A Super Sunny Deans Court Outdoor Wedding

One of those wonderful weddings where it all just comes together perfectly, Emily & Kim’s marriage and celebration at gorgeous Deans Court in Wimborne, Dorset, was a real Summer highlight.

Bride and groom couple portrait on stone bridge

I’ve been lucky enough to photograph several weddings at this stunning house over the years, and every one has been wonderful. Equally wonderful has been seeing how it’s evolved as a wedding venue; each time I’ve returned there has been some new development, something new to explore and to work with. This time round it was a biggie: the new outdoor ceremony setup at the back of the house, spreading out into those beautiful gardens. And in fact these too had been taken to the next level with new paths, borders and plants, all adding up to make what was already an A-star venue in my book now an A-star plus. All we needed now was a little touch of sunshine. And that we duly received. Before all that though, prep (both bride and groom) at the wonderful Gate House on the edge of the estate – one of the several accommodation options which can be taken along with the use of the venue itself. They managed to stay out of each others’ line of sight (pretty easily done in a house that size, to be fair) while I got to zip around anywhere and everywhere capturing all those little moments…

View of the Deans Court house and grounds from the rear set up for an outdoor marriage ceremony Details in the grounds of Deans Court set up for a wedding Bridal preparation in the Gate House at Deans Court Dorset wedding venue Bridesmaids getting ready Bride and her mother examine the wedding dress The wedding dress hangs on a door frame in the Gate House at Deans Court The bride has her make up touched up Bridal portrait during hair and makeup before the ceremony, using natural window light Wedding shoe and dress details Wedding rings The bride's family prepare the confetti as the bride gets ready Bridesmaids receiving gifts from the bride Bridesmaids putting on jewellery The bridesmaids look at the wedding dress The bride comes down the stairs Bridesmaids help the bride get into the wedding dress The bride's family wait for the bride to come downstairs after getting dressed Father of the bride sees his daughter in her wedding dress

The gods were smiling on us for this one in another way too. The couple had arranged it all at pretty short notice after becoming aware of availability owing to works being done t the house. This meant that certain aspects were likely to be scaffolded, and we wouldn’t know where it was still up until pretty much the day itself. No great hardship really as there is still so much beauty there, but happily (and with all due credit to the owners and staff there who much have really pushed things along and helped to clear it away at the earliest opportunity) the vast majority of it was already down. You’ll have to look pretty carefully to find many signs of it in any of the photos in this post, that’s for sure!

I do love an outdoor ceremony, and the area here at Deans Court is a fab addition. The view looking back from the house, towards the marquee where all the post-marriage celebrations take place – is stunning (if you’ve got time to take any of it in when you’re mid-nuptial, that is) and you could see just how much all the guests were enjoying being there and soaking it all up. Especially in that magical Summer sunshine we’d been so blessed with!

The rear lawn set up for an outdoor wedding ceremony Guests waiting in the garden before the wedding ceremony Groom and best man before the ceremony Wedding guests arrive Groom with best man as they wait for the arrival of the bride The groom's buttonhole Guests take their seats Groom and guests waiting for the start of the marriage ceremony The bride makes her entrance after the bridesmaids The bride walks down the aisle on her father's arm Bride and groom together at the start of the wedding The couple hold hads as they make their vows The two fathers watch on as witnesses Wedding guests watch as the bride and groom make their vows The outdoor ceremony area to the rear of the house Black and white images of wedding guests watching the bride and groom get married Black and white image of the exchange of rings Bridesmaids shed a tear while watching the marriage take place The couple kiss for the first time as husband and wife The kiss The wedding Guests during the signing of the register Black and white photo of couple signing the marriage register The couple signing the register View of the rear of the house during the marriage service The couple walk down the aisle to be greeted with confettt

The reception area – centred around the marquee beyond the back lawn – has also been tweaked and polished since I was last here and it’s looking fantastic. And another thing that was looking fantastic merits a special shout-out at this point; the catering by Molecular Magic was something else. Of all the wedding catering I have ever seen these guys have the wow factor! Canapes were astonishing, the main meal was simply beautiful, and yet dramatic at the same time (gallery-worthy plates served to billows of dry ice), and a dessert station which frankly got absolutely ransacked. And I was fortunate enough to sample the full wedding breakfast myself (thank you Emily & Kim!) and can say without hesitation that it tasted every bit as good as it looked.

The couple walk across the lawn together towards their drinks reception The couple take a moment together at the end of the ceremony The start of the drinks reception Guests chat and play games at the weception Candid photos of wedding guests Serving of elaborate canapes A Jenga tower collapses Black and white photos of bride with flower girl Garden games during the reception Documentary photographs of wedding guests Groom playing garden games Group photos in the grounds Bride and groom posed in front of house Table settings in the marquee Looking at the seating plan A wall of photos in the marquee Stunningly presented courses in the wedding breakfast Dry ice billows out of a teapot as the dramatic first course is served to the top table Goats cheese and beetroot starter with dry ice Father of the bride makes his speech Guests watch the speeches at the end of the wedding meal The bride reacts with embarrassment to one of the speeches The groom gives his wedding speech Bride watches on as the best man gives his speech Black and white candid photos of guests watching the speeches The best man's speech Dessert details from high-concept wedding breakfast Guests attack the dessert station at the end of the meal Guests relax in the evening sunshine after the meal Guests enjoying the gardens in the evening light

There are many reasons to love Deans Court as a wedding venue but one of the absolute tip top is the beauty of the grounds and the amount they provide you to work with when it comes to the couple portraits. So much variety, so many lovely quiet little spaces tucked away… I don’t think I could ever get tired of strolling around here with a bride and groom and a camera in my hand…

View of the back of the dress as bride and groom walk across the lawn towards the house Bride and groom couple portrait on stone bridge Bride portrait on bridge with river behind Black and white couple portraits with bride and groom Couple posed with side-view of house An intimate moment between the newly married couple in front of the lake Portrait of bride and groom Couple portraits in the formal gardens behind the house Black and white photo of bride and groom togethedr Black and white couple portrait in front of house and magnolia tree

Back to the party to find guests chilling in that magical golden hour light. As we rolled on into the evening the fire pit was lit, marshmallows were plonked on sticks ready for toasting, frisbees were lobbed… and then it was party time. And these guys definitely looked like a party crowd.

Family members relaxing in the evening light A wedding guest recharges before the evening's celebrations Chilling out in the gardens A wedding guest toasts marshmallows over the fire pit Candid moments at the evening wedding reception Guests examine the bride's wedding dress Bridal portrait in formal gardens A guest checks out the wedding cake, designed and made by the bride Bide and groom cutting the cake The first dance Couple first dance in marquee Black and white photos as couple kick off the evening party Dance floor action in marquee Guests on the dance floor Party time Evening party in marquee

An absolutely awesome wedding, an outdoor ceremony on a perfect Summer’s day, wonderful couple with fab happy smiley family and friends, stunning venue… this is me living the wedding photography dream! Huge congratulations to Emily & Kim, and thank you so much for having me there to capture it all!

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Making it possible…

Venue: Deans Court

Hair & Make Up: Amazing Face

Catering: Molecular Magic

DJ: Coastal Discos

Cake: The Bride!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this snapshot of Emily & Kim’s stunning day. Friends and family can view the rest of the photos and an extended slideshow in their private viewing gallery, but you’ll need to ask them for the password first.

If you are currently planning your Deans Court 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!