Gildings Barn-Surrey:Robyn & Jonny

A fantastic wedding day in the Sussex & Surrey countryside!

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Cissbury Ring - Judy & Stuart

Another wonderful time up at Cissbury Barns for Judy and Stuarts wedding.

I was asked to come along for just a few hours to capture a small number of post ceremony photos, mainly family portraits and friends gathered in celebration.

Judy was especially nervous about being photographed & I could see her nerves as she waited to join Stuart in the ceremony. However, like many brides Judy was much more relaxed after the ceremony; lost in the emotions and celebrations and despite her telling me that she didn’t feel that she could smile naturally, she really did.

It’s becoming more popular to be asked to cover just a few hours or half a day, so if it’s something you are thinking about be sure to talk to me about it.





Cissbury Ring - Tash & Nick

Tash & Nick’s Wedding at Cissbury Barns, 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, 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.”

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.