So Saturday saw me heading off to a local venue (nice to be near home for a change) the lovely Athelhampton House nestled in the heart of the Dorset countryside, for the wedding of Lisa and Chris. Now I have to make an admission at this point..In all the years that I have been to Athelhampton House for weddings, I have never had a completely dry one, always some rain at some point! However today looks to be the day I am going to break the curse

Anyway, first I head into Sherborne in Dorset to Lisa’s parent’s house for the usual Bridal Preparations and my chance to capture a few of the smaller details of the day, shoes, perfume etc Then it’s time to wind my way through the lovely (sunny!) Dorset countryside to Athelhampton House. On arrival I catch up with a very nervous Chris and his best men, a bit of light banter and a wander in the gardens to help calm the nerves. Time to pop in to the Coach House and long Hall where the wedding Breakfast will take place later to capture a few more of those all important details.

(Just to explain a little about my couple, both Lisa and Chris arrived in the UK just under two weeks ago when I met them for the first time, they had booked me via email conversations from Australia where they both live. Lisa is in fact English but Chris is very much all Aussie and there was definitely going to be a contingent from down under at today’s celebrations)

Time to head to the Great Hall in the heart of Athelhampton House where today’s ceremony is to be held, and yes the sun is still shining and its getting warmer Soon the Great Hall fills with Lisa and Chris’s family and friends and a still nervous Chris takes his place at the front supported by his best men. Soon Lisa arrives in her smart sleek and shiny Bentley and is ready with her father to make her grand entrance. The music plays and Lisa makes her way to Chris, wide smiles as their eyes meet for the first time that day. A touching ceremony followed by the traditional signing of the register and Lisa and Chris exit into the beautiful sunny summers day Mr and Mrs Bartlett at last.

Relaxation, great company, laughter, drinks, canapes and meanderings through the beautiful Athelhampton House gardens, no formal pictures today…just enjoy the good company and warm summer sunshine!

Lisa, Chris and I do slip away for fifteen minutes or so later on to give them a littel quiet time to themselves, a chance to catch their breath and take it all in and to give me a chance to capture a few intimate moments for their album.

Time to head over to the Coach House and long Hall for the wedding breakfast, followed by the funny and touching speeches then of course the cutting of the very yummy looking wedding cake. We move now into the conservatory for the evening celebrations and soon its time for Chris and Lisa to make their way on to the dance floor for their official first dance as man and wife. Half way through the first song and Lisa and Cris are joined by family and friend couples, a very lovely atmosphere indeed.

Before I leave, Chris, Lisa and I head out once more into the Gardens of Athelhampton House just to make the most of the beautiful evening setting sun and to end their photographic coverage for the day with a few more romantic images in the beautiful evening light.

What a fab day and not a drop of rain (or a slightly grumpy looking cloud for that matter) in sight!

Here are a few of my favourite images from the day…

Credit where credit is due

Cars – Premier Carriage

Wedding Cake – Lisa Notley

Food & Venue – Athelhampton House

Wedding Flowers – Occasions Stationary by Chapel Press

String Quartet – Arioso

Dress by Karen Willis Holmes Shoes -Pink by Paradox Men’s Suits – Pernac Paris Rings – Australian Diamond co

Hair and Make-up – Robin James

Courtenay Photographic – Wedding Photographers in Dorset