Smedmore House Wedding Photography With Alice And Giles

Jun 28, 2024 | Summer Weddings, Country House Wedding, Outdoor Wedding, Wedding Photography, Tipi Wedding, Wedding Photographers in Dorset, Wedding photographers in Swanage, Smedmore House Weddings

From New Forest Engagement Photography To Smedmore House Wedding Photography

You may remember Alice and Giles from their New Forest Engagement Photography. Today was the day that their grand plans for their Smedmore House wedding photography would come to fruition. If we could sum up their day in a short sentence it would be “A beautiful outdoors wedding full of tears, laughter, and epic dancing”!

A bride and groom walk hand in hand on a lush green lawn towards Smedmore House, a large, historic estate under a clear blue sky. The bride holds a bouquet of flowers and wears a long white veil.

Photographing A Wedding Morning At Smedmore House

Just down the road from our office is a gorgeous starly home and grounds. We simply love producing Smedmore House wedding photography. Murray and I arrived along the winding coastal road that leads into the Smedmore Estate in the bright early morning sunshine. The large orange triangles of the wedding tipis were immediately prominent. They were directly in front of the gorgeous stately home. Members of the wedding party whizzed about the place, taking morning runs, and transporting flowers and cases about the place.

We met the wonderful Phoebe (the exceptional wedding co-ordinator) from Clover and Fern weddings. She was as excited as ourselves about the day ahead.

Bridal Preparation Photography

Inside the bridal suite Alice and her lovely bridesmaids were in a relaxed jovial mood. They certainly knew what they were doing when it came to a tasty breakfast. They would need all the energy the could get for their later partying!

Alice Bray and Jas were already busy with the hair and makeup styling. They utilized the bright natural light streaming in through the windows. Alice was already familiar with me taking photos and the girls accepted me being there speedily. They were really relaxed having the camera around.

Alice is such a thoughtful, caring person. This became more and more obvious throughout the day. A serious amount of planning had gone into this wonderful day. The bridesmaids all received gifts from Alice and the bottles of morning fizz were merrily popped.

Alice’s mother added to the happiness of the morning, showing me the wedding dresses (yes two – one for formal and one for boogying in!). The girls were having such a fun time. When the flowers arrived from Dorset Flower Co. The florist showed Alice and her mother pictures of the outdoor flower displays. The emotions hit hard.

A bride and her mother and florist look at a smartphone together, laughing and smiling. the bride is is wearing a robe, another a sweater, and the third a sleeveless top. A dress hangs in the background. Black and white photo.

As Alice and her mother were the last two ladies in the hair and makeup chairs the bridesmaids donned the multi-coloured dresses. All looking particularly gorgeous. Finally, it was time for a now slightly nervous-looking Alice to get into her dress and everyone’s jaws hit the floor. In her simple but beautiful strapless white dress and veil, she looked incredible. The girls’ reactions almost had Alice in tears.

A bride sits in a chair, smiling, while a hairstylist works on her hair in a well-lit room with floral curtains and framed pictures on the wall. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement, as preparations for the Smedmore House wedding unfold. Photographed through three differnt coloured bridesmaids dresses.

A bride having her makeup applied is seen through the circular frame of an orange lampshade preparing meticulously for her wedding.

A bride in a white robe with feather cuffs sits with eyes closed, smiling and holding a person's hand, at a Smedmore House wedding. Two bridesmaids are in the background on a bed. The room is softly lit.

A bride is getting her makeup and hair done by two others, with several mirrors reflecting the scene.

A bride in a white strapless wedding dress and veil stands indoors, with her hands clasped taking deep calming breaths whilst looking at the ceiling. A bookshelf and framed portraits are visible in the background.

A bride in a white dress adjusts her veil while two bridesmaids in pink and green dresses assist, and another bridesmaid in a yellow dress adjusts her hair in the background.

A bride at a Smedmore House wedding smiles in a brightly lit room with two bridesmaids in the background. The image is in black and white.

Mum re-joined, also looking amazing in her purple number which co-ordinated with the girls. Then Dad arrived and this time the tears found their way out. After a quick makeup retouch, they descended the Smedmore House’s wooden staircase. I left them with 5 minutes to relax before the outdoor wedding ceremony.

A woman in a white bridal gown stands with her back to the camera at a Smedmore House bridal suite. The mother of the bride in a purple dress smiles at her, while a bridesmaid in a blue dress is visible in a mirror reflection.

Bridesmaids smile and laugh together in differently colored dresses with a bride in a white wedding dress and veil. The bride in white stands at the center, flanked by bridesmaid-style dresses on the others. A framed picture hangs on the wall behind them.

A bride in a wedding dress holds hands with father of the bride in a suit, both smiling. First look photograph, in a room with framed pictures and bookshelves. The elegant setting evokes the charm of a Smedmore House wedding.

A bride in a white dress stands in a long hallway at stately home, with framed pictures on the walls lit by natural light from a window at the end, capturing the essence of an elegant wedding.

