Last summer I had the delight of photographing a military wedding in Dorset in the glorious sunshine. If you didn’t know I offer an automatic 10% to members of the armed forces and blue-light services; and whilst I’m primarily a Lincolnshire photographer, I’m more than happy to travel. (I also advertise on MOD discount websites so I never know where I’m likely to be off to!)
The day started bright, and I made my way to West Farm Holiday Cottages (http://www.westfarmholidays.co.uk/) to capture the bride and her entourage getting ready. I must say, what a happy bunch they were (I think the bride is the smiley-est person I’ve ever met – just see the pictures below!). I busied myself getting all the usual detail shots, and recording the ‘goings-on’ before getting some images of the bridal party outside.
Ever-conscious of the time, I then bid the ladies a temporary goodbye (after a panic that I’d locked my car keys in the car – luckily a false-alarm!) and headed to the church at Canford Magna to meet up with the boys and the rest of the guests.
The church was small but perfectly-formed, with plenty of room for me to move around and get different angles (I’m not a big fan of being stuck in one place) and there was even a raised area where the sound board sits (and the pipes for the organ). Up here I placed a spare camera that
I could fire off with a remote trigger – with a wide angle lens I could get some great shots of the bride as she walked down the aisle with her groom looking on.
As I was getting a few pictures outside the bride’s car arrived a little early – sending the best man a few groomsmen into a panicked run into the church – luckily the groom was already inside.
After a happy ceremony, and the obligatorily confetti and group shots, I whisked the couple away for a breather and some relaxed images next to the river Stour, taking advantage of the weeping willows and beautiful countryside. Naturally there followed the fun and games of the reception and speeches – held in a large marquee at the Grange Holiday cottages just north of Wimborne Minster.
I was in no rush to get back to the B&B (the excellent Sheaf of Arrows in Cranborne www.sheafofarrows.co.uk) I hung around until the sun went down to get some great sparkler and flash pictures to finish the day off. I think you’ll agree they came out really well!
I’ll finish off with some of my favourite images of the day – I hope you like them!
Al.
