Chichester Cathedral Wedding | Sabrina & Luke

Chichester cathedral wedding | sabrina & Luke

Sabrina and Luke booked me for their Chichester Cathedral Wedding followed by a reception at Southdowns Manor, so when planning their engagement shoot we chose to visit the Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace Gardens to familiarise ourselves with potential shots spots on their day and make the most of the Autumnal weather at the time. Here’s a little look back at that!

The Preparations:

As a wedding photographer, I’m always involved at the event planning stage where the location and other details are taking precedence. I do love finding out how people met! Sabrina and Luke’s love story began in their local gym where they met and got to know each other. I think this is brilliant, and I am always in awe when people say they met at the gym, as from my own experience I’d be such a sweaty ball of mess I think I’d be hiding from public view!!

On their wedding day, Sabrina and Luke planned for a Chichester Cathedral Wedding, followed by a reception at Southdowns Manor. What a beautiful pairing of locations to have as a backdrop their day!

Sabrina and her ladies primped and prepared at the gorgeous location of 4 Canon Lane, just behind the cathedral… the light and space within the house was just absolutely breathtaking! Perfect for capturing those small details while looking out to see the cathedral right in front of you!

Luke and the boys got themselves ready a short walk away at their home! You’ll probably notice the difference between the serenity of the ladies vs the playfulness of the gents as they prepared for their wedding!

As a photographer, I usually lean towards colour as my main supply of finished images, but when shooting at the cathedral and it’s grounds, I couldn’t help but feel more and more of the frames lent themselves to a black and white conversion. Sometimes it’s very easy to define whether an image should be either colour or black and white, however there are occasions when even I can’t make up my mind so I supply both versions… perhaps it’s also because I’m already considering the album layout and whether a set of images will work better than the other version!

When the girls were getting ready, for me there was a very strong sense of wanting to use monochrome. Sometimes I find it just makes the subject more impacting! The light and setting just really lent itself to this classic feel… I’m not surprised Arleta D picked that prime spot to apply Sabrina and her mum’s make up! The girls had the run of both 4 Canon Lane and an additional building to wait and prepare in which we were able to jump between while the preparations continued.

To complement the monochrome prep, I ensured that a selection of images of Luke and his Groomsmen were also provided in black and white! I love how when showing off his Dartagnan’s “Black & Gold” suit, Luke’s gang of fellas couldn’t help but get really handsy with him!! I especially like their “strut walk” through the city to arrive ready for their Chichester Cathedral Wedding, anyone else hear the soundtrack to Reservoir Dogs in their mind?

While Luke was on his way to the Cathedral ready to greet the arrival of their guests, Sabrina was still in the final throes of getting ready. With the most striking gown from Proposals in Chichester (which is now Whyte Weddings), it was hard not to feel the anticipation and excitement in the room as Mum helped Sabrina into her dress. You could feel the pride and love flowing through mum at this special moment!

Sabrina retained the reveal to her bridesmaids until she was dressed, who then helped her with the finishing touches of her veil and shoes!

The final stage of the bridal prep was still not done! Sabrina had yet to see her Dad…. when we were planning her day photographically, she mentioned the statement staircase at 4 Canon Lane. What better way for a father’s first look than seeing his beautiful daughter emerge from height and walk towards him down such a grand aisle?! The front door made a tidy little frame too for their first pictures together!

The pathway connecting Sabrina’s preparation venue and the cathedral was in full bloom of colour. What a sight to see them all walking down towards her guests and waiting groom whilst ensuring her dress was kept aloft and pristine before her arrival for their Chichester Cathedral Wedding.

Most of my weddings are shot by two of us. This serves a number of purposes. Firstly, it ensures that we don’t have to compromise between choosing a candid or more structured moment to capture. Both can happen simultaneously by either of us. My second shooters and I have worked closely together for a number of years where our communication has largely become non-verbal. This has really helped our shooting become seamless and cohesive.

Secondly, it means we are able to capture both evolving scenes from each partner. So many of my couples love to be able to see and share the experience of what the other was doing while they were busy with their own preparations.

The second shooters I use are also professional photographers themselves, and I often shoot for them too in a “second” capacity. This really helps us as professionals step away from being primarily responsible for capturing the day (as well as ensuring timings are kept to, people are where they should be etc) and helps us practice our craft with a creative freedom. It also enables us to practise our ninja skills in a variety of settings where rolling under bushes and hiding behind walls and pillars are essential moves to “get that shot”!

The point is illustrated perfectly here for this Chichester Cathedral Wedding where both perspectives in these final few moments before the ceremony are captured for the other to see.

The Ceremony:

The time has come! The Dean of Chichester Cathedral is ready and waiting with the Verger to accompany Sabrina and her Bridal Party down the long aisle towards her waiting groom. This is always the moment that gets me in the solar plexus… no matter how many weddings I shoot, I’m still a softy at heart, feeling the knot of nerves in my gut and the emotion seeping out of my eyes as both partners experience the anticipation of the ceremony about to start. I’m glad when I see my couples also feeling ALL the feels!!

The images will speak for themselves, but you can see that Sabrina and Luke chose very well with a Chichester Cathedral Wedding. With the gothic architecture, the traditional symbolism and the tall grand building, it was a ceremony fitting for all the time, planning (and pandemic re-scheduling), styling and love that was packed in that space.

The emotion was palpable, the celebration from their guests immense and the traditional aspects of their service felt perfectly sacred too. What a pleasure to be able to create images that not only show the intimacy of the ceremony, but the grandeur of the venue too.

During the wedding planning session, Sabrina and Luke wanted to minimise the the “formal group” shots, focussing on just the immediate family and bridal party. One of the reasons for this is they wanted a more candid approach when documenting their day, but also so while their guests were mingling and being transported to Southdowns Manor for the reception which was planned to be a full on party, they could spend some quiet time together in the cloisters and cathedral grounds capturing their portraits.

Sometimes having a large number of formal shots can be time consuming, especially when guests need to be somewhere else for the next stage of the day. To minimise disruption, we often plan in the timeline the vital “formals” then structure in a list of “must have” shots which can be more candidly captured and arranged in a more relaxed way at appropriate times later during the day.

There is limited availability to book a Chichester Cathedral Wedding, perhaps 12 per year, so taking the opportunity for some portraits of just the newlyweds in the grounds was a must have! While waiting for Luke to see off some of the guests, Sabrina was the perfect model to show off her stunning style and poise in her finest gown.

We revisited the cloisters from the engagement shoot as well as ensuring we had a shot of the vintage car Sabrina and Luke had hired for the occasion. Scott at West Sussex Wedding Cars was as wonderful and accommodating as usual to get his 1025 Rolls Royce Phantom looking it’s best for it’s close up!

The Reception:

Next stop, Southdowns Manor! A firm favourite of mine, not just for its location and setting, but also the service and team that make it a joy to work at. A wedding venue that truly goes above and beyond, I can’t recommend them enough.

The guests were already being served with drinks and canapes when we arrived, a self service Pimms set up was a great idea (and one I wished I could have taken Sabrina and Luke’s invitation to partake in, were I not driving and on duty!!). While the newlyweds greeted their guests, Lee and I did the rounds capturing the candid moments and the details involved in this part of the day. From a violinist providing background music in the courtyard, to the guests getting into the social spirit, to the table details and Beauty and te Beast themed wedding cake by Foxwood. Here’s a small selection from that time…

In the 10 minutes or so needed for the Southdowns Manor staff to usher the guests in to the dining hall and find their seats, I usually take this period to take the newlyweds away from the crowd to capture a few more portraits. This serves 2 purposes… On the one hand, when you remove the main attraction, the guests are more likely to head to their next destination… this helps the serving staff immeasurably. On the other, it gives the couple a few minutes together to reconnect with each other. We’re often using long lenses at this point and asking them to just walk and talk together. Giving them some privacy and us some more candid portrait moments.

