Worplesdon Place is a cracking little venue for your wedding. Especially if you’re planning an cozy Christmas do, like this particular day.
Getting Ready
As usual I started with photographing the bridal details. It’s a good way for everyone to get used to me being in the room before I start photographing them. The bride got ready in the honeymoon suite. She kept most of the curtains closed, so the room felt intimate and quiet. Saying that there were quite a few of us in the suite. Her mum, her adult daughter, her daughter’s friend and her sister all joined her, and together they enjoyed a happy morning. Right from the get go it was easy to see that these were all her special people.
While everyone else prepared, the bride sat quietly and read through her speech.
Then it was time to get dressed, ably helped by her daughter.
The dress deserves a special mention. She chose a cream gown with a gold lace embroidered, high-necked jacket, and she finished the look with a tiara. It suited the winter setting perfectly, and the gold detail caught the light beautifully.
Groom Prep
The groom arrived at the venue already dressed and ready. He looked very dapper in his plum coloured smoking jacket. My second shooter, Emma, covered his arrival and took photos of him in the Garden Room with the best man and his son. As a result, we captured both sides of the morning at the same time.
The Ceremony
Just before 2pm, the guests gathered in the Garden Room for the ceremony. Christmas trees and twinkling fairy lights filled the room and gave it a warm, festive glow. Then the bride made her entrance, and her son walked her down the aisle. It was a moving moment, and there were definitely tears in the room. I stood at the front and Emma was at the back to catch the groom’s reaction as he saw his bride.
There were a couple of readings by friends and then it was first kiss time and the signing of the register.
Afterwards, everyone stepped outside into the garden for confetti. Although the day was chilly, the weather stayed dry, so the confetti had its moment in the winter air.
Group Photos
We began the group photos outside on the steps. However, it was soon too cold, so we moved indoors. We finished the group photos upstairs in the hallway beside the Christmas tree, and it made a beautiful backdrop. Winter weddings often need a change of plan, and Worplesdon Place has plenty of lovely alternatives.
Couple Photos
While the guests took their seats for the wedding breakfast, we slipped outside for the couple portraits. This gave the couple a quiet moment together in the garden, away from the crowd.
The Wedding Breakfast
Worplesdon Place does great food and after everyone had eaten it was speech time. There were speeches from the bride, groom her two children and the best man. The emotions ran high with tears followed by raucous laughter.
The Evening Party
Whilst the Worplesdon team cleared the tables and changed the rooms around, everyone gathered on the patio for sparklers.
The couple had bought some helium balloons with fairy lights for their photos and now was the time to use them.
After that, the celebrations moved into both the Garden Suite and the Baxendale Suite for the ceilidh.
In between the bands sets, whilst guests got a drink, we popped outside with the couple for some fun photos. Outside at the front of the building, the couple sprayed champagne, and we all laughed so much as we got covered in the stuff!
Thinking About a Winter Wedding at Worplesdon Place?
This day showed how well the venue works in December. The festive decor, the indoor spaces and the friendly team helped the couple enjoy every moment, even when the temperature dropped. If you are planning a wedding here and would like photography that captures the whole day, please get in touch.
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