Annika & Charlie - The Dome Cinema - Worthing

Annika & Charlie’s Wedding at The Dome Cinema, Worthing

I was so excited when Annika and Charlie got in touch to ask if I would photograph their wedding at The Dome Cinema in sunny Worthing! Having visited the cinema on many occasions with my children when they were younger, I have lots of lovely memories of this special place, so it was a real pleasure to be invited back to capture such an important day.

As one of the oldest working cinemas in England, The Dome is full of character, charm and history. I’d never had the chance to see the beautiful atrium or the refurbished main lounge, where Annika and Charlie held their wedding reception, and I completely fell in love with both. It was also a pleasure to work alongside the friendly wedding coordinators, and I hope our paths cross again at another wedding soon!

Annika and Charlie looked absolutely perfect in their surroundings. They are such a warm, genuine couple, and after being together for ten whole years, their special day had finally arrived!

I loved capturing all the colour, joy and little moments that made their wedding so special. We made the most of the picturesque coastal views, the unique character of the cinema and, of course, the iconic Worthing Pier, which was just a short stroll across the road. The combination of this wonderful venue and its seaside setting gave us so many opportunities for beautiful, relaxed and natural photographs.

From the excitement of the day to the laughter shared with their family and friends, my time with Annika and Charlie was an absolute joy. It was a privilege to capture their wedding story and create a collection of colourful, heartfelt images for them to look back on for years to come.

A lovely review from Annika & Charlie

“Daren made us feel so at ease during our special day and that translated into natural, magical shots of my husband and I, and also our guests. Friendly, hardworking, organised and incredibly talented, he captured all the special moments we wanted and more. We can't thank him enough!”

Thank you, Annika and Charlie, for trusting me to capture your beautiful wedding day. It was a pleasure to be part of it, and I wish you both a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness!

Source: annika-charlie-dome-cinema-worthing-weddin...

Gildings Barn-Surrey:Robyn & Jonny

A fantastic wedding day in the Sussex & Surrey countryside!

Read more

Highley Manor - Yanna & Daniel

Yanna & Daniel’s Summer Wedding at Highley Manor, Sussex

In July 2024, I had the pleasure of photographing Yanna and Daniel’s beautiful wedding at Highley Manor, a charming country house nestled in the Sussex countryside near Balcombe and Haywards Heath. With its rich history, elegant architecture and beautiful gardens, it provided a wonderful backdrop for their special day.

Highley Manor has a fascinating past, with historic connections to the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and a role during the Second World War. Today, this beautifully restored country house is dedicated to hosting weddings, surrounded by landscaped gardens and lovely views across the Sussex countryside. It’s easy to see why Yanna and Daniel fell in love with this characterful venue.

Their outdoor ceremony took place beneath the romantic wooden pavilion, which was beautifully decorated with vibrant, rainbow-coloured wildflowers arranged by Karen from Blossom and Bee Floristry. The colourful flowers brought a wonderful sense of joy to the setting, while bubble confetti added a little extra magic as the newlyweds celebrated together.

Although the weather was slightly overcast, nature provided its own splash of colour. The striking yellow butterweed scattered across the surrounding fields created a beautiful contrast with the rainbow hues of the flowers, giving us some fantastic opportunities for colourful, natural wedding photographs.

Yanna and Daniel had booked me to photograph their wedding through to the reception, choosing to keep their evening celebrations more intimate, with just their family and closest friends. I love that every couple can shape their wedding day around what matters most to them, and shorter photography coverage can be a wonderful option for those who want to capture the key moments without having a photographer present throughout the entire day.

It was a real pleasure to capture Yanna and Daniel’s wedding, from their heartfelt ceremony to the little details that made the day uniquely theirs. The combination of Highley Manor’s beautiful surroundings, the vibrant flowers and those lovely bubbles made for a wonderful collection of photographs.

Kind words from Yanna & Daniel

“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.”

Thank you, Yanna and Daniel, for trusting me to capture your special day. I’m delighted that you love your photographs and that the little details, from the bubbles to the beautiful yellow flowers, brought your wedding memories to life!

