Shell Bay Wedding Photography – Oh I do like to be beside the seaside, very much indeed! Dorset is a bit out of my normal patch for wedding photography, but I photographed Ben’s sister’s wedding a few years ago (hi Katie!), and I was delighted when Ben and Rachel asked me to also photograph their big day.
I could tell within moments of entering Rachel’s parents house (where she was getting ready with her bridesmaids) that this was going to be a very special wedding. Rachel has the most INCREDIBLE smile, and didn’t stop grinning all day! After taking a few shots of the girls I headed to the Haven Hotel, which is perched on the edge of the Sandbanks peninsula in Poole. Ben and his portion of the wedding party were getting ready in a brilliant suite at this hotel. There were a lot of them – everywhere I turned there was another handsome man!
I then jumped on an old Routemaster with Ben and some of the wedding guests for the quick drive up to All Saints Church, where the beautiful wedding ceremony was held. The vicar was an absolute delight and was happy for me to be up front so I could take photographs of Ben and Rachel’s faces as they said their vows. Predictably there were lots of grins during the ceremony!
Rachel and Ben held their wedding reception in Shell Bay, which is a fabulous seafood restaurant in Swanage, just across the water from Sandbanks. It is accessible via the Sandbanks ferry – this was my first opportunity to photograph a bride and groom on a ferry which was fun! Shell Bay is nestled in the most perfect spot, with superb views.
Rachel and Ben and I walked across the beach for some photographs, then I photographed them and their guests as they enjoyed their wedding reception and wedding breakfast. The speeches (including fabulous work by the MC) were hysterical, one of the funniest collection of speeches I’ve heard in a long time! This was followed by some very enthusiastic dancing, which I loved.
Huge congratulations to the very lovely bride and groom – Rachel and Ben you are amazing, thank you to you and your families for being so warm and awesome!
