A fantastic wedding day in the Sussex & Surrey countryside!
Read moreHighley Manor - Yanna & Daniel
In July 2024, I had the pleasure of photographing Yanna and Daniel's beautiful wedding at the enchanting Highley Manor, nestled in the Sussex countryside near Balcombe, Haywards Heath. The venue, rich in history and charm, provided the perfect backdrop for their special day.
Highley Manor's storied past adds a unique touch to its grandeur. Once home to the renowned poet Percy Bysshe Shelley in the 19th century, it later served as a base for the Canadian army during World War II. Today, it stands as a meticulously restored country house hotel, dedicated exclusively to hosting weddings. Surrounded by immaculately landscaped gardens with sweeping views of the South Downs, it's easy to see why Yanna and Daniel fell in love with this venue.
Their outdoor ceremony took place beneath the romantic wooden pavilion, adorned with vibrant rainbow-colored wildflowers, masterfully arranged by Karen from Blossom and Bee Floristry. The delicate addition of bubble confetti, paired with the striking yellow butterweed scattered across the nearby fields, infused even more color into the day—brightening the slightly overcast weather.
I was commissioned to photograph their day until the reception, with the couple opting for a more intimate evening celebration shared only with family and close friends. This growing trend among couples allows me to focus on capturing the core of their day, and I’m always happy to accommodate.
Yanna and Daniel kindly shared these thoughtful words with me:
"Thank you so much for the beautiful photos and for capturing our day—we absolutely love them! The bubble shots came out perfectly, and the yellow flowers added such a vibrant touch."
South Stoke Barn-Claire&Bill
Claire & Bill got married in the summer of 2021 at South Stoke Barn, near Arundel, West Sussex. I have visited Arundel many times over the years, yet i’d never discovered South Stoke, which is nestled between the River Arun and the South Downs. South Stoke Barn is an original nineteenth century Granary Barn. It is practically unchanged from its original form and really was an idyllic location for Claire & Bills wedding. Claire & her Bridesmaids got ready in a gorgeous thatched cottage, with lovely countryside views, a great setting to relax before the ceremony. Claire and Bill had planned their day exactly how they wanted it, really relaxed, with a great mix of romance, fun and laughter. I was fortunate to have a little time with them, away from their family and friends, so we could explore the sunshine and sweet backdrops.
Quex House-Kent: Tracy & Mark
“All you need is love"
In the summer of 2019, Tracy & and Mark tied the knot at Quex House, in the quaint village of Birchington- On- Sea, Kent, not too far from Margate, one of my favourite southern coastal towns!
Quex estate dates back to the 15th century and was the perfect venue for Tracy and Mark, unique and a little quirky. The house is incredible, with richly coloured, regency decorated rooms. The featured gardens boast an ornate fountain, sweet victorian walled gardens and a funky cactus filled greenhouse!
Tracy & and Mark added some lovely touches to the venue, showing their love of art & music. They even designed an outside tent for the little ones to play in, which seemed to attract a good number of adults too! Much to the delight of all the guests there was the added attraction of the local Woodland View llamas, who came to visit, bringing some calm before turning things up with the evening reception.
A wonderful couple, a fabulous heartfelt day, full of love and fun!
Amberley Castle-Sussex: Lorraine and Ross
The ambiance of Amberley Castle truly adds a unique charm to any wedding, and capturing the essence of Lorraine and Ross's special day was a wonderful experience. The medieval architecture provided a stunning backdrop, enhancing the romantic vibe of their ceremony. As I moved through the beautiful gardens and tucked-away corners of the castle grounds, I felt the magic of the moment.
Lorraine and Ross radiated joy and love, making it easy to capture their connection. Their relaxed demeanor allowed for genuine interactions, and I was able to photograph candid moments that truly reflected their personalities and the warmth of their relationships with family and friends. The soft, golden afternoon light only served to elevate the enchanting atmosphere, creating images that perfectly encapsulated their love story.
Overall, it was a privilege to document such a beautiful wedding in a setting as breathtaking as Amberley Castle. I left grateful for the opportunity to witness and photograph such a wonderfully intimate celebration. I can’t wait to share the photos with Lorraine and Ross, so they can relive the magic of their special day for years to come.
Shermabury-Henfield-Sussex: Michelle and Mark
Michelle & Mark got married just a stones from where they live! Just opposite their home, hidden half a mile down a country track is St Peter’s Church, set on the bank of the river Adur. It’s one of the oldest Churches in Sussex and described in the Doomsday book, with archeologists dating the chuch back to 1135 - it’s a fascinating place to be married and special too as only a few people get married there each year. It’s also a place which holds fond memories with me as i spent some years living in the area, having spent sunny afternoons picnicking by the river. I was always curious to see a church, so far removed from anywhere and never thought i’d be asked to photograph a couples wedding!. I felt very fortunate to be asked to photograph the occasion.
Michelle & Mark only wanted me to capture a few hours of the day, some photographs at their home & at the church, with close family and friends - very intimate & wonderful.
Ghyll Manor-Sussex:Tracey & John
A sunny Sussex is always going to make a great day for a wedding and fortunately, the sun shone for Tracey and John.
The Wedding venue was Ghyll manor, a charming 17th century manor nestled in the Sussex countryside, in the village of Rusper, near Horsham.
I arrived early to photograph Tracey getting ready in the hideaway Ghyll cottage, which made for some wonderful bridal prep photographs.
It's always good to meet new suppliers at weddings and I was lucky to meet Jane from Wedding Hair At Home, who did a wonderful job in styling the bride and bridesmaids hair.
The Terrance Room held the Ceremony with approximately 80 guests. It's quite a tight space when everyone is present, so photographing Tracey and Jon had it's challenges but I love the way I captured the little looks and the smiles throughout.
Wedding styling on the day was created by the wonderfully talented Jane @ special creations by Jane - sample of her beautiful work in the terrace room, photographed below.
The last image is the look of love and really encapsulates the radiance of the couple during their first dance. I love this photograph because they look really lost in each other, enjoying their own moment, even though there are 80 or more onlookers.
