Annika & Charlie - The Dome Cinema - Worthing

Annika & Charlie’s Wedding at The Dome Cinema, Worthing

I was so excited when Annika and Charlie got in touch to ask if I would photograph their wedding at The Dome Cinema in sunny Worthing! Having visited the cinema on many occasions with my children when they were younger, I have lots of lovely memories of this special place, so it was a real pleasure to be invited back to capture such an important day.

As one of the oldest working cinemas in England, The Dome is full of character, charm and history. I’d never had the chance to see the beautiful atrium or the refurbished main lounge, where Annika and Charlie held their wedding reception, and I completely fell in love with both. It was also a pleasure to work alongside the friendly wedding coordinators, and I hope our paths cross again at another wedding soon!

Annika and Charlie looked absolutely perfect in their surroundings. They are such a warm, genuine couple, and after being together for ten whole years, their special day had finally arrived!

I loved capturing all the colour, joy and little moments that made their wedding so special. We made the most of the picturesque coastal views, the unique character of the cinema and, of course, the iconic Worthing Pier, which was just a short stroll across the road. The combination of this wonderful venue and its seaside setting gave us so many opportunities for beautiful, relaxed and natural photographs.

From the excitement of the day to the laughter shared with their family and friends, my time with Annika and Charlie was an absolute joy. It was a privilege to capture their wedding story and create a collection of colourful, heartfelt images for them to look back on for years to come.

A lovely review from Annika & Charlie

“Daren made us feel so at ease during our special day and that translated into natural, magical shots of my husband and I, and also our guests. Friendly, hardworking, organised and incredibly talented, he captured all the special moments we wanted and more. We can't thank him enough!”

Thank you, Annika and Charlie, for trusting me to capture your beautiful wedding day. It was a pleasure to be part of it, and I wish you both a lifetime of love, laughter and happiness!

Source: annika-charlie-dome-cinema-worthing-weddin...

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

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

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.

Amberley Castle-Sussex: Lorraine and Ross

Lorraine & Ross’s Romantic Wedding at Amberley Castle, Sussex

Amberley Castle is such a magical wedding venue, with its medieval architecture, beautiful gardens and tucked-away corners full of character. It was a real pleasure to photograph Lorraine and Ross’s special day in such a breathtaking setting.

From the moment I arrived, the castle provided the most wonderful backdrop for their wedding. Its historic stone walls, romantic surroundings and beautiful grounds make it a truly unique place to celebrate, with plenty of lovely locations for natural wedding photographs.

Lorraine and Ross were an absolute joy to photograph. They both looked so happy and relaxed, which made capturing their connection feel completely effortless. I love those moments when couples can simply enjoy being together, forgetting about the camera and allowing their personalities to shine through.

We explored some of the beautiful gardens and quieter corners of the castle grounds, making the most of the soft, golden afternoon light. It added a lovely warmth to the photographs and complemented the romantic atmosphere perfectly.

Alongside the couple portraits, capturing the candid moments shared with family and friends was just as important. The little glances, genuine smiles and spontaneous interactions often become some of the most treasured photographs, telling the story of a wedding in a way that feels natural and personal.

It was a real privilege to photograph Lorraine and Ross’s intimate celebration at Amberley Castle. With such a wonderful couple, a stunning historic venue and beautiful afternoon light, it was a day filled with opportunities to create photographs they can look back on for years to come.

Source: amberley-castle-wedding

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.

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.