Highcliffe Castle wedding photographer

Zoe and Richard’s wedding at Highcliffe Castle

Zoe and Richard chose the perfect venue in Highcliffe Castle for their summer wedding in Dorset. But I’ll get back to all the reasons why I love being a Highcliffe Castle wedding photographer later.  Let’s start at the beginning of Zoe and Richard’s day. 

On the day, I headed to South Lawn Hotel in Lymington to catch up with Zoe and her bridal party who were getting ready in one of their spacious rooms.  Zoe and her bridal party were in high spirits so really fun to photograph.  I love it when the bridal party are fizzing with excitement.  It really sets the tone for a fun and friendly wedding day.

Zoe looked amazing in a beautiful figure skimming dress with a stunning lace train that gave her an exquisite silhouette, and with her hair elegantly styled by Jeni and gorgeous make up by Heidi, Zoe looked every inch the fairy tale bride and absolutely beamed all day.  Us Dorset wedding photographers do love a smiley bride.  

Experienced Highcliffe Castle wedding photographer

I then headed to Highcliffe Castle to catch up with Richard and his groom’s party.  Grade I listed Highcliffe Castle was built in the 1830’s and has impressive architecture and a rich history.  Its clifftop location overlooking Christchurch Bay and the Isle of Wight make it a real favourite with Dorset wedding photographers as its beautiful architecture and gardens as well as its direct access to the beach offers endless stunning backdrops in wedding photos. 

As soon as I arrived, I caught up with Richard and his groom’s party.  Richard looked very smart in a petrol blue suit, with white waistcoat and red tie.  I got some great images of the boys outside the majestic entrance of Highcliffe Castle before the ceremony began. 

More guests arrived and milled around in the beautiful formal gardens before being led into the Winter Garden Room for the wedding ceremony.  I love capturing wedding ceremony in Highcliffe Castle’s Winter Garden Room.  This light and airy conservatory style room makes a romantic setting.  It boasts stunning views over the grounds and its ceiling to floor windows flood the space with tons of natural light. (Music to the ears of any Dorset wedding photographer!)

Storytelling wedding photography at Highcliffe Castle

Zoe and her dad arrived in style in a gorgeous e-type jaguar car and were greeted on the steps by her bridesmaids (who all looked amazing in red dresses) and the groom’s party (petrol blue suits and red ties).  All ready for a formal entrance into the ceremony. 

The ceremony was beautiful and afterwards Zoe, Richard and their guests all headed back outside for reception drinks.  This was a chance for me to capture some fantastic group images of the wedding party as well as some candid images of Zoe and Richard’s guests happily mingling and soaking up their beautiful surroundings.

As guests were happily entertained, I quickly whisked Zoe and Richard away for a few minutes for a romantic mini photoshoot on the beach.  Though the weather had been overcast all day the sun came out whilst we were on the beach and I got some really romantic portrait images of Zoe and Richard that were amongst my favourites of the day.  I was even fortunate enough to pick up an award with Wedison for this epic photo on the rocks.

We then headed to South Lawn Hotel for the reception and were greeted on arrival with a fun confetti moment before I took some really fun images of the wedding party in the hotel’s gardens. 

Creative and natural Highcliffe Castle wedding photography

The wedding reception was held in South Lawn Hotel’s lovely Cornwallis Suite that has its own private bar and French windows that lead straight out onto the patio and gardens. 

Now, I love the little quirks at weddings as they tell me something of my couple’s personalities.  The table names depicting significant locations and events of Zoe and Richard’s story were very sweet as were the personalised tea wedding favours. 

There were some very well received speeches by Zoe’s dad Nigel, Richard and his best man Tom before everybody enjoyed a delicious wedding breakfast.  After which, as the weather was holding out, everybody headed back outside to enjoy the last of the sunshine in South Lawn Hotel’s pretty gardens.

Evening celebrations started with a fun first dance by Zoe and Richard, though their guests were clearly itching to get onto the dancefloor.  I took my life into my own hands and joined them and it paid off as I got some really fun images. 

Before taking my leave, I wanted to take one last image, so quickly whisked Zoe and Richard outside to capture an image of them outside the hotel on the lawn under an umbrella with the venue all lit up behind them.   It was a risk but it paid off giving them a wonderfully romantic photo of Zoe and Richard and the perfect image to close the story of their lovely wedding day.

A gorgeous castle wedding full of love and laughter.  Congratulations to Zoe and Richard for getting married and thank you for allowing me to tell the story of it. 

Awesome Suppliers:

Ceremony Venue: Highcliffe Castle Weddings
Website: https://www.highcliffecastle.co.uk/weddingshcc/
Instagram Handle: @highcliffecastleweddngs

Reception Venue: South Lawn Hotel
Website: https://www.southlawnhotel.co.uk/
Instagram Handle: @southlawnhotel

Make Up Artist: Heidi Adams Beauty
Website: https://www.heidiadamsmakeup.com/
Instagram Handle: @heidiadamsbeauty

Hair Stylist: Jeni Worsfold
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JeniWorsfoldMobileHairStylist/
Instagram handle: @jeniworsfold_bridalhairstylist