Dorset Coastal Marquee Wedding
I’m delighted to share the lovely wedding day of Mike and Sophie which was captured by wedding photographer Keith Bridle of Bridle Photography.
The couple
Mike and Sophie are from Banstead in Surrey, they decided to get married in Swanage as its a holiday location they just love. They are the most relaxed couple you will ever meet and they have a son who is Reuben. Now Reuben suffers from a rare condition called Joubert Syndrome and is the sweetest boy, his laughter is infectious and he looked amazing in his little suit next to his dad.
I first met them through the best wedding planner in Swanage Polly Smith od Blue Bay Events and we instantly hit it off, Sophie with her laid back ways and Mike with his cricket talk! We still get on and talk even after the wedding and i’ve been to visit them and have a game of cricket, pretty much my perfect clients that i can now call friends.
Please tell us a little bit about the day and how it went
The day itself was actually spread over 2 days. DAY 1 was the intimate ceremony with close family, just 20 guest in a castle on the top floor surrounded by windows that over look the sea. The weather looked like rain but amazingly this is the UK and it turned out absolutely gorgeous. The ceremony was followed by a family meal in a brilliant restaurant called The Canteen, a square table laid out beautifully and food to die for starting with oysters and mocha expressos!
DAY 2 however was the complete opposite, all the friends and family and lots or rain! A marquee had been set up in Polly’s family homes garden in Harmen’s Cross and the decoration was amazing. Mike being green fingered and a gardener chose to have small plants as the favours for every guest with instructions on how to look after it, along with an olive tree making the centre piece to the whole marquee. So party day couldn’t have been better, 3 course meal, speeches in clouding mother of the bride and her sister rapping half of theres and even a flash dance that Sophie’s amazing friends had been organising for months. I was there till the live band played the final song of the night and the dance floor was full and then a sparkler send off for the newly married couple.
Do tell us a little bit about yourself
Well HI, I’m Keith Bridle of Bridle Photography. I’ve been shooting weddings for 10yrs after taking over from my mentor and Grandad after he shot them for 50yrs. Based in Dorset i get to see some amazing coastal venues and so me amazing country houses, I am also lucky enough to travel with my work worldwide as well reaching as far a field as Canada and Cyprus.
Shooting around 40 weddings a year I get to share some of the best days of peoples lives and I count myself very lucky to be able to do this as my “job”!
How would you describe your photography style?
My style has evolved so much over the years, starting off very traditional after being taught by my Grandad to now having a very unobtrusive and relaxed style, if my bride & grooms aren’t laughing or have the biggest smiles i’m not doing my job right.
I use my couples shots as a catch up for the bride and groom as everyone knows you don’t really get to much time together on the big day, you can’t help but capture them talking and smiling about different things they see and the love thats in their eyes.
What did you love about the day?
How can I say EVERYTHING!! I loved the relaxed beautiful ceremony with the closest family and the room filled with love to the party day with the most brilliant friends you could have to the flash dance that got the party started.
Not only those things but I loved Mike & Sophie themselves, nothing was to much trouble even a walk in the rain with red wellies to take 3 photo’s, who does not want clients and now friends like that.