Purbeck House Hotel Wedding Photographs
Last weekend we set out in glorious sunshine for Kathryn and Robin’s Purbeck House Hotel Wedding. Having met them a couple of times at their home on a local farm. We were excited by their plans for a countryside themed wedding.
Purbeck House Hotel Wedding Morning Preparations
I met Kathryn and her bridesmaids in the bridal suite at The Purbeck House Hotel. We love this local wedding venue in Swanage. Created by George Burt in 1879 this Victorian building was designed to imitate a feudal castle. To this day it maintains many of its original features (including the original tiled floor from the houses of Parliament). It has some of the most beautiful gardens in the area.
Kathryn’s dress was hidden away in a cupboard. It revealed its lace and diamanté detailing when the door opened, shimmering in the light. The girls quietly attended to their morning preparations. Every now and again pausing to appreciate the two vistas the room had to offer. To the north-east we looked across the rooftops of Swanage to the blue sea and white cliffs of the bay. To the south the view across the gardens revealed flowerbeds, trees and shrubs in their full summer colours.
The gorgeous blue and yellow wedding flowers sat on the bed. Charlotte Trim wedding florist had outdone herself combining the countryside theme and colour scheme.
The wedding hairdresser and make up artist diligently worked their way through the girls, styling them with spectacular skill. Kathryn remained an example of wedding morning calm as the room and people around her transformed for the day ahead.
Katheryn’s bridesmaid took center stage to practice her reading. I loved working the light in the high contrast room, bright natural light beaming in to the dark space from the small windows.
Kathryn presented gifts to her bridesmaids and they donned their stunning blue bridesmaid dresses.
With last touches to our bride’s hair and make up complete the girls helped her into her dress. She stood in the middle of the room looking breathtakingly beautiful. Again the contrasting light made for some evocative images of Kathryn leaving her room and descending The Purbeck House Hotel’s gorgeous wooden staircase.
A taxi ride to the wonderful village of Langton Matravers and Kathryn’s dad joined the girls for their tractor-trailer drive to St George’s Church.
Groom Preparation Photographs
Meanwhile, first thing on the wedding morning Murray met Robin and the groomsmen at home at on the farm.
The chaps were busy showing off their handwork. They had decorated a tractor and trailer with balloons and ribbons. Murray then used his many years of experience to demonstrate correct buttonhole application. The chaps followed suit!
For the groom most weddings in Murray’s home village begin in the local pub.This was to be no exception. Murray has mastered the unusually available light in the bar area. With wooden beams, brewery memorabilia and beer mats providing a detailed backdrop to the mornings activities. Unusually, everyone apart from the groom had a drink!
Outside St George’s church Robin’s mum could not hold back the tears. She gave him the loving hug only a mother could before he entered the church.
Dorset Country Church Wedding Ceremony Photographs
I arrived before the girls and found Robin pensively waiting down the aisle. I have to say that the girls looked amazing as the entered the church. Robin’s face was a mixture of relief, love and happiness as he saw Kathryn for the first time that day.
Old detailed buildings are a bit of a fascination for Murray and myself. The variation and intensity of textures, lines, patterns and lighting are rarely found in modern architecture. They are in abundance at a St George’s church wedding. We love to incorporate these features into our wedding photography.
Reverent Gaynor holds wonderful wedding ceremonies. This time incorporating a Toblerone and a Meerkat! Kathryn’s bridesmaid eloquently delivered her lovely reading and the newlyweds kissed to rapturous applause.
Outside in the bright sunshine we organised a confetti throwing along with a tunnel of pitch forks. Apparently this is a local farming tradition!
Bride and Groom In The Dorset Countryside
Robin and Kathryn had enough time to greet their guests with big hugs and kisses before heading up the road in their tractor and trailer. For couple shots a local farm field could not have been more perfect. Sat on straw bales the view of the Purbeck countryside and sea was mind-blowing. The happy couple’s dog even made an appearance in his smartest collar!
Wedding Tractor And Trailer Photographs
Now came a treat for the hundreds of holiday makers in Swanage Town centre. A tractor and wedding trailer winding its way through the one way system towards the Purbeck House Hotel wedding reception. As Murray joined them on route I waited at Purbeck House Hotel and could hear the cheers and applause from the high street!
Purbeck House Hotel Wedding Reception Photographs
Robin and Kathryn were greeted to their Purbeck House Hotel wedding with a glass of Bucks Fizz by the Toastmaster Tony and wedding co-ordinator Sarah Tones.
Outside in the colourful gardens the guests were entertained with giant Jenga, dominoes and a huge Connect 4. Drinks and canapés were served and those guests not playing games explored the gardens and took in the views. We managed to access a balcony room directly above the proceedings. From this aerial perspective took some images of the drinks reception and group photographs.
Purbeck House Hotel Wedding Breakfast Photographs
The toastmaster called for wedding breakfast and we were treated to the sights of the Garden Conservatory. Home-made bunting hung as far as the eye could see. Tables were decorated with home-made flower buttons and home-made place names. The products of Charlotte Trim florist’s skills finished off the theme. Even the beautiful table plan was made at home by Kathryn and her bridesmaids!
The home-made theme ran into the speeches. Robin described his farmhouse as akin to a workshop for wedding decorations. Robin had chosen two best men who had the wedding guests crying with laughter. Before they knew it wedding breakfast was served
With time to recover from the incredibly tasty food we stole Kathryn and Robin away from their guests. Using the varied and interest parts and buildings that the gardens had to offer the couple spent their first time alone together, making for some stunning images.
Back inside the Garden Conservatory the sweet table opened. Guests wrote messages on pieces of cloth that would eventually be stitched into a quilt. A wonderfully unique idea.
A ‘just married’ tractor and wedding countdown blocks added to the decoration and the ‘cutting of the cake’ was called.
Purbeck House Hotel Wedding Evening Reception Photos
An incredibly detailed home-made cake was enthusiastically cut and the evening guests started to arrive.
Robin and Katheryn had also booked a novel type of photo booth for their Purbeck House Hotel Wedding. Hello Sweat Pea have converted a retro style caravan into a photo booth. Complete with antiques and props which had us all in stitches.
Our toastmaster’s last task was to announce the first dance. As they twirled about the dance floor to Cordaline’s “The One” I could see more than just Robin’s mother with welling eyes. With many more couples and the bridesmaids busting out their favourite moves on the dance floor we left into the wonderful evening light. A fantastic Purbeck House Hotel wedding for a fantastic countryside couple.
You can see what Kathryn & Robin thought of our documentary wedding photography services in Dorset in their Purbeck House Hotel wedding photographers.
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