Marquee Wedding in Dorset

A Marquee Wedding in Dorset

When Emily got in touch with me last Spring about their marquee wedding near Dorchester in Dorset, I knew it would be a super day to photograph. She’d found my portfolio after looking for tent and wedding marquee suppliers, and had seen some pictures from Hannah and Simon’s Hertfordshire marquee wedding. She and Henry had been engaged for a few years, and had decided on a church wedding in Charminster, Dorset, followed by the reception in a marquee in her grandparents garden. They love documentary wedding photography, and weren’t keen on lots of posed pictures. In fact, she’d mentioned how important photos of her family and friends were, so I knew instantly we’d be a good match for their wedding photography.

Amazing Wedding Flowers

One of my oldest friends was on hand to help shoot this Summer wedding. David works with me regularly second shooting with me and knows my style well. It means we can get some great angles throughout the day. He started over at The Three Compasses pub in Charminster where the groomsmen were getting a spot of lunch before the ceremony. I headed over to Emily’s grandparent’s house where the brides preparations were in full swing. I was delighted to find florist Jay Archer and her team hard at work in the marquee. I’m lucky enough to work on weddings with Jay a few times a year, and her work blows me away every time! Emily had also told me how her Mother had supplied many of the flowers for Jay to work with, so I knew that these were really important to them, which is reflected in the photography.

No Wedding Photography In Church

The wedding was at St Mary the Virgin Church in Charminster, where sadly Rev Pene Kennedy did not allow photography during the wedding ceremony. I’m faced with this several times a year, usually from Church of England vicars who may have had a bad experience with a photographer in the past. It’s their church, and their rules, and I respect that on the day. But as a documentary photographer, I’m very quiet and barely noticeable when I photograph during ceremonies. We use quiet and silent cameras, and do not move around much. Fortunately we were permitted to photograph Emily’s arrival and one picture from the back during the ceremony, so at least there is a record of that for them.

Outdoor Wedding Reception

Back at the marquee after the marriage, guests were enjoying some champagne and canapés from the wonderful Caroline Gent catering, before the speeches under the canvas. It was dusk by the time the dancing began, and our coverage ended. I hope you enjoy some of our favourite pictures from Emily and Henry’s marquee wedding in Dorset. If you’re planning a similar wedding, please get in touch for a quote and to check my availability.

If you’d like to see more of this kind of photography, try this Sussex garden marquee wedding or this Oxfordshire garden marquee wedding.