cobblestone path joined us in the castle for a quick explore. With the summer sun still beaming the Dorset countryside views were amazing. We took the opportunity for some couple and group photographs in a variety of locations. I could have spent all day there as the locations for stunning photographs were endless. When alone Dan and Agnieszka were the perfect combo for couple shots. They are so head over heels that they come across as very natural together in front of the camera. As our time slot for creating Corfe Castle wedding photographs neared the end. So we descended the hill to meet up with the other guests.
Wedding Evening Documentary Photographs
Back at The Pink Goat the bar was open. Cocktails flowed as a variety of incredible looking cakes sat ready to go. The music and dancing then began.
Dan and Agnieszka showed off their jive dancing skills for their first dance. The entire wedding party clapped them on. It turns out they weren’t the only ones with skills as several other guests joined them with all the moves.
Laughter could be heard from outside as the sunset turning the sky maroon. The windows of the Pink Goat glowed a warm yellow against the cool stone buildings around it.
Whenever the music allowed more guests were taught jive and jazz dancing moves. It seemed like we were amongst a dance crew.
Family and friends chatted, joked, laughed and danced the night away. We managed to steal the happy couple away for a final photograph under the blue night sky before carriages arrived.
It was the perfect intimate wedding for the perfect couple.
Looking for Corfe Castle wedding photographers?
