A couple of weeks ago we headed back to The Lord Bute Hotel and Restaurant and Highcliffe Castle for the wedding of Sarah and James. The two venues are so close to each other you can jog between the two, and they compliment each other perfectly. The bridal suite room at The Lord Bute is so spacious - perfect for lots of girls gathering round to have their make-up done ahead of a wedding. There’s a hint of “Motel” here and I love the fact that you get your own front door so a wedding car can pick you up from your little house rather than having to hang around in a hotel lobby.

The weather was a little bit dingy first thing, but what better way to bring a little light and sparkle to the day than being handed over a pair of glittery Jimmy Choos to photograph?

Champagne bottles are scary!

Sarah got a lovely pair of surprise earrings as a gift from James.

Meanwhile, Ian met up with the boys and the guests arriving at Highcliffe Castle whilst Sarah finished her final preps and revealed to her Dad he’d have to do a special, choreographed walk down the aisle. Priceless.

I’m getting quite good at taking photos over my shoulder without looking. I wish they’d invent bridal cars with swivel front seats.

I’d just like to point out those tripods and microphone aren’t ours

Shortly after the ceremony everyone made their way around the corner to the Lord Bute for the drinks reception. Love the icing bow on this wedding cake - it’s so pretty.

The Lord Bute has a very beautiful conservatory and terrace along with an exceptionally helpful and organised wedding co-ordinator, Chris.

I think there were a few tall tales being told in the Best Man’s Speech. All good fun though.

After a day of drizzle and cloud it miraculously cleared up just in time for us to head back over to Highcliffe beach to take a few late afternoon portraits of Sarah and James on the beach.

Posted with thanks and congratulations to Sarah and James x

Yesterday, we woke to that dreaded sound of the rain pattering on the window. Sarah and James’ wedding ceremony was held at Highcliffe Castle in Dorset, followed by a reception at the Lord Bute Hotel & Restaurant. Luckily, things brightened up just in time for our trip down to the beach.

See Sarah & James’s wedding at Highcliffe Castle, the New Forest in full here

We’d never heard of the Lord Bute Hotel & Restaurant in Christchurch before Kat and Matt got in touch to enquire whether we’d be able to photograph their wedding. Which is very strange considering it’s only about a 15-minute drive from our house. With its sprawling suites and plenty of luxurious places to take bridal preps and run riot even if it rains it proved to be a fantastic location  and run exceptionally well by their wedding co-ordinator, the jovial and very helpful Chris. When we met up with Kat and Matt for this wedding prep on autumny Sunday morning we also got a whiff our their award-winning roast dinners and it smelt amazing!

We really had the run of the place when it came to the bridal preparations. Stretched out between three different suites including a mini two-floor house and the biggest honeymoon suite we’ve ever seen in our lives it offered up loads of lovely locations.

Kat had quite a troop helping her out with all the essential preps.

With Mum close at hand to help out…

Kat weirdly lost her original shoes which she was looking forward to showing off Those pesky wedding pixies must have been doing the rounds. However, these sparkly numbers looked the business, especially on Dairy Milk bed linen.

Kat and Matt’s friend, Zoe did a great job of the bouquets and table settings.

Getting the dress on…

The reaction to Kat’s new Pandora bracelet which Matt left for her that morning…

The lovely bridesmaids…

A proud Mum…

Our ‘Freemans Catalogue’ attempt may have just given us a new Big Bouquet cover girl!

Introducing Matt, the Groom who arrived in rather swish fashion in a Lambourghini.

A slightly more antique mode of transport for the Bride and her Dad.

The ceremony took place at St Saviour’s church in Brockenhurst. Other than the Bride’s entrance we weren’t allowed to take any photographs during the service. It was a lovely, emotional ceremony (but you’re just going to have to take our word for it). Skip to the confetti…

After some family shots we made our way back to the Lord Bute, stopping along the Burley Road in the New Forest for some sneaky location shots.

This next one may possibly be a bit too ‘Hello’ magazine, but we had to show off that lovely, light honeymoon suite.

The reception room had already been kitted up earlier in the day. Doesn’t it look lovely? (Kat presented us with one of these bowls when it was time to go home so it’s sitting pride of place on our living room table at the moment!)

The table plan had a cocktail theme!

There wasn’t a set menu. The guests got to choose from a number of mouth-watering dishes.

To help with the nerves, the speeches took place before the meal.

There was plenty of storytelling and teasing going on, much to the embarrassment of the Bride.

Or maybe not…

Food dishing out we left everyone to it to enjoy their meals.. We very much hope to go back to the Lord Bute soon. It was a brilliant venue with a very relaxed and stylish atmosphere. Thanks for letting us be part of your day, Mr and Mrs Warner!

- E

We were happy to get back into the wedding shoots today after our little break and were pleased to say it was a real treat of a day. Not only were we blessed with far better weather than we were expecting, but we had the run of some brilliant locations and venues (The Lord Bute, Highcliffe) as well as the company of a lovely bride and groom and very welcoming guests.

Kat and Matt made our day very easy. Not only did they manage to organise a cracking wedding full of loads of lovely details, but they were up for trying out some different, fun shots which always makes me happy. Messing about with crazy mirrors is just one example. Lots more to follow soon…