Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs

I really don’t know where to start when writing about Murray Lambert’s wedding day to accompany these wedding photographers wedding photographs. The planning started immediately after his New York wedding proposal.

The next ten months were filled with lists, research, meetings etc. Friends had even designed a New York inspired wedding logo for the lucky couple.

Natalie and Murray are well known in the local area. Thus the guest list of over 400 people wasn’t entirely unexpected. We found ourselves saying if anyone wanted a quiet night in Swanage they should choose Murray’s wedding day.

Natalie and Murray had chosen a field in a friend’s farm for their wedding reception. At a previous Swanage wedding I had flown over this stunning location in a helicopter. Unfortunately strong winds whipped along the valley a couple of nights before the big day. I remember driving along the sea front and seeing a marquee from the Purbeck Outdoor Weekend in pieces across the road and thinking “I hope Murray’s Marquee is OK”. It wasn’t, it was beyond repair – panic set in, family and friend rallied around and a replacement marquee was found at short notice. Big love to Western Marquees – without them these wedding photographers wedding photographs wouldn’t have been possible

Natalie and Murray not only had the advantage of a huge group of family and friends when it came to wedding planning but Murray has years of experience of weddings and wedding suppliers under his belt. Each wedding supplier they chose with an expert eye.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Wedding Morning Preparations

Finally after months of planning and anticipation the big day came round. I joined Natalie in a friend’s apartment next to the beach as she was having her wedding hair styled.

Cool as a cucumber she joked about the day ahead as her bridesmaid joined her for the first champagne toast of the day. In such a good mood she literally bounced up the road to her parents’ house.

Along with cards, presents, bunting and wedding signs the house was decorated with Natalie and Murray’s family photographs. I was relieved to see Kat and Ed from KE Wedding Films (one of our recommended wedding suppliers), with whom I would be working as part of a team. Murray had his own camera to capture groom coverage but he was definitely not working today.

Natalie’s family were in high spirits and as they buzzed about the house readying themselves I found the calming sight of Natalie’s gorgeous white detailed wedding dress hanging serenely in an upstairs window.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Groom Preparations

With a little time to kill Kat, Ed and I headed over to Murray’s family home where he had just returned from a muddy bike ride with friends. Without any signs of nerves he took some time out to practice his speech in the sunshine of the garden.

Upstairs in the living room his blue three-piece Ben Sherman suit hung from a cupboard. Murray’s mother is a fantastic seamstress. I had been amazed over the last few months as she skilfully created a bobbin lace garter for Natalie from nothing but threads. She had also lined Murry’s wedding suit with a Liverpool FC  home kit. On that theme Natalie had sent a card and gifts to Murray – Liverpool FC boxer shorts!

Along with his blue and brown Goodwin Smith brogues Murray had chosen ties and pocket squares from Mrs Bow Tie and finished his dapper look with his grandfather’s gold sword cufflinks and watch.

His best men arrived and started stripping so we quickly moved on.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Bridal Preparations

Back across town Cat Mutter Wedding Make up Artist had arrived and was busy working her magic in the conservatory. As Natalie’s parents and brother prepared for the day ahead Natalie opened her present from Murray. He scored some serious husband points with a pair of peacock themed designer flip-flops from Kate Spade.

Time flew by and before she knew it Natalie was being helped into her wedding dress. Natalie’s two gorgeous bridesmaids  wore pale blue bridesmaid’s dresses. They wonderfully complimented the beautiful wedding flowers from Andre Turner Florist.

Natalie looked breath-taking, as her bridesmaids buttoned her in she looked into the mirror and bit her lip with nerves and emotion. She then looked at me and gave me the biggest smile I have ever seen – the world was right again and I fought back the urge to tear up.

She had this effect on every man in the house. As she descended the stairs her father cried with joy and her brothers eyes welled up too.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Wedding Ceremony

In Swanage town by the sea wedding guests were arriving at St Edward’s church. A small crowd was also gathering outside, to get a glimpse of the bride and groom. I was asked by so many passers-by if there was someone famous getting married.

The church was filled, literally to the rafters, Father Paul said he had never seen it so full! The bridesmaids and Natalie’s mother arrived in a lovely little classic motor from Purbeck Wedding Cars.

I have never seen Murray looking nervous. With hundreds of weddings experience I wasn’t expecting the heavy breathing and deep thought on his face. Natalie arrived in a classic wedding car, to applause from the crowds now gathered outside the church.

Wedding guests were treated to a Catholic wedding ceremony with readings from friends. I have never heard a church as loud as the noise that erupted when the happy couple kissed for the first time as husband and wife. During the signing of the register Emma Fidler entertained with her incredible singing skills to “All Of Me” by John Legend.

