Intimate Wedding Photography In North Dorset
We were excited to create Charlotte & Seb’s intimate wedding photography in North Dorset. After a COVID postponement and their recent engagement shoot at King Alfred’s tower, Murray and I were chomping at the bit.
The original plan for a large countryside garden wedding had been stifled by COVID restrictions. A new, exciting plan for a smaller, intimate wedding was created.
We often find that intimate wedding photography has all the moments and emotions of a big day, squeezed into a much smaller package. So feeling energised we headed off in the early morning sunshine with game faces on.
Bridal Preparation Photographs
We found Charlotte, her bridesmaids, parents, and a friend all in a relaxed mood at the family home. Under the watchful eye of the pet cat, they enjoyed a fried breakfast as clouds parted outside.
We are constantly asked about wedding morning food and always advise eating a hearty breakfast before a wedding day. Too many times we have worked with brides who end up feeling weak and wobbly or heavy effects from the first glass of champagne. Charlotte and the girls were doing it the right way, putting away any nerves in place of some nutrition and energy!
We found a wonderful amount of contrast during bridal preparations. The bright sun shafting through windows, illuminating patches of the shaded rooms. Well-lit mirrors on shadowed walls and the colours of decorations and the girl’s silk robes all made for serious eye candy.
Wedding Makeup And Hair Styling
Jemma and Emily MUA and hairstylists from The Little Sanctuary added a physical element to the contrast. When one or two of the girls were free for styling they moved like lightning. With a gap in the timings, they then slowed the pace to prepare for the next in line. They even managed their time to help charlottes mother out with her less than successful application of nail varnish!
Next, a range of wedding bouquets arrived from Daisy Delbridge Florists. The Pastel pinks, creams, and yellows punctuated by bright blues and green foliage. Nothing beats the smell of fresh flowers on a wedding morning.
As the girls then zoomed about the house happy chatter and morning jokes enhanced the jovial mood. During which the dresses were arranged and then donned when ready. All throughout Charlotte remained the very picture of calm, so happy that her big day had (eventually) come around.
As with every wedding morning time seemed to fly by. Consequently, in the blink of an eye charlotte had taken herself upstairs to put on her wonderful white wedding dress.
With her suited father, brother, and the girls all now gathered in concentration, she descended then the stairs to applause, gasps, and quite a few tears.
Outside the sun shone in the shiny blue paintwork of a lovely blue triumph stag as final touches were applied to hair, makeup, and accessories.
In one swift move, everyone then exited the house. They joined what seemed to be the rest of the neighbourhood to see charlotte and her father off in the wedding car.
Groom Preparation Photographs
Meanwhile, four miles away at Charlotte’s parents’ home, the groom preparations had begun. Again a fried morning feast was being enjoyed by Seb and the chaps, this time out in the bright sunshine.
Seb was delighted with his wedding morning gift. A classic Tissot Powermatic wristwatch. It was easy to tell how happy he was to be the groom. He didn’t stop smiling and laughing from this point on.
Inside every mirror was utilised as the chaps sorted their cufflinks, hairstyles and tied their wedding ties. The family dogs were even on hand to help out with moral support (and fry up cleaning) where needed!
Blue three-piece Ted Baker wedding suits hung inside. Waiting for the chaps to complete their transformation to dapper groomsmen. They then left in the hot sun for the church in a white ribboned red Range Rover.
North Dorset Church Wedding Venue
St Gregory’s church in Marnull is a striking stone building, an ancient wedding venue full of history. We are even told by Dr google that its 15th-century tower has been described as “the finest in the Vale”. The high ceilings, wooden pews, and stained glass windows make for an amazing visual impact. It is the perfect background for intimate wedding photography.
The small gathering of masked wedding guests inside was outnumbered by onlookers outside. Seb got to use his new watch to repeatedly check the time.
Intimate Wedding Photography Of Church Ceremony
The bridal party arrived in style and everyone enjoyed an uplifting church wedding ceremony. Even behind their COVID masks, you could tell that Charlotte and Seb were grinning and laughing as much as with their masks removed. They even tried kissing through their masks a few times.
With hymns and readings, the happy couple exchanged rings and vows. They were blessed in front of the altar and left the darkened building into the bright sunshine. Outside a group of family, friends and onlookers congratulated the newlyweds with applause.
We quickly arranged for some group photographs in the shade of the church garden. This gave the guests time to get to the next venue before the bride and groom.
Pub Garden Wedding Reception Photographs
A few miles down the road we found the Ship Inn ready to receive the intimate wedding party. A gorgeous traditional stone-built countryside pub again made the perfect venue for intimate wedding photography. The paved garden area had been covered with a side less marque. Countryside flowers and masses of rustic bunting decorated the venue. The look completed by framed images from Charlotte and Seb’s engagement shoot.
The happy couple arrived to cheers from their on-looking guests. They then all enjoyed a champagne drinks reception shaded from the bright sun. Part of creating intimate wedding photography involves moving less and observing more. With fewer guests, the emotional moments are concentrated within a smaller area.
Intimate Wedding Breakfast
As any of our followers know Murray and I are “wedding foodies” and the Ship Inn’s reputation for amazing food did not disappoint. Guests were treated to the most amazing looking (and tasting!) canapes and the wedding meal was simply spectacular. Gavin and his staff had closed the pub for the wedding and were so very friendly and attentive.
With happy bellies filled everyone was then treaded to a few words of wisdom from the best man and charlottes father. This was followed by a surprise organised by the bridesmaids. A video collection of wedding messages from the friends and family unable to attend due to COVID restriction. Hearing the sound alone with the sight of the wedding parties’ reactions had Murray and I wedding ourselves.
As the party recovered from a good 20 minutes of belly laughing it was then cake time. Charlotte and Seb cut their wedding cake and were then presented with a tower of personalised wedding cupcakes.
The pub then opened to the public the guests filtered into the sun of the garden. We stole the happy couple away for a ten-minute walk in the countryside fields over the road.
Wedding Couple Photography
Even with intimate wedding photography, this tends to be the first time that a bride and groom have “time to themselves” on a wedding day. In the low evening sun, Charlotte and Seb then enjoyed some calmer, intimate moments together. They then returned to enjoy the company of their friends and family in the pub garden.
Charlotte and Seb’s story doesn’t end here. Next year when (fingers crossed) restrictions are lifted we have the ‘party and dancing’ section of their celebrations to shoot. It sounds like it will certainly involve less intimate wedding photography!
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