Pirate Themed Wedding Photographs at Lulworth Castle Wedding Venue in Dorset
We love working as Lulworth Castle wedding photographers, this pirate themed wedding has to be seen to be believed! After meeting for their Durlston Country Park engagement photos we were excited to be photographing their wedding. You can see more of our Lulworth Castle wedding photographs here.
We arrived at The Lindens, a manor house in Lulworth on the morning of this fun and rum filled, pirate themed wedding. The bride and groom’s party’s were in the house. The bride’s confined to the upstairs large bedroom and the groom’s downstairs.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Bridal Preparation Photographs
Zoya has to be one of the most enthusiastic brides we have ever worked with. If she was not laughing, hugging or dancing she was bouncing about the room in excitement for the day ahead.
Upstairs in the main bedroom Tara Sanger make-up artist busily styled wedding make-up. The six bridesmaids were almost as effervescent as Zoya and merrily got on with their morning preparations while Laura Mackenzie worked her magic with wedding hair. The room was a buzz for the entire morning. JP scored some serious brownie points with floral gifts for the bridesmaids and a pile of presents for Zoya (it looked like Christmas!).
Downstairs Zoya’s sister had snuck out of the proceedings. We found her teaching wedding guests the dance moves required for a planned flash mob dance.
In the en suite bathroom hung a variety of dusty green bridesmaids dresses surrounding Zoya’s incredibly bridal gown. Zoya had chosen a gorgeous Charlotte Balbier Bridal 2017 sleeveless ball gown wedding dress (Untamed Love). This floral print work of art also included pockets!
To add into the mix Zoya also had an artist illustrate her white Converse trainers with scenes from the planned wedding.
With the bridesmaids now looking amazing in their green dresses they helped Zoya into her work of art. She emerged looking stunning. The colours of the dress and wedding flowers wonderfully reflecting the joy being felt by all.
Pirate Themed Wedding Groom Preparation Photographs
Quite soon after we arrived the Gents were quickly donning there kilts. Their look was completed with sporrans and traditional Jacobian shirts. JP also donned a long sword and Tartan sash. Once all the groomsmen were ready they all took the short walk to the Weld Arms Pub. They enjoyed a hearty breakfast, accompanied by Rum the Chow Chow. With bellies full and a quick toast to the groom they headed out on the final part of their journey another short walk up the drive to Lulworth Castle Wedding venue. A couple of the kilt wearing groomsmen couldn’t resist stopping for pictures in the stocks outside.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Venue Photographs
Inside the castle, the final touches to the pirate-themed wedding were being applied to this wonderful venue by Linen & Lace and Clair Lythgoe wedding florist. In the main hall way was a small pool of cork and paper sailships. The ship’s sails had the names of the guests on and would tell them where they would be sitting later (via the custom-illustrated pirate map)!
Clair Lythgoe herself describes the floral arrangements better than we could ever: “In the ceremony room, every chair along the aisle had a painted mason jar packed full of coral blooms & wispy foliage. In the dining room, floral centrepieces were packed with textured coastal foliage & floaty grasses. Plump white hydrangea, large coral peonies & peach roses were offset by blue thistles and wispy nigella heads. The finishing touches were trailing lime green amaranthus, mimicking seaweed, with lots more hanging driftwood with shells”.
JP and his groomsmen greeted guests as they arrived. JP met with the registrars, completed his interview, and took his place at the front of the ceremony room. Surrounded by exposed stone and brick he waited accompanied by his trusty dog Rum who was also sporting a kilt!
The bridesmaids and Zoya arrived in Lucy a powder blue an ivory VW van from Dorset Dub Hire. Tom from Mills Films was ready to capture this moment with his drone. Zoya made her way up the stone staircase at the front of the castle greeting her bridesmaids in the hallway.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Ceremony Photographs
The page boys and flower girl walked in carrying messages in front of them. The bridesmaids were next and were escorted down the aisle by the kilt wearing groomsmen. Finally Zoya made her own way down the aisle with the long train from her dress flowing behind her.
We were treated a heartfelt civil ceremony full of laughter, smiles and tears during which the wedding rings were produced in small barrel ring boxes. The couple made there promises and literally danced back down the aisle accompanied by applause and cheers from the guests.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Reception Photographs
We gathered the guests on the stairs armed with confetti which was launched into the air as the happy couple descended. After a number of group photos everyone walked through the rose garden to the rear of the castle where lawn games were played. They were invited to ‘Pimp their Prosecco’ while enjoying canapés supplied by Beale’s Gourmet catering.
Lulworth Castle Wedding Speeches Photographs
The guests were then instructed on how to find their pirate ship and take their places for the wedding breakfast. With everyone in place the happy couple danced their way into the room to rapturous applause and much cheering. JP gave a speech thanking everyone for making the day possible and did not forget to mention his new wife!
He gave her yet another present…. a personal megaphone!!! This was used to both comment on and heckle his speech. Other speeches took place in a ad hoc style during the wedding breakfast. As wedding photographers we really needed to be on point ready to capture images of said speeches. The final one turned into a flash mob dance routine! The finale to the speeches was delivered by two of the youngest guests. They had a message for the newly-weds written on the back of their boxer shorts. With a lift of their kilts were exposed to the bride and groom. At this point the entire room was in hysterics.
Pirate Themed Wedding Ceremony with Captain Jack Sparrow
After the wedding breakfast guests were invited back out onto the lawn for after dinner Rum and Cokes and were joined by Captain Jack Sparrow! Melo Sparrow, the UK’s no1 Captain jack lookalike was amazing, always in character and utterly convincing. Guests were encouraged to don Pirate hats, swords and pistols while drinking rum and cokes. The Bride and groom re-appeared both wearing incredible pirate outfits of their own.
After being paid with a huge gemstone Captain Jack conducted a Pirate ceremony under a driftwood archway on the lawns, overlooking the sea. Zoya and JP disarmed and read each other their pirate vows.
After much rum was drunk and sword fights a plenty Captain Jack posed with many of the guests for photos before rounding everyone up to come inside to cut the cake. From one side the wedding cake had coral coloured flowers running down the tiers and from the back looked like the front view of Lulworth castle itself created by Cake Luxe – Wedding Cake Design.
Pirate Themed Wedding Photographs – Cutting the Cake and Evening Entertainment
The cake was cut with a sword… of course! Zoya and JP shared the first slice before the rest of it was taken away to be cut up. All this had been going on while Captain Jack had been entertaining the guests and even serving them drinks (only rum). Click it’s Photo booth was being set up as The Cover Up band had been sound-checking on the stage.
Zoya and JP slipped away to get out of their pirate outfits and into something more comfortable. That is more suited to performing their first dance. With the guests gathered around the dance floor they performed a rehearsed routine in front of a huge Mr & Mrs illuminated sign from Dorset Giant Letters.
At the climax of the dance the new Mr and Mrs invited everyone to join them on the dance floor which almost everyone obliged. As the sun set over the Dorset countryside we left this amazing couple and guests dancing away to the sound of the wedding band.
After a day like this we can’t wait for our next Lulworth Castle Wedding. You can read Zoya and JP’s review of our Lulworth Castle wedding photography services here.
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