SS Great Britain Wedding Photography for Harriet and Sam, Bristol

Definitely a knock-your-socks-off wedding captured by Images by Dee. A gem of a wedding at the memorable and historic SS Great Britain venue with the indisputable stars of the show Sam and Harriet.

Harriet and Sam on the SS Great Britain

Harriet and Sam steering the way

How could you not be passionate about capturing the emotions of the special couple on their day day with friends and family in such a fantastic venue. Even the way Harriet and Sam met was special as I heard that when Harriet first fell for Sam… she literally “fell for Sam” in a love at first sight fall off her bar stool

It was a privilege and joy to be part of their day and to provide the treasured memories that can last for a lifetime.

SS Great Britain Wedding Photography for Harriet and Sam

I first met Harriet’s family when I had previously been the wedding photographer in Bristol at her step sister Charlotte’s wedding back in 2008 and it was pleasure to be invited back to do a second wedding.

Supported on the day by Daveene as second photographer, she headed over to the Hotel du Vin in Bristol to get some photos of the guys getting ready.

The groom and his best man looking dapper

Beautiful wedding rings from Tiffany & Co

The plan was for the groom and his party to then catch the ferry from one side of Bristol across to the SS Great Britain, with a brief interlude for a swift pint in a local pub, of course with Daveene sticking close by to get some great documentary shots even through the trek across Bristol to catch the ferry.

Boys about town

Just one for the road...

Meanwhile, I spent the morning with Harriet capturing the getting ready shots. Harriet was extremely calm and all preparations went very smoothly, aided by her family supplying food and drink for all and of course celebratory champagne. The bridal flowers were so beautiful and natural, Bella and Fifi work with fresh, locally grown and organic flowers so each wedding bouquet and button-hole are often a surprise and unique. With a beautiful, classic French Twist hairstyle by Tina and make-up by Hayley, Harriet looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress which was a Kate Sherford design called Kiera.

Beautiful natural flowers and rings from across the generations

With a little help from Mum and sister

This really had to be one of the calmest getting ready shoots I have done. We even had time to catch some photos of the wedding party in the garden before the wedding car arrived, which Sam had booked as a surprise so at this point Harriet did not know how she was being transported from home to the venue.

As the time arrived for Harriet to leave the house we heard the deep roar of an engine from the “wedding car” that apparently was too big to get down the driveway… no, this was not the big pink limo… this was THE BIG RED LONDON BUS!! Sam had booked a double decker Routemaster to take Harriet and her wedding party in style to the SS Great Britain, as in London where they live Harriet spends much of her time hopping on and off buses!! The trip brought a lot of smiles from people around Bristol as the bus made it’s way to the venue.

All aboard...

The venue did not disappoint – Guests gathering on the weather deck to await the bride’s arrival. The Ceremony on the Promenade deck with the fantastic lantern window and piano music played by Paul Roberts. Drinks and canapés out on deck where the weather turned in our favour allowing us to get some beautiful blue sky photos and which also enabled the piano to be set up and played on deck. The wedding breakfast which was served in the First Class Saloon, the food was absolutely delicious and which I must add I was most grateful to be invited to sit and enjoy. The first dance and partying in the Hayward Saloon to live band Time Out.

With this ring...

The first kiss...

The look of love...

Harriet and Sam time out after the ceremony

Classic pose in classic black and white

The Saloon was decorated for the evening with bunting made by Harriet’s friends and family and a lucky find on the chair covers which Harriet admits she forgot to order. Last minute phone calls five days before the wedding uncovered a multitude of unhelpful people as Harriet said “with lots of tutting at me for leaving it so late” and then Exclusive Linen run by John Mann came to the rescue, offering a flexible and affordable service and making and delivering 36 chair covers in the nick of time. A fantastic service to be recommended if ever there was one!!

Calm before the party...

Time Out in full swing

Having captured so many images, including documentary style images to tell the story of the day, group shots of family and friends and of course some time out for Harriet and Sam so we could get some romantic couple shots, we left the guests at around 11pm to let them carry on partying without any cameras in view.

All in all… a beautiful day.

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Harriet and Sam are now back from their honeymoon in Australia and their SS Great Britain wedding photographs are available on my Images by Dee website.

Dee is a wedding photographer based in Devon but covering weddings across the South West, UK and more. If you would like more information on my photography services please use this link to get in touch via my website.

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Wedding Supplier Credits -

Flowers by Bella and Fifi

Hair by Tina from Moda Hairdressing

Make-up by Hayley from Your 1 Beautiful Day (email hayley.clancy1979@btinternet.com)

Dress from Ellie Sanderson

Transport by London Bus 4 Hire

Chair covers by Exclusive Linen

Entertainmen by Wessex Entertainment and Live band Time Out

Big help for my day was by Daveene who took some fantastic shots as second photographer and by Ken my partner, transport and support extraordinaire… and even occasional third photographer.

To read an extensive review about weddings on the SS Great Britain, visit this West Bride web page.