Swanage Wedding Photographers Capture an Incredible Wedding Day on the Dorset Coast
As Swanage wedding photographers, we have seen some amazing weddings in our time but this one blew us away! A wonderful same-sex wedding by the sea in Dorset. It had pirates, a helicopter ride, a lighthouse, a clifftop castle, the beach, a Victorian pier, antique arcades, cowboys, and Punch and Judy. Sounds made up doesn’t it? But, this was our fantastic wedding weekend in the summer sun. It was with the lovely Scott and Paul. Polly from Blue Bay Events, one of our recommended Dorset wedding suppliers, organised it.all
The night before Scott & Paul’s wedding they gathered close family and friends for a meal at The Canteen in Swanage. It was a chance for everyone to get together before the big day and catch up.
There was much to speculate as details of the wedding were being kept a secret. Even Cathy (Master of Ceremonies) was in the dark with regards to certain location details. The warm evening heat was just a sign of what was to come.
Morning Wedding Preparation at Anvil Point Lighthouse
Tom began his day with Paul at Anvil Point Lighthouse, in Durlston Country Park, up the hill from Swanage. After breakfast in the walled garden, under a cloudless sky, he began to get into his wedding attire. Paul soon looked the part in his blue suit. It had a long jacket and a deep ruby-red waistcoat.
Morning Preparation at Purbeck House Hotel
I found Scott at Purbeck House Hotel wedding venue, a favourite amongst Swanage Wedding Photographers. Here, he was getting ready with his brother Kial and some help from Cat Mutter. He too wore the same tailored blue suit with a long jacket and red waistcoat. The two grooms wore matching silver cuff links. Paul’s with a blue stone and Scott’s with a red.
Pier and Pirate Photographs On A Wedding Morning
Both chaps made their way in the glorious sunshine to Swanage’s Victorian pier. Here they met a group of local ‘Pirates’ (not the first time for these Swanage wedding photographers) and posed for some pictures with them. They strolled the pier. They found the plaque they had sponsored. It commemorated their big day.
The talented Sophie from Digital Bohemia joined us. Next, we witnessed Scott’s penchant for antique arcade games in the Pier Museum. We left them to relax on the seafront together, heading back to the guests at Purbeck House Hotel.
Purbeck House Hotel Wedding Ceremony Photographs
Wedding guests gathered for a pre-wedding drink at The Purbeck House Hotel. Just before the ceremony, they received the latest in a series of cryptic postcards from the grooms. This let them know the location for the reception at Durlston Castle wedding venue.
Scott and Paul made their promises to each other and were announced as husband and husband. There were few dry eyes in the room.
Paul’s sister played music on piano and then it was time for them to sign the register.
We utilised the lovely gardens at Purbeck House Hotel for some group shots. Then headed down to Swanage seafront. On the pedestrianised seafront road everybody gathered in front of the new beach huts. The wedding guests were then bussed off to Durlston Castle by South Coast Travel whilst Scott, Paul, and Tom were whisked away in a Taxi.
Durlston Castle Wedding Reception by Swanage Wedding Photographers
On arrival at Durlston Castle wedding venue, the guests were greeted with welcome cocktails. They enjoyed the coastal views out from Durlston Head.
In a local field, Tom and the chaps arrived at the wedding helicopter from Bliss Aviation. The new Mr & Mr were treated to an aerial tour of the Isle of Purbeck. They Flew over Corfe Castle, St Aldhelm’s head, Chapman’s Pool and Durlston Lighthouse. Further up the coast, they could see their guests gathered in the cliff-top gardens at Durlston Castle. A first when working as Swanage wedding photographers.
Back at the Castle, there was much anticipation of the arrival method. Whispers of them parachuting in or arriving on jet skis could be ruled out. It was revealed that they were above us in the helicopter. After a couple of flybys, they headed back towards the landing site at Godlingston Farm.
More cocktails and canapés were enjoyed by the guests. They were kept in further suspense with regard to the wedding breakfast decoration as all the shutters to the gallery were kept shut.
Durlston Castle Wedding Breakfast by Swanage Wedding Photographers
Scott and Paul returned from their flight and after greeting their guests outside ordered that the room could be revealed. Everyone took their places on the tables that were named after various female sitcom characters. The gents entered the room to the TV theme tune from Dallas. Above the top table, the guests were treated to a short video of ‘Scott and Paul’s Swanage’ complete with opening titles.
Red, white, and blue flower arrangements from Charlotte Trim Floristry adorned the tables. Above the top table were the cartoon faces that were Scott and Paul’s logos for the wedding. Scott and Paul had designed an incredible ‘wedding restaurant menu’.
Simply Gourmet Catering provided a mouth-watering wedding breakfast. After which everyone was invited upstairs to the Belvedere suite for the speeches. The team from The Wedding Crècherz was on hand to keep the kids entertained with face painting and other activities. After wedding speeches, a lot of laughter and tears Scott and Paul enjoyed a first dance surrounded by family and friends.
Evening entertainment at Durlston Castle
Meanwhile, unbeknown to the guests Perfectly Pretty Wedding & Events were busily changing the gallery around with a barn dance theme complete with hay bales, American Flags, and a band. Even the cartoon logos had swapped top hats for cowboy hats and neckerchiefs. The grooms returned donning authentic cowboy attire including leather cowboy hats down to real cowboy boots. They opened the shutter doors to reveal the room’s transformation. They too were greeted by their guests in a change of outfit.
Soon everyone was enjoying the line dancing and outside on the deck a bucking bronco from Scooby Crew.
Sunday After Party BBQ by Swanage Wedding Photographers
The following day was a scorcher. We arrived to find Scott and Paul AKA the ‘Bucoones’ in the walled garden at Anvil Point Lighthouse Cottages.
Blue and white deck chairs with tables were arranged on the lawn with many of the wedding decorations. The newlyweds, friends, and family were treated to an amazing BBQ.
They enjoyed lawn games and drinks in the sunshine. A hilarious Punch and Judy show from Professor Joe brought the day to a close. We left Scott and Paul saying farewell to guests who had enjoyed a relaxed afternoon in the sun.
We shoot many same-sex weddings in Dorset. It is a special pleasure to be able to share this wonderful couple’s wedding photographs.
You can also read what Paul and Scott wrote about our Dorset wedding photography services in our wedding photographer reviews.
Looking for a Durlston Castle wedding photographer?