Groom Preparation Photography

Meanwhile, downstairs in the grand lounge, Murray found Giles and the chaps in mid-preparation. Giles finished polishing off his shoes before helping his groomsmen with their ties. All of the time under the glow from the giant orange tipis on the lawns in front.

A groom sits on a couch polishing a black shoe, wearing a white dress shirt, blue vest, and pink socks. Sunlight filters through tall windows behind him, lighting up an elegantly furnished room - in preparation for the festivities at a Smedmore House wedding.

View through two window panes showing a row of orange tipis set up on a grassy field under a clear blue sky, perfect for a Smedmore House wedding.

With calm resolve, all the chaps finished getting ready. They then headed into the sunlight to walk to a local watering hole. They obviously knew that there would be quite some energy expended later as they refuelled in the sunshine.

A groom in formal attire and sunglasses walks on a rural road beside green fields under a blue sky, overlooking the Dorset coast.

A weddign guest wearing sunglasses and a suit with a pink tie is eating a sandwich outdoors on a sunny day. Two other people are partially visible in the background.

On their return to Smedmore they were treated to the view down the tree-lined avenue. The floral-lined aisle led to a wooden archway framing the coastline and sea beyond. Giles and the chaps got busy greeting the arriving guests, all delighted to be outside on such a glorious day.

A group of wedding guests walk on a grassy path towards a scenic outdoor wedding setup at Smedmore House, with chairs arranged and the ocean visible in the background on a sunny day.

Two men in suits stand on a lawn near the grand Smedmore House with its stone walls under a clear blue sky. One man adjusts the other's tie in front of two orange tipis, hinting at an elegant wedding setting.

Photos From An Outdoor, Seaside Wedding Ceremony

With Giles in front of the archway, the bridesmaids led the ladies down from the house to the aisle. They were followed by the bride’s mother and the page boy. Finally, Alice and her father appeared, beaming from ear to ear. The sight of his love was too much for Giles. He had to wipe away tears before the wedding could proceed.

A bride and her father walk down an outdoor aisle surrounded by guests towards an officiant with an ocean view in the background at a charming Smedmore House wedding. A bridesmaid in a yellow dress is walking to the left side. The focus is on the groom who is covering his face as he is crying.

Outside in the high contrast of the hot sun and cool shade the guests were treated to a heartwarming wedding ceremony. Alice’s mum read her lovely speech before the happy couple exchanged vows and rings. The final speech from a friend resulted in many more tears, this time from laughter and Alice and Giles were proclaimed husband and wife.

A bride and groom stand at the altar during a Smedmore House wedding, with guests seated on both sides, surrounded by greenery and overlooking a scenic ocean view.

A groom in a navy suit holds a microphone for the mother of the bride in a purple dress as she speaks at the Smedmore House wedding. A bride in a white dress stands to the side, smiling, outdoors in a garden setting with flowers and trees.

A bride and groom share a kiss under a floral arch at their Smedmore House wedding, surrounded by lush greenery and a serene body of water in the background. The bride wears a white dress and veil, while the groom is dressed in a dark suit.

A bride and groom kiss on a grassy aisle outdoors at a Smedmore House wedding, surrounded by trees, with the ocean visible in the background and guests seated in rows.

They led their nearest and dearest back up to the house where we quickly organised an ‘everyone’ group shot and a confetti tunnel. When asked how and why we managed to shoot this so quickly Murray came out with one of his pearls of wisdom (I shall start writing these down). “Never prevent a hot wedding party getting to their cold drinks”!

A group of smartly dressed wedding guests walk together outside on a sunny day, with trees and greenery surrounding them. The person in front carries a confetti basket.

Three large orange tipis with pointed tops are set up on a grassy field under a blue sky. A person is seated on a wooden bench in front of the tents.

Smedmore House Gardens Drinks Reception

He was right, the guests revelled in the cooling drinks reception located in the stunning walled garden at Smedmore House. A two-piece band from Truly Medley Deeply was stuck up. We let the guests enjoy the sun, drinks, canapes, and each other. Then, the MC called for the reception speech.

Wedding guests in formal attire are gathered outdoors on a sunny day, engaging in conversation at a gardens drinks reception. Bright yellow flowers are in the foreground.

This was the part of the day that Alice, being the ever-caring soul she is was able to thank all of her guests and express her love for her now husband. Again, there were floods of tears as well as laughter and toasts.

A bride is giving a speech in front of a crowd of wedding guests outdoors, and a purbeck stone country house wedding venue covered in greenery in the background.

A group of well-dressed wedding guests are smiling and cheering outdoors at wedding speeches. Some are holding drinks and wearing sunglasses. The focus is on a woman in red and the bride in the foreground.

A bride in a white dress speaks into a microphone outside at a wedding reception; a group of wedding guests, including a groom in a suit, attentively listen in the garden setting.

A group of wedding guests dressed in formal attire stand outdoors at a Smedmore House wedding, smiling and holding glasses. A woman in a pink hat and bright outfit is prominent in the foreground. Greenery is visible in the background.

With a few minutes to spare, we quickly took the formal group photos. We used the beautiful gardens as a backdrop. Then, we captured the couple alone.

