Compton Acres Dorset wedding of Ria & Adam

Ria and Adam were married at Compton Acres in Poole Dorset. The day itself started a little dodgy on the weather front, rain…what a surprise! Still off to the house where I found all the girls getting ready and the general mood was upbeat and lively. Ria is the kind of girl to laugh through pretty much anything and although looking out the window and expressing a little sadness at the rain coming down, you just knew that nothing but nothing was going to spoil her big day.
Off to the venue, Compton Acres and the Italian Villa where the rest of the day was to be held. There I found Adam, administering a little Dutch courage, but otherwise in good mood and looking forward to the coming events. Time for Ria to arrive, and with that the sun decided to make an appearance (fingers crossed). A lovely ceremony followed and then everyone spilled out of the Villa and into the sunny (yes sunny!!) gardens. Pimms and canapes and soft sunshine…wow! Just what you need for this venue to really appreciate the stunning gardens. The weather seemed to be holding, time for the few formal family pictures and then a quiet wander in the gardens for Ria, Adam and I to catch a few special moments for their album and a chance for the happy couple to catch up with each other after all the mornings excitement.
Time for the grand entrance for the wedding breakfast, and would you know it as soon as the last guest was seated and the first course being served from the kitchens, the heavens opened and the much predicted rain had arrived – what perfect timing! After the meal and speeches oh and the traditional cutting of the cake, the wedding party made their way downstairs for the evening festivities.
More guests began to arrive and soon the large function room was full, now it was the moment for the time honoured tradition of the first dance of Ria and Adams married life together. The DJ then stepped up the tempo and the evening began in earnest.
Well the weather held for just the right amount of time and all went exactly to plan. Ria and Adam are a lovely couple and I’m glad their day was perfect.

Wedding Photographer Dorset – Courtenay Photographic

Compton Acres Dorset wedding of Emma & Andy

It’s always lovely when a couple come to us through a recommendation from a previous client, in fact we are lucky that most of our couples come to us this way and Emma and Andy were no exception to this. A wonderful sunny day (at last!) arrived at Emma’s house just before she returned from the hairdressers – soon the house was full – bridesmaids, make-up artists, Mum’s and Dad, oh and of course me! The house was full of laughter as the girls prepared and everyone seemed really relaxed. Off to the venue – The Italian Villa at Compton Acres in Poole Dorset, a lovely venue and one we attend fairly frequently. Stunning gardens which definitely need the weather to be good to appreciate their beauty, friendly staff and a wonderful contemporary building for the service and reception. I found Andy with his best man Nathan (whom I also know very well as he is a manager at the Haven Hotel in Poole another venue we attend regularly – small world!) and also his guard of honour. Andy was considerably nervous, but looked very smart in his uniform, a stiff drink helped a little!
Emma finally arrived with her entourage in a stretch limousine and Andy finally got to see his beautiful bride as she processed down the aisle towards him on the arm of her very proud Dad. The service was very emotional and touching – at last they were married!
Canapes and drinks in the gardens, a beautiful meal, hilarious and touching speeches and a really great band to see out the night.
The whole day was a fantastic event, the sun shone from beginning to end – Emma and Andy are a really lovely couple and deserve all the happiness in the world

Wedding Photographer Dorset – Courtenay Photographic