I had to include Sabrina and Luke’s “we’re done, we’re off ” moment as it made us all laugh that they could go back to their drinks ready to be welcomed into the dining room for their wedding breakfast!

Southdowns Manor always provide the most scrumptious food for their guests and this wedding was no exception! With the speeches set between courses and drinks flowing freely, I think everybody thoroughly enjoyed this break in the day to refuel. With 2 best men, the speeches were very tongue in cheek, Luke took this all in his stride with laughter, even when he was presented with lingerie of his own! It was great to see the top table (and the guests) wiping away the tears of laughter!

When Sabrina and Luke said they were going to bring the party, they really did! With a hefty supply of prosecco and pimms stocked up behind the bar, an extra cocktail bar as well, they and their guests were all in a great celebratory spirit! A lot of fun was had…

Here’s a small glimpse midst the cutting of the cake and the first dance!

As we say our goodbyes and head off into the sunset, while the revellers continue their party, our job is not yet over. The first thing that happens is the lengthy process of ensuring all the memory cards are uploaded safely and backed up securely. The editing process is quite complex and goes through a number of stages over the next 8 weeks or so resulting in a beautiful set of images from the day.

Firstly, the couple get to view their images before they then choose which ones are for the album! Sabrina and Luke had gone for the Deluxe Collection which means they get a Duet Album. One for the main highlights, with thick pages and a high definition finish and the other a larger coffee table style book which holds the whole day in print. The great benefit to this is you don’t really have to compromise on what’s printed and what’s not. This collection also includes smaller, parent copies of the highlight album which make a great gift for those family members who have supported you on this journey.

Sabrina and Luke also chose a number of fine art prints for their wall. All of my printed products are handmade in Italy using the finest materials and inks, using the most up to date printing technology to ensure the optimum quality, colour balance and longevity of the photographs.

Here’s a quick glimpse at their albums, I’ll save the video of the un-boxing for another time!

Thank you so much Sabrina and Luke for choosing us to create the memories of your beautiful day. We had the most amazing time getting to know you both better over the years of preparations (and covid) and wish you health, wealth and happiness for your future together.

xX Fiona Xx

Chichester Cathedral Wedding

SUPPLIER LIST:

Venues: Chichester Cathedral & Southdowns Manor

Dress: Proposals (now Whyte Weddings)

Suit: Dartagnan’s “Black and Gold”

Rings: Ebony

Flowers: Mundham Nursery

Cake: Foxwood

Car: West Sussex Classic Wedding Cars

MUA: Arleta D

Winter Wedding Inspiration

As 2022 draws to a close, I thought I’d round up a selection of images of winter wedding inspiration for those planning their 2023/24 winter weddings.

It can be a challenge when planning a winter wedding to factor in a number of components that may have a direct effect on your day. These may include: Staying warm in your outfits; navigating the shorter days and loss of natural light; styling your wedding venue and creating a theme.

Outfits: For anyone braving the cold outdoors, layering up is a must! The same applies for your outfits… Styling your outfits with removable layers is a superb idea for keeping the chill off, it also enables us to provide a variety of images, with and without the layers throughout the day!

Take a look at some images for some winter wedding inspiration for your clothing 🙂 You will notice that a fur bolero or jacket is a popular choice for keeping that winter chill off! Have you considered a colour that fits your theme too? Despite a kilt appearing to only enhance cold knees, a full outfit, jacket and socks can actually provide more warmth than expected for those gents who want to go back to their gaelic roots.

Flowers: Another factor often looked over… when sourcing flowers, it’s worth considering that going for blooms that are in season can be a more affordable option than choosing a bouquet or floral decor with items that need to be sourced from overseas. Please bare in mind that when sourcing flowers that are out of season and not native to this country, extra attention needs to be given to their storage and preparation to ensure they are fresh for your big day.

I love seeing the creativity some couples have used… you can see here in this set of images that your floral winter wedding inspiration can be out of the box! We have broches, winter blooms and foliage, colours to complement the theme, Christmas decoration inspired centrepieces etc! The possibilities are endless!!

Styling: What about dressing your venue? Are you planning to incorporate Christmas, Narnia, or your own theme? The wonderful thing about the winter season is it is the perfect season to use the darker days to go crazy with decor and fairy lights!! You can go as subtle or as ostentatious as you like! Keeping the christmas tree in the background as a subtle reference or going in hard and make the most of it! What will be your winter wedding inspiration for your decor and venue dressing? Handmade or hired? Sometimes these aspects are down to your budget, creativity, time and energy. Some people love to spend the time hand making everything for their day, others would rather hire a company who have the tools, stock and know-how to make your vision happen in a flash. Either way, the opportunities are boundless.

Photography: What about your portraits and group shots? It’s worth considering that if you absolutely LOVE natural light photography, then a winter wedding might not be for you as the low sun and dramatically shorter days will have a direct impact on what is able to be achieved and captured using natural light. If a winter wedding is for you, then consider hiring a photographer who is comfortable and competent in both natural light and off-camera flash & additional lighting. This will make a big difference in your finished portraits.

It’s also worth considering that your plan of the day may need to be navigated to make the most of the natural light… this will happen during the planning conversations with your photographer. to give you an example, during the summer, your planned portrait sessions may be over two or three very short sessions at appropriate parts of your day to make the most of the longer days and changing light. However, during the winter that window is shorter, so you might find yourself allowing more time between the ceremony and wedding breakfast to ensure enough time is allocated for groups and newlywed shots. All these things are worth discussing with your photographer and planning in advance.

The location of your groups and portraits is also worth thinking about… you may find yourselves making moments en-route so guests aren’t subjected to more cold. Or, taking advantage of christmassy scenes in the local area. Some couples have chosen to get re-dressed on another day and shoot their portraits without the pressure of timings and light. Whatever works for you, I hope you can find some winter wedding inspiration for your planned portraits and group shots:

So, in summary (no pun intended) for your winter wedding inspiration, I hope my offerings have helped!! Whatever the season you choose to wed, you can make it your own! With a little foresight and planning you can also keep within your budget and have the perfect wedding that you’ve dreamed of!

I’ll add a list of suppliers who have also featured in the images above, incase you need some sign-posting for your day 🙂

xX Fiona Xx

Dresses:

www.whyteweddings.com

https://trulygorgeous.co.uk/#/

www.bijoubridal.co.uk

Suits:

www.astares.co.uk

https://www.greyssuithire.co.uk/

https://www.moss.co.uk/

Flowers:

www.flowers4worthing.co.uk

https://www.janewalkerforgeflowers.co.uk/

https://www.earthseedtobloom.co.uk/

Venues:

www.wealddown.co.uk/commercial/weddings

www.southendbarns.co.uk

https://www.arundeltownhall.com/

www.norfolkarmsarundel.com/weddings/

www.chichestercathedral.org.uk/venue/vicars-hall

Stylists:

www.littleeventscompany.co.uk/

https://www.tohaveandtohireweddings.com/

Brighton Pangdean Wedding | Nat & Ollie

Although it seems like absolute eons ago (thank you Covid), I met Natalie and Oli at their wedding venue, Pangdean Barns in Brighton, for their engagement shoot. Ollie was sporting an incredible black eye courtesy of a football injury that week. Here’s a flashback from that session in 2019!

