Portland Castle Dorset Wedding of Kaley & Mark

By Courtenay

Last Friday I started my day in Weymouth, joining Kaley and her family as they got ready in Kaley and Mark’s house. When I arrived, Kaley was already mid-make-up and her Dad was busy with her brother getting the family Porsche ready to take them to Portland Castle. Joining her and her Mum was Kaley’s best friend and chief bridesmaid – who happened to be very pregnant, due in just a few weeks!

Leaving them to their finishing touches I headed over the causeway to Portland itself, meeting up with Kaley’s groom Mark and his brother who was acting as Best Man (fortunately – he’s in the navy, and ships off to Canada in a matter of days!). The wedding was actually to be a two-part affair – on the Friday Kaley and Mark had their official ceremony at Portland Castle with their closest family and friends, and on the Saturday they were enjoying a big Marquee reception. When they initially enquired with me I was already booked for the Saturday, sadly, but I was really pleased to be able to photograph the important part of Friday’s ceremony for them at least.

Kaley works in Portland hospital, and I thought it was a fabulous touch that her colleagues greeted her on arrival at the castle – with decorated bedpans! The ceremony was held in the lovely Old Kitchen of the castle, and once Kaley and Mark were officially husband and wife we all headed down into the Castle cellars for drinks. A break in the weather meant we were able to get everyone outside for the very few formal shots the couple had asked for before we slipped away for a few quiet pictures just the two of them, gently meandering through the grounds of the castle and taking in the view from the battlements.

The weather beat us back down to the cellar for speeches – only two today, from the father of the Bride and the Groom, as they’d decided to hold off the best man speech until the next day’s reception.

Then once the cake was cut it was time for me to take my leave – congratulations Kaley and Mark!