Sopley Mill Outdoor Ceremony: Lauren & Eoin - Stephen Duncan Photography

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.

Bride and groom facing each other at the outdoor riverside ceremony setting in Dorset

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!

flower details at Christchurch wedding prep accommodation Groom short and shoes getting ready Groomsmen getting ready Father of the groom pins a buttonhole flower on his son's suit Groom getting ready before the wedding Exterior photograph of the mill taken from the outside ceremony area Wedding venue exterior details and decoration Outdoor ceremony area Bridesmaids setting up for the outdoor wedding ceremony Wedding dress hanging in front of the old workings of the water mill Finishing touches to the bridal bouquet Bridesmaids toast the bride with champagne before the marriage ceremony Black and white bridal preparations photos Black and white candid photos of family members during bridal preparations Black and white candid photographs of bridesmaids helping bride to get dressed in Avon Suite at Dorset wedding venue Bride with bridesmaid in the Avon Suite dressing room at Sopley Mill Dorset wedding venue Bridesmaids take a selfie in the Avon suite bridal preparation room Bride with her parents before the outdoor marriage ceremony The bride's father hugs his daughter in the dressing room before the wedding Colour images of bride with bridesmaids in the wedding venue dressing room

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!).

Guests arriving ready for the outdoor wedding ceremony Groom with best man before the start of the marriage service The Groom waits at the front of the ceremony area for his bride to arrive Wedding guests watch the groom at the start of the outside wedding ceremony in Dorset The outdoor ceremony space by the river at Sopley Mill Bridesmaids walking down the aisle at the start of the ceremony The groom watches as the bride walks down the aisle The bride arrives on her father's arm to walk down the aisle Wedding guests watch the outdoor riverside marriage ceremony in the sunshine The bride and groom make their wedding vows as friends and family watch on The couple exchange vows in front of their guests Bride and groom facing each other at the outdoor riverside ceremony setting in Dorset Black and white image of couple holding hands as the bride reads out her viws The couple kiss to seal the marriage Family members witness the signing of the marriage certificate The couple walk hand in hand down the aisle as husband and wife Wedding guests blow bubbles in place of confetti Bride and groom are greeted with hugs after the marriage ceremony

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…

Canapes on the lawn during the drinks reception Pimms is always a popular option for Summer weddings Bride's fathr hugs his daughter on her wedding day Documentary black and white photograph of guest enjoying the wedding reception Documentary wedding reception photography Candid black and white photographs of wedding guests Bride portrait with bridesmaids in the background Family and group photos on the lawn under the shade of the willow trees The group photograph of all guests with Dorset water meadows and countryside in the background Bride and groom colour portraits by the river next to the outdoor ceremony area The bride and groom kiss with the river as a backdrop during their couple portraits session Bride and groom natural wedding portrait

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.

Table details before the wedding breakfast The newly married couple are announced into the room for the wedding breakfast and speeches Wedding guests greet the arrival of the bride and groom Candid photos of wedding guests during the speeches Reaction photographs as father of the bride makes his speech Guests toast the happy couple at the end of a speech The bride laughing during the speeches The groom's speech The bride watches as a bridesmaid gives a speech The groom during the wedding speeches Wedding guests watch the speeches The best man stands to make his speech as guests watch on The wedding breakfast is served Guest photographs during the wedding breakfast

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…

Black and white couple portrait walking away from camera over the bridge Close up black and white couple portrait Colour portraits of groom, couple and bride alone in the water meadow behind Sopley Mill in Dorset The couple look back along the river during a quiet moment together Bride and groom stood on the iron bridge behind Sopley Mill Colour photograph of couple by the river laughing Floral bride bouquet detail photographs in natural light Bride and groom first dance Family members join the couple on the dancefloor Black and white wedding reception dance photograph The bride on the dancefloor with a young guest Wedding guests on the dancefloor Evening celebrations at wedding reception in Dorset The bride and groom kiss in the middle of the dancefloor

– – –

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.

CONTACT ME

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