New Forest Wedding Photographs with Phil and Fern
Remember Phil and Fern’s countryside engagement shoot from last year? At last their much-anticipated cottage garden theme wedding day at Rhinefield House Hotel had arrived.
Rhinefield House is one of our favourite venues to create New Forest wedding photographs. A stately house located in stunning grounds bang in the middle of the gorgeous forest has such massive potential for beautiful New Forest wedding photographs.
Arriving early on the Saturday morning we made sure we had plenty of time to walk around the grounds and ‘get our eye in, for the New Forest wedding photographs ahead. Landscaped gardens, walkways, statues, water features and the huge maze allowed us to warm up our photographic skills.
You can see more of our Rhinefield House wedding photographs on our New Forest Wedding photographers blog.
Rhinefield House Hotel Bridal Preparations
I met with Fern and the ladies in one of the Hotels gorgeous apartments. An air of hustle and bustle had already been created. Wedding makeup was applied and hair styled by the bright windows as the girls excitedly chatted, exchanged cards and presents.
As her bridesmaids rallied around her with nibbles and champagne Fern remained relatively calm. We were all keeping an eye on the weather as great feature of Rhinefield House is the option for indoor or outdoor wedding ceremonies. The sideways rain outside meant that an indoor ceremony was on the cards, even if it cleared the wet ground would not be friendly to wedding heels. With either choice a couple is guaranteed beautiful New Forest wedding photographs.
In the bedroom the cornflower blue bridesmaid dresses by Frances “Calm Amongst The Chaos” were laid out ready with matching bags and shoes. Ferns Bella Belle ‘Dawn Blue’ Wedding Shoes with Crystal Vine Applique Beading stole the show until I noticed her wedding dress hanging from the wardrobe.
New Forest Wedding Photographs
Meanwhile Murray joined Phil and the chaps who were relaxing in the Lounge Bar. Phil is one of the naturally happiest men I have ever met but his sunny disposition didn’t stop him checking and re-checking that he did in fact have the wedding rings in his pocket.
Rhinefield House Wedding Ceremony Photographs
The fabulous sting trio “Abbey Strings”, stuck up and the beautiful ladies in blue led Fern and her father down the aisle. The wedding guests were treated to a heartfelt ceremony and readings filled with excited laughter and loving smiles.
New Forest Wedding Photographs of Married Couple
We could hear the guests enjoyed drinks reception and canapés from the garden. Happy chatting and laughter mixed with children playing whilst the babies of the group took their morning nap.
With Mike on board we quickly organised and shot the group photographs in the cold outside, making sure we kept everyone as warm (and hydrated) as possible.
Phil and Fern were keen to take a walk around Rhinefield House’s grounds. The blue rusty gates, ornamental canals, fountains, clipped yews, parterre and tree-lined paths always make for amazing New Forest wedding photographs.
Rhinefield House Wedding Breakfast Photographs
All credit to Rhinefield House’s staff and Mike Judd’s organisational skills. The Grand Hall was turned around in record time, with more stunning countryside flowers from Exclusively Weddings adorning the wedding breakfast tables. Each table also housed a small bottle of Phil’s home made wine and egg place names from Phil and Ferns very own chickens!
At the head of the room, under the garden window stood the impressive four tier blue soap wedding cake! Made by The Yorkshire Soap Company this was a fantastic idea of combining wedding cake and wedding favours into one.
The table plan included hand drawn place settings corresponding to each table’s bird boxes, adorned with pressed countryside flowers.
The greeting line (under the guidance of Mike Judd) saw the guests seated for wedding breakfast and the children’s entertainers “Buttons” had set up in the adjoining room. Another genius idea from the happy couple.
New Forest Wedding Photographs of Speeches
Once everyone was well fed and watered we worked around the restricted lighting of The Great Hall for the speeches. Phil revealed his hilarious formula for remembering his wedding anniversary. His brother did a wonderful job not only of embarrassing but making his guests love him even more with a compilation of home videos and photographs.
Rhinefield House Wedding Evening Reception Photos
The fabulous jazz style The Blue Mojitos wedding band had set up and Mike announced the first dance. Fern and Phil would be the first to tell you that they ‘aren’t dancers’ but the way they swirled about the dance floor you wouldn’t know- still both grinning wildly on the best day of their lives!
You can see what Gemma & Jonny think of our New Forest wedding photography service in their Rhinefield House wedding photographers review.
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