Glorious Rhinefield House - Caroline & Alex's New Forest Wedding

March 16, 2016  •  Leave a Comment

I absolutely love the New Forest. It was my playground growing up, and it always puts a spring in my step now when I return there with a camera. And return there I did, to one of its most beautiful spots right in the heart of the national park: the ornamental drive at Rhinefield - and more specifically Rhinefield House Hotel - home to Caroline & Alex for a wonderful autumn wedding full of dramatic skies and a sunset which pretty much defies description.

Photograph of side elevation of hotel surrounded by the trees of the New Forest near LyndhurstRhinefield House Hotel wedding photographyHotel exterior and grounds in New Forest Bridal prep in the stunning main suite at the hotel (and a very welcome opportunity to catch up with the hugely talented MUA Pamela Moss who just happened to be there doing the hair and make-up). I absolutely love this room - there's so much to play with photographically; so many lines and angles, and the view across the grounds from the large bay window is magnificent. The view today, it has to be said, happened to include some rather moody and dramatic skies. Little smatterings of rain would make an appearance on and off, but nothing which would impact on the day (other than to add even more drama to the photos, as you'll hopefully see a little further on into the blog). Caroline was serene and beautiful in the middle of it all as family members started to arrive (including our almost-too-cute flower girls who took up residence and positioned themselves perfectly at the window for a photo which really just made itself), and how about that dress...

Suite interior with dress hangingNew Forest wedding photography at Rhinefield HouseBridal preparation in suite Bride getting ready in bridal suiteNew Forest wedding photography at Rhinefield HouseBridal preparation in suite Hair and make up by Pamela Moss MUANew Forest wedding photography at Rhinefield HouseBridal preparation in suite The bride is helped into her wedding dressNew Forest wedding photography at Rhinefield HouseBridal preparation in suite Finishing touches are applied to the bride in her dress and the veil is addedNew Forest wedding photography at Rhinefield HouseBridal preparation in suite The ceremony took place in nearby Brockenhurst - a short and extremely pleasant drive along the forest back roads amongst the autumn colours. Really, the New Forest looks great at any time of year, but this particular part of it I believe is at its best at this time of year - a real riot of golds, oranges and reds. St Saviours is a lovely church on the outskirts of this famous Forest town, and Alex was there ready and waiting as I pulled up. We managed to take a few moments to capture some shots of him and his best man - also his brother - as guests started to arrive and take their seats, and Caroline wasn't far behind (in fact, I believe the car had to go off and do a little extra tour of Brockenhurst while the last few guests joined the congregation, so keen was she to get down the aisle!). The choir was in place, and as the organist piped up Caroline made her entrance on her father's arm, looking - it has to be said - absolutely stunning.

Church exterior and floral detailsNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Groom at front of churchNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Groom and guests await the arrival of the brideNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Church interior colourNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Bride at church entranceNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Groom and best man stood at front of church ready for start of wedding serviceNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding The bride enters at the back of the churchNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding The groom at the front of the church as the bride walks down the aisle on her father's armNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Bride arrives at front of church for the start of the marriageNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Wedding ceremonyNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Wedding details during ceremonyNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Bride and groom make their marriage vowsNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Signing of the marriage registerNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Flower girl occupies her parents during the signing of the registerNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Black and white photo of bride and groom walking down aisleNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding The newly married bride and groom exit the churchNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Kisses and hugs for the newly married coupleNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Confetti outside churchNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Family members outside churchNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Group photos outside church doorNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding Bride and groom leave the church and make their way to the wedding carNew Forest wedding photography St Saviours Church Brockenhurst wedding After a beautiful ceremony and a quick few family photos outside the church while we could be sure that the weather was still on our side (in conditions like this, where it's all a bit changeable from one moment to the next, it's often wise to be a bit flexible and take your opportunities as they present themselves to be certain of capturing those photos which are most important to you, and I always try to ensure that there is a little contingency time and some alternative locations available just in case...) is was back across the heathland to Rhinefield to start the celebrations. But just before we get into the wedding breakfast and the speeches, a little time out with our bride and groom in the grounds of the hotel, and in particular in front of the iconic blue gates at the far end of the lake...

