Larmer Tree Wedding Photos With Leanne & Keiron

Planning Larmer Tree Gardens Wedding Photos

For us, these Larmer Tree wedding photos have been a long time coming! Murray and I have photographed hundreds of weddings in dorset over the last two decades. Yet there has always been one wedding venue that has remained inexplicably elusive to us. We have never before taken Larmer Tree wedding photographs. We are constantly seeing other photographers work there with a little voice of envy on our shoulders. The gorgeous grounds and ethereal singing stage seemed to be beyond our grasp. With Leanne and Keiron’s big day fast approaching this was about to change.

After a quick venue visit, we soon realised the huge untapped potential for this unique venue. All the photographs we have seen so far all seemed to be the same. Almost entirely centred on the bride and groom either on the outdoor theatre stage or in front of the Roman Temple in the middle of a day. This was our now our chance to bring our unique style to bear. We wanted to produce images that show the overlooked areas and details of the Larmer Tree. We also wanted to capture all the emotion of the celebration.

Love Blooms At Weddings

Murray and I were there when Leanne and Keiron ‘officially’ got together. It was at Jen & Mike’s Harry Potter themed wedding at Upton House, back in 2017. They are such a lovely warm couple, familiar with how we work and really up for creating some special images.

Wedding Morning Photographs With The Bridal Party

So, after months of planning the big day finally came around. We arrived at Leanne’s parent’s family home in the Dorset countryside.

Leanne, her sister, bridesmaids and family were all in an exceptionally chipper mood. They were already whizzing about the place in preparation for the day ahead.

As the girls styled each other’s wedding hair Murray departed for the chap’s house. I found Leanne’s wedding dress from (Isobel’s Bridal and Groom) and shoes upstairs in her childhood bedroom. 

Stunning floral bouquets arrived from Sweet Pea Florist. They added a mass of color and smell to the event. Outside, Leanne’s father had polished his car to an almost mirror finish. He had also attached bows and ribbons. He was to be the official bridal chauffer for the morning’s journey.

It was wonderful to meet Jen again (our bride from 2017) and her gorgeous little baby. He kept everyone well entertained for the morning.

Leanne nearly brought on tears early in the running of the day. She gave the girls customised cups, hoodies, and heartfelt cards.

Fun Whilst Preparing For A Larmer Tree Wedding

The morning prep was a mix of practicality and hilarity. Everyone was excited for the day ahead.

Leanne took herself into the hallway for some peace to style her own wedding hair. Meanwhile, Leanne’s sister came over a little strange upon seeing her partner in his wedding suit. She eventually finished making strange purring noises and stroking him. Then, she styled the other bridesmaids’ hair.

As with every wedding morning we have worked time flew by. Before they knew it the bridesmaids were being tied into their green Grecian dresses.

Leanne had time for one last emotional hug with her mum. Then, her sister helped her into her wedding dress. Leanne emerged from her childhood bedroom as a bride. She looked stunning in her white lace detailed A Line dress from Isobelle’s Bride and Groom.

As his daughters helped each other with their finishing touches a very happy looking, dapper dad came to collect them as it was time to leave.

I joined the girls in the car as their father drove them through the Dorset countryside. These important transition periods are often full of emotion and tend to be overlooked by wedding photographers. With restricted space I was able to use the car’s internal mirros to capture a variety of angles in a single frame.

Candid Groom Preparation Photographs

Meanwhile, 20 minutes away, Murray had arrived to cover Keiron and the chap’s wedding morning. He found the boys in a happy mood. They were busy working through a checklist of things to take to the wedding.

It was great to see Mike again. He was supporting Keiron and his best man. They chatted over morning coffees and croissants.

Recording The Wedding Morning Details

As they were in Leanne and Keiron’s home Murray found the chaps to be surrounded by many details of the day. The button holes and rings sat upon a personalised slate board. A framed picture of the Roman Temple at Larmer tree, was being used as a backdrop for Lego mini figures of the bride, grom and their four-legged friend.

Keiron had organised some personalised, colour co-ordinated gifts for his groomsmen. A personalised Zippo lighter for Matt (the best man) and a blue pen knife for Mike.

At the time Murray noticed Keiron’s bright peacock print resin cufflinks. He was not yet aware of the level of significance they would hold for the day ahead.

