The Wedding of Lisa and Ian at Chaffeymoor Grange

September 7, 2010 | Posted Under: , , | Leave a Comment 

We can’t think of a more perfect place to hold a wedding for close family and friends than the beautiful Chaffeymoor Grange. Lying slap bang in the middle of the Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire border it boasts some amazing views over the The Blackmoor Vale. More importantly, it has ten magnificently decorated bedrooms for guests and a pretty outstanding TV den in the cellar!

Lisa and Ian were to make the most of their venue for the entire weekend - it was a house party and wedding all rolled into one. When we arrived at Chaffeymoor guests were enjoying the start of their weekend croquet tournament and trying to get their heads round the rules. Meanwhile, Lisa and her mum and sister got ready upstairs carefully avoiding Ian, the Groom until they went down to the pub for their own morning preps.

Each room in the house was decorated with its own pretty purple orchid to match the tones of Lisa’s bouquet. We’ve now shot quite a few weddings at Chaffeymoor with flowers prepped by The Gilded Lily and they consistently impress us with their work.

Whilst Ian (photography) went off with Ian (groom) and the boys (the abundance of Ians became very confusing), I stayed at Chaffeymoor with the girls.

It was all very calm at the house and with no danger of bumping into the groom we had the luxury of using lots of different rooms to sort the make-up, hair and dress. The ceremony began at a leisurely 4pm and it was nice for everyone to be able to take their time.

The ceremony took place in Chaffeymoor’s Oak Room. Poor Lindsay and Rik, the owners of Chaffeymoor, normally have to lug these sofas out of the room ready for the ceremony (and they’re mighty heavy). However, Lisa and Ian decided to embrace the cosy set-up and their guests watched the ceremony in comfort. We thought it was a great idea and it kept the day super relaxed and laid back!

After the ceremony the guests made the most of the sunny day with canapés and champagne on the terrace.

Then we took some family shots. There were some guests who had travelled a long way to be there.

This may have been the smallest wedding party bunch we’ve shot but I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed the formal group shots more. After taking the essential shots guests started suggesting random set-ups for us to capture. Trouble is, some of the party had moved along to chat and drink their champers by this time and missed the discussion. We must have seemed like the most random wedding photographers ;)

We took some more sedate group shots as well, I can assure you.

Those done it was nearly time for the guests to sit down for their meal. There was just some time for a bit of post-ceremony football.

Until the ball fell in Chaffeymoor’s huge pond.

With a little bit of teamwork they soon got their ball back.

We stayed at Chaffeymoor whilst guests enjoyed their meal around one big table. There were no formal speeches at all but we could hear plenty of laughter coming from that room.

It was getting pretty late after this and it was a real reminder that the days are getting a lot shorter as the sun set fast. We still had some time to take some dusk shots around the garden of the bride and groom. Lisa and Ian took us up on the offer of a full engagement shoot early in the year so they were real pros by now. It was great seeing the guestbook we made up for them get such a good response and lovely to see the pages fill up with comments.

There wasn’t any evening entertainment so to speak of, but with a mighty playlist a huge stock of beer and wine, and the knowledge the guests didn’t have to travel far to get to their beds that night, there was no stopping the party.

We hope you, your family and all your friends had an amazing bank holiday weekend at Chaffeymoor, Lisa and Ian. Congratulations to you both! x

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Wedding Preview: Clare and Andy

September 5, 2010 | Posted Under: , , , , | 4 Comments 

The skies were blue and the sun was baking for the wedding of Clare and Andy yesterday. It was a fun packed day which kicked off at the Royal Bath Hotel for wedding preps, then onto Bournemouth Town Hall and finished off at the end of the pier at the Key West restaurant and bar. We did the Bournemouth circular, waving at everyone from the polished VW Split Screen van and Beetle.

Clare and Andy made the most of being by the beach on their wedding day with a full-blown seaside theme. They even brought along their own lollipop props for their photos and we took some of their group shots on the deckchairs. Being at the end of the pier was a dream come true for these two. Clare is so obsessed with piers they’ve invented their own sightseeing hobby which they call “Piering”. They take it VERY seriously.

