Village Hall Wedding Photographs – A Week Early
So there we were with two weeks to go. Excited about capturing Pippa and Christopher’s village hall wedding photographs.
Then the Government threw yet another spanner in the works. This wonderful couple replanned their wedding excluding a huge number of their nearest and dearest. Therefore, they had to half their numbers again. Our hearts hurt for them. From a hundred to thirty and now to fifteen wedding guests!
A similar story to our last wedding at Corfe Castle, where what was once considered ‘normal’ for a wedding was anything but.
We later found out that Pippa’s mum had said it– “why don’t you bring it forward a week and continue with thirty?” From that moment on things were a changing and with many phone calls. So an entire wedding was then moved, last-minute by a week, venue, ceremony, suppliers, guests and all! And what a wonderful wedding it was.
As it turns out they had also swapped heavy rain and winds for beautiful warm sunshine.
Dorest Bridal Morning Photographs
I arrived at Pippa’s family home in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset to find the girls merrily getting ready. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen quite so much laughter on a wedding morning. I soon realised that this was not unusual- it carried on all day.
Pippa was beaming. As we said in their Harry’s Rocks Engagement Shoot post these guys are true love birds. They are always in such a positive mood.
In the kitchen, Pippa mum was perfecting her mothering. There was not a dry mouth or empty stomach as the bridesmaids and flower girls styled their hair and makeup.
In the bright garden room, I then found the ever-talented Mel from Bournemouth Bridal Hair & Makeup. She always brings an extra upbeat vibe to a wedding morning. Pippa’s stunning, detailed Maggie Soterro wedding dress hung in the background. Fortunately, on a day with movement restrictions, mirrors were abundant.
As Pippa had her hair and makeup styled her BMs swapped their green dressing gowns for soft mint bridesmaids dresses and dusty pink shawls. The colour combination works so well in village hall wedding photographs.
Her cheeky flower girl next showed off her magical talents and donned her little white number.
Outside Pippa’s father had been prepping his stunning Type 2 Landrover with ribbons. It was then shortly joined by Lulu, the 1960 split-screen VW camper from Dorset Dubhire. What a stunning pair they made at the front of the house.
Before she knew it Pippa was into her dress, her flowers arrived and it was time to descend the stairs to leave.
Documentary Groom Preparation Photographs
Meanwhile, over in Blandford, Murray met up with Christopher and the groomsmen.
Again the positive mood was infectious. Christopher very rarely stops smiling. The chaps went from casual loungewear to ultra-smart three-piece tails in what seemed like the blink of an eye.
Penguin socks were the order of the day. Christopher was even sporting some custom engraved metal cufflinks and looked incredibly dapper in his suit.
After that, there was time for a jaunt to the local pub before heading on to St Mary’s church in Lytchett to welcome the arriving guests.
A COVID-safe Church Wedding Ceremony
St Mary’s Church is a gorgeous 11th-century stone church built in the Dorset countryside. It’s such a wonderful venue to precede any rural village hall wedding photographs. It was still a little odd to see people wearing facemasks in the church (due to the COVID restrictions). More, because we knew they were all smiling and joking but we couldn’t see it.
With everyone seated, the Vicar welcomed the bridesmaids in Lulu.
Pippa’s father had driven her in his Landrover and they arrived in the last of the summer sun with the top down.
Inside the church, Christopher did not have to wear a mask. This was the only time we had ever seen him not smiling. After the chatting finished he took a few deep breaths to calm his nerves.
Documentary Wedding Photographs In Church
The Vicar was lovely and allowed Murray and I to position ourselves at either end of the church. We could then capture the ceremony from multiple angles without moving.
Led by her flower girl and bridesmaids Pippa and her father walked down the aisle. Christopher was now, again beaming from ear to ear.
The happy couple were smiling and laughing together again, and we don’t think they will ever stop. Despite the restrictions, everyone enjoyed an uplifting church wedding ceremony.
Pippa’s mum and the bridesmaids entertained with a clap-along poem and friends gave readings.
After which, Pippa and Christopher exchanged vows, rings, and kisses. They were now married. To celebrate the vicar then picked up an acoustic guitar and we enjoyed the first live music we had heard in months.
The newlyweds then walked back down the aisle to the sound of their guests clapping and whooping.
Outside they then stole a minute alone together before running a gauntlet of confetti.
Their lovely little dog had arrived and even he was grinning from ear to ear.
The other guests then departed into the sunny countryside. We took some group shots of the wedding party against the stone walls of the church. Grandma had an eye for a photo. She decided to show the professionals how it should be done (once we showed her how to focus her phone!)
Wedding Couple Photographs With Woodhenge
En route to their next venue, Murray and I had a perfect location in mind for couple photographs. A few years back one of our friends had built a wooden henge in his field overlooking the Dorset coast. He had kindly given us permission to use it as a backdrop. It is so stunning that Murray had his wedding couple photographs here and is certainly in keeping with village hall wedding photographs.
One of the great things about Pippa and Christopher is that they need no direction for couple photos. They are naturals together. Hugging, smiling and kissing under the bright blue sky and wooden posts.
Village Hall Wedding Photographs Of Drinks Reception
Down the road, we arrived at Harman’s Cross Village Hall. We love this rural village hall wedding venue. Murray and I are proud to be their recommended wedding photographers. We advise anyone thinking of village halls whilst looking at Dorset wedding venues to check it out.
The wedding guests enjoyed a drinks reception in the sun. Courtesy of the wonderful Crab Apple Catering.
I’m not sure we were the only people to see the comic irony in Christopher’s beer of choice – bottles of Corona.
Outdoor games were dotted about for guests to play including rope hoopla with empty beer bottles. We assume Christopher had the difficult task of emptying the bottles!
Inside Debbie from White Willow Weddings transformed the Village Hall wedding venue into something special. Rustic wooden decorations mixed with multi-coloured Chinese lanterns. Coloured up-lighters and LED trees glowed in the background. Perfect styling for village hall wedding photographs.
The tables had sky-blue runners and held wooden slice centrepieces. These were topped with tea lights and glass jars containing mixed flowers.
Harmans Cross Village Hall Wedding Breakfast
A map of the Isle Of Purbeck table plan greeted guests. Due to COVID regulations, Murry and I even had our own table, which felt a little like a very strange date night.
Guests enjoyed a tasty wedding breakfast as the newlyweds’ positive happiness spread. Merry chatter, laughing, and joking continued throughout the wedding speeches.
Afterwards, the sun was setting outside. So we arranged the last of the group and couple photographs. Pippa and Christopher were even allowed to sit in the Landrover together.
Village Hall Wedding Photographs Of Evening Reception
The flower girl was now in charge of proceedings as she announced the wedding quiz. Wedding tables were to do battle for points awarded by Pippa’s father. A gruelling competition of general knowledge then ensued.
As the dark night crept in the up-lighters and glowing trees came into their own. The gin and doughnut bars opened.
Outside Pippa had snuck off for a quick go on the zip line in the village hall playground.
Meanwhile, in the warm the cheeky flower girl entertained with her stand-up set of jokes.
Next, the unusual caterpillar wedding cakes were cut in a traditional family style to the guests’ applause.
As this was a COVID-safe wedding in a COVID-safe venue loud music was not played. Next, Pippa and Christopher took a ‘socially distanced’ first dance. Guests then danced in their appropriate household bubbles.
We then left the village hall wedding venue glowing multi-colours. The sound of laughter in the night air. A truly uplifting day for such a happy and positive couple.
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