Wild Garden wedding in Sussex

A wedding in West Sussex

England and Australia, in a small patch of West Sussex. Gabrielle and Jamie got married on a typical English Spring day, of sunshine and showers – although it was a tad cold later in the day. An area key to Jamie’s family – in particular the church they got married in. The same church as his grandparent’s wedding.

But first off, coverage begins at Stonedelph cottage, a rental on a private country estate in West Sussex. (An estate formerly owned by the owner of Wolverhampton Wanderers football club) Here, Gabrielle got ready with her bridesmaids and her mother. Then a short drive across to Wivelsfield and the church, St Peter and St John Baptist. Waiting for Gabrielle was a bishop. The Bishop of Blackburn. The regular church vicar had taken on the church organ playing duties. The bishop led Gabrielle to the door of the church. He would conduct the marriage ceremony.

He is also Jamie’s father.

The cermony done, the long confetti ambush completed, Jamie got his wife in his red MG and roared off down the church lane. Cans of Foster lager attached to the back bumper.

The paln was no formal pictures at this wedding – certainly by me. But Gabrielle and Jamie had planned a short walk amongst the bluebells, at Hyde Estate, before joining the wedding reception. I got ahead and walked back up the hill, just in time for them  to arrive and photographed them as they walked. The sunshine was sporadic after this – rain was coming. Despite the lovely setting, overlooking the pond, at Hyde Esatate, it was a bit chilly. Most people stayed in the large (heated) marquee, for the rest of the day. The odd foray to the drinks outside, served from the converted horsebox. Food by Doggart and Squash, plus a special beer brewed by a friend. Speeches (the reference to Jamie looking like a young David Cameron had to come up) and then ‘full-on’ cake cutting followed – the rain came outside.

But now it was time to dance – led by Jay Marsh and his band.

Here are a few images from this day in West Sussex…