As Wedding venues go, they don't get quite as unique as Karmacations based just outside the village of Alton Pancras near Dorchester in Dorset. Described as a peaceful oasis (which I completely agree with!), Karmacations has the most beautiful Japanese style gardens which has so many different spots for an outdoor ceremony and plenty of space for your evening marquees.
The Getting Ready Suite
As part of your wedding booking, you get access to to the most wonderful suite. With half the room filled with a stunning double bed and cosy furniture, and the other lined with mirrors and chairs set up perfectly for your hairstylists and MUA's to use, it's the perfect space to get ready in the morning of your wedding. And it's also available for you to use the at the end of the night, with space for you to crash out after the party instead of spending your first night as a married couple trying to find a way to get home.
The Tea House
This tea house sat on the side of a big man-made pond/ small lake is the perfect addition to the garden, really bringing a piece of Japan to the Dorset countryside.
It would be the perfect place to sit and sign your marriage license, or to sneak away just the two of you for a drink and five minutes of peace!
The lake really is the centre point of the garden, and makes the perfect backdrop for your portraits. With an array of beautiful trees and bushes, and the still water, it is the perfect oasis. A place of calm and tranquility, and perhaps a place for you to relax amongst what can end up being a chaotic wedding day.
The Torii Gate
A torii gate is a part of traditional Japanese Culture, and often signifies the boundary between the human world and a the sacred place of a shrine. It is also said that the red colour is painted on to ward off evil spirits.
It doesn’t hold quite as much meaning at Karmacations, but it really does separate the road and car park and the gardens. It’s an experience to walk through, a way to leave the day to day behind and immerse yourself in the peace of the gardens. It takes you on a journey, and gives you the opportunity to leave stress behind you.
The Bridge over onto an island in the middle of the lake was another favourite spot of mine. The bridge is beautifully themed, and matches perfectly with the rest of the garden with the hints of black, red and gold. And like most of the garden, it was a really beautiful spot to take photos! You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to portrait locations at Karmacations.
Wonderful Suppliers
Getting to be a part of this shoot really was a joy, and part of that joy came from getting to work with an incredible team of women. A group of women who were bringing their individual talents to make sure that everything looked the best it possibly could - and I’m grateful to have been there.
Venue: Karmacations
(https://www.hitched.co.uk/wedding-venues/karmacations_348843.htm)
Photographer: Rebecca Vallard Photography
(www.rebeccavallardphotography.co.uk)
MUA / Hair Stylist : Kirsten Sare MUA
(https://kirstensare.co.uk)
Dresses: Bridal Reloved Dorchester
(https://bridalreloved.co.uk/?gad_source=1)
Models : Samantha & Sarah
