Coastland Events- Kingston Maurward Estate Wedding Dorchester, at Kingston Maurward Animal Park and Garden.
Cocktails, Sparklers, Magic and A wedding
I met the lovely Emily and her parents at the Kingston Maurward Estate Wedding fair in Dorchester over a year before their wedding. Emily booked in a consultation and we just hit it off! I knew from this moment their day was going to be full of such fun and laughter; my intuition was right! Emily stalked me at several weddings fairs including the busy Weymouth Pavilion, updating me with how they were getting on with practising their dip kiss for the aisle.... Sometimes nailing it, other times landing on the coffee table!
Be prepared for a wild ride
On the lead up to the wedding I arranged a pre-wedding venue trip where Emily and I chatted (not all things wedding) for over an hour. Unfortunately, Ryan was just finishing work and off to a party but Emily called him and told him he was missing out. We walked around the gardens at a beautiful golden hour and discussed where we would go on the day to minimise the amount of time they would be away from the party. Photos were important to Emily and Ryan but they did not want the focus to be on this. They wanted the day captured authentically, candidly with a sprinkling of prompts for the couple photographs; so this is what we planned.
Emily text me the day before to say 'be prepared for a wild ride' and I just thought these are my people! People think photography is just taking photos. But, for me anyway, it is so much more than that. I want my couples to feel like they have a friend there on their wedding day so they feel relaxed to be themselves with minimal 'Chandler Bing' smiles. Also, so I can call them names and get some natural, candid belly laugh photos.
The Details
Florals, maps, audio guest phone, selfie booth to add detail and give an interactive feel.
Cake: Blossom Dream Cake
Styling: The Wedding Library Dorset
Audio Guest phone: Kelly Tawse Photography
I shaved my toes for this!
On the morning of the wedding I headed down to Emily's family home and it felt like I was meeting up with my own family. Everyone was so friendly and Emily's Dad kept thrusting drinks and pain au chocolate in my face (not that I was complaining). Emily was having her hair done by ladies from The Flamingo Room in Weymouth, and Emily's Mum was having some pampering by Glam with Casey. I announced my arrival by letting Emily know I had shaved my big toe for her day (true story), that was how invested I was in her day. I could see all the bridal party relax instantly and they knew I was here for a good time and to get stuck in. The morning was really chilled out and Emily was in her dress ready to go on time allowing me to capture some emotional first look photos with her Dad and bridesmaids before heading off to Kingston Maurward Estate, Dorchester to grab some venue shots.
Ceremony, confetti and canapes.
The ceremony was just perfect, the light, the venue, the staff. Zack and Polly from Coastland Events were on hand to take care of the day and make everyone, including the vendors, feel welcome. Chris Howat Magic donned the confetti man sign and helped to hand out confetti to guests whilst I rounded people up ready for the big moment- you wont believe how hard it can be to get a group of people to stand in two lines....
Shortly after, Loose Moose Catering handed out some delicious looking canapes (no, I didn't get any as I was too busy!) whilst guests headed to the bar to start the festivities nice and early. There was intermittent rain but as soon as it stopped myself and Ben from Soler Media headed out for some couple shots, and we had SO much fun.
Candid wedding photography -Dorset
Prompts:
- Chase Emily and grab her
- Give her a kiss like you haven't seen her ages
- Candid hiding from the rain
- Candid running from the rain
Your wedding day not a photoshoot
Shooting these two was so easy. They were a playful couple and Ryan enjoyed me teasing him through out the day. Couples have two choices when booking with me 100% documentary and no direction, or 90% candid and 10% prompts, which is what Emily and Ryan chose.
Kingston Maurward Estate is incredible from a photographic point of view too; the lawns, flowers, impressive house, ponds, lake and little bridge give lots of opportunities to explore and give a variety of backdrops.
Let the magic begin
After around 30 minutes wandering around chucking the occasional prompt their way to get an action/emotion, we headed back to the house for a lovely 2 course meal. Chris wowed guests between courses to keep the energy alive and stunned the top table with his magical skills. Shortly followed speeches, which were an emotional rollercoaster! Going from tears of laughter to tears of sentiment and memories there was barely a dry eye in the house. Just the right balance but also blooming difficult to take photos with tears streaming down your face.
Golden hour working it's charm
The day continued with guests using the audio guest phone to leave funny and/or heartfelt messages to the couple, taking selfies at the selfie station or mingling outside in the golden light with a glass of bubbly in hand. Kingston Maurward really has the most incredible golden hour that sets just behind the steps into the garden. The golden glow filters on to the back of the house making it perfect for incredible photos of guests sipping drinks, chatting and laughing at dodgy jokes leaving the weeks stresses behind them.
The evening followed by the obligatory cake cutting, an epic first (and second dance) from DJ Funky T and a very nerve wrecking sparkler shot! By the way, sparklers and drunk people is a challenging mix; I did have to use my 'big' voice to give a safety low down first... but the stress was worth it as the photos are incredible. After I finished, I celebrated with an obligatory shot and a boogie with the bride and groom before packing up. Everyone from the parents, best men, bridesmaids and friends were egging me to stay on, giving me hugs and kisses to thank me for the day. This is how I know I have done a good job. I'm not just capturing the day, I am a part of it with you.
The bride messaged me the next morning: Your presence on the day was such a huge part. You were perfect from the start to the finish and we missed you once you left! xx
Would I recommend Kingston Maurward Estate as a wedding venue; 100%! It has everything; the grandeur, the intimacy, the views, indoor and outdoor ceremonies and apparently now the opportunity to hire confetti goats and an owl too- and in the words of my husband; who wouldn't want that!
Venue - Kingston Maurward Estate Weddings
See vendors below
Vendors:
Venue: Kingston Maurward Estate, Kingston Maurward Animal Park
Dress: Wed2Be
Grooms Ring: Newbands
Makeup Artist: GlamwithCasey_
Hair Stylist: The Flamingo Room Weymouth
Flowers: P&M Read
Venue Stylist: The Wedding Library Dorset
Magician and MC (and Confetti Man): Chris Howat Magic
Caterers: Loose Moose Catering
Audio Guest Phone: Kelly Tawse Photography
DJ: DJ Funky T
Cake: Blossom Dream Cakes
Videographer: Ben Soler Media
Photographer: Me
