What a day for this Ashdown Park Hotel wedding for Rachel’s wedding. As I drove to East Sussex for this special day it was gloomy and wet but I knew that there was magic in the air.
Ashdown Park Hotel is a country house set in a forest so a stunning venue in an enviable location. I found Rachel and her beautiful baby Hannah caught up in the bridal preparation with close family and set about creating the narrative of the day in a calm and peaceful manner. With time running out I raced to the church and what an amazing one too. St Swithin’s Church in East Grinstead is enormous and quite full and you could feel the anticipation especially for Russell!
The bride arrived and made a gracious entrance with her mother for the long walk. I love this time to capture the nervous energy and drama of it all. The vicar kindly gave me license to discreetly capture the ceremony from all angle so providing expansive photography. In addition to this Hannah had a christening afterwards — a joy to photograph.
The newlyweds exited to confetti and congratulations and for a few moment the rain held off so we managed a few family shots before escaping to Ashdown Park Hotel. With plenty of family and close friends the drinks reception was intimate and fun with plenty of children caught in the joy of life. Rachel and Russell put on their wellingtons and we braved the outdoors for some private moments making use of the dramatic location.
The wedding breakfast was located in the stunning Richard Towneley Suite. It’s a converted chapel and one of the most impressive, romantic venues I have witnessed. So many candid images to document this time as everyone relaxed into the day. Plenty of fun, laughter and tears for the speeches too.
With the chapel turned around for the band Rachel and Russell took to the dance floor for a very elegant first dance. A beautiful end to my Ashdown Park Hotel wedding.
