The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House Wedding
A Somerset Wedding
I had THE BEST TIME being M and B’s Old Milk Parlour at Cavokay House’s wedding photographer.
The wonderful bride and groom had planned their whole day around their guests having a good time. Add that to a TONNE of happy vibes and you’ve got yourself a cracking wedding!
The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House is run by the lovely Lou and her husband Colin who are joyful, relaxed, warm and just all round fabulous people. The venue itself is definitely rustic.
There is 12 acres of outdoor space including a large woodland with secret paths, meadows with long grasses blowing in the breeze, an orchard and a large south-facing lawn directly outside where your guests can enjoy canapes and fizz.
This is definitely the venue for you if you’re wanting a relaxed, informal wedding which you can really make your own. Perfect for unique DIY weddings, the Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay house gives you freedom and opportunity to put your own stamp on it.
The Awesome Suppliers
The Venue – The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House
Wedding Car – Premier Carriage
Catering – Dorset Delights Catering
Mariachi Band – Mariachi Rey
Evening Band – Step N Soul
Cake – The Bake Bar Somerset
Menswear – Gianni Feraud
Bride’s Make-Up – Chantelle Wareham
Bride’s Hair – Grace Bailey
Bridal Gown –Miss Stella York from Minster Bridal Boutique
Florist – Pamplemousse Dorset and Black Shed Flowers
![the old milking parlour at cavokay house](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer53.jpg)
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![the groom kisses his new wife](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer70.jpg)
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![wedding guests dance in sombreros](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer65.jpg)
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![the bride and groom being showered in confetti as they exit the church](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer17.jpg)
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![the groom smiles in the foreground as his new wife wipes away a tear in the background](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer41.jpg)
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![the bride smiles on her wedding day](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer25.jpg)
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![a vintage car leaves the church](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer21.jpg)
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![the bride and her mum wearing sombreros on the dance floor](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer69.jpg)
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![the groom dances on his hands and knees on the dance floor in a sombrero](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer62.jpg)
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![the bride in her bridal dress with a half length veil](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer2.jpg)
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![wedding guests line up to throw confetti over the newly weds outside the church](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer18.jpg)
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![black and white portrait photograph of the newly married couples](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer49.jpg)
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![the groom looks concerned at his wife's speech](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer43.jpg)
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![the bride and groom laugh at the speeches](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer39.jpg)
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![the father of the bride dances in a sombrero](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer64.jpg)
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![the bride and her bridesmaid shed a tear during the speeches](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer37.jpg)
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![the bride, groom and their bridal party](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer28.jpg)
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![black and white photograph of wedding guests dancing](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer68.jpg)
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![the bride grins as she hugs wedding guests](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer29.jpg)
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![a close up of the bride hugging her new husband in black and white](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer51.jpg)
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![the bride and groom in front of the alter at their wedding ceremony](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer13.jpg)
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![the bride sheds a tear during her wedding ceremony](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer10.jpg)
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![the bride and groom from behind at the church alter as they are getting married](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer11.jpg)
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![the bride and groom as they leave their wedding ceremony](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer15.jpg)
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![the bride laughs as she arrives at the church and is greeted by her bridesmaids](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer8.jpg)
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![the newlyweds dance to the mariachi band](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer32.jpg)
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![the old milking parlour at cavokay house wedding decorations](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer27.jpg)
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![a mariachi band plays to wedding guests](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer23.jpg)
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The Wedding Day
I met up with B at her Dad’s house on the morning of the wedding. She was busy having her hair and make-up done whilst her bridesmaids busied themselves getting things organised for the day. Only one of B’s bridesmaids had previously seen her wedding dress and I particularly love the moment they see her in it for the first time. The bride had opted for a shorter, elbow length veil which sat beautifully alongside her lacy bridal gown. A shorter veil is just as pretty, a LOT more practical and as you’ll see in the portraits, can naturally catch the breeze for an incredibly ethereal look.
