Bride and groom sit at the front of the ceremony, signing their marriage license and their guests sit and watch

Getting to shoot at the Poole Guildhall is always a favourite of mine, and I always jump to say yes as quickly as possible. But for this wedding I did a lot of talking to the bride beforehand and even before booking about what experiences they'd had at weddings and what they were looking for from a photographer.


After having spent nearly an hours posing for photos as part of the bridal party for a friend's wedding, L&S were adamant that that was something they wanted to avoid at all costs. And honestly, that worked perfectly with my style! We prioritised candid photos, limited their portrait time to just a first look, and pre-planned their family photo list meticulously so we could burn through it as quickly as possible. All of these decisions meant that they spent less time posing for a camera, and more time being present, enjoying their guests and the wedding that they've planned - which is what I'm all about!   

Bride and Groom stand together, in each others arms, during a intimate, private first look
Bride and Groom share a kiss, hidden behind the bride's bouquet

First Look


Having a first look was a no brainer for L&S. Both had decided that they didn't want to spend hours posing for photos through the day, and that they wanted to walk down the aisle together - so this was the perfect opportunity for the two of them to have some time to themselves before the ceremony, take a couple of portraits and still have that surprise of that first look without sacrificing their aisle walk together.


So we set the groom up in a little courtyard near the venue, and then snuck in his bride. There were tears, lots of laughter, and the perfect amount of time to themselves before entertaining their guests for the rest of the day.

Bride wipes away a tear from the Groom's face after he sees his Bride for the first time.
Bride laughs loudly at her Groom during a private moment in their First look
Bride and Groom walk down the aisle to start their wedding ceremony together

Ceremony at The Guildhall, Poole


The Guildhall in Poole is probably one of my favourite registry offices to shoot in! It's such a beautiful room with so many beautiful windows (hello light!) and the sweeping staircases outside are stunning!


Registry Office ceremonies go by so quickly, but L&S's was full of laughter and even featured a heartfelt reading from the Bride's father.

A row of bridesmaids dressed in blue enter the ceremony space at the guildhall in Poole
Bride and Groom laugh together in the middle of their wedding ceremony
Bride and groom laughing, as the clap for the Bride's father at the end of his speech
Best Man walking to the front of the wedding to deliver the ring box to the couple
Bride and Groom share their first kiss in the middle of their wedding ceremony
Bride and Groom talking quietly amongst themselves, sitting at a table ready to sign their marriage license
Bride and groom laugh together as they sit at a table to sign their marriage certificate
Groom stands talking to his sisters and other bridesmaids in the doorway of the Guildhall in Poole
Bride and groom smile, covered in confetti and dried flower petals, their wedding guests surrounding them

Family Photos


If you're looking to get married at The Guildhall then it's good to know that you'll have the opportunity to take your family group photos at the bottom of the stairs (which is beautiful), but you may only have half an hour to take them if the venue has more than one wedding booked that day.


This was the case for L&S. We had another wedding watching us take photos whilst they waited for their chance to go in. But due to a very thorough photo list prepared ahead of time, and a very helpful Best Man, we flew through the groups in 20 minutes! This is one of the reasons I'll always ask for your family photo list ahead of the day! It allows us to be quick, and efficient, and means that you get to spend more timing enjoying your wedding!

Groom gets lifted into the air by his two best men
Bride's family smile to the camera, as the bride and groom get lost in each others eyes
A bride and her bridesmaids celebrate during a group photo. Blue bridesmaids dresses, and bouquets held up to the sky

 

After family photos wrapped up, we all took a walk 5 minutes round the corner to The Blue Boar for the rest of the evening. We had a late afternoon full of beautiful details, heartfelt speeches and wonderful Charcuterie Boards courtesy of the Blue Boar team.

 

A small wedding welcome sign sits at the bottom of some stairs, its railings covered in balloons
A white wedding cake, adjourned with pink and blue flowers and lots of greenery. Sits on a wooden cake stand on a table in the window
Close up on a wedding breakfast table. Drinks being poured all around, candles burning away and a charcuterie board in the centre
An open scrapbook page full of polaroids taken by wedding guests
Wedding table décor. Gold candlesticks, blue candles burning away, bunches of baby's breath, and a selection of cheeses.
Close up details of pink and blue flowers, and lots of greenery, on the side of a beautiful white wedding cake.
Bride and groom looking into each others eyes, a quiet moment between them in the middle of a packed dancefloor.

Party Time at The Blue Boar, Poole


I didn't stay for long once the real party kicked off during the evening, but from the short time I was there it was full of pure joy. The dancefloor was full to the brim, and there was a very popular temporary tattoo station (which is something I'd never seen before at a wedding). I was also very happy to hear some Arctic Monkeys as I was packing up my gear ready to leave!


All in all, I think this part of the evening represented the whole day and from what I'd seen L&S's relationship as a whole - filled with joy and the kind of laughter that only happens naturally when you're married to your best friend.

A woman sat laughing and clapping, as the groom gives his wedding speech behind her.
Two women, arms wrapped round each other, smile for a photo
Two men stood smiling with their arms round each others shoulders.
Bride and a friend stood huddled together as they put on temporary tattoos
An older woman and her daughter smile for a photo, their hands held delicately between them as they dance.
A man and woman pose for a photo. Smiles on their faces, their hands clasped together in the middle of their dance.
Bride and groom laugh to each other in the middle of their first dance.
A black and white photo of a woman on the dance floor, lost in the music, her hands raised in the air.
A woman in the centre of a dance circle, swinging her denim jacket around her head - completely lost in the music.

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Photographer: Rebecca Vallard Photography

(www.rebeccavallardphotography.co.uk)

Ceremony Venue & Registrars: Poole Guildhall

(https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/births-deaths-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/weddings-marriages-and-civil-partnerships/ceremonies-at-bcp-civic-centre-town-hall-and-the-guildhall)

Reception Venue & Catering: The Blue Boar

(https://www.facebook.com/p/Blue-Boar-Poole-61567881149815/)

Hair & MUA: Blushing Brides

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

Cake: Sally Lovegrove

Decor: Mood Event Styling