The one thing you can’t control on your wedding day is the weather, and sometimes the wet weather wins. However, Abigail and Kieron didn’t let the weather dampen their day. Even though I’ve shot *counts on fingers and toes* 20+ weddings at Dodmoor House, it’s been a long time since I had a wet day there and it really pushed me to be extra creative when it came to portrait time and well, I love the resulting images! 

Make a brew and scroll on… and if you’re looking for some wet weather planning fodder, you’ll find that here.

HOW DID YOU MEET?

We met and became friends in college and, of course, were both interested and started meeting up and arranging dates.

But after Kieron failed to show up for a date, we didn’t speak for 7 years. He claimed he overslept, (the date was at 6pm in the evening!) which after 5 years together I can believe!

Safe to say after 7 years Kieron realised what he was missing and after several rejections I finally agreed to go for coffee; and here we are 5 years later.

TELL ME YOUR PROPOSAL STORY

After a few failed plans (Abbie kept guessing my ideas!), I finally managed to surprise her!

A beautiful October morning in Cornwall, we had planned to climb to the top of St Michaels Mount. So I made her get up early, put on the most (un)flattering walking gear & off we went.

After 10 minutes Abbie was commenting how pretty it was; after 30 minutes she was complaining her legs hurt and she was tired (while I carried a backpack and our 5 month old strapped to me!).

Pretty sure she told me at one point to go on without her and she’d meet me on the way back down! But we got her to the top and looking out off the edges of the castle into the clear blue skies and open water.

She turned around, she saw the ring box open and immediately closed the box and said “whaaaat?”

After another 15 minutes Abbie remembered she hadn’t actually replied and said “oh it is a yes by the way”.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE DODMOOR HOUSE FOR YOUR WEDDING DAY?

After looking at a lot online we kept coming back to Dodmoor House as it is so beautiful and so well reviewed. And we had been to Dodmoor House before for a family friends wedding and loved the venue. So when we saw they had availability just 5 months away (and we love a challenge) we couldn’t say no!

WHAT WAS IT YOU LOVED ABOUT YOUR OUTFITS AND ACCESSORIES THAT MADE YOU CHOOSE THEM?

I loved my double train on my dress and loved my necklace and earrings which were gifted by a close friend, giving me my “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue”.

Kieron wanted a bit more of a rustic looking suit to go with his handmade boots that took him the entire 5 months to find!

TELL ME ABOUT THE VISION YOU HAD FOR YOUR WEDDING INCLUDING YOUR THEME/COLOUR SCHEME/STYLING/FLOWERS

We didn’t start off with a theme in mind and both went into it pretty open minded.

We were really keen to put our trust in our suppliers and the venue to guide us as they really are the experts! Plus it just feels more fun to have some element of surprise and amazement seeing it all for the first time on the day!

While some couples are really keen to micromanage every minute detail; we were happy to give a loose idea and let the suppliers do their thing! The only real guidance we gave was on colours; Pinks and whites!

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST DANCE AND WHY DID YOU CHOOSE IT?

We probably took far too long to agree on a first dance song! We struggled for a while as our tastes differ but did agree on a (long) shortlist of songs we both liked.

After listening to them all one night we realised we’d just chosen a bunch of breakup songs for our first dance! Fortunately there was one that wasn’t about a breakup; Al Green, Let’s Stay Together.

WHAT WERE THE MOST WONDERFUL PARTS OF THE DAY FOR YOU?

The key standout for us both was just the realisation that every one of our friends and family were all in the same room with us to celebrate. Just an overwhelming moment for us both.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE HANNAH HALL PHOTOGRAPHY AS YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER, AND WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE OF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY ON THE DAY?

It would be easier to give a list of reasons not to pick Hannah; there aren’t any!!

We just loved the way she captures the real feeling of the day in the photos; makes it so much more meaningful to look back at unposed, natural, beautifully candid shots; capturing all the moments you want to remember and many, many of the ones you miss as your day goes by so fast.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR BEST BIT OF ADVICE TO OTHER COUPLES PLANNING THEIR WEDDING?

Above all else, make sure you take moments alone with your partner wherever you can; its one thing we both feel we didn’t get enough of.

You spend so much time meeting and greeting and talking to all your wonderful guests that you seem to miss each other; remember that the day is to celebrate you being together; so make sure you step back and take moments to hide away together and breathe.

ABIGAIL + KIERON’S GORGEOUS WEDDING HAPPENED WITH THE HELP OF THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIERS

Hair Wedlock Hair / Makeup Chloe Eleanor MUA / Dress Wed2B / Flowers Sophie May Floral

Groom Walker Slater & Carmina Shoe Maker / Bridesmaids Next / Cake By a friend / Catering Olive Herb Catering

Venue Dodmoor House / DJ Potter Group

Suppliers please drop me a line for image use!

HELLO, IS IT ME YOU’RE LOOKING FOR?

I’ve shot over twenty weddings at Dodmoor House over the last five years and now the place like the back of my hand; you can read more and see more of my photographs here.

SEEN ENOUGH? DROP ME A LINE.