Last Saturday we got our first taste of Christchurch Priory and then made our back along the East Cliff in Bournemouth for the wedding of Sam and James.

Things kicked off with me making my way to Sam’s parents in Parkstone for the bridal preps. All was pretty calm and relaxed with the usual hair and make-up and everything was all very organised.

Introducing the Bride…

And her bridesmaids who busied themselves getting ready.

Things were all going swimmingly until one of the bridesmaid’s zips broke on her dress (with 20 minutes until departure). All credit to Sam, all the girls and her parents they all kept very level-headed and managed to get hold of the dressmaker and arrange a very tight scheduled rendez-vous.

With the bridesmaids dealing with zip issues Sam got on with the preps and finished getting ready. Then it was a quick drive over to Christchurch for the ceremony.

Meanwhile, Ian met with James, the Groom at the Priory for prep shots.

James hearts Matt.

The Bridal car was absolutely huge. James had this particular model in mind and managed to track one down (if my memory serves me right it was a Rolls Royce Phantom). That chauffeur had driven down all the way from Birmingham that morning!

Christchurch Priory is breathtakingly massive. Sam had a very long aisle walk to contend with. I’m pleased to say all the bridesmaids were in attendance, fully-clothed and ready to enjoy the day.

The Rev. was the loveliest Clergyman we have ever met. With a distinct Texan accent he had a very relaxed and modern approach to things. He was also very up for us taking lots of photos from the front. As soon as I saw the flash of his Casio calculator watch peaking out from the sleeve of his robe I knew we were going to get along just fine.

Sam and James built up quite a crowd of onlookers (Christchurch Priory is near a busy high street and it was prime-time Saturday shopping time). A bit difficult though when you’re trying to round up folks for group shots and have no idea whether they’re part of the wedding or not. Hopefully, as we did a role call for each shot we haven’t got any randoms posing as distant Aunties.

Group shots done, the guests made their way over to the Cumberland Hotel. Meanwhile, we made use of the Priory Grounds and the Mill.

Arriving at The Cumberland.

The reception took place in the Oceana room with its LED-lit dome.

After speeches we had time for more couple shots. Sam and James really wanted to go down to the beach and it was a lovely evening for it.

The party was continuing when we made our way back to the hotel for the evening reception.

Loads more evening guests packed into the Oceana for the First Dance.

After a little while Sam and James invited their daughter onto the dance floor to join in with the dance. It was a lovely moment.

When everyone started tucking into the buffet we left them to dance their night away.

With congratulations and best wishes to Sam and James! x

If anyone ever mentions the word “cake” I miraculously perk up a little bit. There’s nothing more comforting and rewarding to get you through the afternoon like a nice cup of tea and a slab of moist sponge. Hell… my maiden name’s even Cake - how’s that for dedication?

So when Steph from local bakery, Butterfly Bakery asked me to take some promo shots for her new line this weekend I donned my camera quicker than you can say “butter icing”.

We chanced upon Butterfly Bakery back in October last year when we went on the hunt for cupcakes for our own wedding (incidentally, we went for the Chocolate Orange and the Cookies & Cream varieties and they were out of this world!).

The forthcoming Sex and the City selection will contain three new flavours. Taking the lead in these shots is the Cosmopolitan, featuring a cranberry and orange sponge with an orange liquor frosting and a zingy lime twist. This will be delicately balanced with a chocolate and vanilla cupcake with oozing chocolate sauce in the middle and a Very Vanilla cupcake for all you purists out there.

The Sex and the City range will be available from 17 May. For further details and to place orders visit www.butterflybakery.co.uk.

When I turn up for bridal preps early in the morning and first knock on the door I know it’s going to start off one of two ways - either complete mayhem, full of lots of people making last minute preparations, or I’ll be met with a bunch of cool, calm and collective people. Most of the time though, I normally find myself going from room to room as everyone tends to separate off to sort themselves out before it’s time to put the dress on. So what a lovely surprise it was to find, not only were the girls at Karen’s wedding prep extremely chilled out, but they were all set up on the same big table, helping each other out.

It was a really fun morning. Having already done some prep shots with Karen just before her wedding I knew she was a girl that’s comfortable being in front of the camera and happy for me to snap to my heart’s content (even when demonstrating her top “getting ready” tip of hairspraying her eyebrows).

As she looked this good in curlers I knew we were in for a treat…

Practising the First Dance whilst letting the curls set.

THE shoes.

A bit of a weird moment when, after checking her make-up was even, Karen’s mirror accidentally fell out of her hand a few floors to the garden below. Luckily, after her mum was sent down to retrieve we were all very pleased to see it hadn’t smashed as it fell into a flower bed (no seven years of bad luck for this girl).

On the phone to the Wedding Co-ordinator who was adamant the wedding should take place inside (despite the skies being cloudless so far).

Down to the front garden for a few outdoor shots before the bridesmaids headed off…

Oh yeah… Forgive me, I’ve got carried away with the preps. Here’s the Groom, James enjoying some time with his guests on the lawn of the Miramar Hotel, Bournemouth before the ceremony.

We all got our own way! The seats were out on the lawn despite the most inaccurate MET office weather predictions ever. Is it just me or is that cloud a rotated heart? Love is in the air!

James had a busy congregation on the Groom’s side, not afraid to pipe up and tease. All fun and games!

Karen pulled up in a car right down the end of the aisle.

The wedding took place just on the steps of the Miramar’s gazebo. It was nice being outside.

An emotional moment.

The reception took place soon after the ceremony inside the hotel.

There were four men keen to get their speeches out of the way. Karen’s Dad…

Her Pop.

Her Hubbie

And the Best Man.

Grub finished we whisked Karen and James off to Bournemouth beach for some shots on their own. The weather had turned a little and it was super windy. James tried to get some surfers in on the shoot but they didn’t want to play.

Time to get the party started back at the Miramar Hotel along the East Cliff.

And the First Dance…

It looked like it was going to be a long, lively and eventful night!

Congratulations and best wishes to Mr and Mrs Kemp x

In a few weeks time we’ll be heading back to Langtry Manor for the intimate wedding of Alli and Tony. We’re all hoping the sun will be shining on us for an outdoor ceremony. In fact, the actual wedding will be taking place right where they’re standing in this photo!