Laura and Freddie’s August wedding was one I had been looking forward to. I’ve photographed several weddings for this group of friends across Sussex over the years, so I already knew the warmth and energy they bring to a day like this. As a Sussex wedding photographer, being invited back into the same circle time and again is always a privilege. You arrive knowing the dynamics, the humour, the way they show up for each other.
Their ceremony took place in a beautiful Sussex church, filled with familiar faces. By the time Laura walked in, there was already that steady hum in the room that comes when people are genuinely invested. It was emotional without being theatrical. Freddie didn’t take his eyes off her for long.
After the ceremony everyone made their way to Laura’s parents’ house, where a marquee had been set up in the garden. Sussex marquee weddings have their own rhythm. Relaxed but thoughtful. Space to move, to talk, to let the afternoon unfold rather than forcing it along. In August, with the sun out and the garden in full colour, it felt exactly right.
Drinks were taken on the lawn, bubbles flowing, guests drifting between shade and sun. Inside the marquee, long tables were laid out simply and elegantly. Speeches were heartfelt and, at times, properly emotional. This group doesn’t tend to hold back. They say what they mean, and they mean it.
As the evening light softened across the garden, the marquee began to glow from within. One of the reasons I value photographing weddings in Sussex is the variety it offers. From stately homes to village churches to family gardens, each setting brings something different. Here, it was the familiarity of home that carried the day.
Laura and Freddie created a celebration that felt completely theirs. A traditional church ceremony followed by a relaxed marquee reception surrounded by family history and long-standing friendships. Exactly the kind of Sussex marquee wedding that stays with you.
