The newly relocated outdoor ceremony space at Sopley Mill, with its views down the river and across the Water Meadows, was the setting for Lauren & Eoin’s wedding celebration on a gloriously sunny Summers day.
Lauren & bridesmaids had set themselves up at the Mill for the preparations while Eoin and the boys were at a great little house bang in the heart of Christchurch, right next door to the Priory. It’s always nice when the bride is getting ready at or near the venue as it takes the excitement of having to race there ahead of them out of the equation, so a lovely civilised start to the day. Sun shining, swans and cygnets bobbing around on the river and champagne flowing up in the Avon Suite – perfect!
There have been a few options for outdoor ceremonies at Sopley Mill over the last few years. A big moment came during Covid, when the restrictions were lifted by the registration authorities to permit ceremonies anywhere on a licensed premises. Previously the legal parts of the ceremony had to happen under a permanent structure which in the case of many venues meant some sort of pergola, or at this venue in the porched entrance to the Boat Room. Now though you can say your ‘I do’s’ right down by the river, with the beautiful swing tree as your backdrop in one direction and the gorgeous water meadows in the other. (It also means you get very nice long aisle walk now to at the start of your ceremony, so great for those who like to make a bit of an entrance!). As it happens, on this occasion the legalities were not an issue as Lauren and Eoin were having a celebrant-led ceremony rather than a legal one with the Hampshire Ceremonies team of registrars. Still, it’s nice to know that everyone now has this option open to them (weather permitting!).
Lauren & Eoin’s outdoor wedding ceremony really was beautiful. There were definitely a few years shed as they read their own vows to each other, before skipping back down the aisle as husband and wife. One particularly nice advantage with an outdoor ceremony is that you’re pretty much already at your reception by the time you’ve got to the aisle, with a glass of fizz there waiting for you and a crowd right behind you waiting to pass on their congratulations. It’s such a lovely space out there on the lawn, surrounded on either side by the River Avon (did you know that Sopley Mill actually sits on its own private island?). Let the celebrations begin…
If you can persuade your guests to head inside for a while the wedding breakfast awaits up in the Riverview Room on the top floor of the Mill. I love photographing in here – there’s gorgeous light flooding in from every side and it has such a cosy, intimate feel to it – perfect for a meal and speeches, before everyone heads back downstairs for further outdoor chilling out and then the evening party.
With that magical evening light arriving later into the day I was able to take the bride and groom away from the whirlwind for a little while, to capture some couple portraits across the bridge and down in the water meadows. This spot is always a photographic highlight of the day, and doubly so when it gives the couple a few moments together alone at last (that can be a very rare luxury on a wedding day!). And then back in and upstairs for party time, which these two and their guests knocked out in style for sure…
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Making it happen…
Venue: Sopley Mill
Hair & Makeup: Enchanted Beauty (Raechelle)
Dress: Annabel’s Bridal Studio (Australia)
Suits: M J Bale
Videography: Todd Clark Creative
Celebrant: Hand and Heart Ceremonies
DJ: We Perform
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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