After more than 20 years together, Leah and Lynn finally said “I do” in October, celebrating their love with an intimate wedding at Claverton Hotel in East Sussex.
Some love stories take a little longer to reach the wedding day, and I think there's something incredibly special about photographing couples who have already shared so much life together. Their wedding isn't the beginning of their story, but another chapter in one they've been writing for years.
Their day was a lovely reminder that weddings don't need to be big or elaborate to be meaningful. Sometimes, it's simply about bringing your favourite people together, making things official and taking the time to celebrate the relationship you've built.
An October Wedding at Claverton Hotel
Claverton Hotel, set in the East Sussex countryside near Battle, provided a beautiful setting for Leah and Lynn's wedding.
There's something lovely about an autumn wedding. As the seasons change, the atmosphere feels a little different from the height of summer, making October a wonderful time for couples who want a relaxed celebration.
For Leah and Lynn, the focus was on celebrating their relationship and enjoying the occasion together, without the pressure of a huge wedding or a full day of formalities.
As an intimate wedding photographer, these are the kinds of days I love documenting. The little details, the people who mean the most, and all the moments that make a wedding personal to the couple.
Capturing More Than Just the Ceremony
Leah and Lynn wanted photographs of their getting-ready moments as well as the ceremony and celebrations.
These quieter moments are often such a lovely part of the wedding story. The finishing touches, the anticipation before everything begins and the feeling of knowing that the day you've been looking forward to has finally arrived.
When you're planning a smaller wedding, it's easy to assume that you only need a photographer for the ceremony itself. But having a little more time means we can capture more of the story, from the preparations through to the moments you share afterwards.
You don't need an entire day of photography to have a beautiful, meaningful gallery. It's about choosing the coverage that suits your plans and the moments you most want to remember.
Twenty Years Together and Finally Saying “I Do”
There's something particularly lovely about a wedding after so many years together.
Leah and Lynn had already shared more than two decades of life before their wedding day. They'd built their relationship over the years, and their October wedding was an opportunity to celebrate that commitment and mark the occasion in a way that felt right for them.
I think that's one of the reasons I love intimate weddings so much. They give couples the freedom to do things their own way.
You don't need hundreds of guests, a packed schedule or every traditional wedding element. You can keep things simple, spend time with the people you love and focus on what getting married means to you.
And when you look back at your photographs years from now, you'll have more than pictures of the ceremony. You'll have memories of the atmosphere, the people who were there and how it felt to celebrate together.
The Intimate Day — Wedding Photography With More Breathing Room
Leah and Lynn booked three hours of wedding photography, giving us time to capture their preparations, ceremony and moments throughout their day.
Although I no longer offer my three-hour package, their wedding is a lovely example of why I created The Intimate Day.
For couples who want more of their wedding story without committing to full-day photography, five hours gives us the freedom to capture the atmosphere, the people and all those little moments that make your day yours.
From getting ready and the details, through to your ceremony, family photographs, couple portraits and celebrations, the aim is to document your wedding naturally and honestly, without taking you away from it.
The Intimate Day — £850
Your five-hour wedding photography package includes:
- Up to five hours of photography
- Getting-ready coverage, where applicable
- Ceremony coverage
- Family and group photographs
- Relaxed couple portraits
- Natural, documentary coverage throughout
- A selection of Polaroid photographs to take home on the day
- Professionally hand-edited images
- A private online gallery with full-resolution digital images
- Personal planning and support before your wedding
It's ideal for intimate weddings, elopements and smaller celebrations where you want to remember more than just the ceremony, without needing a photographer for the entire day.
Planning Your Own Intimate Wedding?
If you're planning an intimate wedding in East Sussex or elsewhere in Sussex, I'd love to hear about it.
Whether you've been together for decades or are just beginning your life together, your wedding deserves to be documented in a way that feels like you.
I photograph weddings with a relaxed, documentary approach, capturing the moments as they unfold and giving you the space to enjoy your day.
Get in touch to tell me about your plans and find out more about The Intimate Day.
