Call me a romantic if you like… as a Sussex wedding photographer that’s exactly the way it should be. I love my job and the 26th July 2014 was particularly special.
It was a fabulously hot and sunny summer day. James and Helen were getting married and they’d chosen the spectacular Christ’s Hospital wedding venue for their civil ceremony. All the essential ingredients were in place for a wonderful, happy event and everyone was in celebratory mood, dressed to the nines.
The bride arrived in a spotless, sporty pillar box red Jaguar, the ultimate in luxury motoring, and the couple were obviously truly, madly and deeply in love… It’s the kind of occasion I love to photograph and, as it turned out, it was a wedding with a difference.
A wedding with a difference at Christ’s Hospital, West Sussex
The stars of the show were James, who is from Sussex, and Helen who’s a Nottingham girl. They both live and work in sunny Brighton, making Christ’s Hospital close enough for rock and roll, a genuinely splendid venue with a remarkable history.
One of the things I like best about my Sussex wedding photographer role is hearing the stories behind couples’ big days. Like so many of us James and Helen met at work, at a property investment company. James was in the IT department and Helen was working in after-sales. It sounds like sparks flew from the start.
James is a car enthusiast, obsessive about Formula 1 racing. Helen is cricket-crazy, which explains how a bunch of guests ended up enjoying an impromptu game of cricket at James’ parents place in pretty Slinfold, West Sussex, where the Reception was held in a huge marquee. Let me tell you, it isn’t every day I get to photograph a bride whacking a massive six in full veil and a stunning white frock, or a groom hurling himself enthusiastically into a cricket match in full wedding regalia. What a pair!
As you’d expect the couple’s honeymoon was a bit different, too. The newly-weds flew to Singapore to experience the Formula One Grand Prix and then on to Darling Harbour in Sydney, Australia, followed by a spell at the famously beautiful Cogee Beach, also in Sydney.
Take a look at some of the photos. What a gorgeous venue, what a superb day, what a happy occasion. I’m delighted to have played my small part in making James and Helens’ wedding go with swing. And the evening certainly went with a swing as James’ sister, Robyn, performed unforgettable classics from Fleetwood Mac with her band Second Hand News. Second Hand News were followed on stage by the colourful and energetic T-Slammers.
James and Helens’ wedding partners
The couple went to great lengths to track down the perfect partners for their big day. Here are the suppliers they chose:
Venue – Christ’s Hospital:
- www.christs-hospital.org.uk
- chel@christs-hospital.org.uk
- 01403 247631
Car Hire – Bespoke
- www.bespoke.co.uk
- 0207 833 8000
Caterer – West Sussex Hogroast
- www.westsussexhogroast.co.uk
- 07931 809714
Wedding Cake – Treacle and Co.
- www.treacleandco.co.uk
- 01273 933695
Coach Hire – Compass coach hire
- www.compass-travel.co.uk
- 01903 264077 / 01903 690025
Marquee – Findon Marquees
- www.findonmarqueehire.com
- 01903 770919
Rings – Wedding Rings Direct
- www.weddingringsdirect.com
- 0800 074 8811
Flowers – Go Botanica
- www.gobotanica.com
- 07740 724 734
Need a professional wedding photographer, Sussex and beyond?
If you need professional wedding photography in Sussex why not get in touch? I’ll thoroughly enjoy immortalising your special day, saving all the best bits for posterity, making sure everyone looks their very best, capturing the personality and flavour of the occasion and helping to preserve a whole load of lovely memories that’ll last forever.