The Preparations:

Due to the various lockdowns that have plagued our recent years, Nat and Ollie postponed their Brighton Pangdean Wedding until 2021. Thankfully, the celebrations were in full flow when their day finally arrived!

The difference in preparations between Natalie and her bridesmaids and Ollie and his groomsmen was hilarious! As you can see here, while the girls were in synch with hair, make-up and bubbles, the boys were in full on chill and drink mode! I do love capturing all those little details that make up the final outfits midst the chaos of a busy preparation time!

It’s incredible how fast the time comes when it’s finally time to put on your wedding day outfits. Hair and make-up is complete, deodorant applied, aftershave spritzed! All those plans are ready to come together.

I think you’ll agree how stunning Natalie looks in her Fross wedding dress, and how dapper Ollie is in his suit… thankfully minus a giant shiner this time!!

Due to renovating their home (remember how so many of us took on big lockdown projects!) Natalie was getting ready at her bridesmaids house, while Ollie was at his groomsmens pad. When Natalie’s dad arrived, it was a great opportunity to capture him seeing his beautiful daughter for the first time. She looked absolutely stunning, perfectly befitting their Brighton Pangdean wedding. I love how coordinated and stylish both the bridesmaids and the groomsmen are! It’s always important to get those shots that are instagram ready too!!

The Ceremony:

Pangdean Barn is located in the midst of the downs in Brighton. It’s a truly beautiful venue in the most stunning of settings. The venue have nailed the art of hosting weddings… they are so accommodating and flexible, ensuring that the needs of the couple are catered for. They are also so welcoming to us as suppliers every time we have shot there. Always going above and beyond, resulting in a perfect day for all.

I especially love the grounds and garden games that are on hand… you can never be too old to have a game of Connect 4 or a cheeky cruise on the go carts!! Seeing all the guests arrive and marvel at the venue whilst sipping on a cold glass of bubbles brings the start of those butterflies (that I’m sure most wedding photographers have), where the much anticipated action is about to start! Cue the arrival of the bride and it’s all systems go!

Being a Brighton Pangdean wedding photographer, isn’t just about capturing the epic shots, it’s about the small and intimate moments too. Just before Natalie was about to make her entrance, Ollie and his brothers spent some time with their mum who was unwell. It was so endearing to see these moments of tender love and care.

Pangdean Barn has the flexibility of offering both an indoor and outdoor ceremony space. In the height of summer, outside was the way to go here. I often shoot with a second photographer to be able to capture moments from a variety of angles. This certainly helps too when one of us find ourselves a little stuck and unable to move positions without disrupting the ceremony! Our main goal is to be as unobtrusive as possible whilst shooting a variety of perspectives.

Once the groomsmen had ensured Ollie was looking ship-shape, and the rings were definitely there, the ceremony was good to go! Preceded by her bridesmaids, Natalie glided down the aisle to her besotted looking groom. A wonderful ceremony filled with joy and laughter. How wonderful for all to witness Natalie and Ollie tie the knot after the long period of lockdowns and postponements. How else to celebrate this new union with an explosion of confetti as they walk back down the aisle as Mr & Mrs!!

The Portraits:

The next order of the day was drinks, canapes and some family group photos! As the sun was high and hot, we picked a spot under a shady tree to protect everyone from the harsh elements… there is another reason for avoiding the high sun. Although it may be wonderful to feel the sun and its warming tingle on our skin, when it comes to group shots it can actually be quite unflattering to have everyone squinting to avoid the brightness. Also, the contrast between the highlights and shadows is far more extreme. We save those creative camera settings in the high sun for when it’s just the couple, getting the brightness working in our favour!

The guests dutifully played, drank and socialised to Tobias’ crooning while we set to work. There was entertainment a plenty to keep their friends and family occupied, so we nipped off to spend some time with Natalie and Ollie and the fabulous car they had hired for their day! We even managed to convince the driver to bring it up the hill so we could capture the grounds and scenery in all its glory!

Once the car continued on its merry way, it was time to focus on just Natalie and Ollie, back in the place we had earmarked all that time ago during their engagement shoot! With a view like this, it seemed a waste not to use it for some newlywed portraits! Summer flora was in high bloom and the rolling hills in the background did not disappoint!

On our way back down the hill to the barns for their wedding breakfast and speeches, we couldn’t resist one more cheeky set of portraits outside the the different backdrop of the rustic barn!! I love how varied we can be in capturing the newlywed portraits, and the Brighton Pangdean wedding venue certainly lends itself to those opportunities. The nature of these frames made me think of the fun had in photobooths when your strip of film came out of the bottom!!

The Wedding Reception:

Pangdean Barn has a great seating area for the wedding breakfast. Filled to the rafters with fairy lights coiled around the beams. The guests dining together on well dressed round tables. Everyone in prime position to watch the groom get thoroughly roasted by his best men!!! What more could you want??!! Oooodles of bubbly, that’s what… and it was certainly delivered!

After the ties were loosened, and inhibitions lowered by a few measures of carefully curated shots and drinks, we were able to encourage the bridal party out for a few portraits using yet another area of the grounds. The industrial barn backdrop!! By this point, these guys were hilarious!! Herding cats is probably a good comparison…. full of giggles and mischievousness, it was a really fun filled part of the day! As you can see by the way the bridesmaids had hold of Ollie, they were taking no prisoners!! The guests had also continued to be on fine form as they carried on celebrating!

Natalie wanted a shot with her Hen-Do girls (including the mask of their friend who was unable to make it due to having Covid) It quickly got out of hand, but don’t worry, no hens (or grooms) were harmed in the making of these images!!

The evening went off to a bang with Tobias and the Hustlers performing! The dance floor was pumping after Nat and Ollie’s exquisite first dance. The band definitely brought the party tunes to the stage! The tie around the head shot epitomising the evenings events…. sadly our time was drawing to an end, but we left safe in the knowledge that the party would continue long into the night.

Natalie and Ollie completed their wedding photography collection with an Italian handmade album by Graphistudio. As I’ve perhaps mentioned before, all my couples will receive an album, afterall, an image remains an image until its printed… only then it becomes a photograph….

For Nat and Ollie, we personalised the box and album cover using their colour theme of the day with rich burgundys and blues and a stylish maple finish. Something that they can continue to treasure and look back on with the best of memories.

Thank you so much Natalie & Ollie for having us capture your day! We had an incredible time and are so glad that despite the lockdown setbacks leading up to it, your wedding day was in no way restricted or compromised when it finally came!

Brighton Pangdean Wedding | Nat & Ollie

Venue: https://www.pangdean.com/

Wedding Dress: https://www.frossweddingcollections.co.uk/

Rings: https://www.rtfj.co.uk/

Band: https://www.instagram.com/tobiasratcliffe/?hl=en

Flowers: https://www.lydiedaltonfloraldesign.co.uk/

Cissbury Barns Wedding Photographer | Jess & Joel

Cissbury Barns Wedding Photographer

Many of you may be thinking, “I recognise this couple?!” Well, of course you do, they’ve been incredible models for me in the past on styled shoots at The Weald & Downland Museum and also Bailiffscourt Hotel. This time, however, IT WAS THEIR REAL WEDDING!!

I’ve known this couple for many years and after seeing their relationship develop and grow it was a true honour to be their wedding photographer. I had never photographed at Cissbury Barns either, so I was doubly excited for their day 🙂

As with all of my wedding photography collections, an engagement shoot is a must. We split this into two parts… after Joel proposed during a sunrise walk up The Trundle near Goodwood, we met later that day in Chichester so they could have some shots for the Facebook announcement!! Classic Jess & Joel forward planning, who am I to refuse such a request!!

