This was a beautiful April wedding (with unseasonably warm weather!) which was deeply rooted in family traditions. You could really tell just how much the bride’s family meant to her by all the different ways that they found to include and honour them throughout the day. It was so lovely to see a day truly centred around family, and to see such a loving one at its forefront.

A make up artist applying the brides make up before the wedding

Getting Ready


The Bride had chosen to get ready in her childhood home, surrounded by her family and her bridesmaids and flower girls. Her make up artist Lauryn was incredible, and there was such a wonderful supportive vibe throughout the room. With a private moment with her mum to lace up the dress, a couple last minute touch ups and a group photo or two in the garden, it was time for the ceremony.

A wide shot of a dining room, full of bridesmaids getting themselves ready for the wedding as the bride sits with her make up artist
A bridesmaid applying her own eyeshadow, as her hair sits up in curlers.
The back of the bridesmaid getting ready robes, which say Team Bride in white lettering.
Mother of the Bride helping to lace up her daughters wedding dress
A make up artist making some final touches to the brides make up before she leaves for the ceremony
A make up artist making some final touches to the brides make up before she leaves for the ceremony
A bride walking down the stairs in her childhood home in her wedding dress.
A Make up artist helping a bride tidying up her nail varnish during getting ready.
A bride and her bridesmaids pose for a photo in the garden of the brides childhood home.
A close up of an order of service for a church wedding ceremony.
Groom placing the ring upon his brides finger during their wedding ceremony.

Church Ceremony at St. Aldhelm’s in Radipole


St Aldhelm’s was not a church that I’d shot in before, but it was lovely. It felt very modern, a real mix of stain glass windows and mood lighting - which is not something I’d encountered in a church before. This church holds a special place in the hearts of the Bride’s family, and is a place they all attend regularly with the Bride and her Mum even helping out to run clubs in the church centre. This meant that the ceremony felt a lot more personal! And I think is a reason to really think about how your ceremony makes you feel as well as how it looks.

Groom stood waiting at the end of the aisle for his bride to arrive
Bride and Groom sit together during the ceremony, as one of their guests does a reading
A bridesmaid sat in the audience watching her best friend get married
A groom signing the wedding certificate in the middle of the wedding ceremony.
Bride and Groom walk back down the aisle after their wedding ceremony.
Close up of a groom signing the marriage certificate.
Bride smiling looking over at her husband as he signs the marriage certificate.

A lovely heartfelt ceremony, directly followed by a confetti line and family photos out in a little courtyard between the church itself and the church centre. We had a hard time with some harsh sunlight this day, and with very limited options for group photos too, but we persevered and I think they turned out pretty well.

Bride poses for a photo with her maid of honour and chief bridesmaid
Bride poses for a photo with all of her bridesmaids and flower girls, each girl throwing her arms up in the air
Groom poses for a photo with his two groomsmen
Bride poses for a group photo with her brother and her parents.
Bride and Groom hold hands walking away from the camera, down a path in Radipole park gardens.
Close up of a bride holding onto her grooms arm, showing off her new wedding ring.

Portraits


There comes a point in the wedding day where everything can start to get a bit overwhelming for the couple. especially if you’re the kind of person that doesn’t particularly enjoy being the centre of attention. And for me, this is the perfect time to us your couple portraits as a reason to sneak off for a bit of time just the two of you.


That’s exactly what B&D did. We snuck off for a ride in their wedding car down to Radipole Park Gardens, for a quiet walk and a couple of photos. And it was the perfect reset for all of us. It calmed the day down, and gave us all the energy to head back to the Reception and get started on the party.

Bride and Groom walk hand in hand down a path lined with trees in Radipole park gardens.
Bride and Groom hold hands walking away from the camera, down a path in Radipole park gardens.
Bride and Groom share a kiss under a tree during their portrait session at Radipole Park gardens.
A bride and groom walk together down a garden path at a local park.
A wide shot of guests sat at tables with beautiful white fabric draping across the ceiling of the church hall at St Aldhelms

The Evening Party


The Bride and her Mum had done a wonderful job at sourcing and setting up all the decor for the reception in the church hall. It really made such a difference!


The evening was full of heartfelt speeches from the Brides Dad and Brother, the Maid of Honour and the Best Man, followed by cutting the cake and a night full of fun on the dance floor.

A woman laughing in the kitchen of the church hall as she’s thanked by the bride’s dad in his speech.
A bride sits listening to her brother give his speech at her wedding, a tear forming in her eyes.
Bride and groom share a hug in the middle of their first dance.
A bridesmaid swings her friends son around in a circle, lifting him into the air.
Two male guests sat laughing together during the wedding speeches.
A bride and groom stand in front of their guests during the maid of honours speech, as guests burst into laughter around them.
A bride and groom stand together, cutting into their three tiered wedding cake.
A couple slow dance together on the dance floor, heads bent together, wrapped up in their own world.
A group pose together for a selfie on the dance floor.
A groomsmen sliding onto his knees into the middle of a dance circle, and the women around him raise their arms in the air.
Two women dance together, hands clasped and laughing away.
A bride laughing mid dance with a friend.

Supplier List



Photographer: Rebecca Vallard Photography

(www.rebeccavallardphotography.co.uk)

Ceremony: St Aldhelm’s Church, Radipole

(https://staldhelmstann.co.uk)

Reception: St. Aldhelm’s Church Hall

MUA: Lauryn Wade

(https://laurynwademakeup.my.canva.site/)

Wedding Dress: Victoria Ann Bridal

(https://www.victoriaannbridal.co.uk)

Bridemaids Dresses: Ever Pretty

(https://www.ever-pretty.co.uk/)

DJ: Simply White Disco

Flowers and Styling: Mother of the Bride