Findon - Liz & Ben

Liz & Ben’s Relaxed Sussex Wedding

Liz and Ben had almost decided against having a wedding photographer, so I’m really glad they found me just a few weeks before their big day! It was such a relaxed and fun experience photographing part of their amazing wedding, and I loved being able to capture all those natural moments that made their day so special.

St John the Baptist Church in Findon, Sussex, looked beautiful in the August sunshine. The warm summer colours complemented Liz’s stunning floral crown perfectly, creating a gorgeous backdrop for their photographs.

Liz and Ben were an absolute joy to photograph. They looked so in love and were naturally at ease together, which made capturing those genuine smiles, little glances and special moments such a pleasure. Nothing felt forced, and that’s exactly how I love to photograph a wedding!

After the ceremony, the celebrations continued with a wonderfully personal and informal reception at a friend’s home near Billingshurst. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and the people closest to them, it was the perfect setting for a relaxed celebration that felt completely their own.

I’m so pleased Liz and Ben decided to have their wedding photographed after all. Sometimes, the most spontaneous decisions lead to the most wonderful memories, and it was a real privilege to capture a little piece of their story.

Kind words from Liz & Ben

“After meeting Daren for the first time, we just knew that he was going to be our photographer. We met for a pint, he answered all our questions and squeezed us in at such short notice, making our dreams come true! My husband and I are both super awkward when it comes to having our photos taken, but Daren made it fun, relaxed and half the time we didn’t even realise he was there, he just ninja’d about capturing all the perfect moments of our wedding. The first time seeing our photos blew us away, brought back so many amazing memories of the day, some that we even misplaced. We still can’t stop looking at them nor will we ever stop. They get better and better each time we look. We want to say a massive thank you to you Daren for your hard work, skills and creativity!! You’re such a cool dude and we highly recommend you to every one who is getting married in the future! YOU’RE THE BEST!!!”

Source: liz-ben-relaxed-sussex-wedding

Worthing Chambers - Jade & Dean

Jade & Dean’s Intimate Spring Wedding at Worthing Town Hall

Spring 2025 brought a lovely wedding day with the most wonderful Jade and Dean, who celebrated their marriage at Worthing Town Hall, surrounded by their closest family and friends.

I was especially delighted to be asked to photograph their wedding, having already spent some time with Jade, Dean and their young children during a family photoshoot. It was so lovely to see them again for such an important occasion and to be invited to capture another special chapter in their lives.

Jade and Dean opted for a small, intimate celebration, and my role was to photograph their ceremony, followed by a selection of family photographs and relaxed couple portraits. Sometimes, it's these smaller weddings that feel particularly special, with the focus firmly on the people who matter most and the moments they share together.

Jade and Dean are such a sweet, genuine couple. From the first time I met them, their love for one another was so clear, and it was a real pleasure to see them make their commitment official. There was something lovely about being able to photograph a couple whose story I already knew a little, having previously captured precious moments with their young family.

Although I was only there for a short part of the day, it was a genuine privilege to share in their celebrations and create a collection of photographs for them to look back on. These are the moments that become part of a family's story, treasured long after the day itself has passed.

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.”

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.

Highdown Vineyard, Jennifer & Aaron

Jennifer & Aaron’s Wedding at Highdown Vineyard, 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-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.