A Summer wedding at beautiful Milton Abbey

Sunset couple portraits with flash Such a pleasure to be back at Milton Abbey – one of my all-time favourite venues – for some sunny wedding photography with an absolutely lovely couple with local connections bringing them home for the nuptials. This gorgeous venue is unquestionably one of Dorset’s hidden gems. As for much of the year the estate operates as a school you have to be one of the fortunate couples who manage to secure a date outside of term times if you plan to marry and celebrate here. If you can, it’s so worth it. Just look at the views, the buildings – inside and out – and of course all of this is matched by the service. This wedding venue deep in the Dorset countryside really does have it all in abundance.

Groomsmen getting ready at family home Finishing touches for groomsmen getting ready black and white wedding photography A sunny morning for the build-up to a Dorset wedding in the countryside Floral detail of buttonhole for wedding outfit Wedding dress and shoe details during bridal prep Bridesmaids getting ready during bridal prep in Milton Abbas cottage Wedding preparations in Dorset cottage Black and white photograph of bridesmaids before the wedding Bridal make-up in natural light in front of a large window in a Dorset cottage Bridesmaids help the bride into her wedding dress and do up the many buttons Bride getting ready in Dorset cottage The father of the bride sees his daughter in her wedding dress for the first time Exterior of cottage in Milton Abbas in Dorset With two preparation locations in neighbouring villages I was able to capture some of the action on either side as the bride and groom got ready. That gorgeous white cottage in the photo above is where the bride and bridesmaids were holed up, and is the signature image of the village of Milton Abbas, right next to the School and Abbey. A row of cottages just like this runs up each side of the main road through the village (a few, like this one, available to hire and an excellent choice of base if you’re having your wedding here).

Just a quick hop down the road is the Abbey itself, where groom and guests had now assembled for the ceremony, many taking their time outdoors in the sunshine while they had a moment, to appreciate the incredible views of the surrounding hills and countryside. It really is such a beautiful spot, it’s hard to put into words.

Milton Abbey exterior with guests assembling before the marriage service Interior images of Milton Abbey prepared for a wedding service Views of Milton Abbey with flowers on the altar Groom and best man with the wedding rings Candid photographs of guests having taken their seat in the church before the wedding The bride arrives and steps out of the vintage wedding car Bridesmaids apply finishing touches to the bride's veil in the church entrance The bride stands in the doorway to the church, ready to walk down the aisle The bridal party makes their entrance to the church Bridesmaids and pages walk down the aisle at the start of the marriage ceremony The bride walking down the aisle on her father's arm in a Dorset countryside church Black and white candid photos at the start of the wedding ceremony Interior view of the church from the rear with bride and groom stood in front of the altar durring their marriage service The bride and groom watch as a guest gives a reading during the service The wedding couple turn to each other to make their marriage vows The exchange of the wedding rings The newly married couple kneel for their blessing during the service Documentary photographs of wedding guests during the service Candid wedding photography in Dorset church Music performed during the marriage service Bride and groom documentary photograph during the signing of the marriage register Bride and groom are congratulated by the wedding party during the signing of the register Bride and groom with family at the signing of the marriage register Black and white image of the alter at Milton Abbey church in Dorset The bride and groom walk down the aisle together The newly married couple walk down the aisle together as husband and wife

One of the real beauties of a Milton Abbey wedding is that the celebrations begin the moment the couple step through the church doors and into that glorious view. It’s just the most spectacular setting for drinks and canapes, with the Abbey towering over you and the rolling Dorset hills all around, and they also do a seriously good line in nibbles here. The sun was absolutely blazing for this wedding so we took advantage of the small clump of trees just outside the Abbey to provide some shade for the group photos. It’s one of several great locations in and around the Abbey and School for the formal photos: inside the quad (most often used for the large group photo of everyone) is another classic, and you can adapt your plans depending on the timing and where the light and shade are at the time which is great news for photographers. It all tends to flow so nicely from one stage to the next as well: immediately after the large group shot all of your guests are already assembled, ready to be called through to the dining hall for the wedding breakfast and speeches.

The couple exit the church together to be showered by confetti Exterior photographs of the Dorset countryside in the sunshine at Milton Abbey School View from the church door at Milton Abbey School during wedding drinks reception on the lawn Wedding guests in the sunshine during drinks reception on the lawns outside Milton Abbey School Candid photographs of guests during the wedding reception Bride with bridesmaids in a shady spot for group photographs Group portrait of groom with groomsmen Wedding guests on the lawn at Milton Abbey School black and white view over the Dorset hills at Milton Abbey School during wedding drinks reception Aerial view of Milton Abbey School with views over the Dorset countryside Milton Abbey and School Bride, groom and families formally receiving guests during the post-wedding reception Black and white wedding portrait of bride and groom Black and white photograph of bride and groom walking hand in hand Bride and groom stood in front of the entrance in the Quad The couple walk through the grounds of the school Colour bridal portraits Bridal bouquet Interior of school dining room et up for the wedding breakfast Decorative floral details on fireplace and wedding cake Wedding guests take their seats in the dining room for the wedding breakfast and speeches Start of the wedding breakfast View through the wooden screen of guests seated for the wedding breakfast Guests watching the speeches Wedding speech from the father of the bride The father of the bride stands to make his wedding speech Father of the groom stands to make a speech Black and white documentary photographs during the speeches The groom makes his wedding speech The groom raises a glass for a toast during his wedding speech The best man's speech Bride and groom cut the wedding cake at the end of the speeches and before the evening celebrations

Step through the doors from the dining hall and through the bar, and you’re all set to start the evening celebrations. The band was all set up and ready to go – I love to see live music at a wedding reception; it always gets things going with a proper swing – and while some of the guests hit the dancefloor, others stepped back out into the evening light for the last of the sun and a final drink on the lawn as the evening drew in. Just the time for a final few couple portraits before the party drew everyone back indoors to throw some serious shapes.

Wedding guests assemble in the hall for the first dance The bride and groom's first dance Bride and groom start the evening's dancing Wedding guests dancing at the evening party The band get the party going The bride and groom in front of the front entrance to the Abbey Couple portraits at sunset Black and white couple portraits Black and white detail of the back of the wedding dress The couple stand in the evening light

What a stunner of a wedding, with a really lovely bride and groom and a room full of party people. Thank you Milton Abbey for hosting another absolutely superb day, and I can’t wait to be back there again soon!

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Making it happen…

Venue & Catering: Milton Abbey

Dress: Rosa Clara

Flowers: The English Florist

Live Music: Funk City Band

If you are currently planning your Milton Abbey School wedding and would like to know more about my wedding photography services, packages and prices, please do get in touch to check availability and ask me any questions you might have. I’m only too happy to help however I can.

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Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again soon for many more photos from many more beautiful weddings!