Beautiful village church wedding
It was so lovely to have a wedding in our own village church followed by a reception here at Shillingstone House.
The marquee went up on the Thursday before their celebrations. It was a gloomy day when Western Marquees arrived but the weather forecast was good for the weekend. The couple had chosen the field site and a clearspan marquee.
+44 1258 839193 / info@westernmarquees.co.uk / westernmarquees.co.uk
All the great photographs, unless marked “in house” were taken by Dean Robertson -
dean@deanrobertsonphotographer.com / deanrobertsonphotographer.com
Friday brought a flurry of activity. Dikes of Stalbridge arrived to set up their bar and to put out tables in the catering tent. They have been several times before and are always very efficient and helpful.
+44 1963 362204 / info@dikeandson.co.uk / dikeandson.co.uk
The bride wanted the interior of the tent to be beautiful but very simple. Western Marquees had lined the marquee in white and had made two chandeliers specially for the occasion. Round tables were covered in white cloths and laid ready for the next day.
The florist arrived, having finished her arrangement in the Church, and showed those helping how to arrange the greenery on the tables. Each table had three glass vases, containing white pillar candles, placed in the centre. Round each one they twisted a mixture of olive and eucalyptus leaves and gypsophila. Later pale pink and coral roses and carnations were laid amongst the greenery. Very simple but very effective.
Fay Tarring - Floral Artista Poole -+44 7967 102576 / faytarring@live.co.uk
Brass numbers indicated the table numbers and place names stood in cut corks or small wooden circles.
A welcome notice and a list of table names had been ordered on the internet and were put on Easels by the entrance, along with a table for cards and good wishes - the latter to be written in a special book or on a little wooden heart.
Preparations completed and the party left to join up with other relatives for dinner.
The morning of the wedding saw the arrival of the cake, made by a family friend. She had brought it in separate layers to complete in the marquee. After a few little touch ups following its journey the towering confection was ready for its flower decorations. Luckily the florist was on hand! A joint work of art.
The photographer was around early on Saturday morning as he had stayed the night in his camper van. Wonderful for us as he took some brilliant pictures of the house and grounds. A lovely keepsake for the couple as well.
Andy from Dikes arrived with hi team to set out the drinks on the bar and start preparing the Wedding Breakfast.
Soon it was time for the photographer to leave for the church for what I gather was a very moving service.
The bridegroom’s grandfather had lived in the village and he greeted the bride as she arrived with her bevy of bridesmaids.
The couple came out to a sea of confetti. Before leaving the churchyard, the groom placed flowers on his grandmother’s grave and that of his great grandparents.
They arrived back at Shillingstone House in a white Rolls Royce and as the bride was helped out of the car, the full beauty of her dress was revealed She looked amazing. With three layers of skirt giving it volume, the dress moved like a cloud and emphasised the beautiful sequinned bodice above. The final touch was that the skirt split to the waist to reveal white shorts beneath!
The couple came into the house for some more photographs and a little time on their own before leaving by the dining room french windows to run the gauntlet of more confetti on the lawn.
With everyone gathered together, a group photograph was taken before some formal groups.
Guests finished their canapes and made their way into the marquee. When everyone was seated the couple made their grand entrance as a married couple.
Dikes lived up to their reputation and produced a delicious two course Buffet
Then it was time for speeches to the relief of several worried speech givers. A time for laughter and tears.
Guests explored the grounds and relaxed on the lawns until the sound of music at 7pm lured them back inside for the cutting of the cake and the first dance. One of Dike’s staff amazed everyone by carrying the cake out, all by herself, to cut it up in the catering tent!
The child bridesmaids took to the floor with the bride until she was taken away for some last photographs as the sun began to go down.
Soon the Dorset DJ was in full dance mode and the party began in ernest with the bride and some of her guests showing off some spectacular moves.
+44 7952 513696 / david@1111.events / www.dorsetdj.co.uk
Laughter and cheering continued until midnight - the witching hour when the music stopped and everyone made their weary way to their taxis and cars and home. This included the bride and groom who were staying in a pub nearby. The end of a wonderful day - just as the bride had wanted - simple but beautiful and above all fun.
