We recently made our way back to one of our favourite venues, Chaffeymoor Grange in Bourton near the Dorset and Somerset Border. This private house specialises in house parties, so some of the guests at this wedding were able to enjoy the whole weekend here. Lucky things!

Although we’ve photographed there a couple of times before now we’ve never seen it set up with a marquee in the garden. It was truly stunning. There were so many lovely details throughout the day and it was a blessing to be able to make the most of the house’s beautiful interior as well as the grounds.

Due to exceptional circumstances we’ve agreed to post just a few details on our blog from the day, but there should be enough to let you get a sense of the day. We’re pleased to say we’ll be back at Chaffeymoor Grange later on in the year. Every wedding is always so different there and it’s a perfect place for couples to really make the day (and the house) their own.

Lisa and Ian’s custom guestbook arrived back from the printers this weekend and we’re really happy with how everything turned out. Designing for a guestbook is a little trickier than for a wedding album as we need to bear in mind the number of guests that will be attending the day. This means setting aside enough (but not too much) white space so the book looks full and happy once everyone’s penned in their best wishes. I think we’ve got it about right.

As Lisa and Ian chose to hire us for a dedicated Engagement Shoot (a preview of some our favourites from their shoot at Hengistbury Head in Dorset can be viewed here) they get this 12″x12″, hard-wearing coffee table book thrown in. We can’t wait to see how the guests react to it on the day!

You know you’re in for a fun day when the bride greets you to the venue with a cup of a tea and a huge box of homemade shortbread. Chaffeymoor Grange, a Dorset Stone Manor House in Bourton, Gillingham has one of the most unique set-ups we’ve seen for a wedding venue. Couples get to hire out the whole house, kitchen included, so weddings there always have a real house party feel. The party’s very much in charge of what they want to do and when they want to do it. When Emma and Guy asked if we’d be free to shoot their special day we were so excited to go back.

During our consultations Emma let slip their wedding would have a very autumnal feel, with lots of creams and browns she brought an extra sparkle to the ocassion with plenty of beautiful handmade elements. I reckon she ought to set up shop on Etsy, not only does she made cracking button, bead and brooch bouquets…

But she can whip up a fine bridal tiara too…

With so many rooms to have a run of upstairs, all hired out by the wedding party, there’s loads of space at Chaffeymoor to get ready. With the Groom also staying on the same floor in the morning though, a lot of extra care is needed to make sure you don’t bump into each other.

The popular solution is to send the boys down the pub. Meet Guy (fourth ale from the left).

Errr… I don’t know what he’s talking about.

But it looks big!

Back at the more sedate Chaffeymoor Bridal and Bridesmaid preps were well underway.

Mum’s done.

The lovely Maggie Sottero dress.

Men back in the building, the wedding took place downstairs. Guy looks pretty nervous and excited, but the Best (Wo)Man, Caroline was never far away to offer her support.

The ceremony was a very intimate affair with loads of lovely readings…

Including an excellent short story by Bridesmaid, Zara.

As well as a good public speaker, Zara also made for a wonderful ring-bearer.

The grounds at Chaffeymoor are huge and very stunning. They were looking very Autumnal, fitting in very nice with the colour theme.

Letting off steam after the wedding…

Or maybe it’s the colouring.

Seriously, The. Best. Table Settings. Ever. My jaw dropped when I walked into the room it looks so cosy and wintery.

It made for a very cosy atmosphere during the speeches.

Meanwhile, next door in the kitchen things were underway to get things ready for grub time. These ladies were excellent, skilled and efficient they prove to the likes of Gordon Ramsay you don’t need to make a fuss keep things moving.

Emma and Guy were kind enough to organise a meal for us too (in our very own cute kitchen with log fire). So I can tell you first hand these cinnamon meringues with hot spiced apple and blackberries were out of this world!

Food in tummies and coffee rolled out it was time for some evening entertainment .

The ladies from Enigma gave it their all throughout the day with perfect harmony.

It was getting a bit windy out there, but the rain had held off so guests were given the OK to start writing messages on the sky lanterns.

It looks quite calm here but those things are pretty scary when you have your eye to a camera and you don’t notice one coming full belt at you. A couple got caught in Chaffeymoor’s trees. It was a bit hairy!

It was also very dark by this time.

Back in the warm for the First Dance and the start of the evening disco (we’re glad to hear things got better tune-wise, Emma

With everyone happy, sipping their drinks and enjoying the cosy rooms and the party we made our way back home. A top-notch day was had by all.

Posted with thanks and congratulations to Mr & Mrs Court.

Thanks also to venue owners Lindsay & Rik Elvidge.

Emma - BB

Yesterday we spent a cracker of a day at Chaffeymoor Grange for the wedding of Emma and Guy. We first shot at Chaffeymoor last year for the evening wedding of Zina and Chris and were blown away by the venue and the relaxed atmosphere it offers its guests. It’s most definitely a favourite venue of ours. There aren’t many locations where we’re free to make ourselves a cuppa whenever we please and for that it gets instant bonus points.

Emma and Guy are such a fantastic couple; so welcoming, fun and loving they made our jobs very easy. They were also very thoughtful in surprising us with a  5-star energy-boosting meal in our very own kitchen and bombarding us with cake and shortbread (thank you so much guys. It was a phenomenal tea break x) . We were spoilt for choice when it came to details to shoot during this wedding. As well as loads of beautiful handmade crafts, amazing table settings and a jolly house party atmosphere we had great fun with an evening sky lantern launch. Again, loads to share, but until then…