They later planned their proper engagement shoot at Elmer Beach, a place they regularly go to walk, swim and generally chill! I loved the playfulness they both had on this day… A far cry from the previous wedding shoots we’d structured!

Jess and Joel had chosen September to marry, a wonderful month in my opinion… still basking in the Summer warmth while the surrounding backdrops still full of light and colour, starting that gorgeous warmed toned change into the rich colours of Autumn.

To start the day I popped to Joel’s parents house to spend some time with him and the boys while they faffed with ties and buttonholes! It was a very chilled morning, beers were open and the atmosphere was full of joy! The boys looked awesome in their coordinating gray suits from Astares Menswear, with Joel himself looking stylish in his Herbie Frogg three piece suit. I love the attention to detail with the cufflinks from EllieEllie and coordinating blush-gold ties sourced from Swagger & Swoon.

I couldn’t resist getting some shots with Joel and his parents. I’ve been very lucky to have got to know them all over the years and love their cheeky interaction with each other… Joel especially taking great joy to continually tease his parents which they seem to relish in with equal joy and love!

The weather was perfect for some action shots with the groomsmen too, these boys certainly loved strutting their stuff for the camera. In fact, I don’t think any form of encouragement was needed from my part at all!!

Next stop was driving across town to see Jess while she and the girls got ready. They had rented a stunning AirBnB on the seafront to host them all with tremendous views over the sea! I think myself very lucky to also live in this stunning area, it was a great move on Jess’ part to pick this spot. Toni Todd was working creative wonders on Jess’ hair and makeup while Jess could peacefully look out to the horizon and take in that fresh, sea air. The girls were busy getting ready downstairs while this was happening, each requiring varying levels of help from each other to get those straps just perfect!!

While the bridesmaids were wearing stunning silver toned Amore dresses from Etsy, Jess had chosen an Enzoani Blue Juri gown from Proposals in Chichester. A delicately detailed dress which showed off her shape to perfection. The flowers were from Fleur de Lis, with blush hoops for the girls to hold and as a something blue, Jess’ were finished with blue fabric as a nod to the movement of the sea they were so close to. Jess, an accomplished calligrapher and sign writer had also created lovely, personalised hangers and gift boxes for her ladies! A lovely touch.

I loved the quiet moments while Jess was getting into her dress, followed by the loud exclamations of joy as she revealed herself to her waiting friends and family. A quick few moments were spent with the bridal party on the seafront to make the most of their location. Time well spent I feel!

Both Jess and Joel practice their faith, so chose to get married in Joel’s childhood church, The Shore Community Church where Joel’s mum Julie works and is on the leadership team. This meant that Julie could actually marry them, an incredibly personal honour for any parent to be able to do.

Jess arrived and was led into the church by both her Dad and Step-Dad. A wonderful way to honour both Dads in her life. Preceded by her bridesmaid and flower girls, it was wonderful to see the joy and anticipation on both hers and Joel’s faces.

The service, led by Joel’s mum Julie, was also full of other personal touches. Jess’ signwriting was evident in much of the decor that sat alongside items decorated by To Have and to Hire. The band leading worship were all friends, Jess’ mum played the flute and Jamie, the Minister of The Shore, served up a very humorous address! The stationary was designed by Jess and Joel themselves to tie in with their theme. A superbly personal service.

I’ve not known Jess to often wear heels, so it came as no surprise when I looked down at one point to see her at the front of church bare footed!! I couldn’t resist a quick shot!!

After being prayed for by friends and family, Jess and Joel ensured they were first in line for the donuts waiting in the foyer! The timings of the day were quite tight, so we elected to dash straight to the venue so the newlyweds could enjoy 15 mins alone before the arrival of the rest of their guests.

Set high up in the South Downs near Findon, Cissbury Barns is a stunning, secluded wedding venue. It was a real treat to spend some time with the newlyweds whilst giving them some time alone to just catch up on the last 24 hours. This moment immediately after marrying is so precious, as all the flushes of joy are literally buzzing around the couple! Thankfully armed with the photographers’ toolkit that includes super long lenses, I’m able to give a couple space and privacy whilst shooting these precious portraits. I think you’ll agree the setting is gorgeous!

Before too long the guests arrived and started enjoying the available bar and canapes. The time to sit down for the wedding breakfast was arriving fast so with the help of a *very* organised best man, we worked through the list of group shots Jess & Joel has created.

Prior to the meal, it was important that Grace was said, this came courtesy of Grandad! The food was delicious and thoroughly enjoyed by all, including me! Usually I’m hidden away in a quiet room during the meal, however on this occasion due to our friendship and knowing many of the guests too I was seated in the hall with the others. It was great to catch up with many I’d not seen for a while (wedding season can do that to us photographers!)

Speeches came in due course, Jess even managed to surprise Joel and get on the mic gifting them some new jumpers as a nod to their new marital status. The highlight had to be Joel suitably embarrassed by a wonderful, yet cheeky speech by his best man.

Before the evening party kicked off with a bang, we took some time during the golden hour to capture some more creative photographs with the bridal party as well as some intimate portraits of Jess and Joel. Incidentally, as well as winning Wedding Photographer of the Year 2019 in the Master Photographers Association South Central region, I also scooped the 2nd prize with one of the images I took during this golden hour moment! #humblebrag lol!!

The flower girls had a great time spent with Jess as they showed off their matching metallic shoes courtesy of Asos & Toms!

The first dance was a beautiful moment where one of Jess’ bridesmaids played and sung in their first dance together as a married couple. The 88’s then kicked off with all the party tunes which proved a hit with the crowd, especially when Adrian, the sax player, bought out his illuminating saxophone to the dance floor! A first-timer as a Cissbury Barns Wedding Photographer, I was so impressed with the venue and the service provided. They had a great spaces available for those who wanted to dance, those wanting some chilled time to chat and drink, those wanting to play party games or toast marshmallows.

The evening was finished off with a sparkler exit before the newlyweds departed for their first newlywed night together!

Once the images had gone through the editing process the next stage was to design their Graphistudio album! In previous consultations Jess and Joel fell into the classic roles where Jess loved the images and how hers might look on a spread, while Joel spent hours marvelling over the materials box with it’s secret compartments and sliding doors! Before too long we had a design that worked perfectly so we completed our collection by supping on champagne and beer while they opened their album for the first time ever! I absolutely love this moment, seeing all the years of planning and the beauty of the day, presented in a timeless album, a legacy they can cherish and look back on for many generations to come.

Thank you so much for including me in such a joyful day. It has been a pleasure and an honour to be a small part in this journey… I also love how we still have pizza nights long after the wedding has passed where Joel takes great pleasure in cheekily getting my kids all hyped up just before their bedtime is due!

xX Fiona Xx

Cissbury Barns Wedding Photographer | Jess & Joel

Southdowns Manor Wedding Photographer | Megan & Leigh

I’m a lover of all seasons, but I have to say being able to capture the spring fields of gold and blue for Megan & Leigh’s engagement shoot coupled with the summer blooms for their wedding, I feel I really got the best of sceneries for them both! I love being able to get to know a couple better during this relaxed time together… Here’s a peek at their E-Shoot:

Megan and Leigh chose the gorgeous Southdowns Manor for their wedding. A beautiful venue which provides the perfect spots for everyone to get ready, plus rooms so the guests can really let their hair down without having to worry about the journey home!

