Sian and Steve had their wedding on Bournemouth Beach one hot July day.. and what an amazing day it was. Think Pimms on the sand, paddles in the sea, non-stop laughter and spectacular coastline views…

These two share a love of the seaside, so marrying on the beach felt perfect for them both. ‘It turns out that Bournemouth is the only beach that you can legally get married on in the UK’, explains Sian, ‘Images of fish and chips, ice-cream bikes and sandy feet had us sold. When we visited, I sat in the marquee on the sand, listening to the waves, and I instantly felt at home. We wanted a relaxed, unique day at the beach – and that’s what we got.’ 

Disney-lover Sian's strapless sequin Justin Alexander dress was teamed with bare feet and a flowery clip to the side of hair à la The Little Mermaid. "It was totally unsuitable for the beach", says Sian "but I didn’t care. I felt like a disco mermaid". Steve’s smart grey Burton suit with a pink tie to match the flowers was equally fabulous; and Robert, Steve's son and Best Man, had a mini version with a sparkly bow tie to boot.

Walking down the aisle to the main titles from The Little Mermaid is something Sian will cherish forever. "It was the best moment of my whole life", says Sian "but my favourite parts involve things that wouldn’t have happened to anyone else. When I was all ready and about to leave the hotel, my dad turned up with a Gregg’s pasty for me. I mean I never thought there would be an unsuitable time for a Gregg’s, but I was wrong. When I turned it down, he looked at me blankly, said ‘Fair enough’ and then ate it himself. I will also cherish the memory of my friend getting trapped in one of the deckchairs. It gave way while she was sitting on it and you could just see her feet sticking out. We would have got £250 from You’ve Been Framed had we thought ahead and filmed it. My neighbour Carole said it was her favourite part of the whole day. So that's nice."

Sian and Steve met at Take A Break magazine where they both work (check out their magazine cover DIY confetti cones!) and they also have one of the best engagement stories I've heard.. "During one of our (many) trips to Disneyland Paris, we were meeting Mickey Mouse when Steve stepped away and said: 'There's something I want to do.' I gripped Mickey's hand while Steve said: 'You're the Snow White to my Dopey, the Rapunzel to my Flynn Rider, and you're my Minnie.' Then he got down on one knee and asked: 'Will you marry me?' So my natural instincts kicked in, and I turned around and hugged Mickey Mouse for ages. After a while, it got a bit awkward, and Steve cleared his throat to remind me he was still there. And on one knee. He said: 'Er, is that a yes?' I reluctantly let go of Mickey, dried my tears, put the ring on and we ran out to watch the parade in celebration."

I loved photographing these two at their Bournemouth Beach wedding and spending the day with them on the beach with sand between my toes. When asked which were their favourite images, Sian said, "We wanted life, colour and all the happy chaos of the day to be captured. The emotion on my mum’s face as I walked down the aisle, the mess Robert made of his trousers in the sea – that’s what I wanted to treasure. It was all real and beautiful, just like the pictures. The photographs have heart and that’s the most I could have ever asked for." What a day for a wedding on Bournemouth Beach - it couldn't have been more perfect.

SUPPLIER LOVE

Hair - Stacey Carter https://www.facebook.com/StaceyCarterProfessionalMobileHairStylist/
Make up- Tara Sanger - She was amazing. She got what I wanted right from the start and I loved having her there on my wedding day, as a person as well as a make up artist. http://www.tarasangermakeup.co.uk
Flowers- Arcade Flowers http://arcadeflowers.co.uk
Dress- Justin Alexander from Birds Bridal. This shop was amazing too. These ladies felt like friends by the time I got married. Their passion and expertise in what they do is topped only by their warm personalities.  http://www.birdsbridal.co.uk
Bunting- Fundoo weddings http://www.fundooweddings.co.uk
DJ- Diva Entertainment. 
Bridesmaid dresses- from a shop called The Daintyard on Etsy. Multi-way dresses so each bridesmaid could wear them how they wanted. Great value and a gorgeous colour.