You may remember Claire and John as the fun-loving couple from their engagement shoot on Swanage beach with their gorgeous dog Sweep. We were very excited about creating some Swanage wedding photographs by the sea in the sunshine.
We joined John, his family and groomsmen at the family home in Dorset, overlooking the Corfe valley.
Swanage Wedding Groom Preparation Photographs
The chaps were exceptionally well organised and exceptionally well dressed, jovial but very serious about style John had chosen the designer label Mr Skinny for the chaps matching ties, bow ties and Handkerchiefs. A pair of Harrogate, handmade, double buckled Crocket and Jones shoes and a very fancy pocket watch finished the look. Outside the sun continued to shine. We re-created some hilarious family photographs from the chap’s childhood. Champagne was opened and we headed outside to use the natural light.
A quick drive up to Durlston castle wedding venue and the coastal views were breath-taking in the clear, sea air. Final touches were made to Polly from Blue Bay Events’ (one of our recommended Dorset wedding suppliers) decorations of the Wedding Gallery. The wedding planner extraordinare was also a guest and looked particularly gorgeous!
Sweep the dog arrived and seemed perfectly happy to now be wearing his own matching bow tie.
Swanage Wedding Ceremony Photographs
Guests were greeted and seated, including many a familiar local face. John looked a little nervous waiting at the head of the aisle with all of his friends and family sat behind him.
Outside a classic white Jaguar wedding car was winding its way through Durlston Country Park. Claire stepped out into the bright sunshine. She immediately radiated beauty with her wedding bouquet and floral headdress. The ever beautiful Cat Mutter Makeup Artist had again worked her wedding makeup magic on the wedding morning. Claire too looked a little nervous.
Nerves are a funny thing, an example of two negatives making a positive. Looking ethereal in the shafts of sunlight Claire seemed to drift down the aisle to the sounds of the wedding harpist. The moment that they caught each other’s eyes any tension was dispelled to be replaced by happy smiles and loving looks.
A truly uplifting wedding ceremony saw a reading from one of Claire’s bridesmaids. Sweep the dog on his best behaviour. From this point on I don’t think I saw John without a smile permanently upon his face.
Swanage Wedding Reception Photographs
After a speedy line up the newly-weds exited into the bright sunshine and a shower of confetti. The wedding guests were then treated to a drinks reception and canapés on the castle’s sun terrace, overlooking Old Harry, Bournemouth beaches and the Isle of Wight.
I have to say that Charlotte Trim Florist (one of our recommended wedding suppliers) had done an amazing job with the floral styling and particularly Claire’s white, yellow and blue wedding bouquet. We let the happily chatting group enjoy their food and drink and shot a series of group photographs. We then stole the happy couple away for a quick coastal walk. Their engagement shoot and the atmosphere of the day meant that Claire and John were exceptionally relaxed in front of the camera. This allowed us to capture some natural portraiture of the pair. That and it was the first time that the couple had had a chance to speak to each other all day!
Swanage Wedding Breakfast Photographs
Back at the castle the guests filtered into the wedding breakfast. Claire and John were greeted with a standing ovation and the wedding speeches commenced.
A room of over 100 people then spent the best part of forty minutes continuously laughing – they were hilarious. The best man even went as far as to create an ‘applause’ sign for some light-hearted embarrassment of the groom.
Swanage Wedding Evening Reception Photographs
Once they had a chance to get their breath back Seventh Wave Catering served a mouth-watering three course meal. The temperate weather meant that there was still time for guests to enjoy the stunning sea views before the cutting of the cake.
In the background the incredible kalakuta millionaires wedding band set up, horns, congas, guitars, drums, keyboard and even a Shekere were unpacked. We knew we were in for an entertaining evening.
Claire and John took to the dance floor for their first dance, shortly to be joined by Jon’s brother James who was seriously strutting his stuff. All of the guests followed suit.
The wedding band were incredible, the ten piece were so full of energy and really knew how to get a crowd dancing. In the now dimly lit Gallery, surrounded by having bodies we pushed our cameras to their limits.Outside the castle’s stone walls was a calming contrast. The stars were out and as I took a couple final shots of the party. Inside I could hear the sound of the sea gently lapping at the shore below. A fitting finish to a beautiful day.
You can now also see the highlights video here:
You can see what Claire & John thought of our documentary wedding photography service in their review of Durlston Castle wedding photographers.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks