Bridge House Hotel Dorset Wedding of Hilary & Alex

By Courtenay

Last Staurday dawned grey but dry, and I arrived for the wedding at the Bridge House Hotel hopeful that we wouldn’t be stuck inside all day after all.

I joined Hilary amidst in her super-busy bridal preps, the room overflowing with bridesmaids, Hair & Make Up artists, mum, little bridesmaid… Dad popped in a little later… but it’s always good, I love it when there’s the usual mad busy excited chatter flowing.
As the preps were moving along at their own pace I took the opportunity to nip down and photograph the all ready laid up Georgian restaurant – it’s always nice to catch the reception venue looking perfect, before it fills with guests.
Back up to Hilary’s room, and everyone was looking lovely. The bridesmaids were in the wedding colours of rich navy, with the spring flowers accenting in goreous warm tones of deepest golden yellow. Hilary’s Maggie Sottero dress looked beautiful with it’s fitted lace bodice falling into a soft draping tulle skirt.
Once the girls were pretty much ready I headed down to where the guests were arriving; many were staying in the hotel itself but as usual the ceremony was held in the Sun Room so naturally everyone was headed that way.

The ceremony really set the scene for the day, with a relaxed and warm atmosphere filled with happy family. Once Hilary and Alex were declared husband and wife, everyone moved outside to enjoy drinks in the Garden Gazebo, relaxing in the Spring warmth.

Once we’d managed the few family formal photographs on the lawn in front of the blossoming cherry tree, I slipped out of the hotel and across the road with Hilary and Alex, to where the bride’s aunt lived in a beautiful Edwardian house with a river running through the gardens.
The sudden space and peace when we slip away from the guests is always time to breathe for the couple, and Hilary and Alex enjoyed a quiet stroll through the gorgeous gardens, making the most of the burst of Spring flowers which the recent warm spell had opened in their honour.

Before long we headed back to the hotel to rejoin guests for the wedding breakfast, which was started with the speeches. Unusually, it was the Mother of the Bride who made the speech on Saturday, deciding it was her turn to play a part as Dad had given Hilary away. I do love it when a couple breaks ‘the rules’ to make their wedding exactly the way they want it!

After the meal the evening guests began to arrive as Hilary and Alex cut the cake, and before long the mixologist was providing the guests with the couple’s own signature cocktail.

The evening guests swelled the family crowd as the wedding band duo got underway in the Garden Gazebo. Hilary & Alex’s first dance as husband and wife was soon over, and I left as the party was getting into full swing.