Meanwhile my second photographer Chantel headed over to see the groom and his groomsmen for a few getting ready shots and a walk to the church.
B and her Dad arrived at the church in a blue vintage car and were greeted at the church gate by the bridesmaids.
Multiple generations of the bride’s family had married in the same church and photographs of each of them in the church doorway welcomed guests inside the church porch. It was therefore essential for us to recreate this photo as well as a handful underneath the pretty arch at the bottom of the churchyard.
Reverend Lorraine was as full of joy as the bride and groom and led a beautiful, happy church wedding ceremony. Once the couple had said “I do” and signed their wedding certificate, they were officially pronounced husband and wife. As they left the church, wedding guests showered them in confetti – always one of my favourite moments to photograph.
Lou was on hand to warmly greet and direct guests on our arrival at the Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House.
The newly-weds had booked a surprise Mariachi band for the drinks reception. They followed the couple into the reception and guests cheered with delight at the surprise! Champagne and canapes were served and after a handful of group photographs, Chantel and I took some candid photographs of guests having fun. The reception was full of positive energy and everyone was in a good mood.
Later in the drinks reception, the Mariachi band surprised the bride’s Dad by singing him happy birthday as the caterers brought out an enormous birthday cake! It was certainly a memorable birthday!
The seating plan was themed around places the couple had travelled and once guests were seated at round tables, the wedding breakfast was served. Being a baker, the bride had baked 3 flavours of brownies for desert so the cake was cut between mains and pudding.
The newly-weds had warned me about the amount of speeches and there were quite a few (8, I think!) but each and every one was so full of love, joy and well wishes for the new Mr and Mrs that they were a pleasure to photograph. The bride even delivered a speech herself (which I always love!), as well as both the mums.
After the speeches were finished the bride, groom and I headed out for some portraits in the woodland and surrounding fields. The sun had been bright and the hard light more tricky to shoot in earlier in the day, but by now it had lowered in the sky and gave beautiful, soft, sidelight.
After the first dance had finished, a 7 piece Motown / Soul band called Step’n’Soul started and they were AWESOME! The two singers seriously brought the energy and the dance floor was absolutely popping! They made a real fuss of the bride’s dad, singing him happy birthday and everyone just completely lost it! The bride’s father got full into the swing of it too, waving his arms in the air and bowing to the crowd as they cheered and danced.
My night ended after the bride sang Etta James’ “At Last” to her new husband. She has an incredible voice and her husband was totally blown away.
![The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House Wedding Photographer20 bride and groom smile at the camera as they sit in their wedding car, wedding guests watch in the background](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer20.jpg)
The Venue
The building itself is constructed from local stone with exposed stone walls and wooden beams above. Parts of the building date back as far as 1730 and even have cow chains still hanging from the walls.
Nowadays the indoors is cosy with carpeted floors and ceilings adorned with fairy lights, as well as pretty white tulle.
Suitable for traditional and alternative civil ceremonies alike, this fully licensed wedding venue gives you so many options when it comes to tying the knot. There’s even the option of erecting a marquee for additional space too.
Choose from getting married within the Old Milking Parlour itself or on the lawn just outside.
Lou and Colin are like wedding day ninjas, unobtrusively working away in the background to coordinate your day seamlessly.
Escape for a moment alone amidst your wedding day by taking a stroll through the woodland. Keep an eye out for deer and other woodland critters. I was lucky enough to see a deer at this wedding, though sadly missed the shot, as she was just too speedy!
The sun sets at the back of the milking parlour meaning we can escape into the meadows for some romantic golden hour portraits in the long grass, should the weather allow.
The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House Wedding Photographer – Becky Weir
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![The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House Wedding Photographer48 the old milking parlour at cavokay house](https://beckyweir.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Old-Milking-Parlour-at-Cavokay-House-Wedding-Photographer48.jpg)
Are you planning a wedding at The Old Milking Parlour at Cavokay House?
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