We were honorary members of the Piering Club yesterday and here’s a preview from our day. It was a great privilege.

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Wedding Preview: Lisa and Ian

August 29, 2010 | Posted Under: , , | Leave a Comment 

We’ve just got back this morning from a wedding at one of the most unique country house venues we know, Chaffeymoor Grange. Lisa and Ian’s wedding was a super-relaxed do with a late afternoon ceremony complete with settees for their guests. They’ve got the house for the whole weekend so we’ve left them to wind down after an exciting day and continue their weekend croquet tournament.

Lisa and Ian weren’t afraid to heat things up for some portrait shots around Chaffeymoor’s grounds and house as you can see below. In fact, it got so intense and smokin’ that the fire alarms went off mid-shoot (but that might have been because someone also forgot to open the chimney flue when lighting the fireplace).

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The Wedding of Kathy and Mark at Lady St Mary Church and The Cumberland

August 25, 2010 | Posted Under: , , , , | 5 Comments 

On a wet Saturday not long ago we headed over to Wareham for the wedding of Kathy and Mark at Lady St Mary Church. Kathy grew up in Wareham and her family are from there too so her Mum and Dad’s house played host to the bridal preparations. Kathy and her bridesmaids were still at the hairdressers when I got there but I was made to feel so welcome. Kathy’s Mum had put on a very generous buffet too to keep us all going throughout the morning. Bridal preps are so much easier with pork pies and Pringles to keep you going!

Once back from the hairdressers the girls piled into the kitchen to get ready en masse around the table. There was an excitable atmosphere.

When I walked into the house this pretty dress greeted me and I started snapping. Little did I know that this was just the ‘back up’ dress if things got a bit too heavy and full-on for Kathy later on in the day. The main dress was lucky enough to fill a room of its own upstairs. You’ll see why later!

Meanwhile, while I was snapping up dresses and scoffing on sausage rolls Ian met up with boys at the pub to shoot some of their preparations too.

The donning of the dress (actually a corset and a full skirt) required a full team of willing Bridesmaids to help with the hoop.

Kathy said a prayer for the rain to hold off so it would be dry enough to take some couple shots around Wareham after the ceremony.

Kathy and her Dad waited for a horse and carriage to pick them up and take them to the church whilst I piled in with the Bridemaids in their limousine.

We were only allowed to shoot for a little while during the ceremony and had to stay at the back for the most part of the service. We got all the essentials, though.

After some family shots in damp but tolerable conditions, Kathy changed into her sandals so we could walk around the beautiful gardens of The Priory Hotel without sinking her stilettos into the grass. That little morning prayer did the trick!

We liked this archway when we walked around The Priory Hotel for Kathy and Mark’s wedding preps so we went back.

After a good little play Kathy and Mark enjoyed a horse and carriage ride through to Sandford where they met their car to take them the rest of the way to the The Cumberland Hotel in Bournemouth. Following them in our car we can vouch they made an impressive tailback. Apologies if you were travelling along the A351 that day.

Whilst guests enjoyed their reception drinks I had some time to photograph the pretty table settings.

One guest got their very own goldfish! I promised him he could go on our blog if he posed nicely. Thanks Sebastian The Fish!

Very pretty cake.

and pretty knife too.

Kathy reads the engraving in her wedding band out to her girl friends.

Time for dinner.

The speeches took place after the main meal but before the dessert.

It was getting late in the day by then but we just managed to squeeze in some beach shots before it got dark. Kathy had to sit in the front seat and I literally piled her dress on top of her. Maybe we need a bigger car for times like these.

Mark’s shoes were ace so they deserved some attention too.

The Bride and Groom wanted some shots of their room and the four poster bed but our timing was RUBBISH. Brian, (The Cumberland’s excellent Wedding Co-ordinator) was just in the process of throwing petals on the bed when we all walked in and spoilt the surprise. Sorry Brian!

After Kathy had managed to get rid of all the sand from our beach shoot it was time for the First Dance.

We have to say, the DJ and Compere, Richard Welsh did a fabulous job of getting the party started and revving everyone up for dancing and kudos to the Groomsmen and the Bridesmaids they went along with it.

Congratulations Kathy and Mark and thank you for a very fun day x

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