I hadn’t actually met Sarah and Dan before their wedding last week; once this would have been jaw-dropping news, but it’s not unusual these days, actually. With the marvels of modern technology it’s often much easier for my busy couples to find time to simply Skype a few times instead, which works really well.
I haven’t had a wedding at Axnoller since last year, so it was lovely to reacquaint myself with the place; it’s such a fabulous house.
Wedding mornings with the bride tend to swing between two extremes; the big noisy mornings I arrive to find rooms full of people busily ironing outfits, feeding children, opening champagne, working out buttonholes, laughing and chatting noisily… Sarah’s morning was on the other end of the scale, and I arrived to find the room was calm and peaceful, as Sarah was quietly enjoying her time with her mum as she was tended to by the lovely Caroline from Amazing Face.
Her embroidered lace-covered Justin Alexander gown had a perfect sweetheart neckline, and once Sarah stopped fooling around (no, I didn’t share the mad faces on the blog, I thought that would be unkind!) she looked stunning as she headed downstairs with her father.
The ceremony itself was held in Axnoller’s Cow Byre – hung with white drapes, lit by chandeliers and fairy lights, the transformation was completed by the amazing floral displays surrounding the candles lining the aisle by the reliably brilliant Jennifer Poynter. The gentle pinks weren’t a strong theme – rather they were subtle accents to the whites and greens of the arrangements, and in Sarah’s bouquet itself.
Married at last, Sarah and Dan led their guests out into the gorgeous Autumnal sunshine (we were SO lucky with the weather!) for drinks on the terrace, under Axnoller’s fabulous parasols as they enjoyed the string quartet. Eventually I managed to whisk them off for a saunter through the grounds in the late afternoon sunshine, enjoying the wide views across the Dorset countryside before they rejoined their guests and headed back inside for the wedding breakfast.
As darkness fell Axnoller really put on its fancy clothes, the beautiful lighting setting the party scene as the Jalopy Pizza Van arrived to keep the evening party-ers well fed as they danced and I took my leave.
Congratulations Sarah & Dan – it was a beautiful wedding, and I’d like to thank you for letting me be part of it.
Would you like to see all Sarah and Dan’s pictures from their Dorset Wedding at Axnoller House? Then all you have to do is register your details to recieve an automatic notification and invitation to view them when the album goes live upon their return from honeymoon! Click the following link and add your details now – Axnoller House Dorset Wedding
Credit where credit is due for other fab suppliers involved in this wonderful Dorset wedding
Hair and Makeup – Amazing Face
Dress by – Justin Alexander
Florist – Jennifer Poynter
Celebrant – Pippa Hamilton
Wedding Cake – Angel Cake Company
Catering – Gordon Sutherland
Music – Alani String Quartet
Sarah & dan’s wedding inspiration Board.
