A wedding with a view to the hills
All the glorious photographs, unless marked as “in house”, were taken by CRH Photography
crh-photography@hotmail.com / instagram.com/crhphotographyandvideo%3Figshid%3DZDdkNTZiNTM%3D
This couple had chosen to get married in front of the gate to the Ha Ha as they loved the view of the hills beyond. This meant that Marqco Marquees had been asked to put up their Capri marquee on the Gazebo Lawn.
+44 7787 825548 / enquiries@marqco.co.uk / marqco.co.uk
The Marquee went up very quickly as it was only one module – slight panic when the couple came over about whether they should have ordered an extension, but all was well in the end - the forecast was sun and yet more sun so most of the day would be spent outside!
Friday - The bride had been planning and preparing for this wedding for two years and wanted to be sure that everything was perfect and it was. Boxes revealed beautifully folded napkins, silk flowers and confetti.
Ribbons were hung across the entrances to the marquee, across the end of the marquee and even in the branches of the catalpa!
Tables were laid - having the napkins ready folded saved hours of time. Each table had a white runner across the centre, a small glass vase of Gypsophila and two pink faux candles in brass candlestick.
Each guest had a gold edged plate - amazingly made of plastic - with one of the beautifully folded napkins on top. Under this was a card welcoming them to the wedding. A hand-written label, on a pink ribbon showed them their place and as a treat each place had a bottle of “Pink Lady” cocktail! One had to be swiftly removed as it was in a child’s place!
The newly marrieds had a table to themselves.
The bride placed a tall mirror under the catalpa tree with words of welcome written on the top. Silk flowers decorated the bottom. The bride used silk flowers throughout so that she could arrange them in advance - she was so excited that could not wait until the day!!
The bride had painted her card box to match the “Timings for the Day” board and these were put ready to go out side the following morning, along with a table guide and a crossword for guests to complete.
With the weather looking so dry, the chairs were put in place over by the Ha Ha but the silk flower arrangements were kept safely inside as there was quite a breeze.
With their photograph line hung and the disco ball suspended from the roof of the marquee it was time to go back to Chisel Barn in Child Okeford. They were hosting both the bride and groom and their families in Airb&b's cottages.
Chisel Barn - info@chiselbarn.co.uk / 07824 638117 / https://www.chiselbarn.co.uk/
Saturday - the groom arrived early with his groomsmen - all looking very smart in Tuxedos.
Bottles were put on tables, notices set up outside the marquee and by the entrance to the lawns and cards arranged on the chairs.
Then came the setting out of the huge flower arrangements that the bride had so carefully made. These were to sit on very delicate stands and the wind was blowing - great for the heat but not for the flowers. After trying many things, we lent some metal stakes, which were place round the back where there could not be seen by the guests and hey presto - stability!
It looked lovely, ribbons had been tied to each chair and smaller floral arrangements, tethered with tent pegs set at the end of the aisle.
The disco - Mr DJ - arrived to set up his gear in the marquee and to make a sheltered safe spot for his amplifier as he was in charge of music for the ceremony.
Email: Jools@mr-dj.co.uk / Website: www.mr-dj.co.uk
The boys returned to the marquee to check that every thing was in place before grabbing a beer from the Copper Still Bar who had set up their horse box in the field ready to serve guests as they arrived.
07711222896 / llo@thecopperstillbar.co.uk / www.thecopperstillbar.co.uk
The bride’s mother drove up with the car full of the most amazing cup cakes - a perfect iced flower on top of each one. There was also a beautifully iced white cake to cut later. These were put in the porch for safe keeping out of the sun.
The Silver Cake / 07765786164 / bea@thesilvercake.co.uk / www.thesilvercake.co.uk
Cupcakes - Cantelo Treats - cantelotreats@gmail.com
With videographer and photographer ready, it was time for guests to put down their drinks and take their seats. The groom had been into the house to see the Registrars and was now dispatched to take his place.
Videographer - Big Day Productions / Contact Tel: 07858647232 / info@bigdayproductions.co.uk
Website: www.bigdayproductions.co.uk
The bride’s car drove up the drive and she and her bridesmaids got out - all looking amazing. The bride in a lowcut dress with a ruched front, tight bodice and a flowing skirt. Three bridesmaids were in green and the fourth waring a matching dress but in yellow. All held bouquets of fresh flowers made up by a family friend.
Adjustments made to the bride’s veil, they posed for a few formal photographs before going into the house passed the watchful ancestors
Butterfly Brides-Dorchester / Designer: Mori Lee / 01305266644 / info@butterfly-brides.co.uk / Bridal Shops | Butterfly Brides
More photographs were taken inside while the bride saw the Registrars but soon it was time to open the curtains, the signal for the music to begin and the first bridesmaid to make her way down to the nervous groom waiting at the end of the aisle.
The bride came down the steps from the Dining Room on the arm of her proud father and walked slowly to meet her groom and the ceremony began.
With Rings exchanged, they were declared man and wife. They moved to the table at the side to sign the register before heading back down the aisle in a cloud of confetti.
They then took a few moments on their own before their guests surrounded them.
Chairs and flowers were moved and guests took advantage of the old fashioned bicycle ice cream cart that had been set up in the field - perfect after having sat in the sun for so long.
Garbanzos Event Hire- Ice cream truck/trolley +44 7734 929945 / hello@garbanzoseventhire.com/
The photographer gathered groups together before taking the bride and groom into the field for some informal photographs ending with a well earned drink!
Whilst all this was going on, friends and relations were unloading an amazing buffet from the back of their cars! This was laid out on long tables in the shade of the catalpa tree. Guests helped themselves and soon there was very little left!
Speeches followed the wedding breakfast - always a time for much laughter.
Guests explored the grounds, chatted or visited the bar which, with the hot weather was busy all day or some tried out the photobooth that had been set up in the gazebo. At one point there was a very definite “boy”s” table and a “girl’s” table!
7pm and time for the evening celebrations to begin but first the cake needed cutting and eating!
The music started in earnest and the couple took to the floor for the first dance where they were soon joined by their guests - the party had begun.
As the light began to fade, the photographer took a moment to take a few more photographs in the light that photographers prefer.
In the field the ice cream seller had been replaced by a roaring pizza oven and soon guests queued up to choose their favourite topping and delicious looking sides.
Garbanzos Event Hire - 07734929945 / hello@garbanzoseventhire.com / garbanzoseventhire.com
Dancing continued, with an hour of Saxophone playing, until midnight when guests left for their b & bs or homes - the end of an amazing day - a day full of family, friends and love.
aidannewlandsax@gmail.com / Aidan Newland Sax - Wedding Musician | Aidan Newland Sax
