Dodmoor House wedding photos | Gavin & Michelle
Gavin and Michelle had typical British bank holiday weather for their wedding at Dodmoor House. But Michelle was just there to marry Gavin and that was all she needed. The weather didn’t matter one bit.
Michelle got ready with her Bridesmaids in the Dodford Room and honeymoon suite which is a lovely light, large space. There was a real buzz of excitement as everyone pitched in with final preparations and did their make-up.
Michelle decided to spend the money she would have spent on having a make-up artist to have make-up lessons, so that she could do her own make-up on the day and then have the skills to continue doing it well afterwards.
The look of concentration on the Bridesmaids’ faces as they helped dress Michelle was quite the picture…
Michelle is in the RAF and she said that she’s normally the one to rock up casual and without make-up; so on her wedding day wanted to go all out pretty. And she looked sensational. Her dress was ‘Samantha’ by Sassi Holford which she wore with a cute little lace jacket, buttoned at the back, for the ceremony and then swapped the jacket for a stylish sash for the evening.
Gavin and Michelle literally had all four seasons in one day for their wedding. As I arrived it was dry but it soon turned to rain. Then it hailed. Cannon balls. And minutes before the ceremony was due to start we had full on thunder and lightening. The rain was torrential and bouncing off the floor so the ceremony was delayed until it eased off. Luckily it did calm down and the team at Dodmoor were all hands on deck to sweep away as much of the rain as possible for Michelle’s walk across the courtyard to the ceremony room. A sign of a good venue that!
Beautiful venues and lovely details are great to photograph but the best bit for me is sharing and capturing the emotion of a wedding. So I love it when a couple wear their hearts on their proverbial sleeves. Which is exactly what Gavin and Michelle did.
And to give us that fourth season the sun was shining brightly as the ceremony ended and the drinks reception started. Honestly, I couldn’t keep up!
Michelle with her girls; looking gorgeous in soft oyster coloured dresses by Dessy. Very Audrey Hepburn.
We managed to work through the group photos in the dry but it started to rain again as we started Michelle and Gavin’s portrait session. The covered area between the two barns is the perfect sheltered spot to get outdoor looking photos whilst staying dry. I love the simplicity of this very ‘Dodmoor’ brickwork background – perfect for some simple portraits that are all about the love and happiness.
The Catesby Barn looked wonderful set up for dinner. I loved the vintage style bird cage table plan and the little flower pot placenames which Michelle made herself.
The speeches are always a highlight for me. I love how Michelle’s Dad is nonchantly having a sip of champagne here as Michelle gasps and Gavin cringes from his joke…
Gavin had planned their honeymoon as a surprise for Michelle. To end the speeches Gavin explained that there was an envelope on each table which revealed where their honeymoon would be. Michelle’s reactions as she made her way around the room and opened each envelope made this one of my most memorable wedding moments ever. Imagine excited screams, gasps of shock and tears of joy with all the guests looking on in amazement and complete enjoyment. In Gavin’s words: “I don’t think that could have gone any better really!” He did good.
After the meal everyone went back into the Courtyard Barn for dessert canapes (the chocolate coated strawberries, by Portfolio Events, were really yummy by the way) and coffee. It was a lovely time to relax and chat before Gavin and Michelle cut their cake and the party really started.
See more from this wedding on the Sarah Vivienne Photography facebook page
♥ Ceremony & reception: Dodmoor House
♥ Michelle’s dress: ‘Samantha’ by Sassi Holford, at The Bridal Gallery Finedon
♥ Bridesmaids’ dresses: Dessy
♥ Flowers: Julie Anna Flowers
♥ Catering: Portfolio Events
♥ Cake: Family member
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