It felt like a spa with Megan and her girls in their matching robes and slippers having their hair and makeup done! The bridal suite was free to hold the gorgeous dresses and accesories away from the risk of mascara smudges and rogue directional hairspray! I love being able to capture the details… so much thought has gone into everything, it’s very easy to forget once the day has passed. I think it’s wonderful when people choose a special scent to wear on their wedding day… using that perfume or cologne again at a later date can really evoke the senses bringing those memories back to the surface!

The flowers were beautifully put together with their soft colours and tones, I adored the juxtaposition of their delicacies against the industrial outside fire-escape and roof tiles!

The boys were busy bustling together to all get dressed in another room… although there was calm, there was definitely a touch of chaos too!! Being a big group of boxers, there was also a lot of fists and growls as they cheered each other on! The bridal party and groomsmen also consisted of Megan & Leigh’s children, so it was lovely to see them in their parental roles helping their kids whilst also getting ready themselves!

The bridal suite at Southdowns Manor is decorated in stunning soft blues with a four poster bed taking pride of place. Clear from the clutter of the earlier hair and make-up prep it made for an incredibly peaceful (and photogenic) space for Megan to be helped into her dress.

The venue was all set up for an outdoors ceremony, which was perfect on such a warm and sunny day… there was not a cloud in the sky! The flowers and decor fit the soft white and pink tones of Megan’s colour schemes while the boys offered up a contrast in their blue suits. Leigh showing pride of place in his tweed finish.

You could absolutely feel and see the joy on both Megan and Leigh’s faces as the ceremony started. Thankfully sheltered from the harsh sun under the canopy of Southdowns Manor’s outdoor ceremony space, they just looked a picture of radiance as they said their vows to each other.

With the team on hand with cold beers, bubbly and refreshments the guests were completely looked after. The weather and outdoor space providing the perfect setting for a relaxed celebration once the vows had been exchanged!

Due to it being the height of summer, we had planned the group and newlywed photos in stages. As a Southdowns Manor Wedding Photographer it’s important to recognise the seasons and how the light plays into that… making the most of the light available whilst ensuring the couple don’t feel they’re on a constant photoshoot! The bonus of summer is the days are long so we can schedule in short bursts throughout the day.

I tend to choose shaded areas to keep people of of the direct sun, not only for comfort, but generally it’s far more flattering to have the softer light on us rather than squinting eyes or sunglasses being the order of the day!

First up, the family groups and a quick newlywed session while they’re on the flush of that adrenaline high! With their children playing a major part of their day it was great to incorporate them into the group shots, but also capture what they (and the other guests) were up to while they were patiently waiting for their turn!

It was time for the wedding breakfast and speeches, so making the most of the wonderful walkway at the venue, Megan and Leigh walked through a cloud of confetti before greeting their guests in turn using their stunning flower wall. As always, the food at Southdowns was absolutely delicious and the team serving with a professionalism that surpasses many restaurants.

The speeches were met with tears of joy and laughter (and maybe a little shame courtesy of the cheeky best man who proved himself to be a worthy orator). I love listening to the speeches, sometimes I get so caught up in the emotion of it all I have to remind myself I’m their photographer!! To be honest, I’m usually brimming with some sort of emotion throughout the day while I’m feeling all the feels!

While the room was being turned around and prepared for the evening party, many of the guests used this time to pop to their rooms to refresh. It’s so convenient having this facility on site, us girls love to touch up our hair and make-up!! I’m sure the guys take advantage of the space too checking out the two fully stocked bars available (of course, I’m generalising here, but you get my gist!)

This was the perfect time to take Megan and Leigh away for their newlywed portraits. I knew that Megan and Leigh wanted a combo of a candid document of their day plus some killer shots for their album of the two of them looking their finest, so we got to work! The sun was still high in the sky, but the light and tones around the grounds were just perfect.

Humble brag, I’ve picked up several awards from The Master Photographers Association from this session with Megan and Leigh including Wedding Photographer of the Year in my South Central Region. I love being able to create art for my couples, and their happiness is always my main objective, but I’m very happy to also be recognised professionally for my work.

The evening celebrations continued with guests relaxing in the grounds, soaking in the warm air… although the warmth could have come from the cigar smoking endeavours haha!! The cutting of the cake and first dance followed into the evening with the resident DJ providing the tunes. The guests partied hard and really seemed to take the whole relaxed and party vibe in their stride! It was like they were made for this wedding!!

We took a final stroll around the grounds with Megan and Leigh as the sun lowered, giving them some time to just enjoy each others company. It really is such a versatile and beautiful venue to marry in, it’s hard to not take advantage of all the opportunities! The flower wall proved to be a perfect place to capture some portraits while guests rested from all that heavy dancing!!

As we bid our goodbyes to the happy couple and guests, we embarked on the next stage of our photographic mission…. the uploading of files, editing and album design!

Megan and Leigh chose the Italian handmade Young Book by Graphistudio, a stunning contemporary album designed with the soft tones of their colour scheme in mind. It looked absolutely gorgeous and will stand the test of time as they look at this legacy of memories for years to come.

Thank you so much for choosing me to capture the memories of your day! It was a gorgeous day filled with so much love, laughter and friendship. A true pleasure to witness.

I wish you all the best for your future,

xX Fiona Xx

Southdowns Manor Wedding Photographer | Megan & Leigh

Southdowns Manor Wedding Photographer | Megan & Leigh

Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer | Siobhan & Matt

I met the lovely Siobhan and Matt during a wedding fair, where we got chatting about the plans for their day…. It turns out that they had actually seen a shot online from a previous Farnham Castle wedding they loved, which happened to be one of mine that I’d won with for the Master Photographers Association “Reportage Photographer of the Year” for my South Central region (see, entering these competitions can come in handy!) … it’s highly likely we also chatted about subjects totally irrelevant to weddings or photography… This often happens!! After a further telephone consultation away from the sensory overload of a fair, I was super excited to be booked to capture the memories of their day.

As with most of my wedding photography collections we continued our journey together with an engagement shoot. The weather and location on our side, West Witterings was perfect for a stroll and a chat while we shot. Here’s one from that session… they had chosen their favourites to be presented in a GoBook Album by Graphistudio as a lasting memory of this time in their lives.

As a Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer, Siobhan and Matt couldn’t have chosen a more beautiful venue…. there’s a little Disney inspired story that led to their choice. It seems Disney and castles in particular had played a major part in their lives over key dates and proposals, so it was only befitting that they marry in a castle.

Naturally, Siobhan and her bridal party got ready in the Gatehouse while Matt prepped elsewhere with the boys. Siobhan has a love for detail, textiles and design so there were so many aspects and details found during the day that tied their theme together perfectly. With gifts galore too, it was lovely to see how the couple had thoughtfully considered their friends and family in their plans.

With Siobhan in the final stages of getting into her gown and the boys all ready and casually sipping on their hip flasks (I mean checking all details are correct and guests happy!!) we were almost ready to get into that nervous anticipation of the ceremony. Farnham Castle has either the Norman Chapel for CofE services, or the Lantern Hall for civil ceremonies. It’s great to have a venue with that flexibility. Siobhan and Matt had chosen a CofE service for their wedding, and the chapel looked beautiful adorned with flowers in their soft colour palate of pinks, whites and blues. This was continued into the Great Hall where we peeked in and noticed every table was named after bands which the couple had seen live… I’ve got to admit, I had some serious gig-envy going on there with some of the names present!

I absolutely love that moment where the father of the bride sees his daughter for the first time, and this was no different. The love and adoration was so very present and heartfelt.

