Wedding of Emma & Andy Compton Acres

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

Jean & Jamie, Minterne House and Chantmarle Manor

Jean and Jamie are a lovely couple and I was really looking forward to this wedding as it was at a couple of favourite locations of mine - Minterne House and Chantmarle Manor.

The day itself unfortunately wasn't terribly inspiring on the weather front, it was misty and drizzly, which was a shame. But nonetheless spirits were high, I arrived at Jeans House in the morning where the early preparations were I have to say coming together very nicely and in a very calm manor (which is not always the case!). Jean had hired a very unusual mode of transport to go to her wedding in - a VW camper van with VERY bright orange tinted windows! When sitting inside it felt like something out of an Austin Powers party - great fun and different too. I do like different.

From the house I proceeded to Minterne House where the ceremony and drinks reception were to take place, a truly beautiful Manor dating back to the 1620's. Jamie arrived looking a bit nervous, but looking good kitted out in his family Tartan Kilt. At last it was time for the arrival of the Bride and for the ceremony to begin. Jean looked absolutely stunning, and from the look on Jamie's face as she headed down the aisle to meet him I think he was completely blown away.

After the ceremony the couple retired to one of the large Drawing Rooms for drinks as it was still a bit damp outside. However after a while it seemed to brighten up a little and guests began to fill some of the beautiful gardens - Minterne House boasts some 1300 acres of beautiful grounds.

It was then time to wind our way through the country lanes to our final destination for the day and where the meal and evening reception would take place - the beautiful Medieval 13th century Chantmarle Manor at Frome St Quentin. The meal itself and the evening festivities were to actually take place in a large Marquee situated on one of the top lawns, however all the guests also had full use of the house.

On arrival at Chantmarle the sun finally made a proper appearance and Jean, Jamie and I were able to escape for 15 minutes to capture a few beautiful private moments.

The marquee was beautifully decorated and the flower arrangements were stunning Autumnal arrangements of flowers and seasonal fruits, rich reds, oranges, browns and gold, fabulous.

The atmosphere was wonderful, warm and friendly, the food was sublime, and the speeches hilarious. The evening was hosted by a fantastic band and all danced away until late in the night.

All in all, just the fantastic day that I had been looking forward to.

Rachel & Darren, Chewton Glen & Harbour Heights

Rachel and Darren's ceremony and wedding breakfast took place at the fantastic Chewton Glen Hotel. This part of the day was a small family affair with just 30 people attending. Rachel and Darren have been together for a while and have a couple of lovely daughters who acted as Rachel's bridesmaids (they looked just beautiful in their pink dresses!). Rachel was very nervous before the ceremony but the nerves soon vanished as the couple exchanged their vows. After the ceremony itself, the whole family relaxed on the terrace overlooking the lovely gardens and enjoyed Pimms, canapes and Champagne - a beautiful Summers day. Rachel and Darren took a little quiet time out to accompany me for some romantic shots in the fabulous grounds, and then returned to join their families for a lovely relaxed meal. The speeches followed which were emotional and hilarious alike.

It was then off to the Harbour Heights Hotel (a venue I attend regularly) for the evening reception and time to catch up with Darren and Rachel's friends; all 150 of them! A fantastic evening barbecue on the terraces with the stunning views over Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island, and a brilliant covers band that kept the wedding rocking until the late hours.

All in all a fantastic day was had by all.

Claire & Nick, Compton Acres

Claire and Nick are a lovely couple, shy and quite private people, they have been together a while and have a lovely little girl. Stuart new he was going to have a good day with Claire and Nick after their pre-shoot down on Sandbanks beach. The couple were just very relaxed and to them their wedding day was about family and children especially their gorgeous daughter.

The day itself was true to their thoughts and desires, a lovely family event, gentle, fun and romantic. Stuart did manage to take Claire and Nick off for a small break without the children, and they were glad to have a little 'them' time, which also allowed Stuart to capture some tender moments, in the beautiful grounds of Compton Acres.

Not the large type of wedding we are used to covering, but wonderful all the same, and the evening did end up with a great band and plenty of dancing, whilst other guests just wandered amongst the lovely Chinese gardens.