Hotel grounds and gardensNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Looking back towards hotel from far end of groundsNew Forest Autumn wedding Rhinefield HouseCouple in gardens Bride and groom profile portraitNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens Couple by blue gates at end of lake in hotel gardens Rhinefield House Hotel New Forest wedding photographyBride and groom portraits Closer image of couple by blue gates at end of lake in hotel gardens Rhinefield House Hotel New Forest wedding photographyBride and groom portraits bride solo portraits behind hotelNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens Bride and groom in avenue of trees with autumn coloursNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens Bride and groom on steps in hotel gardensNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens Groom portrait on hotel garden stepsNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens Bride and groom close up portrait in black and whiteNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens Colour photos of wedding couple in new forest hotel groundsNew Forest Rhinefield House Wedding PhotographyBride and Groom couple wedding portraits in gardens

One of the major attractions of Rhinefield House as a wedding venue is having the stunning banqueting hall for your wedding breakfast. This towering, wood-panelled room with its huge stone fireplace makes a wonderful impression, especially when viewed from on high up in the gallery (which is where I took the main group photo from on this occasion). It's beautiful enough on its own, but when it's laid out for a grand meal it really comes into its own. And as a bonus it then forms part of a suite, meaning that you and your guests are all in one place for the rest of the day, so you can kick back and celebrate in style.

Towards the end of the meal Caroline and Alex were also treated to the sight of me hurtling towards them with a big grin on my face, to tell them that I suspected there was just about to be a very serious sunset outside (I've become a bit of a connoisseur of these things over the years and I'd already tipped them off that I had a suspicion that I might be taking them outside for a moment or two. Lo and behold, as the remnants of some very brooding storm clouds swept away to the east a massive double rainbow burst through to our left, while over to our right the sky suddenly lit up like it was on fire. I've seen a few sunsets in my time, but this one really was something else. It just got better and better, more and more incredible, until finally - just as soon as it appeared - it was gone. The whole thing lasted perhaps a few minutes at most. But we got it. Oh yes, we most certainly got it!  Flower girls in hotel gardensNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Flower girl in front of wooden doorsRhinefield House New Forest weddingFlower girl portrait Guests in hotel suiteNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Room layout in dining hall for wedding mealNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Black and white images of table layouts in dining roomNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Black and white photos of guests at wedding receptionNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Guests in dining room as bride and groom are announced in New Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Bride and groom enter room at start of wedding breakfastNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Candid photos of wedding guestsNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Main hotel dining room during wedding mealNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Black and white photos of wedding speechesNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Wedding speechesNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Guest reactions during speechesNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Groom makes his speechNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Guests raise a glass to toast the bride and groomNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Couple portrait with sunset double rainbowNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Bride and groom sunset portraitNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches Stunning autumn sunset in New Forest with bride and groomNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches As day turned to night, the bride and groom cut the cake in the dining room before leading their guests through to the adjoining room to start the evening party off with the first dance. The first of many dances in fact - turns out Caroline & Alex's friends are a definite party crowd! So nice to see a dance floor rammed with people all the way through the night - this celebration most certainly had legs.

Bride and groom cut cake in dining roomNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Black and white photograph of bride and groom first danceNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations First danceNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Couple on the dancefloorNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Wedding guests on dancefloorNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Evening guests join the partyNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Selfie action on the dance floorNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Wedding guests dancingNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Guests during evening partyNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations Throwing shapesNew Forest wedding photography Rhinefield HouseEvening wedding celebrations What an absolute belter of a wedding, and what a truly fantastic couple. Huge congratulations Caroline & Alex - I can't even begin to say what a treat it was to be there and capture your special day. Wishing you many happy years together!

Bride and groom portrait on staircaseNew Forest wedding at Rhinefield House HotelGuests, wedding breakfast and speeches

The above photos are just a small selection from Caroline & Alex's day. Friends and family can view the full set in their private online gallery, but of course will need to ask them for the password first.
 
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If you are planning your New Forest wedding and are interested in finding out more about my coverage at Rhinefield House Hotel or any other of the many superb venues around and about, please don't hesitate to contact me to discuss availability and to talk about your plans - I'm only too happy to help however I can.
 
I hope you enjoyed looking through the images from this simply stunning Autumn wedding. Plenty more weddings to come, so do make sure you return to see what else I've been up to. Thanks, as ever, for reading.
 
 
Stephen

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