At a relaxed pace the three chaps transformed into groom and groomsmen. They donned waistcoats with swirl patterns. They also wore dark blue tail suits with purple pocket squares and cravats, from Isobelle’s Bride And Groom. All under the watchful eye of the couple’s pet dog. Making sure they had everything from their list and looking extremely dapper the trio jumped into a taxi bound for the Larmer Tree

Arriving For Larmer Tree Wedding Photos

The Larmer Tree Gardens are a stunning wedding venue set in 11 acres of gardens and woodland. If you have ever been to the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford you would understand why it is just so incredible. General Pitt Rivers created it in 1880. It has a collection of quirky Victorian buildings and plants from his world travels. It boasts that “There is nowhere quite like it” and you can see that from the very moment you arrive!

Amy, leading the team from the Larmer Tree was busy greeting arriving guests. She even took time out to sort the groom’s party’s buttonholes.

Keiron then took over greeting his guests as they arrived. We had co-ordinated with Amy earlier in the week about the potential weather. It was her policy that if there is a chance of an outdoor wedding ceremony then that’s what they would aim for. We’ve seen too many venues in the past be over cautious with the weather forecast. So, now chairs were set up outside the Roman temple. This housed the signing table adorned with an amazing spray of flowers, punctuating the scene with colour.

The remaining guests arrived and were seated. All the time followed and watched by the resident peacocks, who were everywhere!

Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Photographs At The Larmer Tree Gardens

As he stood at the top of the aisle Keiron became quiet. His demeanour changed and he looked nervous. Mike picked up on this as he took him away from the guests for a hug pep talk, a hug and a joke to relieve the tension.

The music began, Keiron closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Flanked by peacocks the bridesmaids made their way across the gardens and past the theatre stage. Shortly followed by Leanne on her father’s arm.

The wedding ceremony itself took place in a relatively small, open area. This gave us the ability to move about unobtrusively capturing different angles of the proceedings in our Larmer Tree wedding photos.

Capturing The Emotions Of A Wedding Ceremony

For a very brief moment Keiron broke into tears upon seeing his love walking towards him up the aisle. Leanne’s reaction was just as heartwarming. Her now nervous face broke into a huge grin upon setting her eyes on Keiron. A grin that stayed with her for the rest of the day.

Leanne’s father handed daughter to Keiron. Now hand in hand the couple exchanged vows in front of their loved ones and exchanged rings.

The guest’s applause echoed around the gardens as the happy couple kissed their first kiss. As they signed the register in the Roman Temple we arranged the guests into a gauntlet. Leanne and Keiron left as newlyweds in a shower of confetti.

A Wedding Drinks Reception In The Gardens 

Forking Out catering had set out a champagne drinks reception in the gardens. It was the first time Leanne and Keiron had to chat with many of their guests. So there was plenty of congratulations to go around.

The guests also got to explore some of the amazing buildings and pretty gardens. But, then the typical English ‘spot of rain’ came. Fortunately, the team at the Larmer Tree are well prepared. Everyone was able to enjoy their drinks and mingle in the warm marquee.

Wedding Group Photos On The Singing Sage At Larmer Tree

As the rain subsided, we took the opportunity to shoot the formal group photographs. During which Murray merrily shot the candid interactions between the guests. As we moved the groups towards the stage, we noticed the myriad of performers signatures on the backstage wall. This stage had really seen some incredible perfomances!

Leanne was the first on stage and was also the last to leave, after a quick set of couple shots. We knew that neither of them liked having their photos taken or being the centre of attention. So made the experience as fast and fun as possible.

Then the sun came out to greet the happy couple. Guests enjoyed relaxing in giant deck chairs, sipping on cocktails and champagne. Lawn games were dotted around so the more active of the party could get to grips with badminton and a giant orange space hopper.

A Rare Surprise For Experienced Wedding Photographers!

After two decades of shooting weddings, it’s rare we see something new. However, neither Murray or myself have ever seen a peacock (or a bird of any type for that matter) playing giant Jenga with wedding guests. We can no longer say this!

As a game of lawn croquet became very competitive guests took a stroll around the grounds. Taking in the gorgeous gardens, the plants and flowers and its other hidden secrets. The otherworldly looking buildings collected by General Pit Rivers were thoroughly investigated.

All of this occurred under the eyes of the ever-roaming, inquisitive peacocks. They were extremely interested in the goings on. And even more so in the delicious canapes being served by Forking Out.

Bride and Groom Couple Photographs In The Larmer Tree Gardens

Keeping an eye on the schedule we decided to take Leanne and kerion away for some Larmer TRee wedding photos of the two of them for ten minutes. They had already told us they loved the ornamental valley and the giant redwoods. So, Murray and I devised a set of images isolating the two of them in amongst the impressive valley.

