Sussex village wedding | Lucy & Ian

A Summer wedding in a small Sussex village

A Sussex village wedding for Lucy and Ian – the village in question being the pretty, flint-walled, village of Singleton. Nestled in the Lavant Valley, just north of Chichester. (If you have kids of school age, you may have been here…to the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, on a school trip. I was a parent volunteer on a trip here once, I dodged any more trips….). Everything about this wedding was within a few yards of each other. Lucy got ready in a room with a view of the church. After the ceremony, it was a short walk back to Ian’s parent’s house, for the wedding reception. No need for fancy wedding limos, from A to B to C, just walk. A simple, very relaxed summer wedding. I like these.

Lucy got ready in the barn, opposite the house. Along with her bridesmaids and her five-month-old daughter, Maisie. Not every bride has to do a feed, as their makeup is applied. They would all walk around the corner, to the church. Maisie would be handed over, just before Lucy took her father’s arm, and walked down the aisle.

(At this point, a note about the vicar – Rev Kev – the most ‘un-vicar-like’ vicar, I think I’ve met. That’s a compliment. If only I could hire him for every church wedding I shoot – many of his fellow vicars, are not as helpful to photographers. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to stand so close in a church – another good reason to shoot with the Sony A9 and its silent shutter. ) I’m pretty sure I’ve never stood so close to the altar before but what a great light there! A nice, cheerful ceremony and back out for confetti and to lead everyone back to the house.

Tipi at the end of the garden

A neighbour had let them use the field at the end of the garden. Ian and his friends had constructed a sturdy wooden bridge, across the stream, to the field and the tipi. Here there were drinks and games. Some of the games got a bit more serious, as the evening went on. The wooden skittles started with the little ones and then later, became the testosterone-fuelled scene of ‘bowling prowess’. There was also the Swedish game of Kubb – more throwing of wood – at more wood…or people…?

Some pictures, back near the church and then the meal. Food by Eat the Street. Speeches followed. Ian got them crying – in a good way. Although a Maisie that insisted on a feed meant Lucy missed much of the best man’s speech. Then a pause before the dancing. Always a tight space in a tipi but for once some nice, streaking WHITE light from the DJ Nigel Peirce – just dive in and accept the bruises, for the images you get…

So, here are just a few of the images from the day…a Sussex village wedding…

( From the perspective of a wedding photographer: Quite a benchmark of a wedding – the relaxed vibe and people, very photo-friendly vicar, great access during the ceremony, no videographer(s) getting in the way, and a DJ with proper lighting – strong white light, not silly red and green dots – no need to use flash all day. All that was missing was some proper sunshine…but still a belter! )