A Bride, A groom and a dog.
I'm not kidding about the dog part, I think there may be more photos of Birdie than there are of Lee and Daisey.
On an incredibly sweltering day in August 2022, My Wife and I had the glorious task of capturing this lovely wedding at the ever stunning Bell in Ticehurst. I had been recommended to these guys by TWO of my former wedding couples, Grace who married Sam in 2015 and Vivienne and Ollie who's wedding I shot in 2016! Being recommended in that way beats any other way of acquiring weddings. Knowing you did such a good job before that those people trust in you with their friends special day too.
Venue: The Bell In Ticehurst
Brides Dress: The Bridal Boutique Hastings
Groom & Groomsmen Suits: Dickies of Eastbourne
Bridesmaids Dresses: JJ's House
Brides Shoes: Paradox
Grooms Shoes: Cavani
Florist: The Art Bunch
Hair & Makeup: No Filter Required
Cake: Rendles Homemade Bakehouse
Videographer: Janko Films
Band: Go Commando
Daisey had elected to get ready at her parents home in Brede, so I made my way there in the morning. I had met much of Daisey and Lee's family beforehand during their engagement shoot. I do always try to meet up with couples before the big day, engagement shoot or not, so everyone feels familiar.
Daisey had hired the same wedding car that her parents had for their wedding! Which I thought was a lovely touch. Also really nice to see the bride travelling with both parents in the back, not just Dad. I don't know what I said here but it must of been hilarious, or I hit my head, one or the other.
Jade headed straight to Ticehurst to an AirBnB just up the road from The Bell. The guys all seemed remarkably chilled, just getting themselves ready. Perhaps the the glasses if fizz helped in that regard. Once the boys were all ready it was a short walk up the road to the venue.
My first visit to The Bell since 2019 and I was really impressed with the renovations they had achieved, especially with such an old building. Extending the function room back to allow for the downstairs room to have its own independent bar and making the ceremony room larger really helps.
The above shot is always brilliant and so uniquely The Bell. Confetti, walking along a table, indoors. Fantastic.
What Lee & Daisey had to say about us
"We heard about Darren as he had photographed two of our close friends weddings.
We are absolutely astounded by the service from Darren and his second photographer(wife). Fitted in with our day and guests as if he was invisible yet captured every moment. We truly couldn't have asked for more and no compliment would do him justice. Preview photos received the next morning gave us a taste of what was to come and we were amazed by every single photo. We cannot thank him enough and couldn't be happier with the captured memories."
Look at me and smile is all very lovely and the results are great, but there is nothing like capturing a little moment between couples like the one below. A joke has been shared, no idea what the punchline was, but the result is a natural human reaction and those, to a photographer are priceless.
Speaking of natural moments, my favourite little series of shots are the three above. The aforementioned star of the show and all together 'good girl' Birdie, sticking her head between Bride and Groom, having a sniff, then licking Daisey right on the face. Just the best!
The dance floor was 'poppin' all night long I imagine. We love a vibrant and full up dancefloor. Moment of the evening has to be Daisey's Dad falling flat on his backside in a moment of excitable (and possibly quite tipsy) dance floor antics.
What an amazing day and amazing family to spend it with.
