Claire and Jake’s Seaside Wedding at Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Dorset
There’s something so special about a wedding by the sea, and Claire and Jake’s celebration at Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Mudeford, had everything — laughter, love, and the most beautiful coastal views. It was the perfect setting for a relaxed and joy-filled day, captured through my signature documentary wedding photography style.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I absolutely love photographing weddings here. The soft coastal light, peaceful harbour views, and beautifully designed interiors make Christchurch Harbour Hotel, Dorset, a dream location for natural, relaxed photography. Whether it’s laughter shared during the drinks reception on the terrace, the emotion of your ceremony, or those peaceful evening portraits by the jetty, every moment feels effortlessly timeless.
The hotel offers a range of ceremony and reception spaces, all light-filled and stylish, with the flexibility to suit weddings of every size. The outdoor terrace is perfect for sunset toasts overlooking the harbour, while the spa and luxury bedrooms make it an ideal spot for couples and guests to unwind for the whole weekend.
Beyond the beauty of the venue itself, there’s a sense of calm and romance here that’s hard to describe — it’s where sea air meets celebration, and every moment feels beautifully unhurried.
If you’re planning a Christchurch Harbour Hotel wedding and are looking for a Dorset wedding photographer to capture your day naturally and unobtrusively, I’d love to hear from you. My approach is relaxed, storytelling, and full of heart — documenting the laughter, the emotion, and all the moments in between that make your day truly yours.
How did you choose your venue and what made this your ideal venue?
“Picturesque by the sea — it was the first and only venue we viewed.”
Sometimes you just know, and for Claire and Jake, Christchurch Harbour Hotel was love at first sight. With its stunning waterside views, elegant interiors, and relaxed seaside atmosphere, it offered the ideal backdrop for the wedding they’d always imagined. Another plus for Jake was the RNLI boat station nearby and as Jake is a RNLI volunteer, its close to his heart. He wasn’t need I say on call on his wedding day!!
What part of the wedding process were you most excited about?
“The evening celebrations once the first dance was done — finally able to let my hair down.”
After months of planning and excitement, it was the moment Claire had been waiting for — that wonderful time in the evening when the formalities were over and everyone could truly celebrate. The dance floor was full, the music was lively, and the atmosphere was pure joy.
Please tell me about your proposal — who proposed, where, and how?
Jake proposed at Old Winchester Hill during a dog walk — one of Claire’s favourite spots to relax and take in the beautiful countryside. It was a simple, heartfelt moment that felt perfectly them. Two years later to the day, they tied the knot surrounded by their closest friends and family.
Did your wedding date have any special meaning to you?
Their wedding date marked exactly two years since their engagement — a lovely way to honour such a meaningful moment in their story.
How long did it take you to find the dress of your dreams? Any tips for other brides?
“It was only my first shopping trip, and the third dress I tried on! Wed2B is very underrated — it has so many styles to try on and you can take your dress home the same day. Highly recommend!”
Claire’s dress was elegant and timeless, perfectly complementing the seaside setting. Her advice to other brides is to stay open-minded and enjoy the experience — you might just find the one sooner than you expect!
Tell me about your wedding suits and colour theme.
Grey and pink were the chosen colours — a beautiful, soft palette that reflected both of their personalities. “Pink is Jake’s (and my) favourite colour,” Claire said. The colours worked perfectly with the hotel’s coastal tones and gentle light. The pink pocket handkerchiefs came in handy to dab Jake’s head as it was so hot!!
How did you personalise your wedding day?
Claire and Jake added thoughtful personal touches throughout their day. Their table numbers featured photos of them at that same age, a detail that brought plenty of smiles and conversation among their guests. Their wedding cake was also designed to reflect their story together. The wedding cake had to giant squirrels on the top and looked such fun.
Did anything funny or memorable happen on your wedding day?
There were definitely a few memorable moments! From the bride’s dad forgetting his suit trousers — causing a slight delay to the ceremony — to the best man’s fiancée’s waters breaking mid-ceremony, the day was full of unexpected laughter and unforgettable stories that everyone will be retelling for years.
What is your favourite image from your wedding gallery and why?
“The photos on the jetty in the evening — they’re a lot more peaceful.”
Those quiet, reflective moments after the excitement of the day are always so special to capture. The soft evening light over the harbour created the most beautiful, tranquil setting for their portraits — a perfect way to end the day.
What advice would you give newly engaged couples when planning their wedding?
“You cannot plan for everything that can go wrong, and do not invite those you don’t want there, regardless of family opinion. It’s the only time you’ll both have a celebration to that extent and a day just for yourselves — don’t let someone else’s influence change what you’d like.”
Such wise words, and a wonderful reminder to stay true to yourselves throughout the process.
Claire and Jake’s Christchurch Harbour Hotel wedding was a perfect reflection of them — relaxed, full of love, and bursting with laughter. It was such a joy to capture every emotion and detail of their beautiful day and all the unexpected happenings throughout the day!!
If you’re planning your own wedding at Christchurch Harbour Hotel or looking for a Dorset wedding photographer who captures natural, relaxed, and joy-filled moments, I’d love to hear from you. My approach to documentary wedding photography focuses on real emotions and genuine storytelling, so you can relive every moment just as it happened.
📍 Christchurch Hotel 95 Mudeford, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 3NT
- Wedding Photographer: Myriame Lawley Photography
- Band: Atropine Conspiracy
- Wedding Gown: Wed2b
