It’s a couple of years now since I first met Barbara and Nathan when they booked me to photograph their wedding and magnificent Rhinefield House. Alongside the wedding photographs they were also keen on some family portrait sessions (they’ve got two young sons and as anyone with little children knows, they grow up very quickly!) so we’ve met up a few times for photoshoots in the glorious New Forest and for the handover of prints. It’s been really lovely getting to know them and so it was with a particular spring in my step that I headed back to this beautiful venue for a wedding I’d been looking forward to for a long time. And it was an absolutely wonderful day!
That little boy who I’d first met jumping around in the sandpit near Lyndhurst’s Bolton’s Bench (anyone who grew up in the New Forest will know exactly where I mean, I’m sure!) now had the most important of jobs, walking his mum down the aisle at the start of the ceremony. Cute, eh? And son number two, who I don’t think was even walking back then, spent a large part of the day very happily bombing around on the croquet pitch and showing off his adorably cheeky grin to anyone who looked in his direction.
But of course this was Barbara and Nathan’s day, and they really did put on an absolutely fabulous wedding. Rhinefield House is such a special and beautiful venue – a stunning building sat in immaculate grounds, nestled right in the heart of this lovely national park (can you tell that I’ve got a bit of a soft spot for the Forest, my old stomping ground as a kid myself?).
Everything was happening at the hotel, so I could very happily nip in and out between bridal prep and guest arrivals, making the most of all the fab little spots and views that Rhinefield House has to offer. The ceremony took place in the magnificent main hall, beneath the huge windows where that warm Spring light absolutely beams through. And then it was out into the gardens (no raindrops this time, hurray) from drinks, nibbles, kisses, hugs and photographs before returning to the same room which had now been magically transformed (seriously, the staff at Rhinefield really know how to turn a room around) ready for a properly gourmet wedding breakfast.
Speeches made and cake cut, it was back out into those heavenly grounds and an opportunity to really squeeze the magic out of that golden hour light that we photographers get so excited about. Rhinefield has some really iconic views (especially if you’ve got a nice long lens to make the most of them) and one of my absolute favourites is along the pond towards the blue gates which mark the threshold to the wild forest). Often there is a sprinkly fountain halfway along but for some reason it was off today, and that gave me the rare opportunity for a clear shot at water level all the way along, with a silky-smooth surface to reflect our bride and groom stood at the far end. Lucky me!
So many more little moments and touches, but the photos will speak for themselves there really. Suffice it to say, this was most definitely a wedding which had been worth waiting for. Huge congratulations to an absolutely lovely couple, and one who it has now been my great pleasure to photograph several times. Happy, happy day!
Making it possible…
Venue: Rhinefield House Hotel (ceremony & reception)
Toastmaster: Trevor English
Hair: Kriss Wheeler Hair Elegance
Makeup: Hannah Burt
Flowers: Jo Hicks
DJ: Simon Clarke
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I hope you’ve enjoyed this selection of photos from Barbara & Nathan’s wonderful day. There are plenty more for friends and family to view in their private viewing gallery, but you’ll need to ask them for the password first.
If you are currently planning your Rhinefield House Hotel wedding photography (you can see further examples of Rhinefield gorgeousness right here) and would like to know more about my 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!