A short walk to the chapel for the Bridal Party and a few extra moments of nervous waiting from Matt and his boys, then a clearly excited Siobhan was ready for her entrance!

The lovely ceremony included readings from Siobhan’s mum and a very personal address from the Vicar. Before the newlyweds were presented to their waiting guests to be assaulted with handfuls of confetti, after the ceremony they were whisked off through the back way to see their decorated Great Hall and have a moment to themselves, celebrating with a glass of fizz.

For a Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer, it is not unusual to use the steps for a group shot straight after the confetti! It’s a perfect way to keep the crowd together before they get tempted by the drinks and canapes! This was also a great time to spend 10 minutes with Matt & Siobhan around the grounds from some newlywed portraits after their family shots… Check out the gorgeous generational image of Siobhan with her Mum & Nan (and grandad waiting patiently lol!!)

I love how the scenery changes so much with the seasons at Farnham Castle, seeing the gardens in full bloom in June is a wonderful sight!

Once the guests were seated in the Great Hall, Siobhan & Matt were welcomed in to a rapturous applause before sitting down to a divine wedding breakfast. The catering at Farnham Castle is superb, and as a supplier who is always well fed there, I’m not just relying on the couples feedback!! The speeches followed with much hilarity as both best men re-told stories from their adventures with Matt, yet despite the ribbing, it was clear he was truly loved by his friends.

While the Great Hall was being turned around for the evening celebrations, many of the guests took the opportunity to pop to their rooms (another super bonus of this venue, incase you need more, they have rooms!!). We used this lull in the day to whisk Mr & Mrs Freeman up to the original castle ruins for some portraiture using the historic features available.

I find that rather than doing one long formal portrait session during a wedding, I much prefer to break it into a couple of smaller, yet well timed sessions. Making use of natural breaks in the day, whilst enabling the couple to actually have some time with eachother alone…. I say alone, I’m often using a long lens at times to give the couple space and distance from me where they can have privacy in their conversations during the portrait session.

The wedding cake had super subtle nods to Disney, can you spot them amidst the mini Mr & Mrs Freeman? With a swift cutting of the cake, we moved on to the first dance before the dance floor was mobbed to the tunes of the live band!

Siobhan & Matt has also chosen to have a photobooth to enable Matt to include his other love…. Marvel!! This was a great hit, with many choosing the booth and others choosing to also grab a more classical portrait with their loved ones!

It was a truly superb wedding day and the service provided by Farnham Castle did not disappoint! What a wonderful way to get to know a couple better than to walk on this journey with them

After the day was finished, our job was not yet done. Once the images were edited it was time to curate these into a collection for Siobhan and Matt that consisted of multiple albums…. The Duet by Graphistudio is hugely popular. The initial 30 page A4 Young Book album containing all their super favourite portraits and moments of the day in the highest quality of paper and printing techniques. From that we create another album, The Primo… 100 A3 pages all bound beautifully into a coffee table style book, enabling so much more of the day to be printed. This is handmade and created to fit both into a bespoke Design Box. The collection was completed with some mini-parent copies and a personalised USB to match the books and box design. Truly, a stunning way to display and view your albums.

Thank you so so much for putting your trust into me to capture your day, we had a blast and it was lovely getting to know you. I can’t wait to hear about the next chapter in your lives and be on hand to document your journey again!

xX Fiona Xx

Farnham Castle Wedding Photographer | Siobhan & Matt

Weddings at Arundel Town Hall | Charlotte & Rob

Gosh, I am years out of date with blogging this wedding from 2017, but I just loved Charlotte & Rob’s theme and styling I couldn’t resist bringing it out of the archives to share it!

To say this is non-traditional is an understatement… I swung by to see Charlotte in her final stages of getting ready, and I just loved her mermaid dress and her bespoke revolver & skull necklace bearing her new moniker ” Mrs Coops”. Her bouquet was handmade with seashells and her blue swirled Irregular Choice shoes just finished off her look perfectly!

Her bridesmaids were wearing bold blue & red rockabilly tea dresses, which proved to be ideal for swishing on the dancefloor later! A quick pose with Dad before heading into the VW Camper to head to Arundel.

The boys were ready and waiting with enough time to grab a couple of portraits with Rob and his boys…. I loved Rob’s Ben Sherman suit coupled with some super shiny Dr Martens… he was totally rocking his styling! Clearly his groomsmen were nursing hangovers and trying to recover with the hair of the dog while they waiting for the girls to arrive!

Weddings at Arundel Town Hall I’ve found are unique to each couple, and this was no exception! While Rob waited for his bride, the beautifully coordinated bridesmaids and flowergirls came walking down the aisle.

Charlotte was clearly taken with emotion as she saw her groom for the first time. With an wonderful service, with words being spoken by their daughters it was finished off with Rob fluffing his lines to much hilarity to Charlotte and their guests.

This isn’t the first time I’ve photographed this group of friends, previously it was Vicky and Tom’s wedding… So it was good to see Tom getting in on the action to make sure he had the first selfie with the newlyweds! It was also great to see some of the guests remember me and feel *totally at ease* with their posing LOL!! I have to say though, I ABSOLUTELY LOVED Charlotte’s Garter Flask… I don’t know where you get these from, but I think I need one in my life!!

After some drinks and photos on the outside deck of the Town Hall, Charlotte and Rob had hired a bus to take them and the guests to their next destination of Boxgrove Village Hall.

The lovely draw of Boxgrove Village Hall is that not only can you totally personalise the styling and decor to your own needs, there is the added bonus of Boxgrove Priory being just over the road, a great spot for some group photos.

We took the Bridal Party over there for a quick session before returning to the hall, which you can see was decked out with beachy vibes, deck chairs in abundance, sea themes and handmade table placings in the shape of boats. Each bottle on the table had a little message in it explaining why the Table Name of a specific beach was so important to the couple.

Charlotte and Rob continued their celebrations with a Fish & Chip van, a chill out room where people could hang out away from the music with the sound of seagulls filling the room! Speeches were as usual, filled with hilarity before the cutting of the cake… two versions with hand painted cake toppers that were un-ceremoniously placed on the top upside down! After the first dance action the dancefloor soon filled up, leaving me to admire the incredible cheese platter that had snuck it’s way into the room!!

Being familiar with these Dirty Low Down Dubbers…. I knew without a doubt that the night would end in a human pyramid. I was not disappointed!! Despite the alcohol consumed (or maybe because of it?) these guys NAILED IT with no injuries whatsoever!! I sure wouldn’t wanna be that bottom layer mind you!

I hope you’ve enjoyed re-visiting this wedding from the archives, I absolutely loved getting my memory back into this day!

Thank you again for having me there!!

xX Fiona Xx

Weddings at Arundel Town Hall | Charlotte & Rob

Brookfield Barn Wedding | Emma & Steve

Emma and I had crossed paths a number of years ago when she had her own photographic-studio near where I used to live… I was really honoured that I was the photographer who came to mind to shoot her wedding to Steve (there’s something really special about shooting another photographers commision!)

I didn’t expect their day to be quite as epic as it was…. the more we talked the more the theme came out. In the first instance, we were looking at a lovely, post-Summer September wedding set in the beautiful rural West Sussex countryside at Brookfield Barn… THEN out came the love for all things Disney…. THEN out come the deeper thread of The Walking Dead which was to play a HUUUUUUGE part in their day! THIS WAS AWESOME!!!! I was in, a zillion percent!

