Tithe Barn – Symondsbury Estate, Dorset – Rowena and Ted’s Wedding

It is not uncommon, as a wedding photographer, to be asked by someone you know to document their wedding. However, when you are fairly new to the Wedding Photography scene (and what a scene that is) it is a huge thing to even be considered, so when Rowena and Ted asked if I would photograph their wedding I was genuinely really chuffed. I have worked with Rowena for many years so if something went wrong there was nowhere to hide (no pressure then- just kidding nothing was gonna go wrong!). Fast forward a few months and the morning of 1st June 2019 dawns to a beautiful cloudless, sun-drenched day (ok I am milking the theatrics somewhat but it seriously was a lovely day). My first mistake of the day was the decision to wear all black! The weather forecast called for 18 degrees so I thought it’s not gonna be THAT WARM! (words I’d come to regret!).

I arrived at the bride’s house just before noon to document the bridal prep. I made my way into the room where Rowena, mother of the bride and the bridesmaids were all getting ready. Champagne was being popped and everyone was in good spirits.

As a photographer, there are several really special moments you get to be apart of during a wedding day but the moment the father of the bride gets to see his daughter for the first time in her dress has to be up there. I have to say that Rowena looked amazing in her dress (https://www.essensedesigns.com/stella-york/) and the reaction from her father and the rest of the bridal party was really special.

I spent around an hour hanging out and photographing with the bridal party (yeah I know it’s a hard life but someone’s got to do it) and after an hour of avoiding joining the party with the champagne, despite a lot of kind officers from the bridal party, the time had come to head to the church for the ceremony. Rowena’s chariot to the church (I’m still all about the theatrics) was an old skool army land rover! This, no doubt, was due to the fact that Ted is a Captain in the Yorkshire Regiment. Not entirely sure it comes with power steering or any form of comfortable suspension but it is still a very cool way to get to your wedding.

The ceremony took place in a beautiful church not far from the Symonsburys Estate. The ceremony was elegant and the church was packed to capacity. There were readings by friends, performances from best men and most importantly a lot of smiles and laughter. As is the tradition with military weddings the couple exited the church under a military guard of honour. My first guard of honour at a wedding in fact!

We all now headed to Tithe Barn on the Symondsbury Estate (with a small stop for some couples portraits). The sun was still shining and the bubbles were flowing for the newlywed couple. The festivities, speeches, laughter and dancing went long into the night (long after this photographer headed for home). Knowing Rowena prior to being asked to photograph her wedding meant that I didn’t just feel like someone there to do a job, I felt like one of the guests so my evening ended with me on the dancefloor with everyone else. Sure I had a camera in my hand but I won’t have it any other way. I’ll let the images show you how much fun Ted and Rowena’s reception was. To date, this has to be one of the most enjoyable weddings I have attended, as a guest or a photographer!

Before I leave I have to say, all of the amazing designs on the table signs, place cards, cake decorations, seating plan etc were all designed by the bride! Rowena is an amazing graphic designer so please go check out her website (https://www.londonrowstudio.com/), Facebook (typeonpaper.design) and Instagram (@typeonpaper.design). Please go give her a follow and a like and… a cuddle (because who doesn’t like cuddles!)

Enjoy the rest of the images of Ted and Rowena’s wedding day!

Tian x