Gildings Barn - Newdigate - Surrey

A fantastic wedding day in the Sussex & Surrey countryside!

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Brookfield Barn - Summer Wedding - 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!

Cissbury Barns - Findon - Sussex

Tash and Nick chose the beautiful Cissbury Barns for their wedding, tucked away in the stunning surroundings of the South Downs. It’s a truly special location and a wonderful setting for such a lovely couple.

From the outset, Tash and Nick wanted a fairly low-key, authentic photographic record of their day, without lots of posing or interruption. This suited my documentary approach to wedding photography perfectly. I love capturing weddings as they naturally unfold, allowing couples to relax, enjoy their celebrations and spend time with the people who matter most, while I quietly capture all those genuine moments along the way.

Cissbury Barns is a wonderfully romantic venue, with so many fantastic locations for wedding photographs. The attractive flint-walled gardens offer beautiful textures and character, while the breathtaking backdrop of the South Downs countryside provides plenty of opportunities for relaxed couple portraits. Having photographed weddings here before, I know just how much this venue has to offer and love making the most of its different settings.

Although we didn't get the sunset we might have hoped for, we still captured some beautiful memories of Tash and Nick's special day. For me, it's never just about perfect weather or dramatic golden-hour light; it's about the connection between two people and the little moments that make their wedding uniquely theirs.

It was a real pleasure to photograph Tash and Nick's wedding at Cissbury Barns, creating a collection of natural, heartfelt images that they can look back on for years to come.

Kind words from Tash & Nick

“We had Daren as our wedding photographer last year and he was absolutely lovely from start to finish. He was so helpful and gave us some really good ideas for the day. Communication was always fantastic! A really friendly guy, who put us at ease. Would really recommend going for the printed album too.”

Source: tash-nick-cissbury-barns-wedding

Steyning, Countryside Wedding - 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 - Rustic Sussex Wedding

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.

Highdown Vineyard - Ferring - Sussex

Another wonderful wedding day at Highdown Vineyard! It had been around 18 months since I last photographed a wedding at this fantastic venue, so it was lovely to be back, this time capturing the special day of Jennifer and Aaron. They were certainly lucky with the weather too, enjoying a beautiful sunny day in this gorgeous Sussex setting.

Before the ceremony and reception at Highdown Vineyard, I spent some time photographing Jennifer and her family as they got ready at their family home. There’s always something special about these quieter moments before the celebrations begin, with the excitement building and everyone putting the finishing touches to their preparations.

Jennifer and her dad then made their way to Highdown Vineyard in a beautiful silver Jaguar S-Type. What a stylish arrival! The classic car added a lovely touch of elegance and charm to the day, making for some wonderful photographs along the way.

Jennifer looked absolutely radiant in her wedding dress, and the ceremony was filled with some really sweet and tender moments. One of the highlights was seeing Jennifer and Aaron’s son proudly hand over the rings, playing such an important part in bringing their family together. It was a lovely personal touch and a moment I'm sure they will treasure in their photographs for years to come.

After the ceremony, the celebrations continued with a beautifully arranged reception, expertly set up by the team at Highdown Vineyard. With its picturesque vineyard setting and lovely countryside views, it's always a pleasure to photograph weddings here, and the sunshine made the surroundings look even more inviting.

The day continued with speeches, a sword cake cutting, the first dance and plenty of dancing. DJ Paul Fish kept the celebrations going, with some traditional folk dancing adding a wonderful burst of energy and fun to the evening!

From the relaxed family preparations and classic Jaguar arrival to the emotional ceremony and lively reception, Jennifer and Aaron’s wedding was full of lovely moments and personal touches. It was a real pleasure to return to Highdown Vineyard and capture another wonderful celebration at one of my favourite Sussex wedding venues.

Thank you, Jennifer and Aaron, for having me along to photograph your special day. I hope these photographs bring back all the happiness, laughter and love of your wedding for many years to come!

Shout outs to suppliers for the day go to:

Natalie & Emily - Make up & Hair styling

Velvet Birdcage - https://www.velvetbirdcage.co.uk

Amazing Grace Cars - http://www.amazinggraceweddingcars.com

The Cake Box - https://www.the-cake-box.co.uk

Green Fingers - https://www.greenfingersflorists.com

DJ Paul Fish - https://www.paulfishproductions.com

Great day with fabulous family, friends, suppliers, love and kind weather ….

Quex House Wedding - Kent

“All you need is love.”

Back in the summer of 2019, Tracy and Mark tied the knot at Quex House, in the quaint village of Birchington-on-Sea, Kent. Just a short distance from Margate, one of my favourite seaside towns in the south, it was a real pleasure to photograph their wonderfully individual wedding.

The Quex Estate dates back to the 15th century and was the perfect setting for Tracy and Mark, with its unique character, fascinating history and wonderfully quirky details. The house itself is incredible, with richly coloured rooms and elegant Regency-style interiors, while the gardens offer an equally charming mix of traditional and unusual features.

From the ornate fountain and pretty Victorian walled gardens to the funky greenhouse filled with cacti, there were so many interesting backdrops for wedding photographs. It's a venue with real personality, and I loved exploring its different corners throughout the day.

Tracy and Mark added their own lovely touches, reflecting their shared love of art and music. One particularly thoughtful addition was an outdoor tent where the younger guests could play and enjoy themselves. Although it was designed with the children in mind, it seemed to attract quite a few adults too!

And then came one of the day's most unexpected highlights: a visit from the local Woodland View llamas! They provided a wonderful talking point and a little moment of calm and amusement before the celebrations gathered pace for the evening reception.

I love weddings where couples feel free to do things their own way, filling the day with personal details and unexpected surprises. Tracy and Mark's celebration was a perfect example, with so much warmth, creativity and fun woven into every part of it.

A wonderful couple, a fabulous historic venue and a heartfelt day filled with love, laughter, art, music and even a few llamas! It was an absolute pleasure to capture their special day and all the little moments that made it uniquely theirs.

Goring Church-Sussex-Stephy & Matt

Stephy & Matthew live in Hong Kong and contacted me to ask if I would photograph them here in the UK, before they get married in Hong Kong next June. Unfortunately Matthew’s Grandparents will not be able to travel to Hong Kong next year, so the pre-wedding shoot was a mix of couple shots for Stephy & Matthew and some images of them with Matthew’s Grandparents, to try & replicate some of the shots, which will be missing on their wedding day.

We met at the Methodist Church in Goring, which had been kindly rented to us for a few hours. Stephy surprised me by appearing in her beautiful wedding dress, so we really did have a mini dress rehearsal for the day itself.

For the second part of the styled shoot, we headed to Goring Beach, so Stephy could seek out her first UK beach hut and see the full glory of the sunny UK seaside. We aptly ended the session in the grounds where Matthew’s Grandparents live.

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.