This couple fell in love with the view!
All the beautiful photographs taken in this blog were shot by Lawes Photography unless marked.
01202 896284 / lawesphotography.co.uk /
It looked as if, at last, we were to have a wedding with no wet weather precautions needed and the sun was shining as Western Marquees drove up the drive.
They had been in the past but had not set up their wedding marquee on the lower lawn
before. Having completed the erection of their beautiful pole tent, they asked if they could put fairy lights round the gazebo so that the guests could use it at night - a definite yes!
01258 839193 / info@westernmarquees.co.uk / westernmarquees.co.uk
Tables were put in place but were not laid until following day when friends and relations arrive to help.
Lovely little touches for the wellbeing of the guests sprung up round the edges of the marquee - flipflops for those in uncomfortable shoes, hankies to mop up any tears, rugs to keep warm in the evening and umbrellas in case it rained and a huge array of old-fashioned sweets.
Vintage china cups were stacked ready for cups of tea or coffee and on another table photographs of the couple were arranged along with a book for wishes of good luck.
Early on the Wedding Day, Pamplemousse Flowers from Shaftesbury came laden with the most beautiful arrangements. Huge ones for the wedding area and smaller ones for the tables.
Pamplemoussedorset@gmail.com / 01747 228439 / https://www.pamplemoussedorset.com/
In house photograph
Soon it was all go. The groom arrived with his groomsmen and they quickly got to work moving the chairs from the marquee to the chosen place for the wedding ceremony by the gate to the HaHa.
The Copper Still Bar set up their barrels in one corner of the marquee and a family friend came to arrange her beautiful wedding cake.
hello@thecopperstillbar.co.uk / thecopperstillbar.co.uk
Finally, the owners of Little Pickle at the Mill drove up with their van filled with baskets and hampers ready to fill with homemade goodies. These fed four people and were scattered down the tables and having helped to fill them, I know that there was enough twice that many!
https://www.littlepicklewimborne.co.uk/ 07961 347721 / littlepicklethemill@outlook.com
Little Pickle photographs
With the chairs in place, the flowers moved to their place of honour and a ribbon decoration hung on the gate it was time for the groom to go into the house to see the Registrars.
Guests were greeted by some hauntingly beautiful music drifting over the lawns played by Hollie Chapman, a very talented violinist.
holliechapmanviolin@gmail.com / holliechapmanviolin.com
The bride arrived with her father looking really beautiful in an off the shoulder wedding dress with a draped top and flowing skirt. Her two adult bridesmaids also had draped dresses but in an antique rose colour which suited them both perfectly. They all posed on the front steps before going in to see the Registrars.
As the guests were assembled on the lawn in front of the windows, the shutters were drawn until everyone was ready to leave. The bride could not resist having a peep!
As the bridal party started down the steps, Hollie Chapman began to play.
The couple took their vows in front of the friends and relations and with the wonderful view of the Dorset hills behind them just as they had always planned.
With the ceremony over the couple returned to the house for a few photographs on the stairs.
Meanwhile the bridesmaids and groomsmen gathered the guests in two lines ready to cover them with confetti. as they came out of the dining room windows.
Having recovered from their confetti shower, the bride and groom circulated amongst their guests as they enjoyed their welcome drinks and canapes.
Soon it was time to formally enter the marquee as a married couple and discover their wonderful hampers
And then time for the speeches which were very well received.
Their meal was made even more enjoyable by the wonderful vocals of Meghan Rae who judged the mood of the guests beautifully, singing a marvellous selection of songs. She made a Reel of the time she spent here which you will find at the end of blog.
meghanrae.co.uk / info@meghanrae.co.uk
The speeches finished the bride and groom had a few informal photographs taken with the bridesmaids and groomsmen before drifting onto the main lawn to have a few more - I say dritfted as the bride looked as if she was floating with her dress billowing out around her.
The bride and groom went on to have more pictures taken in the gardens and to discover their wedding night bell tent with which they seem very pleased!
Meanwhile their guests were discovering the lawn games and playing them with gusto,
With the guests happily engaged, the bridal party went to have some fun with a bottle of Prosecco.
The light began to fade and our fairy lights began to light but it was still warm enough for guests to chat on the lawns.
Time to cut the cake and have their first dance.
Iggy Wedding DJ had set up his disco by the dance floor and the music continued until midnight with the dance floor full all evening. The Bride set the tone in her on trend sun glasses!
07811 336373 / iggyweddingdj.com / iggyweddingdj.com
However, in the field behind the gazebo, Spitting Pig Dorset had set up their Barbeque, and when they were not dancing guests made their way to fill their plates with delicious roast pork and salads.
01305 490497 / sales@spittingpigdorset.co.uk / spittingpigdorset.co.uk
New Forest Bell Tents had put up a little village of bell tents which had been joined by some private ones and at midnight those guests who were camping followed the fairy lights to the beds, for those who were staying in a B&B a fleet of taxis arrived. It was the end of a fantastic day!
07773 372425 / info@newforestbelltents.co.uk / newforestbelltents.co.uk
But not the end of the Wedding Celebrations! The Spitting Pig had returned to serve a post Wedding Breakfast. Luckily there was a gazebo set up by the marquee as the rain poured down as the cooks got to work.
Afterwards, many hands made clearing up light work and sadly it was soon time to say goodbye.
Below you will find the promised Reel from Megan Rae - really beautiful!