Charlie & Sarah's Wedding 5th December 2009

The Sandbanks Hotel was the venue for Charlie and Sarah's wedding. After a week of wind and rain and a forecast that didn't look too promising, amazingly the day started dry and better than we expected.

We had first met Sarah a couple of years ago when she was a bridesmaid at Jane and Sarah's civil partnership wedding.  

We met the girls in their room having their hair done, all was calm and running to Sarah's timetable. With only their make-up to do we checked out the reception room which was pretty much ready and got ahead of ourselves with a few photos of the table decorations and so on.

On returning to the girls they were almost ready to get their dresses on for a few 'ready photos' and a glass of bubbly.

We met Charlie for the groom arrival photos along with his bestman, usher and close family before returning to Sarah to join her in the walk to the ceremony room.

The ceremony was followed by a drinks reception of warm mulled wine enjoyed by the guests, a good choice of drink for this time of the year.

The guests then braved the weather for the formal group photos outside. With assistance from the bestman and usher we were able to do this quite quickly. Sarah and Charlie returned inside for a warm and mingle with their guests before returning outside for a few photos of the two of them.

It was time for the greeting line and the guests were invited to join the couple for the wedding breakfast. The room was decorated beautifully with the colour theme running through and just a hint of Christmas. We loved the vibrant colour, good choice Charlie & Sarah!

As with many weddings now the speeches were prior to the meal, the men seem to like this and are able to enjoy their meal with the formalities over.

Whilst waiting for the first dance we couldn't resist a quick photo of Sarah and Jane (previous wedding couple), Sarah and Charlie (todays couple) and Liz and Andy (2010 couple). We look forward to seeing them all again at Andy and Liz's wedding next year.

Sarah and Charlie are now enjoying their honeymoon in Antigua. We wish them all the very best for their future together and look forward to seeing them on their return.

  

Emy & Rachael's Wedding 14th November 2009

The weather has certainly turned. The day started with not only heavy rain but with gale force winds and was very grey and dull.

We met Rachael and the girls at the hairdressers with Bernice from Fathoms Deep styling their hair. Everyone was in good spirits and determined not to let the weather put a downer on the day.

Once finished at the salon we went on to meet Lyn & Ken (Rachael's parents) at their house to photograph the dress, shoes, flowers and so on.The girls soon started to arrive back at the house to have their make-up done.

Rachael was ready first and we got some lovely shots of her in the conservatory, she was joined shortly after by Lucy, Aleisha and Alfie, her bridesmaids and pageboy. Aleisha was so excited and couldn't stop smiling and looked so pretty in her dress which was identical to Rachaels and Alfie looked so cute in his suit!

The wedding was in The Garrison Church of St.George The Martyr, Allenby Barracks, Bovington Camp where we met the guys, luckily the rain had stopped and we managed to get outside with them for a few shots although it was still very windy.

It is poignant to add that many of the guests had been or knew of someone serving in Afghanistan and our thoughts go out to them and wish that they return home safely.

After the ceremony the group photos were taken inside the church and once the guests had left we stayed in the church with the newly married couple.

The couple then left to join their guests in the Sergeants mess for the wedding breakfast.

The disco was enjoyed by some very young guests before the first dance during which Rachael sang every word of their chosen song to Emy. 

We wish Rachael and Emy all the very best for their future together.

Steve & Rachel's Wedding 3rd October 2009

We arrived at our bride's home to find everything going to plan. Rachel was having her hair done by Anouska from Bournemouth Bridal Hair and make-up by Rachel from Bridal Beauty.

We found the dress hanging up and the accessories laid out neatly so got on with photographing them while Rachel was having the finishing touches to her hair and make-up.

Rachel was soon in her dress and ready early so we made the most of the time that we had with her before leaving to meet Steve, Simon, Mike & Mark at St Georges in Oakdale.

Bob (Rachels Dad) was very proud walking her down the aisle. Steve turned to watch Rachel make her way down to the alter to meet him and I'm sure we saw a tear in her eye. A very emotional moment for the couple.   

After the ceremony the group photographs were taken in the church grounds. We then went on to visit Peggy (Rachel's Nan) who couldn't make the wedding for a couple of photographs. Peggy offered some advice to Steve and Rachel about marriage. I think Steve got the better deal!!!

We then went on to Boscombe beach/pier for some photos of the couple before making our way back to The Chine Hotel gardens. Steve lifted Rachel up into a firemans hold to whisk her off to join their guests for the wedding breakfast.

A little while after the first dance the guests were invited to join the couple in the hotel gardens for a fire show. Quite spectacular, 'dangerous' and somewhat different.

Rachel and Steve are now on honeymoon in Crete at the St Nicholas Bay Resort hotel. Rachel was the lucky winner of a competition in the Wedding Ideas magazine and they will be spending at least two nights in a 3 bedroom villa which comes with a butler and pool!!!!!!!!!!!

Another 5 nights half board in the hotel is included and they will be enjoying such things as a Gala dinner with lobster, seafood and wine, a greek night with a barbecue dinner, an A la Carte dinner with aperitifs, champagne and wine. A fabulous massage and jacuzzi and complimentary use of the gym, sauna and steam bath. Wow what a honeymoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We are sure that they are going to have the most fantastic time.

We wish Steve and Rachel all the very best for their future together and look forward to seeing them again soon.  

Alex & Kelly's Wedding 2nd October 2009

We met Kelly and her bridesmaids at Level in Wallisdown to start the day. Hair and make-up was underway, it was all hands to the pump, the stylist, assistant and beautician worked as a team to ensure that the girls were on time. 

We went on ahead of the girls to photograph the dress, shoes etc. The girls soon joined us for some final preparations and lunch before getting into their dresses.

After some photographs in the garden we went on to meet Alex, Ben (the Bestman) and Baba, Mark & Mike (the Ushers) at Parley Manor where today's ceremony and reception were to take place.

A memorable part of the service was when the registrar asked Alex if he would take Kelly to be his lawful wedded husband! This brought a great deal of laughter and a smile to everyone's face.

The band played as the couple left through a guard of honour to a drinks reception in the gardens.

After a short while we went on to take the formal group photos. Dave climbed out onto the conservatory roof to take the photo of everyone and then we went off with the bridal party for a few photos and were left with Alex and Kelly for a short while for some photos of just the two of them.

The guests greeted Alex and Kelly for the wedding breakfast of roasted hog which was delicious!!!!!!!

The speeches followed, Norman (Kelly's Dad) was reminiscent of his marriage to Maureen and their wedding day which caused quite a few laughs!! Alex's speech kicked off with 'my husband and I' and more laughs followed with the speech from Ben the Bestman.

The first dance was not the usual 'hugshuffle' it contained some twirls, spins and some shimmys...... Well done Alex and Kelly it was really good.

Alex and Kelly are on honeymoon in Kenya on Safari.
We wish them all the very best for their future together.