Shell Bay Wedding Photographs With Lizzie & Rob

Lizzie and Rob first contacted us about their Shell Bay wedding in 2020. Since then we have kept up to date with their Plans. First, there was talk of a seaside resturant, then one of our favourite ancient stone churches.

The plot thickened as their plans developed. It was about the time they started mentioning museum piece wedding bus transport and romps through the sand dunes we knew this would be a uniquely incredible wedding day. It would also be the perfect fit for our all-inclusive, luxury wedding photography service.

Bridal Preparations At Knoll House Hotel

In the late summer sun, the Dorset countryside was teeming with life. Birds sang and swooped overhead. The wind blew fluffy white clouds through the cobalt sky, rocking the conifers surrounding Knoll House Hotel. The historic 1900s hotel sits on the Purbeck coast, overlooking Studland Bay. It was Lizzie’s venue of choice for her Shell Bay wedding day preparations.

Early in the morning, we found the girls busying themselves in one of the hotel’s grander rooms. On such a warm day they were blessed with not one but two balconies. These provided spectacular views overlooking the sea and the Purbeck countryside.

The bridesmaids, wearing matching dusty pink dressing gowns whizzed about the room in various states of preparation. We were pleased to see Elke and Caro from Amazing Face were busy with the girls wedding hair and makeup. Caro was utilizing the natural sunlight out on one of the balconies. Elke had positioned herself next to a large mirror inside the room.

 

Wedding attire and accessories were everywhere. Lizzie’s diamante detailed wedding dress (from The Wedding Room) and Jimmy Choo shoes could not be missed. They hung from a wardrobe and photo frame.

With confined inside space, we used all means at our disposal to capture the story of the wedding morning. Mirrors, windows, and even photos on the wall provided reflections. The views from and across the balconies were to die for.

Lizzie had chosen a wonderful team of local suppliers for her Shell Bay wedding morning. They are all used to working together, resulting in a stress-free flow. Charlie Trim, one of our favourite local wedding florists arrived. She carried what can only be described as sensory works of art. Bouquets of pink, purple and blue flowers were everywhere, filling the air with their wonderful scent.

Throughout the morning Lizzie was infectiously uplifting. Her sense of humour never failed to bring a smile to anyone’s face nearby. The relaxed, yet jovial vibe set the stage for the day ahead.

It never surprises us how fast time seems to flow during bridal preparations. Looking particularly stunning the bridesmaids had all donned their purple bridesmaids’ dresses. Each had a different design to suit. Lizzie stepped into her dress and her white veil was applied. She descended Knoll House Hotel stairs. Her bridesmaids barely holding back their emotions seeing her for the first time.

Outside the Hotel, in the hot summer sun, waited a stunning classic yellow open-top Daimler Fleetline bus. As classic wedding transport goes it was impressive. Many a head turned along the journey through the Purbeck countryside to Lady St Mary Church Wareham.

Groom Preparation Photographs By The Sea

Meanwhile, the chaps’ wedding morning was a little more sedate. Further Away from Shell Bay wedding venue Rob had chosen The Pines Hotel in Swanage to get ready for his big day. You could see why. The scene was tropical.

The summer sun blazed down on the cold beers the chaps were drinking. The view of the sandy beach and azure sea in the background of the garden was to die for.

Donning waistcoats and adjusting their ties took up most of their prep. There was still time for appreciating the view, drinking beers, and joking with each other. If Rob was nervous about the day ahead he certainly wasn’t displaying any outward signs.

The choice of three-piece blue wedding suits (from Brigdens) and maroon wedding ties perfectly complimented the wedding colour scheme. They left the Pines looking exceptionally dapper.

Wareham Church Wedding Ceremony Photos

Inside Lady St Mary Church historic Dorset church, Rob and his wedding guests patiently waited. A rare sight for Wareham as the bus pulled into the car park and the bridal party walked to the church.

This was the point at which Rob started to look a little nervous. His best men did a good job of keeping things jovial. Walked down the aisle by her father Lizzie’s smile grew and grew, supported by her beautiful bridesmaids.

The wedding ceremony was a wonderful mix of Christian ceremony and joyous singing. As Lizzie would have ordinarily been seated in the choir stalls the choir were raising the roof. As they said their marriage vows Lizzie and Rob could not help but beam at each other. They lifted everyone around with laughter.

Their first kiss was received with a round of applause that echoed around the church. After the blessing, they left as newlyweds back out into the bright summer sun.

Outside the church, there were hugs and kisses aplenty. We directed a few family group photographs and left for the next wedding venue.

Shell Bay Wedding Photographs in Studland

Shell Bay Restaurant not only supplies wonderful food and service but has a location to die for. Uniquely located on the edge of the Isle of Purbeck. It hugs the sandy coast overlooking Poole Harbour and Brownsea island surrounded by beaches, wetlands, and sand dunes.

Wedding guests started to filter into the restaurant as the yellow wedding bus arrived outside. The newlyweds were welcomed with a standing ovation. Next, the wedding party took in the views with drinks and canapes out on the balcony.

Bride and Groom Photographs On Studland Beach

Following some serious meeting and greeting Lizzie and Rob looked like they could do with 10 minutes away from the hustle and bustle to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

We stole them off into the nearby sand dunes and onto Studland beach for a little quiet time together whilst capturing some more intimate couple shots. By now they were so used to our presence that they seemed to have forgotten we were there. All the better for natural photographs.

Next, back inside Shell Bay wedding venue, a scrumptious wedding breakfast was served. The room suddenly went quiet – always a sign of great wedding food. Sure, enough the jovial vibe carried on through with many a guest joking about.

Shell Bay Wedding Speeches

As the sun started to dip over Poole Harbour the wedding speeches were called. First, Lizzie’s father had everyone in fits with some pretty bizarre props.

Rob’s love-filled speech had the guests mixed between tears and laughter. The two best men diagnosing Rob’s condition in their Doctors’ outfits resulted in so much laughter more tears were inevitable.

Outside the last glow of the sun came as it dipped below the horizon. It gave us all a pretty epic sunset, after which, vanishing to be replaced by a black star-filled sky.

An Evening At Shell Bay Wedding Venue In Dorset

Dorset wedding DJ Iggy had already set up and started the party on the dancefloor. We are never quite sure how busy the dancing will be after the first dance, but Iggy never disappoints.

Lizzie and Rob twirled around the glass-walled room together to be shortly joined by almost every guest. Then, some serious moves were shown off by adults and children alike. The guests spent the rest of the evening rotating between disco-lit dancefloor and star-lit balcony.

Would you like to see what Lizzie & Rob thought of their wedding photographs? You can see their review of our wedding services here.

 

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