Poole Hotel Wedding at Harbour Heights, Dorset with Andy & Liska
The bright summer morning of Andy and Liska’s beach themed, Poole hotel wedding we headed through the hubbub of traffic and spectators of the Bournemouth Air show to Christchurch.
You can see more Harbour Heights Hotel wedding photographs on our blog.
Poole Hotel Wedding Bridal Preparation Photographs
At her family home I found Liska and her bridesmaids already whizzing about merrily preparing for the day ahead. The large open plan living space was perfect for hair and makeup styling around the naturally lit dining table.
Even pre-makeup Liska was looking particularly beautiful. As on many a wedding morning it seemed that time was moving faster than normal. Her bridesmaids were disappearing to change and arriving back to help the final touches (and champagne pouring) with their stunning sea-green dresses.
Liska’s father had transformed into an extremely dapper fellow, equipped with his speech, cigars and pocket watch. As the Beauford open top wedding car arrived outside, its chrome glistening in the sun. Liska was helped into her dress by her mother. Now backlit in her veil she literally took my breath away- stunning!
The bridesmaids left for the church in a stretched limo. Liska had a moment of calm with her father before a lovely drive through the greenery of the New Forest to her wedding.
Poole Hotel Wedding Groom Preparation
Meanwhile Andy and the chaps were preparing for his Poole Hotel wedding, once suited and booted (and dealing with the common conundrum of button holes) they headed into a local hostelry to calm their nerves.
Bournemouth Church Wedding Ceremony Photographs
We have worked at St Peters church in Bournemouth a few times now and the grandeur and detail of this building never fails to excite us. The traffic around Bournemouth meant that Liska’s arrival was ‘fashionably late’ and Andy was looking a little more nervous than usual on her arrival.
With a full choir and heartfelt speeches the service was wonderful to capture. The happy couple laughed and smiled throughout.
Outside the church we worked with the full summer sun to take the group photographs and have never seen such a large showering of colourful confetti.
After our last wedding at Harbour Heights Hotel we were very excited to be returning to this stunning wedding venue. On the way we took the opportunity to take some images (and let Andy and Liska relax together) on the hill overlooking Poole Harbour and Brownsea island.
Poole Hotel Wedding Reception Photographs
At Harbour Heights Hotel we were greeted with a red carpet and champagne reception. I was very glad to see that Mike Judd was the chosen toastmaster. We love working with him, he is so incredibly personal and professional. A wedding will always run so much smoother than normal with him in attendance.
Inside the Poole hotel wedding breakfast room I could see that the recent re-decoration had really paid off. The increased amount of light and space combined with the view made it a truly spectacular wedding venue.
A huge sandcastle cake with edible figurines of Andy and Liska lounging on deck chairs was presented alongside a tier of ‘ice cream’ cupcakes. The table map tied in beautifully with the beach theme. Place names hung from a distressed wooden oar sat above decking strips finished with a ‘welcome’ floatation ring.
Andy proudly told me that he had made with his own fair hands. One of the guests later informed me that her had been allowed to put a couple of screws in during the construction!
The guests enjoyed the Poole hotel wedding drinks reception in the sun with the fantastic view across the harbour. The meal and speeches went so well with the jovial and relaxed atmosphere of the day. Before the evening guests arrived we found time to pop down to the beach. Andy and Liska loved the opportunity to take a calming break and watch the sun set over Poole harbour.
Wedding Photographs on the Beach
Poole Hotel Wedding Evening Photographs
As the evening guests arrived the photo booth from Smileybooth opened and the guys cut their wedding cake. Liska did a brilliant job of throwing the wedding bouquet indoors, much to the delight of the scrabble of ladies vying to catch it.
The wedding band played the first dance as Andy and Liska swirled about the dance floor. The guests needed very little encouraging to join in. They were even supplied with beach themed flip-flops for those dancers tired of wearing heels.
The band placed some brilliant ‘knees up’ covers. It was still warm enough for the guests to sit outside under the stars with candles flickering away on the tables and the glow of Poole harbour in the background.
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