A Prequel To Mirimar Hotel Wedding Photos
Rachel and Graham's Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos come with a story, that explains a little about their love story and a lot about the theme for their wedding day in Poole and Bournemouth.
Story Time - "How The Diver And The Mermaid Fell In Love"
Once upon a time, on the most southern shores of an island kingdom, lived a diver. The diver, who very much loved the sea, used to have all kinds of adventures in the navy. Little did he know that his biggest adventure was yet to come. One day, while out diving in the deep blue sea, he came across a beautiful mermaid. The mermaid was busy looking after the ocean floor and all of the animals that lived there. As the mermaid swam up to the diver and they caught each other’s gaze and fell head over heels in love.
They decided to live together in a loving home by the sea. For ten long years, they had many, many exciting adventures together. One day, the diver hatched a wonderful plan. He called upon the mermaid's father and asked for his permission to ask for her hand in marriage.
Well, that’s not quite how it went, but there are some lovely truths in there. The Diver and the Mermaid are none other than Rachel and Graham, who you may remember from their incredible sunrise engagement photo session on Sandbanks Beach.
The Story Of These Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos
On a bright, sunny Saturday morning, Murray and I took the ferry over to Sandbanks. The early morning joggers were already busy running around the harbour. The sun had certainly brought life out.
Bridal Preparation Photographs In Sandbanks, Poole
We arrived at Blu Hairdressers in Canford Cliffs. Nestled into a salon chair, Rachel was putting the final touches to her wedding hair styling, and it was not yet 9 am! She was in good company, merrily joking with her sister Emily and best friend Jess. It was wonderful to see Emily again. We had photographed her previously at her Italian Villa wedding in Poole.
Once Murray had left to join Graham and the chaps in Bournemouth it was lovely to see another familiar face, Rachel & Emily’s mother. She quietly kept an eye on the proceedings, helping to make sure everything went to plan.
The Joys Of A Hair Salon
Some wedding photographers avoid hair salons on wedding mornings. The salons are so busy and cramped with many mirrors. However, we have always found the staff to be very accommodating. We can use the mirrors for many photos that would be impossible otherwise. In short, we love it! It was a wonderful start to these Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos.
The jokes and laughter continued. Then, Jess's baby Bea woke for a feed. She seemed almost as happy as Rachel was!
The stylists added diamante decorations and the silver and jewelled hair pieces. The girls added their own necklaces and earrings, all with sentimental meaning.
Mum took a chocolate croissant trip to keep the girls nourished as Matt hairdresser working his magic.
The Start Of A Recurring Theme
As the salon was a personal favourite of the family, I wanted to capture it as it is located on the street. I did not know that photographing it through the green leaves of some flowers on the other side of the road would be the start of a recurring theme for the day!
With their wedding hair now styled and set and accessories firmly pinned in place, Rachel's veil was added.
Not only was the girl's mum working as a wedding organiser and personal shopper, but also as a taxi! We took ‘Mum’s cab’ back to the family home in Sandbanks.
Bridal Preparation Photographs At The Family Home
Inside Dad was busy running around with a vacuum. Beautiful wedding bouquets from Penn Hill Flowers sat in the kitchen. The white roses and green foliage added a wonderful scent to the warm air. We would later see a huge matching table spray at The Miramar in Bournemouth.
The ladies ran from room to room in a flurry. They added last-minute jewelry and helped each other put it on.
A Stunning Wedding Dress For A Stunning Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos
Upstairs I found Rachel’s wedding dress, aptly hanging in her childhood bedroom. This stunning A-line lace detailed creation from Pascali Bridal Boutique glowed in the sunlight streaming in through the window. They had even been kind enough to create a unique jellyfish bag from spare material – right on theme!
Rachel and Jess added their makeup in the bathroom. Before she knew it, it was time for Rachel to be helped into her wedding dress.
Downstairs mum had been busy and reappeared looking gorgeous in her blue patterned dress, white jacket, and stunning blue hat. She was certainly in keeping with the maritime theme. Meanwhile, Emily and Jess had put back on their blue bridesmaids dresses. They looked stunning.
Jess helped Rachel into her wedding dress as the hot sunlight streamed into bedroom. At the same time, downstairs Dad helped his grandchild into his wedding outfit.
Wedding Transport & Relaxing In The Sunshine
The wedding car arrived outside, the perfect choice of wedding transport to fit into the Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos. The Vintage Bramwith Convertible from Premier Carriage looked at home on the driveway. It was ready to carry the bridal party.
Now ready and in his tailsuit with top hat Dad broke into tears upon seeing his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time (he wasn’t the only one crying!). I don’t blame him, because she looked utterly stunning. There were therefore tears and hugs all around.
The wedding car took mum, page boy, and bridesmaids off to the church. Then, Rachel enjoyed some calm father/daughter time. They warmed up in the hot sun outside their family home.
Upon its return, I joined Rachel and her father in the wedding car for the drive through sandbanks to the church. En route, Rachel enjoyed a mass of congratulations from passers-by enjoying the weekend's sun by the sea.
Speedy Groom Preparation Photos At The Miramar In Bournemouth
Meanwhile, Murray was busy capturing Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos at the Miramar Hotel, which stands prominent on the clifftops overlooking the sea. The sun was shining bright. Therefore, the red brick building contrasted beautifully with the blue skies above Bournemouth.
The last time we worked at a Bournemouth Hotel, we were at a wedding at The Green House Hotel in Bournemouth during lockdown restrictions and very heavy rain. Today was very, very different.
The Miramar Hotel has had a major refurbishment since last we worked a wedding there, pre-pandemic. The beautiful family-owned country house hotel offers all of the comfort and elegance of an Edwardian Manor. Additionally, it sits in such a stunning location.
Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos Of Marine Themed Details And Decorations
Murray then checked out the main wedding breakfast room in The Miramar, which had been set up the night before. In keeping with the wedding day’s marine theme, each table was adorned with crochet sea animal centerpieces. Most of which we had seen pictures of from Rachel as she hand-crafted them prior to the wedding! Mum had also let me know she made the starfish!
There were puffer fish, seahorses, jellyfish, sharks, rays, crabs, and whales. And of course a mermaid and a diver!
In amongst the tables, the card box was (of course!) a treasure chest. Dive helmets, marine wildlife, and Graham's military hat, and sword surrounded it.
Wedding Morning Photos In The Miramar's Bridal Suite
Inside the Miramar's bridal suite, Graham was in a seemingly relaxed/ horizontal mood on the huge, comfy bed. He donned his suit and tie, occasionally stopping to appreciate the amazing views, all enhanced by the sunshine.
Now suited and booted, he met his groomsmen downstairs in the hotel lobby. They headed out into the bright sunlight to check the church.
Church Wedding Ceremony Photographs In Poole
We have many fond memories of working at the Church of the Transfiguration in Sandbanks, Poole. None more so than at Rachel's sister’s wedding. For a church, it is a wonderfully large and bright space.
Today the vicar was kind enough to allow myself and Harry Fynn from Harry’s Wedding Films to hide within the choir stalls during the ceremony. Meanwhile, Murray could cover proceedings from the rear of the church.
The dapper groomsmen greeted the arriving guests and ushered them to their seats. Rachel, her father and I arrived. And I found Graham taking some deep breaths at the head of the aisle as Rachel waited patiently in the sun outside.
An Emotion Packed Wedding Ceremony
The vicar sprang into action. The wedding party was treated to an uplifting Christian wedding ceremony with some cracking hymns. There were many laughs and tears shared by the guests as emotional, loving moments hit home.
Graham’s sister glowed in a solitary sunbeam as she performed her reading to the church. With more hymns (and tears), the happy couple sealed the deal with their first kiss and signed the register.
Rachel and Graham then led the congregation out into the hot sun outside, where the wedding car lay in wait.
With guests surrounding them in the church gardens, we quickly whipped through the group photographs. Murray and I parted company once more. As I hopped back into the wedding car he accompanied the guests, driving to The Miramar in Bournemouth. The ability to capture a wedding in two different places at once is yet another advantage to hiring two wedding photographers.
Wedding Couple Photographs On Sandbanks Beach
Meanwhile, we were able to stop the car in Sandbanks. This allowed me to capture the happy couple walking back to ‘Rachels Beach’. The location where we had taken their sunrise engagement photographs. What a difference the high, bright sun made. The soft, bold orange and red light had been replaced with the bright yellows of the sand and blues of the sky and sea.
The happy couple were congratulated by all of the beach-goers during a quick walk along the shoreline. We then drove on to the Miramar in Bournemouth.
Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos Of The Drinks Reception
The classic wedding car was greeted with a red carpet and a standing ovation from the guests. They'd already been enjoying a drinks reception in the sun.
The Miramar had a luxurious tropical feel to it. The wedding party could look out over manicured lawns, flowers, and palms at the bright blue sea and sky.
Everyone enjoyed this, with drinks and canapes in hand. As passers-by informed us the laughter and chatter could be heard down the road!
With time to spare, we utilised the bridal suite balcony for a large group shot and photographs of the happy couple on the lawns together. The Miramar’s giant wooden LOVE letters in the background.
Documenting The Miramar Wedding Breakfast Photos
Guests were next called into the garden suite and were amazed by all of the personal decorations. Standing proud at one end of the room was the wedding cake. The ever-amazing Kerry from Kerry’s Cakes had crafted a work of art. It was a four-tier, multi-flavored, seaside-themed wedding cake. The blue and white iced tiers were decorated with some very real-looking sugar shells and sand!
The jovial mood had certainly moved inside. The happy chatter was only quelled by the Miramar serving a mouthwatering three-course meal. Much to the guests' delight. If not at their tables they were to be found enjoying yet more sunshine out in the private garden or perusing the many ocean-themed decorations.
Rachel and Graham cut their wedding cake with Graham’s military sword and after dessert the wedding speeches began.
Hilarious Wedding Speeches Photos
Up first Rachel's father delivered a speech that was a rollercoaster of emotions. At one point, everyone, including ourselves, was shedding tears. The love within the room was tangible to all.
Next to take the microphone was Graham. He immediately had the room in stitches. He did this by starting his wedding speech in a Chewbacca mask. It was Star Wars Day, after all. With more laughter and tears the groomsmen celebrated with glowing lightsabres.
Finishing off the speeches Graham's two best men had stories from Graham's past that saw the entire room curled over with laughter. A certain mental image still hasn’t left us to this day!
Miramar Hotel Wedding Photos In The Evening
As guests filtered back out into the bar and gardens, the room was turned around for the evening reception. Brian and his team are truly the oil that keeps the cogs of Miramar weddings running smoothly. Always in the background with a helping hand when needed.
Wedding Dancing And A Photo To Wrap Up The Day
Blake from Coastal Discos had already set up behind a set of curtains. These were pulled back to reveal the dance floor.
In front of their nearest and dearest, the happy couple took each other’s hands. They then twirled about the room to their chosen first dance music. It wasn’t long before guests joined them to boogey the night away.
As we previously mentioned, we had noticed a theme of palm trees and green grasses that day. So, we stole the happy couple away for a photo on their balcony, through one of The Miramar’s Garden palms. Then, we left them to get back to the dancing.