Saturday was a first for me – my oldest son has been working on his photography and videography for a number of years, and this was our first outing as a double-act; Ursula & Sam had entrusted their videography to him (I wouldn’t have recommended him if I didn’t have absolute belief in his ability, but without a professional track record it was great they were trusting him too).
So for the first time ever I had company on my drive to a wedding, which I’ll admit was a very pleasant change! We arrived at The Bull Hotel in Bridport with time to spare, so we had a sneak look at the empty wedding space to capture some details, and I left Cameron doing his thing while I stepped over the road to find Ursula. Bridal preps were just across the way, as Ursula was getting ready in her parents much-loved holiday house in which she’d spent so much time as a child and still visits as many weekends as she can!
Inside, the house was full of pre-wedding bustle as Ursula got ready with her bridesmaids & flower girl, with Mum & Dad in attendance too. The bridesmaids were in a lovely 30’s style petrol blue satin knee-length dress with a v-neck and swooping cowl back. Silver sandals completed their outfits – perfect for a seaside wedding – and their flowers picked up the blue theme across the loosely gathered posies of english country flowers, in shades from white through vintage rose pink to lilac and rich cornflowers.
Ursula herself looked beautiful in her ballgown-shape dress, an illusion bodice with delicately overlaid lace creating barely-there coverage above the sweetheart neckline. The same lace disappeared over the flowing layered tulle skirt in a soft, subtle effect. The timelessly elegant gown was accompanied by a simple flower arrangement in her hair, and fabulous powder-blue leather 1930’s peep-toe styled shoes with an oversized petal design and a delicate t-bar buckle.
I ducked back across the road to the Bull as guests started arriving to collect Cameron, and then we were back across to the house to capture Ursula and her entourage enjoy their walk down the High Street to the Bull.
Sam was waiting patiently upstairs in The Bull’s big blue ballroom, which I’ll admit was a pleasant surprise for me. Function spaces in pubs and hotels do have a tendency to be rather dark, thanks to the nature of the old buildings. But The Bull’s ballroom was clearly the town’s space for dancing in Georgian times and with it’s huge windows and high ceilings it’s a beautifully light and airy space that looked wonderful for the ceremony.
The wedding itself was a relaxed and lighthearted service – instead of just the usual readings Ursula & Sam had their friends and family singing “Ain’t no mountain high enough” which lit up the atmosphere – I do love it when a couple make things a little different.
Once the register was signed, and they were officially Mr & Mrs we all headed down into the courtyard for the drinks reception, where the guests enjoyed the rather-too-rare summer sunshine and a mingle and chat over the champagne and nibbles, and we managed to squeeze in the small handful of family pictures too.
Before long it was time for the wedding breakfast, and the guests were back into the ballroom which had been rapidly turned around from ceremony space to dining room.
After the speeches, Cameron & I stole Ursula & Sam away from their guests and took a drive down to Burton Bradstock beach. Despite the speeches having run over time, we managed to arrive just as the sun was going down, and we had a few totally perfect moments as the sun slowly dipped below the cliffs, enjoying a peaceful stroll along the water’s edge as the sunset faded and the moon rose above us on the opposite side of the bay.
Back at The Bull the courtyard garden was now prettily lit in the twilight, and the guests were waiting for the couple to walk through their sparkler tunnel. We moved straight on up to the ballroom again, which had once again transformed, this time into a dance floor to get the evening going.
Ursula & Sam cut the cake, and then took to the floor for their first dance as husband and wife under the chandeliers; it wasn’t long before it was time for Cameron and I to say our goodbyes and leave the party in full swing.
Congatualtions Ursual and Sam.
Credit where due!
Venue – The Bull Hotel Bridport
Harpist – Stephanie Liney Flowers – Champernhayes
Dress by Ellis Bridal Shoes by Rachel Simpson
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All the lovely details from Ursula and Sam’s wedding at the Bull Hotel in Bridport Dorset ….