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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Wedding Preview: Kathy and Mark

August 15, 2010 | Posted Under: , , , , , | Leave a Comment 

We completely lucked out on the weather yesterday for the wedding of Kathy and Mark. In the morning we made our way over to the ceremony at Lady St Mary Church in Wareham and then back to Bournemouth for a reception at the Cumberland Hotel. We dodged all the downpours meaning we still got to play in the garden of The Priory Hotel and on Bournemouth beach, just as we planned.

It was a fun-filled day helped along by lots of bridesmaids and groomsmen. Kathy wins the award for our biggest dress to date too. There’s a bride in there somewhere!

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Wedding Prep Shots: Kathy and Mark

July 22, 2010 | Posted Under: , , , , , , | 6 Comments 

We met up with Kathy and Mark last night over in Wareham to talk through their wedding details, have a catch-up and peak through the door at Lady St Mary Church where they’ll be tying the knot in a few of weeks. It’s going to prove to be an action-packed day as after a ceremony over in the Purbecks we’ll all be making our way over to Bournemouth for a reception and party at The Cumberland Hotel.

When we were walking around Wareham we found out Kathy’s mum has been an absolute star and arranged it for us to use the grounds of The Priory Hotel next to the church just after the ceremony so we can get some portraits in peace and quiet. There are so many pretty nooks and crannies here and we’re so impressed with the gesture and forward-thinking. Good work Kathy’s mum!

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Wedding Shoot: Sam and James at Christchurch Priory & The Cumberland Hotel

May 11, 2010 | Posted Under: , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments 

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

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