A Castle, a Barn and Firemen - What's not to Like!

Claire and Ben were married at the church inside Portchester Castle and then went on to the stunning Tithe Barn, Petersfield for the Reception. It was perfect weather for them but despite all their detailed planning there was one thing that was to surprise them both - Ben's friends from the fire brigade and their fire engine was waiting for them when they came out of the church.

Portchester Castle is so big that the church in the corner looks quite small...until you get close...and it's proportions are huge and has a fantastic atmosphere...

...and is beautifully tended to.

Ben and Claire had a fantastic confetti line up as they left the church.

Then it was into their car (you can see the fire engine in the back window) and off to the Tithe Barn...

...where the weather was fantastic.

Lots of fun was had in the sunshine...

...and some tender moments.

Claire had the most amazing veil to set off her fabulous dress but it was a little breezy so in order to take this photo we enlisted the help of one of the Ushers...

...who took a while to get to grips with the task in hand.

Their speeches were great, full of laughter, touching moments and Ben's recollections of funny things Claire had done...and Claire's protestations of "What else was I supposed to do!"

...and of course there were some wonderfully embarrassing moments for Ben.

Then it was outside so the boys could be boys...

...and girls ;)

Their wedding party still had loads of energy so it was time to blow of steam.

As the perfect day turned into the perfect evening, Claire and Ben were blessed with a gorgeous evening sky.

The boys tested out their specially engraved beer glasses....

...before it was time to go back inside the magnificent Tithe Barn...

...for the First Dance...

....and of course a dance with Dad.

Then it was time for the main event of the day - TIGER FEET by MUD (if you don't know what I'm talking about, ask somebody "of a certain age"). Some songs never get old!

Claire and Ben made a wonderful bride and groom and they loved every minute of their meticulously planned wedding. The venues were amazing, the guests were fantastic and the weather was perfect. 

We wish them both the very best for their future together ... and if it is anything like their wedding day it will be perfect.

by Steve Dunster

Don't Tell The Bride...about the Guns, Vintage & Jazz

Mark and Gina had a wedding day full of fun and surprises. Gina had given Mark the job of organising their wedding...all she knew was her wedding dress, her photographers (that would be us) and her colour scheme.

There was never any doubt as to her colour scheme, red is her favourite colour and would have to play a major part in her wedding.

...and what a part it played, it was vivid and vibrant, stunning and stylish...just like, in fact, the rest of their wedding.

The first surprise for Gina was her venue...Fort Nelson, Museum of the Royal Armouries.

Shoes, it turns out, was a big part of the styling for the day, for both the youngsters...

...and the grownups.

There were so many running jokes throughout the day but one of the most notable was involving a teddy bear so it seemed a given to have a ring shot with said bear.

Their ceremony at Fort Nelson, was just like the rest of the day, full of fun...

...and affection.

After their ceremony, they both took it in turns to fire one of the guns at the museum...

...which went down well with the crowd and Gina alike.

Then there was just time for a few bride and groom portraits around the fort...

...and amongst some of the guns

...and then it was time to move on to their next venue, yet another secret that Gina had no idea about.

Mark had organised their reception to be at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh, home of British jazz.

It was wonderfully stylish. Mark had used Gina's chosen colour of red to stunning effect.

It didn't just look good, with the red and black, it felt good with a fabulously vintage feel.

Mark had got a gramophone...

...complete with a red (of course) vinyl record with a "Gina & Mark" label.

He had an old typewriter and the copy sticking out of it was the Guests' Seating Plan.

Their cake looked wonderfully vintage...

 ...even their photo-booth was vintage...

...and of course their band was vintage.

After the meal they had a children's entertainer who had the youngsters mesmerised. He didn't just do balloon dogs...he did bazookas and jet packs!

Then, after a quick change, he did the most amazing things with fire...

...including fire breathing!!!!

Then inside for the chocolate fountain...

...and then their First Dance as man and wife...and this of course was fun and stylish...and jazz!

...they thrilled their guests to an amazing dance routine...to the all time jazz favourite...

..."I'm the King of the Jungle"

...which was well received by the "judges".

This was an amazing wedding, meticulously planned and full to the brim with style...but more than all of that...this was a wedding overflowing with fun and affection.

Well played Mark...well played. We wish you both a long, fun and affectionate marriage.

by Steve Dunster

14 August 2014