That’s what I like to see when I enter a hotel room to shoot bridal preps - the dress hanging prominently in the centre of the room like a show-stopping centrepiece. It was hung from the lampshades to make sure all the creases were out for the ceremony but I rather like how it was allowed to be part of the morning.

Katie got ready upstairs at Christchurch Harbour Hotel with her entourage of bridesmaids. They did a brilliant job at helping the bride get ready and got everyone in the mood for a good party.

We were even treated to an impromptu Tea Ceremony!

But boy, was it hot in that room! So hot the only bubbly the girls could face were of the Soda variety.

It was so obvious these girls are great friends to each other and were all very excited and emotional to be a part of Katie and Tom’s day.

The ceremony took place in the hotel where there were a few more tears of joy!

The tables were so pretty and very elegant, with lots of pearls and a very beautiful table plan.

After the meal we jumped in the car and headed over to Mudeford Quay for a few photos away from the crowds. We’d been spoilt a little bit, tucked away at the hotel and hadn’t quite appreciated just how windy it had got. This was the day before all the stormy weather really kicked off.

And then we headed back to the hotel for some dusky portraits of the bridesmaids before the evening reception began downstairs in the hotel.

Posted with thanks and congratulations to Katie and Tom x

On a bright Saturday morning not long ago we had the pleasure of photographing the wedding day of Rachel and David. Things kicked off with the bridal preps at home and then we made our way over to a ceremony at St Peter’s Church in Lower Parkstone and then back over to the lovely waterside Christchurch Harbour Hotel.

I arrived to find the girls making a good start on the Bucks Fizz, hair and make-up.

Here’s the bride, Rachel.

Oh, look who it is! It was brilliant to see Kat again, friend of Rachel and our October 2009 bride.

Whilst I was busy with the girls Ian made a head start at Ashley Cross in Parkstone meeting up with groomsmen and capturing the guests arriving.

Unfortunately, we weren’t allowed to take too many shots during the wedding service but I think we managed to get the essentials!

I think it was lovely all the guests waited for Rachel and David to drive away first before all heading off themselves.

After a little drive over to Christchurch Harbour Hotel in Mudeford all the guests continued the party in the sun on the terrace.

Such beautiful, classic and elegant details.

After the family shots but before the meal we took some shots of Rachel and David in the hotel grounds, just next to The Jetty Restaurant.

Then it was time for everyone to sit down for food.

The lengthy speech gag. It’s an oldie, but a goodie. Quite impressed with the time taken to recreate realistic paragraph breaks made up of ‘blah blah blahs’, David! That must have taken some time

With congratulations and thanks to Rachel and David. We hope you had an amazing Thai honeymoon! x

After a church ceremony at St Peter’s in Poole yesterday, we had fun spending the day with Rachel and David at the beautiful Christchurch Harbour Hotel. With views of Mudeford bay and the sun out for the duration the guests had it made as they sipped Kir Royales on the terrace.

We spent a little time making the most of the hotel’s exceptional location for a little couple shoot. Last time, during our wedding prep, Rachel and I were a bit too chicken to jump onto the jetty as the tide was in and it looked too wobbly. However, with the tide out and the platform on solid ground (well, mud) we were a bit braver this time. It was really nice to be able to take some seaside shots and not bring back shoe-fulls of sand.

We met up with Rachel and David last week to sort out all the final details for their wedding, meet their vicar and check out their reception venue. It’s going to be a fun-filled day with things kicking off at St Peter’s Church in Ashley Cross, Parkstone before we make our way to Christchurch Harbour Hotel with its beautiful rear garden backing onto the water. After we’d finished nattering and enjoyed an evening drink together it was starting to get a little bit dark, but we just had time for a few twilight test shots. Here they are!