One of many things I love about shooting Orchardleigh House wedding photography is that is a breathtakingly romantic venue. It pitches itself as ‘The South West’s ultimate fairy tale wedding venue’ and I have to say I agree. For Somerset wedding photography this venue has it all. And believe me, getting to spend my time shooting Somerset wedding photography is the best job in the world.
Now let’s talk about Siobhan and Ross. This pair met some time ago (in a club, where it is rumoured that it took Ross a full three hours to persuade Siobhan to part with her telephone number) Years later here we all are so well done that man for persevering.
On the day I arrived early so I could take some early morning shots of Orchardleigh House before everybody arrived. I never tire of driving into the estate and along the winding driveway to the main house. There’s a real wow moment when you see the house that gives you a feeling of excited anticipation.
I caught up with Siobhan who was getting ready in the bridal suite and was so clearly relaxed with her attentive bridal party there ensuring everything was in hand. I then shot downstairs to find Ross who was in good spirits with his grooms’ party though they were having a bit of a wardrobe malfunction. All of his grooms men were meant to be wearing bow ties but it turned out that none of them knew how to tie one! Fortunately I do, so I tied all their bow ties for them just in time for the ceremony. Once everybody was fully dressed I took the opportunity to grab a few fun shots of them outside.
Then it was back to Siobhan who was now ready and looked simply stunning in her dress, with her hair in a natural messy up do she had an air of beautiful and understated glamour. Some brides look totally comfortable as a bride and really suit it. Siobhan was definitely one of those brides. The train on her dress fanned out giving her the most exquisite silhouette in my portrait shots.
After a beautiful ceremony everybody spilled outside for a drinks reception on the terrace with views of the magnificent Somerset countryside. Whilst some of the younger guests found a tractor to play on I took some fun group shots of Siobhan and Ross and their wedding party and a few lovely portrait shots of just the two of them set around the beautiful grounds of Orchardleigh House.
It happens that Ross and several of the guests are rugby players and it just so happened that the wedding day was the same day that England played Scotland in the six nations. So they missed it! Not really… they had the game on at the wedding before everybody went in for the wedding breakfast.
Talking of food, now is probably the time to mention that Ross is a chef, and several of their guests are also chefs so instead of having the wedding functioned by the talented chefs at Orchardleigh House, they opted to cater the wedding themselves. And they impressed everybody with a starter of mozzarella and heritage tomatoes, a main of braised ox cheek with roasted vegetables and a dessert of frozen chocolate mousse, passion fruit sorbet and a caramel ice cream. Delicious! All of this served in Orchardleigh House’s beautiful ballroom.
Then glasses were all filled and everybody enjoyed some rapturously well received speeches. I’ve been to a lot of weddings but you always see details that are new and special to that particular couple and at Siobhan and Ross’s wedding one of those things was definitely the wedding cake, with the gold embossed map of the world. It was totally unique and the cutting of the cake was a fun moment in their day. Evening entertainment started with a romantic first dance with accompaniment by a live band who ensured that Siobhan and Ross weren’t alone on the dance floor for long. This lot were definitely up for a party and it was the image of them all larking about and laughing on the dance floor that seemed the right time to take my leave.
A happy, laid back family friendly wedding for this easy going and fun couple. Congratulations to Siobhan and Ross for getting married and allowing me to tell the story of your day.
It was a lovely day and I look forward to the next time I get to shoot Orchardleigh House wedding photography. I told you, shooting Somerset wedding photography really is the best job in the world!
