Winter Wedding Laughter at Elmer's Court

Dan and Sarah were married at the fabulous Elmers Court near Lymington in the Winter months of 2015. As with many Winter weddings, by the time their ceremony was over there was very little natural light for outside photography...

...but with the help of our lights we were able to do some stunning romantic portraits of them both despite it being almost dark.

We were just in time to catch the vestige of blue in the sky and a full-moon through leafless branches and the rain soaked stones for a reflection on the distinctive semicircular Elmer's Court patio.

Whilst it was our intention to shoot romantic portraits of them, they were having so much fun together, it was actually much easier to photograph them when they were laughing...

...but between laughs we did manage to get this lovely picture of them snuggling.

They had a VW Camper Van for their wedding transport and it was beautifully decorated inside.

One very welcome visitor during the Group Photographs was a duck who came waddling up who  took a great interest in the bride and her bouquet.

And the speeches had just as much laughter as the rest of the day.

Sarah looked absolutely fantastic throughout...

...which sadly is more than can be said for poor Dan! Sarah's late father had bought a bottle of rum to be opened on her wedding day and it was a poignant moment when all the guests were given a tot from the bottle. But the solemnity of the moment was brief, unfortunately Dan had never tasted rum before and downed it in one! 

We had a great time with The Boys larking about on the patio...

...as well as inside when they were "admiring" Dan's wedding ring.

And just like the rest of the day, their First Dance was full of laughter too.

Dan and Sarah are a lovely couple and it was a real privilege to be with them for their wedding day. We wish them many long years of laughter together.

by Steve Dunster

An Amazingly Scottish New Year's Eve Wedding at Tylney Hall

Murray and Demelza had the most fantastic of weddings at the amazing Tylney Hall. Murray and his family are very Scottish so what better day for their wedding than New Year's Eve.

Before they went to Tylney Hall their ceremony was in their local Parish Church of Odiham, walking distance from their cottage.

As Demelza entered the church she was serenaded from the rafters by some really nice flugel and trumpet playing.

At the back of the church, their lovely old faithful golden labrador lay patiently... 

...listening to the proceedings...

 ...until it was his time...when he walked up the aisle to give Demelza and Murray their wedding rings.

And bless him, he was even there with them when they came out of the church, for the first time as Man and Wife. 

Then we had time for some quick group photos outside the church... 

...before Murray and Demelza alighted their wedding carriage and Murray took some traditionally Scottish preventative measures against the cold...

... and then the drive to Tylney Hall for their Reception meal and New Year's Celebrations.

The horse and carriage looked perfect in front of the period architecture of Tylney Hall...

...and Murray looked magnificent in his traditional Scottish attire and...

 ...Demelza looked a million dollars in her bespoke design wedding dress and cloak.

 

The speeches were hilarious...and Scottish...

 ...but in amongst the hilarity (and there was plenty) there were many, many touching moments. They are such a lovely couple!

Murray and Demelza later treated their guests to a wonderfully entertaining dance routine... 

 ...which brought the house down and really set the mood for the evening.

When it came to "seeing out the Old and seeing in the New"...the Scottish really know how to do it. At midnight, Murray and Demelza were piped onto the dance floor...

...and then everybody linked arms to Aulde Lang Syne. What better end could there be to such a wonderfully Scottish day.

Murray and Demelza are a fantastic couple and their wedding was brimming with fun and affection and Scottish tradition. 

It was a brilliant day and an amazing New Year's Eve party to boot. 

We wish Murray and Demelza as much fun and happiness through the rest of their lives together as they had on that amazing day.

by Steve Dunster

Cigars, Cars, Magic and Music at Rhinefield House

Carl and Alice had fantastic Spring wedding at Rhinefield House in the New Forest...

...even though it was raining when Alice arrived in her white Rolls-Royce. 

The Great Hall at Rhinefield was pact with guests for their ceremony... 

...but the rain had stopped in plenty of time for the photographs including bride and groom shots in front of their venue with their fabulous wedding car. 

By the afternoon the weather had brightened up nicely for photographs, canapés and a very competitive bride tossing of her bouquet. 

Then walked around the gorgeous Rhinefield grounds with them...

 ...for some romantic portraits of them amongst the trees

...and in the gazebo... 

 ...and in front of the Spring flowers.

Then it was inside for their meal and some stunning magic tricks... 

...which really took Alice's breath away.

After the meal there was time for a celebratory smoke of cigars for the boys. 

When it came to their First Dance...

 ...Carl and Alice were serenaded by one of their friends.

Rhinefield House is a fantastic venue, Carl and Alice are a gorgeous couple and their friends and family were awesome. The day had a fantastically bubbly and friendly vibe.

It was a wonderful day and we wish Carl and Alice a very long and happy life together.

by Steve Dunster

Wedding Day Perfection at Rivervale Barn

Richard and Victoria had their wedding at the amazing Rivervale Barn with its fabulous interiors...

...and stunning gardens. But it also had the most fantastic bridal prep room with lovely decor...

 ...and plenty of space for all Victoria's bridesmaids to get ready...

...as well as providing a great backdrop for photographs of Victoria...

...and her bridesmaids.

The Rivervale courtyard was a magnificent route for the bridal procession to make their way to the ceremony... 

...until they noticed some late-arriving guests, and they all hid behind a convenient bush in accordance with ancient wedding traditions.

But after this tiniest of hitches the rest of the day went like clockwork, starting with bridesmaids lining up for their entrance into the ceremony...they looked absolutely fantastic, from head...

...to toes. 

 Victoria and her Dad then processed up the aisle to where Richard was waiting for her.

After the ceremony, we took photographs of Richard and Victoria around the fantastic grounds and gardens of Rivervale.

There were so many places to photograph touching moments...

 ...including this iconic red oriental bridge, and in Chinese weddings, red represents good luck. Perfect!

Later we did some photographs with them in the courtyard...

...which definitely had a southern European feel.

 But this gate was wonderfully English.

And then it was back into the barn for their First Dance as Man and Wife.

Rivervale Barn is a glorious venue both inside and out. Richard and Victoria and her bridesmaids all looked magnificent. The staff were wonderful and the guests were great. Add to this the fact that the weather was perfect...and it becomes difficult to imagine a wedding day more perfect for a lovely young couple to start their life together.

by Steve Dunster