After their engagement shoot Alice and Giles were no strangers to having their photos taken together. We pretty much asked them to take a little time out together – and the photos speak for themselves!

A bride and groom in wedding attire shares a kiss under a brick archway in the garden of Smedmore House, surrounded by various plants and flowers.

A bride and groom embrace closely, both smiling with closed eyes, in a black-and-white photograph with a dark background. The bride wears a veil and a strapless dress, and the groom is in a suit, capturing the intimate moment.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand through a garden with trees and flowers in the background at their Smedmore House wedding. The bride wears a white dress and veil, while the groom wears a blue suit and tie.

A Smedmore House wedding reception is unfolding on a manicured lawn in front of the large historic mansion. Guests are mingling and some are seated while the couple shares a kiss in the center.

The happy couple and the bridesmaids went back into the stately home for makeup touch-ups. Their guests filtered out of the garden and into the wedding tipis.

A Tipi Wedding Breakfast

A group of wedding guests in formal attire stand outdoors at a Smedmore House wedding, looking closely at the table plan. Flowers and plants are visible in the foreground.

The tipis had been beautifully decorated with flowers and candles everywhere. Fairy lights and candle flames even now penetrated the low warm orange light of the wonderful space.

At a charming tipi wedding, a wooden seating chart displayed in a tent, surrounded by flowers and greenery, indicates where guests are to be seated for the wedding. People are seated in wooden chairs in the background.

Like celebrities on the red carpet, Alice and Giles got a standing ovation at their wedding breakfast. They were also cooled by the ‘natural air conditioning’ of flailing napkins.

Wedding Speeches Photography

With a personal twist on tradition, the guests were treated to wedding speeches wrapped around each delicious course of their meal from Red Herring Catering. They were very well entertained!

A man in a suit speaks into a microphone and gestures while standing in a warmly lit, tipi wedding, with an audience seated in the foreground.

Alices’ Father and Giles took the first two spots, both having the crowd again in tears and fits of belly laughter. After starters, the bridesmaids took to ‘the stage’ and continued the hilarity with visual aids. A tough act to follow for the best men but they did not disappoint and struck that perfect balance of sentiment and hilarity without going too far!

Black and white photo of a tipi wedding reception where a bride and several guests listen attentively to the father of the bride in a suit speaking into a microphone.

Father of the bride in a suit, holding a microphone and smiling, stands in front of wedding guests inside a warmly lit tipi.

A groom in a suit gives a speech with a microphone at a tipi wedding breakfast. The wedding party sit at a table in front of him, smiling and laughing. The setting is decorated with lights and candles, creating a magical atmosphere.

Two bridesmaids with microphones stand in front of an audience inside a well-lit tipi adorned with fairy lights during their wedding speeches.

Black and white image of people seated at the top table in a tipi smiling and laughing. They wear formal attire. The bride is covering the grooms ears during wedding speeches.

Best men in suits, one holding a microphone and smiling, stand inside a tipi decorated with string lights during wedding speeches. One reads from a piece of paper while the other gestures towards the audience.

In another show of her caring side Alice had arranged for birthday cakes to be presented after deserts. Two of their guests were sharing their birthdays with the happy couple’s big day.

A group of people sit around a wedding table decorated with candles, flowers, and glassware during a wedding breakfast inside a tipi as a wedding guest blows out the candles on her birthday cake

Smedmore House Wedding Photography Of Evening Dancing

This is the point in the day that the Smedmore House wedding photography took a somewhat unexpected turn. Murry and I often find ourselves during the course of a wedding day wondering what the people we are photographing will be like on the dancefloor.

Will they be big dancers or not? Are they the type of people to get down and boogey or will they be reserved and leave us with an empty dancefloor? We should have guessed what was going to happen. Alice showed me her fancy outfit just for the evening’s dancing. But, still, you never know.

So, in this instance Alice and Giles set the standard, pulling out the shapes and lifts during their first dance. Then like something from a less violent Tarantino movie, it started. The smart, civilised, well-behaved people we had spent the day with went absolutely wild on the dancefloor!

Under the twinkling string lights inside a wedding tipi, a couple shares their first dance at their Smedmore House wedding, with other guests celebrating in the background.

A group of people in semi-formal attire are laughing and holding drinks at a lively wedding party with colorful lighting. A raised wine glass glows purple with the disco lights.

People are dancing at a lively tipi wedding with festive lighting. A woman in a purple dress is in the center.

It turns out this wedding party could and did party hard. And I mean really, really hard. We don’t remember there being an inch of empty dancefloor for the entire time that Truly Medley Deeply were playing.

A man plays a saxophone on a dimly lit stage with a wedding band. Blue lighting illuminates the background, and a hand holding a drink is visible in the foreground.

A woman in a blue suit dances and smiles among a crowd of people at a tipi wedding dancefloor, holding a drink under colorful lights.

Led by Alice and Giles’ infectious energy they pulled shapes, sang, waved span and limbo’d the evening away. All fuelled with delicious beverages from The Rolling Bars. As you can see from the energy in the photos it was a truly wonderful end to a truly wonderful day.