Bucking Wedding Photography Trends

Almost every single wedding couple photograph we have seen at Larmer Tree gardens has the couple alone on stage in the sunshine. Leanne and Keiron were also keen for this too. However we also wanted to be able to provide them with something different. A twist on Larmer Tree wedding photos if you like!

It was time for Larmer Tree wedding photos to break free from the trend of muted blacks, light and airy exposures and oversaturation of oranges and greens. Using the leading lines of perspective from a nearby bench we decided to bring the eye into frame for some timeless images.

Now was Leanne’s dad’s time to shine. He entered the gardens proudly carrying the dinner gong. Which he then rang to call all to the wedding breakfast.

Larmer Tree Wedding Breakfast Photographs

Behind the gardens The Pavilion Room had been beautifully decorated. Each circular wedding breakfast table was set up with Larmer Tree’s own wines. Floral centrepieces on wooden log slices added to the ambiance. On each guest’s plate sat a wonderful wedding favour – a giant custom iced biscuit.

The Larmer Tree never failed to impress. It was one of the brightest wedding breakfast venues we have worked. The Pavilion room was full of visual interest. It has carved wooden doors and dividers. It has framed bow ties, black and white photos and chandeliers. It even has cantilevered building materials that contrast natural wood with steel rope and shiny metal fittings. We soon realised that you would need more than one wedding day to be able to incorporate all the features of the venue!

Toasting The Newlyweds and Exceptional Wedding Catering

With the guests now happily settled into their seats Leanne’s father made a heartwarming speech. The guests reacted with laughter and a few tears of joy as he wrapped up with champagne toasts to the happy couple.

We owe a shout out to Forking Out Catering. The wedding party was treated to three courses of some of the most delicious wedding food we have ever tasted. We knew it was good. During a short break, we had to go back and check that the guests hadn’t moved on. A happy silence had descended!

Amy and the team at The Larmer tree were amazing. Ever present to help, yet unobtrusive , they oiled the gears that kept the wedding moving smoothly all day long.

In-between courses the happy couple worked their way around the room. They merrily chatted, laughed and hugged their loved ones

The guys didn’t want to make a fuss out of cutting the cake. The three-tier masterpiece created by The Cake Cabin sat at the head of the Pavilion. So, we quickly moved across the room and captured the brief moment when it happened. Of course, the guests had noticed and were ready with rounds of applauds.

Photographing An Evening Wedding Reception At The Larmer Tree

Back into the gardens many guests enjoyed stretching their legs. They burnt off some of the tasty food by touring the grounds. Or, they picked up their lawn games where they had left them. Evening guests arrived and joined in the exploration.

As the sun dipped so did the temperature and one by one the guests filtered back into the bar area of the Jubilee Hall. Here Paul Mullins DJ had set up, his disco lights showing that he was ready to go.

First Dance And Wedding Disco Photos

First dance was announced and Keiron led his new wife onto dancefloor. For a brief moment in time just the two of them slowly swirled in each other’s embrace under the fairy lights and on a carpet of projected love hearts. In an instant the eager wedding guests joined them as they kissed one of the longest kisses we have ever seen on a dancefloor!

Family and friends were then to be found either strutting their stuff on the dancefloor (even the baby), at the bar or relaxing next to the giant frames of equine ribbon awards.

Taking A Break For Some Intimate Couple Photographs

With barely any light in the sky Leanne and Keiron were happy to take a break from the dancefloor and take in some cool air outside. In the essence of using the incredible buildings in a unique way we captured the couple enjoying some alone time on the stage and in the Indian summerhouse.

Dancing The Night Away At The Larmer Tree

Back inside the Jubilee Hall Leanne’s sister was leading the dancing. Groups of guests joined her, tiried themselves out and other guests tagged in. She had certainly found her place on the dancefloor!

We left the warmth and shelter of Larmer Tree. The Hall was glowing with disco lights. The sound of music was competing with the howling winds of the storm brewing outside.

This Larmer Tree story is that of a wonderful day wedding day for a wonderful couple who found love at a wedding day!

These photographs are a small sample of those we acheived from this lovely wedding. Because the two of us work without time limits we were able to capture the entire story of Lanne and Keiron’s Larmer Tree wedding photographs. If you are looking for unique images to tell the story of your big day please do get in touch.

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