A Weekend of Weddings across Hampshire and Dorset

Friday at Sopley Mill

Some weekends at Barnet + Boatrace feel like a rom-com and this one was certainly delivered from start to finish!

Friday morning began at the ever so picturesque Sopley Mill on the border of Dorset and Hampshire where Tandee Founding Head Stylist and Olga Lead Makeup Artist met at 9am (not too early -  which we love!) ready to get Chloe and her wedding party feeling fabulous!

Photo Credit: Emma Rolphe

This was our third time seeing Chloe, her Mum Jackie and sister Natalie who we first had the pleasure of meeting in 2023 when Chloe was a bridesmaid for Natalie's waterside wedding at The Christchurch Harbour Hotel. 

Having met the family before it felt a lot less like arriving for work and more like being welcomed by old friends. Having that history brings an instant sense of ease, trust and calm which is pure gold on a wedding morning!

Phot Credit: Emma Rolphe

​The newly refurbished bridal prep room the "Avon Suite" at Sopley Mill is a fabulous setting with plenty of space and natural daylight to get Chloe and her wedding party hair and makeup ready.

We had a full Dorset based creative crew in action with the lovely Emma of Wedding Edits filming some backstage content, Emma Rolphe doing what she does best, discreetly snapping away and capturing those precious moments and lastly we had Matt from Forever Captured who spent the morning artfully ducking the low beams in the bridal prep room like a graceful giraffe in formal wear!

Photo Credit: Emma Rolphe

We had a slight makeup challenge with a watery eye which seems to be increasingly common. 

Whether the culprit is hayfever or just highly sensitive eyes we'd recommend taking antihistamines at least 2 weeks leading up to your event together with Hycosan Intense Eyedrops which contain Hyaluronic Acid!

Despite the minor setback, all 5 members of the bridal party were smiling and feeling relaxed and ready in time for a gorgeous wedding ceremony at Sopley Mill.

Photo Credit: Emma Rolphe

Saturday - two venues Lulworth Cove + Wareham River

Saturday took us to the other side of beautiful Dorset with postcard picture views of the rolling hills.

Katie (one of Barnet + Boatrace's talented Head Stylists) and Olga set off at 7.15am for arrival at a private Airbnb at 8am near Lulworth Cove with spectacular views spanning over the countryside.  

After conquering 50 steps dodging roof tiles and traffic cones we arrived only slightly out of breath and did our best to look effortlessly composed when we met our first clients of the day who were mother of the groom Pat and sister of the groom Becca.

Olga navigating the obstacle course and getting her steps in!

Our effort seemed a little modest compared to the grooms sister who'd travelled an impressive 4,800 miles from Austin, Texas to attend her brothers fairytale wedding to India at Lulworth Castle. 

Both hair and makeup was completed by 10am and then we made our way over to The Priory Hotel in Wareham to meet India the bride. 

​If you're yet to be acquainted, it's a stunning riverside hotel full of charm and grandeur. 

View from the Boathouse suite for India's Bridal Prep

India opted for a simple blow dry barely there makeup with her favourites from YSL.

One day it's a sunny mill with a packed prep room and the next it's a coastal hideaway or riverside elegance with sounds of the wildlife.

No two weddings are ever the same and that's exactly why we adore this job!

Different venues, different stories, same mission: making people feel incredible!

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