Source: yanna-daniel-highley-manor-wedding

Brookfield Barn - Hannah & Tom

Hannah & Tom’s Sunny Summer Wedding at Brookfield Barn, Sussex

What a stunning wedding day at Brookfield Barn with the gorgeous Hannah and Tom! Such a fun-loving couple who made the most of every single moment of their special day. They certainly couldn’t have wished for better weather, with the sun shining in all its glory!

I started the day photographing Hannah getting ready with her mum and bridesmaids at Birchwood Cottage, a sweet Airbnb tucked away down a quiet country lane. It was a lovely, relaxed start to the celebrations, with all the excitement building as the final preparations got underway. We then headed to Brookfield Barn, where Hannah put the finishing touches to her preparations before walking out to meet Tom. Such a special moment!

The weather was certainly something to remember. It was the hottest day of the year, during a particularly dry spell, and the blazing sunshine made for some wonderfully bright and vibrant photographs. You can really see just how dry the summer had been in the photographs we took out on the golf course, where the grass had turned a striking shade of yellow!

Despite the sweltering heat, Hannah, Tom and their wedding party were absolute stars, embracing every moment and happily venturing outside in their full wedding attire for family photographs and couple portraits. It was definitely a warm one, but the beautiful sunshine created a fantastic backdrop for their photographs, and the couple's happiness shone through every image.

Brookfield Barn was the perfect setting for their celebrations. Nestled in beautiful Sussex countryside, it's such a picturesque venue, with wonderful views and plenty of opportunities for wedding photography. Everything was hosted seamlessly, with great attention to detail throughout, allowing Hannah and Tom to relax and enjoy their day with family and friends.

From the lovely preparations at Birchwood Cottage to the sun-drenched couple portraits and celebrations at Brookfield Barn, it was an absolute pleasure to capture Hannah and Tom's wedding story.

A gorgeous couple, a beautiful venue and a summer's day that certainly lived up to its name!

Brookfield Barn-Sussex-Camilla & Russell

Camilla & Russell’s Sunny September Wedding at Brookfield Barn, Sussex

Brookfield Barn, nestled in the beautiful Sussex countryside, was the perfect setting for Camilla and Russell’s wedding. With its contemporary rustic style, stunning lakeside location and sweeping countryside views, it’s a wonderful venue for a relaxed and memorable celebration. And with a glorious sunny day in September, the setting couldn’t have been better!

Camilla and Russell are dear friends of mine, so it was a real privilege to be asked to photograph their wedding. After the delays and uncertainty caused by Covid, their special day had been a long time coming, which made finally being able to celebrate together all the more meaningful.

The photographs really capture just how happy they both were to be celebrating their wedding at last. There was such a lovely atmosphere throughout the day, with plenty of smiles, laughter and genuine moments of joy shared with family and friends.

Brookfield Barn provided a beautiful backdrop for their photographs, with the lake, countryside views and stylish rustic surroundings making the most of the September sunshine. It was a pleasure to capture Camilla and Russell enjoying every moment of their long-awaited wedding day.

Photographing the wedding of dear friends is always something special, and being able to preserve these memories for Camilla and Russell made the day even more meaningful for me.

Source: brookfield-barn-wedding

Steyning, West Sussex: Amy & Matt

Amy & Matt’s Sunny Countryside Wedding in Steyning, Sussex

What a wonderful, sunny day in Steyning for Amy and Matt’s wedding! After the delays and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, it was fantastic to see their long-awaited wedding day finally become a reality.

There was a lovely sense of anticipation from the very beginning. From Amy and Matt’s bedroom window, you could just catch a glimpse of the reception marquee sitting on the horizon of the South Downs. It was such a beautiful sight and a little reminder of the celebrations waiting just around the corner!

The day began with a beautiful ceremony at historic Steyning Parish Church, before everyone made the short journey to the family farm for the reception. The setting was absolutely stunning, with lush green fields, a gorgeous marquee and the rolling South Downs stretching out into the distance. Chanctonbury Ring sat perfectly on the horizon, providing a quintessentially Sussex backdrop for their wedding photographs.

