Wonderful winter wedding at Somerset's Elmhay Park

It was. a beautiful November day, driving over Orchardleigh Park www.orchardleigh.net amongst the autumn colours, on my way to Lucy and Ben's wedding and first of all, getting ready/bridal prep photos at the Castle for the girls. We captured some very special light in the drawing room for Lucy's dress (www.thewhitecollectionbridal.co.uk) photos, and then made our way over to Elmhay www.elmhaypark.co.uk for a first look. Not many UK couples do a first look yet, but this was very special, with Ben facing away from the gateway where Lucy would appear, and she walked towards him with the beautiful walled garden behind her. We did couple photos afterwards before the ceremony, which again was different, but was lovely with the colours and statues around the couple (bouquet by www.lesfleursbristol.co.uk). The ceremony was in the Italian Garden and then the couple joined their many guests for canapés and champagne. The dinner was later in the afternoon by which time it was already dark, the candlelit room was beautiful. The couple had hired Katy Locke Design for the day - she was amazing, taking phone photos of couples and quickly painting them in watercolour postcard size. The guests and couple loved her designs, that would be a great big recommendation from me! Sparklers were before the first dance - tips for sparklers, PLEASE get the long ones, have lighters for everyone (as they all need to be lit at the same time) and please be careful as on this occasion I and the two videographers were walking backwards down a corridor of lit sparklers! Then came the first dance and mad dancing to the DJ - the bride stayed on the dance floor for hours and therefore so did their guests!

The bride in the Castle at Elmhay

The bridesmaid helping with the veil

Bridal party about the leave for the ceremony

The bride walking up to her groom

Bride and groom greeting each other at their first look

Couple photos in the beautiful walled garden

Do the dip - this might take a little bit of practice before the wedding

Bridal party going to the reception

Serious man photo, with cigars around the fountain

Sparklers

Bride and groom dancing

Guests dancing

If the couple stays on the dance floor, so will the guests

The bride spinning her dress

The bride and groom having a great time on the dance floor