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.