Stacey and Shaun - The Chantry
I photographed this charming couples wedding on a very sunny and warm July day ( yes, in know these blogs take me ages to get around to doing).
The wedding ceremony took place at The Chantry in Turners Green. This decommissioned fully restored chapel is set in the beautiful South Downs. The reception took place on the family’s farm close by in Vines Cross. The setting was stunning, wide open fields with views of distant hills, and it was all enclosed by mature trees. The only onlookers were the very cute group of alpacas, in a neighbouring field.
My day started off at the farm with Stacey, her lovely mum and sister getting ready. They had spent the night at Buxted Park Hotel, and had even found the time to do the local park run before making their way there. They were adding the finishing touches to Stacey’s pretty dress with a diamanté and chiffon belt. Stacey chose a tea length white wedding dress with off the shoulder sleeves. She also wore a lace cover-up top. She additiionaly had a shoulder length veil with a diamanté alice band. Stacey’s sister was her bridesmaid. She was wearing a lovely pale lilac tea length chiffon and lace dress. They both had bouquets of pale pink and white roses, with lilac freesias among other co-ordinating flowers.
After some pre-wedding photographs of the bride and bridesmaid I made my way to The Chantry to photograph the many happy guests as they arrive. I also got to meet the extremely cute but shy flower girl. She was wearing a white dress with a complimentary lilac sash.
The Chantry was decorated with pots of lavenders , lilac ribbons, and white and lilac pom pom garlands. It looked perfect. When everyone was seated Stacey arrived in a gorgeous vintage red and white VW camper van. Her bashful flower girl looked around the chapel door before walking down the aisle to her father (The best man) scattering dried rose petals as she went. Stacey’s delightful but very cheeky father walked her down the aisle to her smiling groom. I say cheeky as when it was time to “ who is giving away this bride” and to shake hands with his future son-in-law he tricked him and instead ‘thumbed his nose’, to rapturous laughter from the guests. The rest of the ceremony was more restrained. It was rather beautiful and gentle. They really are a very loving and tender couple.
After the ceremony it was a confetti walk down the path outside The Chantry. They had dried rose petals, lavender and other flowers. it was the most aromatic confetti I have experienced. I never had confetti when I was married decades ago, so it’s always so fun to be a part of it.
Everyone else made their way back to the farm and I stayed with the newlyweds at The Chantry so we could take some couples photos. We would take the group ones at the farm later. The Chantry had a lovely private garden with a swing and lots of foliage. So many places for lovely pictures. There were also a few garden ornaments of sheep and meerkats. It had a lot of character. The happy couple made their back to the farm in the gorgeous camper van.
The reception consisted of some delicious food, including a pizza van, lovely cakes made by the Grooms sister, a giant chess board, and a photo booth. The sun set as the happy couple took to the floor for their first dance. A surpise choreographed number to Dancing in the Moonlight by Toploader. They were a huge success.
It was a beautiful day spent celebrating the joining of two lovely families by this enchanting couple.
The keyfob I made to go with their usb had an embroidery of Lulworth Cove on it , as that was where they first met each other.
