Smedmore House Wedding Photographers With Jenny & Chris

One of the advantages of being the recommended Smedmore House wedding photographers is that we get to meet lovely couples such as Jenny & Chris.

You may remember these guys from their engagement photoshoot at Swyre Head last autumn. On the edge of the Dorset coastline, we spent the spectacular evening’s sunset looking over The Smedmore estate, Kimmerage Bay, and out to sea. From that day we learned about their passion and love of photography as well as their love for each other.

Smedmore House Wedding Photographers Wedding Morning Photos

So it was with great excitement that we arrived early on a summer’s morning to find Smedmore house, a stately home wedding venue in its finest glory. Multi-coloured flowers and semi-tropical plans were out in bloom.

A large white marquee had been set up on front lawns by DP Marquees. We were greeted by the unusual sight of two chaps wrestling a large metal rocket and a huge fake wedding cake. Unsure quite what was going on we figured we would be sure to find out.

Documentary Wedding Photos Of Bridal Preparation

Inside the exquisitely preserved grade two listed building we found Jenny and the ladies. They were busy with bridal preparations in the master bedroom. Jenny (due to her amazing organisational abilities) was as cool as a cucumber, in a relaxed yet jovial mood. The girls whizzed about the bedrooms, steaming dresses and hanging them on coat stands. They all sported matching floral printed personalised pink silk dressing gowns. Which fit in perfectly with the grand location.

Squeezed into the area of natural light in the bay window Barnet and Boatrace applied their wedding makeup and hairstyling. All the time under the watchful eyes of the two mothers.

Jo’s Flower Workshop arrived with the wedding flowers. We hadn’t yet worked with Jo’s yet but had heard good things. They did not disappoint. It turned out they had been super busy. Amazing sprays of flowers were all over the venue.

The happy chatting, jokes and stories mixed with wedding morning champagne. Before they knew it the bridesmaids looked gorgeous in their teal bridesmaids’ dresses.

As Smedmore house wedding photographers we are aware of the advantages of the master bedroom. One such bonus is the ability to be able to peek down on arriving guests. Who were now walking across the grounds down to the tree-lined avenue. An opportunity the bridesmaids took full advantage of.

Still happy and calm it was now time for Jenny to be helped into her stunning white wedding dress. She descended the dark oak staircase to be greeted by her ecstatic father. Seeing her in all her bridal beauty for the first time that morning.

Groom Preparation Photographs

Meanwhile, in a different wing of the house, the chaps were getting themselves ready. When we say getting themselves ready, we mean exactly that. They had found that their pink cravats, pocket squares, and three-piece blue tailsuits were easier to put on each other. As opposed to fighting with their reflections in front of mirrors.

The chaps followed in Chris’ example of a stress-free groom. So much so the recovery from the busy preparation involved reclining into sofas with a bottle of beer in hand.

At Smedmore House wedding photographers know there is an option of an outdoor wedding ceremony. Should the English weather play ball. This does not actually happen as often as you think it might. But Jenny and Chris are definitely outdoor people.

Today the wonderful Smedmore estate team, Borrow The Moon wedding stylists and Jo’s flower workshop florist had outdone themselves. We were presented with an incredible sight. Chris now stood in the tree-lined grass avenue waiting for the arrival of his bride-to-be. The seated wedding guests enjoyed the framed view of the Dorset countryside, the sea, Kimmerage Bay, and the coastline meandering into the distance.

The ceremony set up was flanked with huge sprays of multicoloured flowers, attached to stone urns and milk churns.

A Dorset Countryside Outdoor Wedding Ceremony

With her father on her arm, Jenny’s bridesmaids led her down the aisle. The teal of their dresses offset the peach and oranges of their bouquets and the Father of The bride’s accessories perfectly.

We love our local Purbeck registrars. They consistently conduct wedding ceremonies with the perfect balance of duty, love, and laughter. Jenny and Chris’ wedding ceremony was no different. It had the added advantage of being outdoors, in a stunning location, with the summer sun warming all.

Both readings from guests and the couple’s wedding vows were set against the amazing view. Jenny and Chris’ faces exploded with smiles and laughter. It turns out the local wildlife decided to join in. As we later found out new life was being created with a calfing in the neighbouring field!

The newlyweds took a moment to breathe post-ceremony. They walked back down the aisle through a cloud of confetti. They led their guests back across the lawns like Hollywood stars with a huge entourage.

Back inside the house Jenny, Chris and their witnesses signed the register. Meanwhile, their guests enjoyed a drinks reception in the walled flower gardens. With champagne glasses in hand, the happy couple were welcomed with a standing ovation.

Smedmore House Wedding Photographers Capture Drinks Reception

Throughout the gardens, the noise levels rose. Wedding guests were now enjoying the lawn games, drinks, and canapes.

With one eye on the weather, we took the opportunity to shoot some group photographs against the flowers and semi-tropical plants. For couple photographs, we took a quick walk back down the tree-lined avenue and into a flower meadow in the summer sun.

This was the first time in the day Jenny and Chris had been alone in each other’s company. So we merely directed them from afar. This allowed us to capture some incredible natural images of them together.

Wedding Breakfast & Speeches Photographs in a Wedding Marquee

Back at the reception, the wedding breakfast had been announced. The guests filtered into the marquee. Flowers and foliage could be found everywhere, climbing the poles, framing the doorway, and all along the bench tables.

With yet another standing ovation, Jenny and Chris joined their wedding party. Claret Catering served the mouth-watering wedding breakfast as laughter, jokes, and stories were exchanged.

Whilst taking a ‘refuel’ break during wedding breakfast we like to be able to keep an eye on the proceedings. We noticed the best man and father of the bride tentatively reading through and practicing their speeches. This, it turns out was for good reason.

Jenny’s father led the proceedings. His physical speech included exaggerated poses and such passion that looked exhausting. Not only for him but judging by their belly laughs and tears for the rest of the guests too.

Chris’ speech although equally filled with laughter, left a few rolling their eyes. The two best men bounced off each other and given their knowledge of Chris he got off fairly lightly.

Wedding Evening Entertainment At Smedmore House

As the sun started to set outside everyone was given the chance to recover and relax. Competitive lawn games had been set up outside. Which were, of course, used by the ‘livelier’ guests as an opportunity for drinking games. Crazy golf surrounded the marquee. With obstacles such as giant letters, a fake wedding cake, and the final piece de resistance, a huge metal rocket. We now knew exactly what Bournemouth Crazy Golf Hire had been up to earlier that day.

Couple Photographs With Sunset By The Sea

We are in the habit of tracking the sunset opportunities, times, and positions before any wedding. So much to guests’ surprise we ‘kidnapped’ Jenny and Chris for 20 minutes. Driving them down to Kimmeridge Bay for a pretty spectacular sunset over the sea.

Wedding Evening Dancing Photos

In the dark of the evening, we got back in time for the first dance. Surrounded by family and friends they took to the small dancefloor. Starting as a slow shuffle the dance soon turned into singing and spinning as the guys showed off their skills. The guests needed absolutely no encouragement to join in. Squeezed into one end of the marquee they danced the night away.

Outside under the stars the smell of paella and hog roast drifted about on the cool air. Rob’s Filling Station offered the guests delicious subsidence and the ability to recharge their batteries for more dancing.

Before we departed into the night Jenny and Chris joined us outside the glowing marquee for some final couple photographs.

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

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