Wooladon Estate provided the most Elegant venue for Millie & Sam’s Outdoor Spring Wedding, followed by an Epic Party in the The Barn
Pre-wedding Beach Photo Shoot
The count down was well and truly on for Milie and Sam’s wedding. I had met the couple a few times on the lead up to their wedding and had also done a dreamy pre-wedding shoot with them and their gorgeous dog, Kiwi, where they had both ended up fully clothed in the sea! I knew that this wedding was going to be extra and I just could not wait.
Dream Ceremony on the Lawn
Millie was desperate for an outdoor ceremony and on the lead up to the wedding, I am not sure who was keeping an eye on the forecast more; me or her! The one thing about the weather is that you absolutely cannot control it, and so with plans for an outdoor ceremony, no matter what time of the year, you have to have a back up plan. After a spell of beautiful sunshiny weather over the past couple of weeks, the forecast didn’t look so good but on my arrival at Wooladon, there were no chairs in the Country Suite meaning that an outside ceremony was on the cards.
It was so picturesque, a broken floral arch on the lawn in front of the house, overlooking the willow tree and the pond. White chairs and candles in hurricane vases in arched wither side of the soft grassy aisle. Millie sat in the hair and make up chair looking down through the vast windows at the ceremony set up as it started to take shape on the lawn below. Occasionally, the clouds parted and the ceremony space was unbelievably lit with a splash of sun.
Bride and Groom Prep
The bridal prep was lovely. Quite an emotional affair but with the support of her bridesmaids, Millie sat and took it all in. Having both Millie and Sam getting ready at the venue meant that I was able to dash between the two of them and get some photos of the groom and his groomsmen also getting ready, pinning button holes and straightening ties. We also took a moment to get some portraits of the groomsmen together too which is always a fun moment and helps to tell the story of the morning before the wedding when I curate your final gallery.
Back in the bridal suite, Millie and her girls hoped on the bed for some fun champagne shots in their matching pajamas and also featuring the personalised newspapers that the couple had had made up for their wedding day.
Ceremony in the Sun
The ceremony arrived with another splash of sunshine to which there was a resounding cheer from the seated guests. The backdrop of the house as Millie and Sam said their personalised vows was just magical. Their gorgeous girl Kiwi watching on from the aisle was just so special. Having their ceremony this close to the house meant that I was able to dash upstairs to an upstairs window and from this vantage point was able to take a shot of the whole ceremony from above.
Of course, their ceremony exit was also extra and the couple held hands, smiling and cheering before pausing for a dip while their guests whooped and cheered!
Sip and Solve, Cocktails and a Casino
A huge confetti aisle then led to the reception in The Garden Room with beers on ice and a casino to keep the guests entertained. A sip and solve, first dance sweepstake and cocktail bar kept the guests fully entertained throughout the reception while I stole the couple away for their family and couple shots.
The couple had quite a lengthy list of family shots which I would not usually recommend, however with the help of a very organised maid of honour, we managed to whiz through nearly 30 shots before catching a lift down to the lake for some photos of just the couple on their own. The lake at Wooladon is breathtaking. You can’t imagine a lake so clear and blue. I always jump at the chance to take a couple down here for photos, however, this is with the understanding that it will take quite a chunk out of your mingling time during the reception.
Couple Shots (inc. Kiwi!)
After some couple shots at the lake and then with Kiwi back at the main house, it was time for the entrance to The Barn for their wedding breakfast. And yes, you guessed it, their entrance was also very extra! The hype for their entrance was incredible. Tim Coleman, the resident DJ had the guests hyped, stood on chairs and waving their napkins in the air. The great barn doors were opened and in came Millie and Sam to cheers and more napkin waving.
Speeches and a Surprise Twist
The speeches ended with a surprise for the guests. Each guest was asked to check under their chair as one guest from each table had a chef’s apron and hat stuck to the bottom of the chair. This guest had to carve and serve the South African braai for the whole table, which was such a fun and unique touch. The other very touching detail of the wedding breakfast was that the couple had written a personalised letter for each of the guests and had used this, in an envelope as their table place name. Such a lot of thought had gone into this day, not only for how the couple wanted to celebrate their marriage and their love of life and each other but also for how the guests would feel welcome, included and celebrated.
Upbeat Evening Celebrations
The evening was very upbeat. There was so much fun for all. We started with a small photo shoot with the bridesmaids and groomsmen which included a boom box with very loud music, a VERY competitive race up and down the garden followed by a prosecco spray… my cheeks were aching from the laughing at this part of the day! The first dance was epic, including confetti canons and some stunning twirls and spins! Then the evening finished with a sparkler run with that epic barn as the backdrop to these shots.
In a Nutshell
Millie and Sam planned their day to the smallest detail and while it was by far the busiest wedding I have ever photographed, there is not a chance on earth that they will look back and wish they did anything different! What a day, i thoroughly loved every single second of it! Thanks so much for choosing me to capture your big day! x
