Amanda & Kevin’s beautiful and thoroughly covid-secure wedding at Sopley Mill. So yes, Covid’s here and it looks like it’s going to be with us for a while yet. But how wonderful to see that weddings are back and carrying on regardless and to be reminded that love really can help us all to rise above. And more wonderful even than that, I was able to be there and photograph this utterly lovely couple’s day at one of my all-time absolute favourite venues. Yep, it was back to Sopley Mill with a spring in my step!
Just how lovely, and loved up, are this couple exactly? Well you can see it in the eyes every time they gazed adoringly at each other (which was a lot) of course. But more than that they were just so genuinely kind and considerate all the way through, from when they first contacted me and to all of their other suppliers also. There’s no denying that these have been difficult times for the industry but occasions like this really do help pick you up and put you back on your path. Did they let the fact that the rules had kept changing around them in the previous weeks and months take the shine off their day? Not a bit of it. Was it unfortunate that the many guests they had originally invited could no longer be there with them? Well yes, of course it was but hey ho, they turned it around and spent the whole day grateful that they could have those dearest friends and family members there with them to share the happiness.
And when a further tightening of restrictions just as it looked like things had settled meant that they then had to cut their numbers from an already-reduced 30 to 15, did they take the opportunity to at least save some money on the catering by cutting their pizza order with Pizza With Love (even though lovely Rachel had told them not to sweat it and she would still honour the booking regardless)? Not a bit of it. Instead they stuck with their original order, and donated all of their surplus food to the excellent local charity Hope For Food, who were then able to share them through hostels and as community meals. Honestly, who could fail to have their faith restored by these guys?
I really must say how genuinely brilliant all of the suppliers here were. Of course the absolute priority all the way through is the safety of the couple and their guests, and adherence to the rules and guidelines. The Sopley Team (I would have expected nothing less) were thoroughly professional and you could see how much thought and care had gone into putting the day together. The registrars were fab; such a lovely ceremony, no less special or touching just because of a few social distancing measures. Pizza With Love embracing the exciting world of table service, Tom’s Bar running around like a Duracell Bunny to keep the hospitality side flowing… and then of course all the others behind the scenes who have had to adapt; hair and make up, flowers, cake… And do you know what? Even though technically it was Covid which had called all these shots, once the ball got rolling it never even felt like it was a thing. We just had a room of people happily watching a couple in love make their vows and celebrating the occasion in the beautiful Dorset countryside. (I’m sorry if I’m starting to sound a bit gushy here but really, things like this matter right now).
The weather gods smiled on us, just as they should, and once a whole great stack of pizza had been scarfed and as the afternoon began to head towards evening, we nipped off over the bridge and down into the water meadows to wrap up with some couple portraits in this beautiful spot. That’s something I normally try and do with every Sopley wedding, and what a treat it was to just be doing something normal once again.
Huge congratulations to you both, Kevin and Amanda. I’m so pleased for you that you were able to have your day and share it with friends and family, and for those who were unfortunately not able to attend on the day I hope that this little selection of photos (of which there were plenty) help give you a little taste of how it all played out.
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Making it possible…
Venue: Sopley Mill
Hair & Make Up: Tara Sanger Make Up Artist
Catering: Pizza With Love
Bar: Tom’s Bars
Dress: Mum!
I hope you’ve enjoyed this snapshot of Amanda & Kevin’s wonderful 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 Sopley Mill 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.
Thanks as ever for reading, and come back again soon for many more photos from many more beautiful weddings!
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