First things first we hung out for their Engagement Shoot… Climping Beach during the golden hour is totally lush, but we couldn’t resist checking back at home to make sure Barns and Pancake (their dogs) got a look in too…. if you don’t already know, I’m an absolute sucker for animals!!

Fast forward through the planning sessions and preparations that go into planning a wedding… suddenly we’re there! A Brookfield Barn Wedding | Emma & Steve the awesome hosts! The venue is geared up for a seperate Bride and Groom prep so no secrets are given away and no accidental bumpings happen!

Emma was getting ready upstairs with her crew and man of honour (who also doubled up as MUA and Hairdresser for some of the girls) while the fab Toni Todd created the masterpiece that was Emma’s hair with the black and white nod to Cruella D’Ville. The touches of Disney threaded within the day were subtle, yet awesome! From tiny teapot earrings from Beauty and the Beast, to 101 Dalmation Converse wedding shoes. Emma’s dress was a gorgeous adapted dress from Catherine Francis Bridal Boutique. Their rings made by their talented friend.

Steve and his boys were getting ready downstairs, settling into their suits by Astares Menswear... Steve was surprised by a ride in a Mustang to the venue which was an absolute beast of a car! It sounded epic! I loved the details on Steve’s suit, a nod to UP with the grape soda badge, and the colour theme of white, silver, black and deep red running through.

The outdoor ceremony couldn’t have called for a more beautiful sunny day! The aisle was topped with the house and balloons from Up… the boys all waiting with their monogrammed sunglasses (a seriously wise move in the high sunshine!) As predicted, Steve would be the one getting emotional, and true to form it was hard for him to hold it together as he watched his bride walk towards him carrying Lucille as her bouquet…. the bat from The Walking Dead, entwined with blood, barbed wire and the added addition of a spray of red roses! Truly unique!

A lovely ceremony in a gorgeous setting followed by a confetti tunnel, it was a really joyous affair as you can see from all the smiles on their faces!

While the guests enjoyed the sunshine and bar opening, we were able to have a little look around at the other incredible details that had been considered for their day! The reception room at Brookfield barn was decorated with sooo many nods to The Walking Dead…. from the red uplighters, graffiti on suspended sheets, bottles of Jack Daniels holding flowers and locations from TWD as table names…. Lucille taking centre stage on the newlyweds table… the history behind Lucille and how they acquired her in the first place. There was also the subtle Disney touches too, from name placers in Belle’s red rose, to personalised wedding favours in the shape of UP’s grape soda badges. There was just so much for the eye to see and take in. The speeches were also truly personal, from Emma’s mum, to the obligatory revealing Best Man speech to the unexpected song that had been written for them too. I love the emotion on Dad’s face too as he’s presented with a handmade gift. Sooo much love present here!

Between the canapes, the drinking and the speeches we were able to blast through some portraiture too…. Emma and Steve wanted a mixture of classical newlywed and family portraits coupled with some inventive shots which was more befitting to their theme. On a little recce we had found a dilapidated old barn. Yes, the floor and ceiling was caving in, yes, there were probably more spiders than hairs on my head…. and yes…. there were zombies. Erring on the side of “best to ask forgiveness than permission”…. off we went!!

After the speeches, well timed with the start of golden hour, Emma and Steve had planned to take some time out for some more adventurous portraiture…. so while the rest of their guests assembled for the “Zombie Run’ we took the scenic route across the golf course for some quick portraits. The scenery and light was just gorgeous. Instead of standard shots, we try to capture the portraits to fit the couples style and theme as best as possible. This led to some epic power poses for Emma and Steve before we had to run to escape the zombies!! With a drone in use as well, and a few takes, we were all pretty breathless from running, tripping over own own feet and generally enjoying 15mins of hilarious madness in the middle of their wedding day!

The thing I LOVE about weddings is they are often totally unique! To be able to explore, get creative and just have fun during a pretty important day is the icing on the cake! When you get on enormously with the couple who are trusting you with everything they have, well that’s the cherry on top!! Check out these shots from that time….

Oh! Did I mention that Brookfield Barn has a cheeky laser clay pigeon shoot option??!! This wedding was seriously getting more awesome by the hour!! After a spot of sunset fun with the guns, a cake cutting of machete proportions, a Mr & Mrs game, the most brilliantly choreographed first dance, an amazing playlist by DJ Brian Mole consisting of all my rock and alternative favourites (yeah, I know, their playlist wasn’t created for me…. but it could have been ya know!!) we had one last request to fill……

Emma and Steve wanted to see if we could create some darkness scenes from The Walking Dead…. using a spot of imagination, whatever random lights we could find in our kit bags, some serious vaping for some smoke and a whole lot of luck, we did it! Eeeny meeeni, miny mo…..

Although I don’t have a picture of Emma and Steve’s wedding invitations, they were originally created by their friend and awesome artist Dan Hull. After completing their wedding edits…. the next task at hand for me was to design their wedding album. Now, keeping with their theme of giving me creative control, I worked closely with Dan to create a personal finish to their album. Drawing from his original invitation, Dan created the artwork which I had laser etched into their wedding album and box…. totally bespoke to them. They didn’t know what colours would be used or what it would look like until I turned up with it on their doorstep. A beautifully personalised Young Book, hand made in Italy by Graphistudio. Judging by the tears on opening (yep, Steve’s again) they were *really* happy! Simply stunning and personal to them!

I can’t believe this blog has taken me soooo long to write, but this wedding has been incredible and so good to reflect back on and revisit!

Thank you so much Emma and Steve for trusting me with your day, it was one I’ll never forget!

xX Fiona Xx

Brookfield Barn Wedding | Emma and Steve

Family Photographer Chichester | The Youngs

I’m very fortunate in my line of work. I get to meet some awesome people, and when I’m really lucky, these awesome people become my friends! Take the Youngs family for instance… Despite having many mutual friends, we met properly on their Engagement shoot. This led to shooting their wedding (and even doing some solid marriage prep with them in the interim, cause, you know… I’m a guru 😉 LOL!!)

Fast forward a little, along came their first bump to baby shoot with Amos, to whom I’m now a proud Godmother! Here’s a little throwback to those sessions with a peek at their totally bespoke Graphistudio Album to preserve that moment:

My friendship with the Youngs has continued to grow stronger, we even managed a cheeky Caribbean Cruise together last year where they announced their pregnancy with Baby no.2! My family photographer Chichester brain kicks in so we’re already planning the next shoot whilst sipping a mojito (me) and ice water (Jess) in the presence of the turquoise Caribbean waters!

Jess’ first experience with childbirth was traumatic which led to some adjusting as she prepared for the next one. In my mind, I wanted her to reclaim her power as a woman, to feel like a strong Queen who was in charge of her body and this beautiful change that was happening. Photography for me isn’t just about capturing a moment in time, it’s psychological. I want my subjects to feel empowered and stronger by the journey we take together to create these photographs.

The first part of this was to get Jess on her own, I wanted the first session to be ALL about her. The buzz words in my head were: Queen; Warrior; Strong; Gentle; Sensual; Feminine; Maternal; Expectant… I wanted her to claim these words as hers and own them. So, with that in mind, off to West Wittering we went…

The weather was just perfect! A cool sea breeze, warm sun on our faces. It was a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

The next session was in the studio… we wanted to just quickly capture a moment with Amos and his parents before little one arrived! This was quite a funny session as my girls and Amos adore each other, so the concept that this was a photoshoot came with its challenges haha… who wants their photo taken when you could just play instead!!

