The Ancient Technology Centre
Harriet & Jonny chose something a little different for their wedding day – the Ancient Technology Centre, Dorset, a recreation of an Iron Age village with the impressive Round House at the centre.
As guests arrived, they quickly started exploring, and many attempted to draw water from the well (tip though, don’t do this before a wedding ceremony, as you might get wet).
Inside The Round House
As you enter the Round House, I can only describe it as dramatic, but mysteriously calming.
Guests are seated in a round, whilst the ceremony is conducted in the centre under the skylight, creating a natural spotlight centre stage.
Ellie, from Wildflower Ceremonies, had been busy preparing the space before the ceremony. Not only offering a silent blessing, but preparing the space to represent each element, and with personal touches to the couple, with letters they had written to their future selves.
The Ceremony
As Guests entered the Round House, they were each presented with a raffle ticket, and took their seats.
Ellie got everyone involved, and even before the ceremony, she had Guests laughing and performing a Mexican Wave.
The Handfasting Ceremony was beautiful, filled with personal touches!
Harriet & Jonny had created a true sense of community by including readings from multiple guests, having a BSL translator for deaf family members.
Their Mums helped with the Handfasting Ceremony, and of course there were a few surprises. They called two of the raffle tickets, and the lucky winners got to present them with the final cords for the Handfasting.
They also surprised the latest addition to their family, who was only born a few weeks earlier, they blessed a tree and presented it to the little one.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you will know that Ellie’s ceremonies always move me to tears, and this was no exception, as the couple and she had created a truly beautiful ceremony.
Afternoon Celebrations
And with a procession of silly string, the afternoon celebrations began!
The entire community laughed, told stories, and enjoyed delicious treats from Eating In Style.
The Raffle
Community is so important to these two, they wanted everyone included in their wedding, so game up with a genius idea.
As everyone clutched their raffle tickets, they announced winners of things like “Who would get to pick the second song of the night”, “Who would give a toast”, and “Who would get a photo with the couple”.
Speeches & Lunch
Whilst the food was being prepared, the entire wedding joined in with speeches and stories about the newlyweds.
We laughed, we cried, but the sense of community and love was clear to all.
The Pear
Now I don’t know how this started (OK, it was probably me), but someone found a pear, and a game was created that if you had the pear you had to think of a pose with it and then pass it to the next person to pose with.
Here are the results
Our Newlyweds
As the sun began to set, and the sky turned gold over Dorset, I took the newlyweds to the farm garden for a quiet moment so they could reflect on the day and enjoy the sunset.
Dancing!
With the night drawing in, we all headed into the Round House to dance the night away and continue the celebrations.
But did you forget about the raffle? Choosing the second dance was one of the prizes and they did not disappoint with their choice…I’m Just Ken, and they had even spent the after learning the routine to teach the Bride!
Supplier Shout Outs
#WeddingPhotographer @LotusPhotographyUK
#WeddingCelebrant @wildflower_ceremonies
#WeddingPlanner @southcoast_weddings
#WeddingFlowers @Willowandwisps
#WeddingMarquee @camelotmarqueesltd
#WeddingLighting @bhsoundandlighting
#WeddingMUA & #WeddingHair @holliedanbyhairandmakeup www.holliedanby.co.uk
#WeddingCatering @gordie_sutherland
#BSLTranslator Katy Foot
#WeddingVenue @ancient_technology_centre
