Lulworth Castle Wedding Photographs with Kat & JP
So Kat and JP’s Lulworth Castle wedding has been kept a secret for too long! I mentioned in their engagement photo shoot at Durdle Door that if I told you their plans you wouldn’t believe me. Now you can see their fantastic wedding day in all it’s glory (and you probably still won’t believe me!). You can see more of our Lulworth Castle wedding photographs here or read our Lulworth Castle wedding photographers wedding venue review here.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Morning Bridal Photographs
I joined Kat and her beautiful bridesmaids on the wedding morning in Bishops Hotel (now Rudds Hotel) in Lulworth Cove.
As the girl’s hair and makeup was styled by Amazing Face (one of our recommended wedding suppliers) I noticed the bridesmaids’ dresses hanging in the window. Three different types of dress in three different shades of yellow.
The girls swirled about the room as the morning progressed. They were almost blurs around the bright orange and yellow wedding flowers.
With blue flowers in her hair Kat surprised us all with her custom-made, one of a kind wedding dress with cape to match. Supplied by the talent that is Faith Caton-Barber. If anyone could get away with wearing a wedding cape it was Kat She looked simply stunning for her Lulworth Castle wedding.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Morning Groom Photographs
Meanwhile Murray joined JP and the chaps over at The Limestone Hotel in West Lulworth. After his morning run by the sea JP was looking particularly dapper.
The chaps all donned their matching yellow ties. After taking the obligatory selfies and filling up their hip flasks (a lovely gift from JP) with Glenmorangie headed to The Weld Arms for a well deserved pint.
Again, even before the day had started there was such an incredibly happy buzz in the air. Wedding guests joined the chaps in the sun drenched beer garden. Shortly they followed them on the short walk to St Andrews Church, sat in the shadow of Lulworth Castle itself.
Lulworth Castle Church Wedding Ceremony Photographs
St Andrews church is a gorgeous stone built rural church designed by Thomas Hardy in the grounds of Lulworth Castle. It is surrounded by the green rolling hills of the Dorset countryside. Kat and JP (or Kitty and Fox as they were known to their friends) had organised a hand drawn service program.
Completely filled with wedding guests the church was home to Kat and JP’s wedding service. Hymns sung from the bottom of the lungs and an acoustic guitar accompanying the signing of the register.
The ‘huggable vicar’ led the congregation through laughter and tears. I have to admit that it is the first time I have seen a couple literally ‘jump for joy’ on the way out of church.
After emerging into a shower of multi coloured confetti a (surprise) Scottish piper loudly emerged as if from nowhere. He led the guests from the church garden across the way to the amazing wedding venue that is Lulworth Castle.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Reception Photographs
Now Kat and JP must have spent a massive amount of time and energy not only planning but also implementing the plans for the wedding. All credit to Polly and her team from Blue Bay Events who put together not only the logistics but the hundreds of personal touches required to make Kat and JP’s wedding as truly unique as it was.
Handmade signs greeted the guests on arrival, informing them not only of the occasion but also the running order of the festivities.
Out in the castle gardens the wedding guests were treated to a champagne reception. Beales Gourmet Catering served a tasty selection of canapés including slow cooked belly of pork with rhubarb foam. In keeping with the kilted guests Haggis and neeps on toast followed. For those who wished it, there was even an opportunity to have high tea overlooking the sea.
The gardens were decorated with huge, brightly coloured silk flags and massive balloons. This gave a ‘festival feel’ to the reception.
Kat and JP had made sure that there was never a moment in the day when their guests would not be entertained. As the happy chatter of the Lulworth Castle wedding reception drifted across the countryside guest’s indulged in games of hoops, croquet, swing ball and mini golf. Bucking the tradition of a photo-booth and utilising the stunning venue, a camera with picture frame had been set up for guests. They captured themselves sat upon deck chairs with the sea in the background.
From a photographic point of view I find it hard not to rave on and on about Lulworth Castle as a wedding venue. Not only is it so full of character, light and detail but has been completely underutilised by its ‘usual’ wedding photographers in the past. Everywhere you look there are fascinating colours, textures, landscapes, light and architectural interplay. There is such a huge scope for rare images that would never be possible in other locations.
Lulworth Castle Bohemian Chique Wedding Decorations
Inside the main hall the wedding breakfast tables were a sight to behold. The clean white linen at contrast with the rugged red and grey brick and stone. Each table sported a custom ink print of the animal based table name, Kitty and Fox chocolate bars and personalised menus. The room was full of flowers, everywhere you looked there was a watering can, retro fruit box or vase containing brightly coloured specimens.
With personal touches everywhere we were still surprised to see that Kat and JP had taken the time to write a sentence about each of their guests in their “The one” scroll. This hung on the wall next to a ‘paint a memory for Kitty and Fox’ canvas. This faced a string of photographs from Kats past (including a cringing gratuitous soft focus studio head shot!).
Lulworth Castle Wedding Breakfast Photographs
Guests were called in from the gardens for wedding breakfast. With champagne close to hand treated to some hilarious wedding speeches. Beales Gourmet Catering then served a huge paella and wedding breakfast BBQ. Each table had their own ‘colour a Kitty’ with coloured pens. There were comic book post cards for writing heart-felt messages to the bride and groom. The personal touches even went as far as a ‘use what you need’ hamper in the toilets!
Now even the grand castle, the amazing wedding breakfast set up or the flowers and candles could not distract from the wedding cake. Kat’s mother had outdone herself. I think she told me she had been baking constantly for about three months (or at least she felt like she had)! Five different layers of sponges were covered in bright fruit and flowers.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Evening Reception Photographs
Once the cake was cut it was time for the cocktail bar to open. With mirrored menu’s we knew the guests were not going to go thirsty. Whilst waiting for their liquid creations guests were treated to a home movie from Kat and JP’s past.
As the sun set outside the guests gathered around the dance floor to watch Kat and JP spin about the room in their fun-filled energetic style for their first dance.
From this point on dancing was a constant! The Arish Mel English Ceilidh Band had set up and then led a fantastically frenetic dance. With just enough time to catch their breath the guests were treated to an incredible DJ set from Jesse Baines.
I couldn’t help but notice that the DJ had set up behind a screen decorated with none other than a beautiful Kitty and Fox graphic painting. The happy couple and their guests cranked the dancing up a gear. There wasn’t a person in the castle without a huge grin on their face.
We took the opportunity to steal Kat and JP away into the fresh air outside and capture the gorgeous up lit castle at night
As we were leaving I noticed a detail that summed the day up for me. Sat on the cocktail bar, surrounded by laughing, dancing and drinking guests were a set of napkins, which were complete with a Kitty and Fox emblem. Such a fun-filled personalised Lulworth Castle wedding day.
You can see what Kat and JP thought of our Dorset documentary wedding photography services in their review of Lulworth Wedding Photographers.
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