The day of Josiah’s birth came! This was brilliant news! Jess felt empowered, in control and superbly happy to have had a more positive experience second time around. It also came with a brand new Godson for me!! As with all things babies, you can’t really control when they come or when you’re going to feel up for visitors, so with careful (ish) planning around my holiday plans, I was able to swing by to see Josiah and capture a quick newborn portrait on the way to the airport. What a cute and cheeky looking chappy he is (and I wasn’t late for my flight either!!)

Capturing your life and those that are important to you within it is high on my list of things to do within my work, be it a standard family shoot, something more creative, considered and empowering, or just something totally on the fly to create that legacy of memories to look back on in years to come. What’s on your list to capture that you haven’t yet? Give me a shout, we can make it happen!

xX Fiona Xx

Family Photographer Chichester | The Youngs

Arundel Town Hall Wedding Photographer | Emmy & Paul

I first met Emmy a number of years ago when I photographed her mum’s 50th birthday party. I felt very privileged to have been called back to capture this wonderful part of their lives!

As with all my wedding day services, we start with a consultation. This is a great way for us to get together, chat about the day a couple are planning, what their moods, interests and vibes are going to be. I remember meeting Emmy and their baby Isla on a gorgeous sunny day! Fast forward to Autumn and we’re hitting Swanbourne Lake in Arundel for their Engagement shoot. The great part of an E-shoot is that not only do the couple get over the camera-shy state that the majority of the population seem to have, but we go over tips and tricks for looking your best and most natural in-front of the camera ready for the big day. Coupled with a lot of chatter, it’s a great way to all get to know each other better before the wedding.

December rolled around pretty fast! With the candlelight festival scheduled for the same day, we had a bonus of many of the streets being car-free! Arundel can be busy at times with so many scenic spots to take in. Evren (my second shooter) and I headed first for Arundel Town Hall to see how the space was decorated. It was stunning!!

Emmy and Paul totally embraced the Christmas theme, with baubles, handmade decorations, Christmas trees and a huge amount of red to fit the theme. As a regular Arundel Town Hall Wedding Photographer it’s great to see how different couples choose to personalise this gorgeous space.

With the plan being that Emmy was getting ready in the bridal suite at the Norfolk Arms (where they would later hold their reception), Paul had no choice but to stay out of the way. The best place to do this is to settle down in the pub over the road!! This was great for Evren and I as we could flit between the two with minimal disruption to the logistics and timings of the day. The girls were being looked after by Bonnie-Leigh (MUA) & Holly Dormer (hair) while the boys were supported in the best way possible by the bar staff!! I loved seeing the interactions between both groups. I bet Paul never imagined his adult son would be helping tidy his suit on their wedding day. Emmy’s dress: Maggie Sottero from Proposals, Chichester | Paul’s Suit: Moss Bros

While Emmy prepared to put her stunning dress on and greet her father for a first look, the boys took a stroll round the corner to Arundel Town Hall, ready to greet their arriving guests.

With a few final tweaks, Emmy grabbed her bouquet and headed down the stairs for her walk to the Town Hall. Her stunning Christmas themed flowers were courtesy of Manor Farm Nursery and looked striking against her white dress. The rain on the day did nothing to dampen the joy and excitement that all were feeling that morning!

Their daughter Isla had already been taken to the ceremony room ahead of the others and was steadily practising her own poses for the day!! Such a cutie, it’s hard to not let the little ones steal the show!!

I just love the sudden change of atmosphere that happens when the bride arrives to her venue. It’s as if the air knows and changes. Anticipation heightens, people stop chattering! It’s incredible. It was no different on this day as their Arundel Town Hall Wedding Photographer.

While the registrars finalised their checks and details, we had a few moments to capture the girls in the crypt before the wedding, then, just like that, the music starts and all that planning and preparation comes into play.

I love to create a group shot just after the signing of the register, it’s a fail-safe way to get all your guests in one shot before they start disappearing for a drink or the loo!! Arundel Town Hall has such a beautiful interior for this too 🙂

Arundel Town Hall has a wonderful patio area overlooked by the Castle and overlooking the views over the South Downs. A perfect place for some family portraits. We were against the weather on this one, but with some champagne fuel and a stoic ignoring of the wind and rain we got there!! We make sure to use a variety of spots for portraits during the day, but there are always some faves too in venues you know well!

Emmy and Paul had planned to process down the hill in Arundel from the Town Hall to the Norfolk Arms, the driving rain was no deterrent!! These guys were fueled by excitement and love! It was brilliant to also watch the general public get in on the buzz, handing out hot cups of coffee and cheers as they walked by!!

As everyone settled into the dry safety of the reception, Paul paused for some portraits while Emmy re-touched up her make-up after the rain! For someone who “doesn’t like having my picture taken” I think Paul was in his secret element!!

With rain forecast for the rest of the day, Evren and I had planned to use the interiors of the Norfolk Arms to create Emmy & Pauls portraits…. until suddenly a slither of sun appeared! Being totally up for it, out we ran with the newlyweds before the rain started and the sun set! I’m so glad for this short moment because it meant we were truly able to use more of the stunning Christmas scenes in Arundel and the Castle walls themselves. Having the streets car-free was an added bonus!!

As the guests settled into the banqueting hall for their meal and speeches, it was clear to see all the attention to detail Emmy had thought about when dressing the room. From individual place settings made up with a personalised photo and a memory of that person (courtesy of Mum) to Christmas stocking table plans, but also Christmas decorations, candy-canes, Christmas tree napkins and lots of fairy lights!!

The speeches were highly emotional and well received. Then the power point came up and the Best Men took control…. even a personal video from Ainsley Harriott made an appearance! Hilariously done!!

While everybody was eating, I pinched their rings by Taylor & Hart for a moment to take some shots of them within the Christmas Tree! Nothing like using as many Christmas objects in one shoot as possible!!

Next up on the day’s events was the cutting of the cake (by Elaine Celebration Cakes) and the first dance. The band were the incredible Deloreans, these guys really know how to bring the party to your party!

Little Isla was still going strong, captivating the attention of those near her!! With lots of music, coupled with photo props, the dance floor had an incredible vibe!! I loved that everyone just seemed to get into the celebrations regardless of whether they were on the dance floor or chatting in the quieter areas!

Emmy and Paul chose to upgrade their wedding collection to a DUET album by Graphistudio, this encompases two albums within one box. The first is a smaller sized Original Wedding Album with thick paper containing their absolute favourite parts of the day, printed in the highest quality HD techniques. The other is a larger, A3 Primo Book with at least 100 (thinner) pages designed in a more magazine-style story of the day. Containing all those photographs you possibly wouldn’t normally get printed, but you know you’d forget about those moments should you leave them as digital images on a hard drive somewhere. As someone who loves photographs, this option was perfect for Emmy! We designed the box using different textures around their wedding colours and finished the set with woven spines and laser engraved personalisation. A true treasure box of photographic memories.

A superb day for a superb couple!!! Many thanks for having us on your beautiful day. They kindly left us the following review:

“AMAZING. Don’t know where to start. Fiona had been amazing from the very first phone call to helping us timeline our day to our engagement shoot. She made us feel so at ease (Husband hates having his photo taken so was so great for him!!!) She is so friendly and can’t do enough to help. Totally amazing on the day, great photos and photos we didn’t even know where being taken! Just had our wedding album back the photos and the album are outstanding Fiona did everything for us to totally personalise our album. We would totally recommend Fiona to anyone having a wedding wanting an amazing photographer. she’s great 😊”

Lots of love and hope to capture more memories for you in the future,

xX Fiona Xx

Arundel Town Hall Wedding Photographer | Emmy & Paul