Wedding of Francesca & Tatton, Combe House

Francesca and Tatton finally sealed their love with a civil ceremony in the beautiful Combe House Hotel - A wildly romantic grade 1 Elizabethan manor in Gittisham, the very heart of the Devon countryside. After the civil ceremony, the Bride and Groom and all their guests, climbed aboard a vintage bus and made their way down to the parish church St Michaels for a blessing ceremony. This was a lovely idea and really added a little something extra to the days events. Its not often that you see a Bride and Groom in all their finery, entering a church together! The whole day was a real family affair, very relaxed and lots of fun. Even the weather behaved itself - well okay there was the occasional April shower (mostly in the morning though) to dodge, but for the most part the sun shone which just added icing to the cake. The families had taken over the whole hotel for the weekend, so there was no need to rush, the wedding breakfast was spread out over several rooms of the hotel and the couple moved from room to room eating a different course in each. A great idea and a fantastic way of making sure they could give all their guests proper attention. After the speeches in the Great Hall, Francesca and Tatton kicked off the evening festivities with their first dance followed by riotous dancing to a fantastic Ceilidh Band. What a great day!

Debra & Philip, Audley's Wood

Stuart had a great day with Debra and Philip, this was a real family affair right from the start. Debra and Philip had been together for a while and both had children. It was the children that really brought them together and they weren't going to forget that fact on their big day. The children played a very big part in the wedding and the whole event was more like a huge family party.
The ceremony itself took place at All Saints Church in Clatsford, Debra arrived in a very large stretch limousine and despite being with Philip for sometime was still very nervous. However the nerves soon abated when she saw Philip for the first time as she came down the aisle and the ceremony was full of fun and laughter.
After the ceremony the couple left for their reception at Audley's Wood near Basingstoke where the party continued. The venue was decorated with brightly coloured balloons (for children of all ages, including Stuart of course), and the festivities were lively indeed. After the formal meal a band took over and the family all partied well into the night - Philip even took a turn on the mike and belted out a couple of cracking songs. A great day was had by all, including Stuart who does like a good boogie!

Jen & Andy, Harbour Heights

Jen got ready at home on the first wet Saturday of the year - but was determined not to let the break in the weather spoil the day. As I arrived at the church the clouds burst, and big fat rain just sheeted down. The road outside the church was flooded within minutes, practically all the way to the church door, and I was starting to think I'd have Jens dad carrying her from the car. Thankfully the floodwaters drained away very quickly, and by the time Andy arrived the waters were gone, leaving Jen to make her grand church entrance in style.
Andy was very nervous as he waited for Jen, but seemed to relax as she arrived. Jen waited till she got her vows out the way before turning to the congregation and breathing a very theatrical sigh of relief!
Harbour Heights was the reception venue for the second week running, but instead of the beach Jen and Andy decided to use the clifftop for their portrait images, which made a nice change. The wind was blowing a hooly up there, which meant some great veil shots before it wrapped itself tightly around Andy and refused to let go.

Caroline & Robin, Harbour Heights.

Caroline and Robin were the first of a run of weddings I have down on the Poole coast. I enjoy these hotels as the light is always great, and the beach provides so many great opportunities not usually available in town hotels.
Caroline and Robin are such a great couple - really warm and friendly. Caroline got ready at her Mums house, but I had the opportunity to catch the boys in the morning at Harbour Heights as well, which is always nice to add to the story of the day.
The huge sky-blue Buick which Caroline travelled to church in was a great surprise - and just a gift for a photographer on a sunny day. As All Saints in Branksome is a little restrictive for photographers, I was able to spend a happy ten minutes during the service gloating over all the chrome with the chauffeur :) Whilst outside I bumped into next weeks couple Jen & Andy, who had come to recce the church 'in action'!
It was a beautiful evening weather-wise, and the view from the patio across Poole harbour is always special at sunset.