With the sunshine, beautiful countryside and the relaxed atmosphere of a marquee wedding, it was a real pleasure to capture Amy and Matt’s celebrations. There’s something particularly special about a countryside wedding, where everyone can come together, enjoy the surroundings and celebrate without feeling rushed.

My documentary approach to wedding photography was a perfect fit for Amy and Matt. Rather than spending the day posing for the camera, I love capturing things as they naturally unfold: the laughter, the little glances, the interactions between family and friends, and all those fleeting moments that might otherwise go unnoticed.

After everything they had been through to get to this point, Amy and Matt could finally relax and enjoy the wedding they had been waiting for. It was wonderful to be there to document it all and create a collection of photographs that would bring those memories back for years to come.

Kind words from Amy & Matt

“We loved the way Daren captured our wedding day and really enjoyed his documentary style as neither myself or my husband are particularly keen on posing for photos. We have so many beautiful photos to look back on and Daren was amazing with communications to ensure the album was just as we wanted and arrived safely.”

South Stoke Barn-Claire&Bill

Claire & Bill’s Summer Wedding at South Stoke Barn, West Sussex

Claire and Bill celebrated their wedding in the summer of 2021 at South Stoke Barn, near Arundel in West Sussex. Although I’d visited Arundel many times over the years, I’d never discovered South Stoke before, tucked away between the River Arun and the beautiful South Downs. What a lovely find!

South Stoke Barn is an original 19th-century granary barn that has retained much of its historic character. With its rustic charm and idyllic countryside setting, it was the perfect venue for Claire and Bill’s wedding, offering a wonderful backdrop for a relaxed and intimate celebration.

The day began at a gorgeous thatched cottage, where Claire and her bridesmaids were getting ready. With lovely countryside views and a peaceful atmosphere, it was a fantastic place to enjoy those precious moments before the ceremony. I always love photographing the preparations, capturing the excitement, little details and laughter as everyone gets ready for the big moment.

Claire and Bill had planned their day exactly as they wanted it: relaxed, personal and full of romance, fun and laughter. There was no pressure for everything to be overly formal, just a lovely opportunity to celebrate their marriage with the people closest to them.

One of the highlights for me was having a little time with Claire and Bill away from their family and friends. The sunshine was on our side, and we were able to explore some of the lovely surroundings, making the most of the rustic textures and sweet countryside backdrops for their couple portraits.

I love these quieter moments during a wedding day. They give couples a chance to pause, spend a little time together and enjoy being newly married, while I capture natural photographs that reflect their connection without making things feel too posed.

South Stoke Barn and its surrounding countryside provided a beautiful setting for Claire and Bill’s wedding, and it was a real pleasure to discover this hidden gem for myself. A charming historic barn, a gorgeous thatched cottage and a couple who knew exactly how they wanted to celebrate made for a truly lovely Sussex wedding.

Southdowns Manor-Lauren&Jason

Lauren & Jason’s Wedding at Southdown Manor, Hampshire

Lauren and Jason’s wedding was a particularly special one for me, as it was the first wedding I photographed after the pandemic. After such an uncertain time, it felt wonderful to be back doing what I love and capturing precious memories for couples again.

With wedding restrictions still in place, guest numbers were limited to just 30, and masks had to be worn during the ceremony. It was certainly a different experience from the weddings we were used to, but none of the restrictions, or the on-and-off rain, could dampen the magic of Lauren and Jason’s day. Their love for each other shone through, making it a truly memorable celebration.

Fortunately, the weather gave us a few welcome breaks in the rain, allowing us to get outside and make the most of the beautiful gardens at Southdown Manor. These little windows of sunshine were perfect for capturing some relaxed couple portraits and creating a lovely collection of photographs despite the unpredictable conditions.

Southdown Manor is a beautiful wedding venue situated near Petersfield, Hampshire, in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Surrounded by picturesque countryside and lovely gardens, it offers a wonderful setting for a wedding, with plenty of opportunities for natural and romantic photographs.

Looking back, Lauren and Jason’s wedding marked an important moment, not just for them but for me as a photographer too. After months of uncertainty and postponed celebrations, being able to capture a couple's special day again felt incredibly rewarding.

