Dorset Wedding Photographs at Home in Swanage

Dorset Wedding Photographs of a Home Wedding

We originally met George and Lydia for a civilised cup of tea and cake to go through their wonderful Swanage wedding plans. After seeing the locations and suppliers they had chosen for their Dorset wedding photographs we couldn’t wait to shoot their big day.

On the day of the Swanage Folk Festival the town was filled with Morris dancers, people sporting feathered hats and bell laden walking sticks. As I parked my car I witnessed an event photographer snapping the gorgeous floral archway and sign pointing to the real event of the day, the wedding!

Dorset Wedding Photographs of Wedding Morning Preparations

I arrived at Lydia’s family home, through a garden of colourful pom-poms and fans to witness the incredible transformation. The sloped garden with its sea views had been completely changed into a garden wedding reception and wedding breakfast venue. Where there once lay a steep slope of lawn and flower beds there now stood an incredibly huge marquee, gorgeously decorated for the day ahead. At one end level with the ground, at the other raised some ten feet or more from terra. A truly impressive feat of engineering from Camelot Marquees.

Tor from Bloom Floristry was adding to the masses of stunning countryside wedding flowers on display. Pinks, purples and blue shades wonderfully complimented the colourful Chinese lanterns and contrasted the cream interior of the marquee.

As her parents buzzed about the garden seeing to the finishing touches I followed the ethereal sound of a harp emanating from the house and Lydia was to be found calmly having her hair styled inside.

I knew Lydia was in safe hands when I found Claire Bowring wedding Makeup Artist setting up downstairs. Lydia sat to have her makeup expertly styled. Now adorning a wonderful hair style and floral diamanté headpiece Lydia looked more like a serene elven princess than a bride to be!

In an adjacent bedroom the exited chatter and laughter of bridesmaids drew my attention. They were busily preparing themselves and donning their pastel blue bridesmaids dresses.

Carla Daniels from Cherry Catering had taken up residence in the family kitchen, already preparing the wedding food. The air was now a mixture of scrumptious food and floral scents. With these local suppliers I knew that we were in for an amazing day with equally amazing Dorset wedding photographs.

Lydia, sat still in a state of serenity with a wonderful bouquet of rustic country flowers on the bed next to her. In the background hung her elegant ivory wedding dress adorned with a blue sash.

Once all of the bridesmaids were ready and her cheeky flower girl had arrived it was time for Lydia’s mother to help her into her dress. She emerged to huge grins and I couldn’t blame her for spending a couple of minutes ‘checking herself out’ in a mirror. She looked breathtakingly beautiful.

Outside, Weddingwagens’ (one of our recommended Dorset wedding suppliers) “Betty” a gorgeous brown and yellow 1965 splitscreen VW wedding van waited to take Lydia and her father to church. A perfect addition to their Dorset wedding photographs.

Wedding Morning Photographs in Swanage with The Groom

Meanwhile Murray joined George, his best man, brother Will and Ushers at St Mary’s church in Swanage. Looking particularly dapper in tailed suits they had arrived in Will’s green Morris minor. They now stood welcomed wedding guests (once they had posed for photographs with the car!).

In the glorious sunshine the guests filtered in to the historic stone church. Before he knew it George was summoned to the front of the aisle.

Church Wedding Photographs in Swanage Dorset

Lydia and her father were greeted by the Bridesmaids. Waiting in anticipation George’s face looked very serious. He broke into a huge tearful grin at the sight of his gorgeous bride beaming back at him.

With wonderful readings from family and friends the congregation were treated to a tearful yet humorous wedding service with some classic ‘sing-along’ hymns. Never have we taken Dorset wedding photographs of a first kiss that lasted for quite so long.

The wedding guests gathered to shower the newlyweds (now both grinning from ear to ear) in confetti. After some quick group photographs George and Lydia departed in the split screen van to applause. 

I joined them for a little time alone in the sunshine and some photographs on ‘The Downs’. As George and Lydia held each other in silence overlooking Swanage bay, Harry’s Rocks and the Bournemouth coastline beyond I could only imagine the amazing mix of emotions they were both feeling. Whatever it was they both looked like they could burst with joy.

A Family Home Wedding in Swanage, Dorset

Murray Joined the wedding guests, now winding their way up the hill to Lydia’s parents’ house. They were greeted by a drinks reception in the sun accompanied by one of the bridesmaids playing the harp! Carla from Cherry Catering issued forth a plethora of drinks and tasty nibbles, keeping all of the guests happily chatting away and enjoying the sun. Children played, adults joked and laughter sounded from all around, the perfect home setting for Dorset wedding photographs.

 

Marquee Wedding Breakfast Photographs

The guests were asked to take their seats in the marquee and the newly weds were welcomed in to a standing ovation. By now the marquee had been adorned with wedding flowers as far as the eye could see.

The sun was shining in through the transparent end wall, backlighting the Chinese lanterns and making them look like they were glowing. Pick nick baskets of treats and bottles of wine sat ready for the opening. Not a single guest could have entered the marquee without being impressed by the three-tier Victoria sponge wedding cake from Love Cake Catering.

Carla from Cherry Catering had outdone herself once again and served a scrumptious wedding breakfast. We realised just how good the food was by the incredible silence that accompanied the elated consumption. This broke to riotous chatter and laughter before the amazing desserts from Love Cake Catering again warranted silent attention.

The wedding speeches couldn’t have come at a better time. Happy, well fed and lubricated guests were treated to heartfelt sentiment, tear jerking prose and hilarious anecdotes from Lydia’s father, husband and brother-in-law. All stood now backlit against low sunset lighting an unusual effect for Dorset wedding photographs.

Photographs of Wedding Speeches in Garden Marquee

Wedding Evening Photographs at Home in Dorset

As the sun dipped beyond the horizon and the stars appeared we helped light the outdoor lanterns. The bar from Camelot Marquees opened and the Chinese lanterns lent their colourful glow to those clearing the dance floor.

No Go Stop , a 12 piece wedding band from Bristol then took control of the dancing, of which there was plenty.

Lydia and George joined their guests on the dance floor. As they swirled about to the funky rhythms surrounded by their nearest and dearest we couldn’t help but join them in grinning from ear to ear.

This really had been the most fantastic day for the most fantastic couple for the most fantastic Dorset wedding photographs.

You can see what Lydia & George think about our all inclusive wedding photography services in their Dorset Wedding Photographers Review.

 

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