Horsted Place - Helen & Steve

Helen & Steve’s Wedding at Horsted Place, East Sussex

Horsted Place truly has the wow factor! From the moment I first met Helen and Steve for their wedding consultation, I was completely taken with this stunning venue. Its beautiful Victorian Gothic architecture, elegant interiors and gorgeous grounds make it an absolute dream for wedding photography. I think I might even have been more excited than the couple!

Helen and Steve planned an intimate, relaxed wedding, surrounded by their closest family and friends. It was the perfect setting for a day filled with personal moments, beautiful surroundings and plenty of opportunities for natural photographs.

I started the day by photographing Steve and his groomsmen before making my way to the bridal suite, where Helen was putting the finishing touches to her preparations. She looked absolutely stunning in her wedding dress, which complemented the character and elegance of Horsted Place beautifully. After capturing a few lovely photographs with her maid of honour, I followed Helen as she made her way through the pretty gardens and along the path to Little Horsted Church.

There was something really special about this part of the day. Rather than travelling to the ceremony by car, Helen was able to enjoy a peaceful stroll through the beautiful grounds on her way to the church. It was such a lovely, unhurried moment and a wonderfully unique way to begin her wedding ceremony.

Although I wasn't able to photograph the service itself, I captured some lovely moments before and afterwards, documenting the excitement, emotion and happiness shared with their family and friends.

We then returned to Horsted Place for family photographs and relaxed couple portraits, making the most of the magnificent architecture and beautiful gardens. With such a stunning venue, a lovely couple and gorgeous weather, the conditions couldn't have been better!

Helen and Steve's wedding was a real pleasure to photograph. The combination of Horsted Place's historic charm, the intimate atmosphere and Helen's beautiful walk through the grounds made their day feel truly magical.

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

Quex House-Kent: Tracy & Mark

Tracy & Mark’s Quirky Summer Wedding at Quex House, 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.

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.

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.