Wedding ceremony in Lewes Castle ruins

Two weeks before, I was photographing a wedding ceremony in what was left of a castle in Denmark. This time another castle but one closer to home. Hannah and Sam’s Lewes Castle wedding in one of the oldest castles in the UK, a landmark in Sussex. Work started on this castle, the year after the Battle of Hastings. In its day, it was pretty big, with two high mottes (often whitewashed so they stood out in the landscape – the domination of the Normans). Quickly throwing up motte and baileys was the way the Normans imposed their rule over the Saxons. As I write this, I am sat less than 75 metres, from the site of such a motte and bailey. But, unlike the one in Lewes, it never progressed into a formidable stone fortification. Neither can it rival Lewes for its location – Lewes sits in a gap in the South Downs, above the river Ouse, that was once navigable to this point. The fourteenth-century Barbican, that would overlook the drinks reception, in the Gun Garden, was built against attacks from France, heading in from the coast.

Getting ready, down the road

Hannah got ready, with family and friends, a short walk from Lewes castle – just down the High Street. No.133 – a characterful, period house for rent. A short walk for the bridesmaids, but Hannah and her father had a MkII Jag to arrive in – with its roar. A Lewes Castle wedding ceremony is held within the Shell Keep, under the ruins of the West Tower. A series of zig-zag steps take you up the Motte, to a great view of the town and the surrounding countryside. On a sunny September, at 1.30, the light was interesting…

The ceremony concluded – a punch in the air from Sam – back down the aisle for the confetti and then back down the steps, to drinks in the Gun Garden (what I guess was once part of the moat?). Easier than carrying the drinks up I guess? Drinks in the autumn sunshine, before time to get in the Jag or board the buses and head north to the reception proper. The village hall at High Hurstwood – just north of Uckfield. Bunting, biscuits with Southampton football strips and an impressive cake, made by Sam’s mum. More drinks in the sunshine, before into the hall for speeches and some very nice food, by a local caterer.

A few beers later and after the sun had dipped behind the horizon, some ‘football’ in the gloom, as the band set up on the stage. Then, cake cut, Hannah and Sam kicked off the dancing…

Here are few images from their day when they got married at Lewes Castle wedding…