After spending time with Anna and Sam earlier in the year we had been excitedly looking forward to creating their Purbeck castle wedding photographs. Their big day came about as part of their roller coaster ride love story, only typically read about in romance novels. Their wedding day was so very full of emotion, tears and joy. It was also full of shoes!
In one day we say four pairs of bridal shoes from Irregular Choice and Disney, a variety of designer bridesmaids shoes, a Refinerii Bridal custom metal sculptured bridal bouquet with matching buttonholes. Add into the mix hand made sea side themed decorations, a classic VW wedding camper-van, a retro Purbeck Ice Cream van, the finest hog roast in Dorset and the Viscounts wedding band. Stir in a variety of weather and lovely group of people at a Dorset castle overlooking the sea and you have the perfect wedding recipe.
Bridal Morning Preparation Photographs In Swanage
We found Anna brighting the wedding preparation venue herself, laughing and joking with with her parents and bridesmaids just a short distance from our office in Swanage. The amazing Jenny D was on hand to unsure everyone’s makeup and hair looked wedding perfect. Tom noticed that Anna’s positivity and enthusiasm was infectious, at one point her son (and grooms man even looked up from his computer game to laugh at a joke!).
The bridesmaids wore long navy blue dresses and had lanterns full of seashells to carry. When ready it was time to help Anna with her wedding dress (with a can opener of all things!).
With Anna now almost wedding ready the bridesmaids left in the gorgeous VW Camper from Dorset Dubhire. A long veil and custom metal bouquet were the final details to Anna’s outfit.
Groom Preparations At Durlston Castle Wedding Venue
Meanwhile at Durlston Castle I awaited the arrival of the groom. I had time to check out the gallery space which had been decorated for the wedding breakfast. A seaside theme was clear with a beach hut cards box and handmade sea shell centerpieces.
Sam and his best man arrived and their custom metallic buttonholes were fastened to their blue suit jackets.
He made his way to the Belvedere room to merrily greet guests. Sam then quietly await the arrival of his bride overlooking the sea.
Purbeck Castle Wedding Photographs Of Civil Ceremony
Anna was led by her bridesmaids and escorted by her father. She couldn’t resist a little dance with her father as they made their way from the front to the rear of the castle. When they appeared on the walkway guests could see her coming with her veil catching in the breeze.
Inside the Belvedere Suite at Durlston Castle Anna and Sam stood facing each other holding hands as they made their promises. After a coloured sand ceremony the happy couple had their first kiss (with many, many more to follow).
The clouds darkened and rain fell as we took the newly weds down to Swanage Pier. Amongst the neoprene clad divers and day trippers we took a gentle stroll along the wooden Victorian pier. The happy couple even got onto the Swanage to Poole ferry for a quick photo op!
Back at Durlston castle the wedding guests had armed themselves with confetti. This rained down on the new Mr and Mrs out the front of the castle. Next everyone descended to the gallery for the speeches and wedding breakfast.
Documentary Wedding Photographs Of Speeches And Wedding Breakfast
Sam went first with his speech. He thanked everyone for coming and did not forget to mention his new wife on several occasions. Next up Anna had many words of thanks.
To complete the speeches was the best man. His speech was full of jokes that had the guests rolling in the aisles.
Everyone enjoyed an afternoon tea style wedding breakfast from Bliss catering. Many headed outside into the afternoon sun and it was time for yet another change of shoes for the bride. Purbeck ice cream was served by English Vintage Summer as the children and bigger children enjoyed a host of garden games. A hog was attentively roasted by James from the The Salt Pig as the sun set behind the castle. Before the daylight disappeared we took Anna and Sam down to the Victorian stone globe that sits below the gallery garden.
Purbeck Castle Wedding Photographs – First Dance And Evening Entertainment
On returning to the gallery evening guests had arrived and the hog was served. It was then time for the first dance. 
Now we knew that both Anna and Sam had practised this quite a bit and all the practice defiantly paid off. They took up starting positions either side of the dance floor. The music began and they carried out their choreographed dance routine as the surrounding guests watched. The routine climax left the happy couple sharing an embrace and being applauded by all.
Sure enough they were soon joined by many of the guests. Wedding band The Viscounts kept the party going. We saw many (not quite so well choreographed) dance moves under the disco lights.
Before leaving we took Anna and Sam back down to the stone globe in the dark. I’m sure they thought we were a little crazy but we had one more image to capture before leaving them to their evening.
Looking for Dorset castle wedding photographers?