Natalie and Murray exited through the congratulatory crowd inside the church to face the crowd gathered outside. After taking time to greet their guests they then had to run the gauntlet of confetti.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs by the Sea

The entire wedding party walked down the hill to the sea front onto the Banjo pier for couple and group shots overlooking the sea. Warmed by bright sunshine it seemed odd to witness the huge dark clouds and rain on the horizon.

While guests departed for the reception venue we travelled up to a local Woodhenge for some couple photographs in the sunshine.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Wedding Reception

The wedding reception site, in Kingston, Dorset looked more like a festival than a wedding. Two stunning wedding tipis from Coastal Tents (one of our recommended wedding suppliers) and the wedding marquee sat atop of the hill with views across Corfe valley, over Corfe Castle one way and Isle of Wight another. In addition a posh toilet from Luxury Little Rooms stood ready for the evening ahead.

The newlyweds arrived to rapturous applauds from the gathered guests.

As rain came in guests sheltered in the warmth of the tipi for a drinks reception. Murray’s Liverpool FC themed bar with Carraghers (a New York Liverpool pub) sign, Moonlight Beer from Hattie Browns (the best brewery in the world) and cocktails. Guests were treated to the sounds of Number 12 Band. Natalie being at teacher naturally had a large number of children at the wedding. They flocked to her to sing and dance with the band.

Chris Piercy Wedding Magician (one of our recommended wedding suppliers) extraordinaire, astonished guests with his magic skills and general dashing good looks.

Meanwhile the huge marquee had been set up with giant New York themed table plan, bar, stage, lighting and DJ booth, overseen by a giant wedding logo. All under bunting hand-made by Murray’s mother and Natalie’s friend Nic.  Tables displayed more beautiful wedding flowers from Andre Turner. Sharon James from L’Artishe Gallery had made table name signs that looked like New York Street signs embedded in road surface! A four tier New York skyline wedding cake by Iced Gems of Swanage had pride of place in the middle of the marquee, topped off with the couple’s logo.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Wedding Breakfast

Rain subsided while the happy guests were called into marquee for wedding breakfast. Cherry Catering were (as always) amazing and the hog roast from Paul Lowden from Wilkswood Farm had a satisfied silence fall over the space. Outside children had their own mini marquee full of toys, books, games and bubble wands (although the adults seem to have sequestered these).

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Wedding Speeches

With bellies full we were then treated to wedding speeches. Natalie’s father’s speech included singing from a family friend and pretty much everyone in the marquee getting teary eyed.

The tension was broken by Murray himself. He delivered his speech without barely flinching. I had no idea he was such an entertaining public speaker or could even be actually funny. He even suggested that I should be paying him as he was at a wedding. I had previously snuck a look at his speech and handed him his P45!

Murray handed over to his best man, who was immediately interrupted by the DJ playing Electric Six’s ‘Gay Bar’.

Murray’s three best men shared the humour, tradition and sentiment of speeches. Consequently guests were cheering, crying, laughing or applauding throughout.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Evening Reception

Before the sun dimmed too far we had a chance to shoot some group shots with the countryside views. The evening guests started to arrive. They just kept coming, and coming, adding to the festival feel. Yes it did feel like all of Swanage was in attendance.

Fiery Fox Wood Fired Pizza filled the starry night air with the most amazing smells. Guests soon discovered that their pizzas tasted even better than they smelt.

Wedding Photographers Wedding Photographs of Evening Entertainment

Back in the marquee Rick from Stage Light and Sound had run his final checks. DJ Angelo from Swanage Snack Bar knocked out a wonderful selection of tunes as adults lost to their children in ‘dance offs’ under fairy and disco lighting. Thank you to Marco Marquees for supplying the dance floor.

Natalie & Murray made their way to the dance floor though what was now about 400 people for their first dance. They looked spectacular swirling about in front of so many friends and family.

They were shortly joined by the crowd and Sway Allstars Orchestra band started their amazing performance. For the rest of the night Sway All Stars and DJ Angelo kept the dance floor (and most of the rest of the marquee) dancing away. Fire pits were lit in the tipi. Guests sat about laughing and chatting on the straw bales, deck chairs and pallet wood furniture available.

Natalie and Murry’s wedding has to be one of the largest I have worked in Dorset. Even though he was in attendance I missed his presence behind the camera. Technically I didn’t shoot this day on my own I have to thank Kat and Ed, Murray and our camera savvy friends for substituting for him throughout the day. There are a thousand reasons to hire two wedding photographers for your big day which can be found on our photographers questions page. Murray and I are still recovering from his spectacular wedding.

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