Despite the restrictions, the masks and the changeable weather, Lauren and Jason created a beautiful celebration filled with love and happiness. It was a real privilege to be there to document it, and a reminder that even when things don't go quite as planned, the most important moments still shine through.

Sopley Mill-Dorset: Helen and Sam

Helen & Sam’s Halloween Wedding at Sopley Mill, near the New Forest

Helen and Sam booked me for half a day to photograph their Halloween-themed wedding at the stunning Sopley Mill, set on the edge of the beautiful New Forest. It was a wedding I’d been particularly looking forward to, combining a wonderfully unique theme with a venue in one of my favourite parts of the country!

The New Forest has always been somewhere I love visiting, and after researching Sopley Mill, I knew it would be a fantastic setting for their celebrations. This beautifully renovated watermill is surrounded on both sides by the River Avon, with uninterrupted views across the picturesque water meadows. It has so much character and makes a lovely backdrop for wedding photography, especially in the autumn.

Helen and Sam booked me to photograph their ceremony, followed by a selection of relaxed couple portraits and more traditional family photographs before I left them to enjoy the spooky side of their celebrations!

I always love seeing couples put their own stamp on their wedding day, and a Halloween theme offers so many opportunities for personality, creativity and a little bit of fun. Sopley Mill’s historic character and riverside surroundings provided the perfect setting for Helen and Sam’s alternative autumn wedding.

The weather was typically October, with mostly overcast skies and the occasional appearance of sunshine. Thankfully, we still had some lovely opportunities for photographs around the mill and its beautiful surroundings.

Some people to thank:

Make up by Helens friend, Emily Hogan.

Helens sister and brother sang in the ceremony

https://www.gracebaileybridalhair.com/meet-grace

http://sopleymill.co.uk/

https://www.redcherrycatering.com/

www.sweettreatcakes.co.uk

Source: sopley-mill-halloween-wedding

Amberley Castle-Sussex: Lorraine and Ross

Lorraine & Ross’s Romantic Wedding at Amberley Castle, Sussex

Amberley Castle is such a magical wedding venue, with its medieval architecture, beautiful gardens and tucked-away corners full of character. It was a real pleasure to photograph Lorraine and Ross’s special day in such a breathtaking setting.

From the moment I arrived, the castle provided the most wonderful backdrop for their wedding. Its historic stone walls, romantic surroundings and beautiful grounds make it a truly unique place to celebrate, with plenty of lovely locations for natural wedding photographs.

Lorraine and Ross were an absolute joy to photograph. They both looked so happy and relaxed, which made capturing their connection feel completely effortless. I love those moments when couples can simply enjoy being together, forgetting about the camera and allowing their personalities to shine through.

We explored some of the beautiful gardens and quieter corners of the castle grounds, making the most of the soft, golden afternoon light. It added a lovely warmth to the photographs and complemented the romantic atmosphere perfectly.

Alongside the couple portraits, capturing the candid moments shared with family and friends was just as important. The little glances, genuine smiles and spontaneous interactions often become some of the most treasured photographs, telling the story of a wedding in a way that feels natural and personal.

It was a real privilege to photograph Lorraine and Ross’s intimate celebration at Amberley Castle. With such a wonderful couple, a stunning historic venue and beautiful afternoon light, it was a day filled with opportunities to create photographs they can look back on for years to come.

Source: amberley-castle-wedding

Sullington-Hinesh & Janisha Engagement

So wonderful to finally have the opportunity to photograph love and happiness again, after being kept away from such special moments, for so long! I arrived to photograph Janisha & Hinesh shortly after Janisha had said “yes” to Hinesh’s proposal! I always feel so honoured to be allowed in to share such a special moment of togetherness. Hinesh had organised a surprise escape to the country, with the perfect rustic retreat, tucked away in the Sussex countryside.

Ghyll Manor - Eleanor & Mark

A beautiful summers day poured down on Ghyll Manor for the beautiful wedding of Eleanor & Mark. An idyllic wedding set in the beautiful Sussex countryside. Ghyll Manor is an elegant 17th century country-house, set in gorgeous private gardens, with lake and summer house.