Angela & Tom at Parley Manor Christchurch

I first met Angela and Tom eight months prior to their wedding, at their home in Christchurch, Dorset. They live in a nice quiet suburban road just outside the town centre. I was met at the door by Angela, Tom was waiting inside. They have the most beautiful large cats whom I fell in love with straight away. We were sitting chatting going through their ideas for the wedding when I casually ask if they had spoken to any other photographers where upon Angela had said that they had, a photographer from London who said that a great thing to do would be to trash the dress afterwards? What is that I asked? She said we would travel to his studio in London and throw coloured paint all over it and then rip it apart! This seems to be a trend in some parts of America. I told Angela & Tom this is not something I do she smiled and said we wouldn’t want that either.

Eight months past and the big day arrived, the ceremony was being held at Parley Manor Christchurch. Parley Manor is a beautiful Georgian Manor set in four acres of stunning Dorset parkland, near Bournemouth airport. The estate has immaculately kept English gardens which provide a picturesque background to any photos.

I arrived at Angela & Tom’s house to photograph bridal preparations, the hair stylist and makeup artist were already there and had started on Angela’s mum I went to work casually documenting the start of Angela’s great day, there was even a pigeon in the garden that Angela & Tom had rescued the day before Angela had named him, Jason. The cats were not allowed in the garden but I wanted to photograph them to as they were an important part of Angel and Tom’s life.

It was time to move on to the next part of the day. Tom was with his best men at a nearby pub, The Curlew, Tom and his friends were very mischievous enjoying the start of the day and playing tricks on each other. I took some photos then took Tom and his best men to Parley Manor to take some groomsmen pictures before the ceremony.

It was time for the wedding to begin but Angela was late where was she? She arrived 15 minutes late the bride’s prerogative. She looked stunning in her wedding dress, her father escorted her to the marquee, the wedding commenced.

What a lovely day and a massive thank you to Anglia & Tom for hiring me as their wedding photographer for their special day at a beautiful location a day I will not forget in a hurry. x