South Stoke Barn wedding photographer. I had the absolute pleasure to recently photograph a wedding at South Stoke Barn a beautiful nineteenth-century Granary barn in the idyllic village of South Stoke, a truly magical location, nestling between the meandering River Arun and the rolling South Downs, and only two miles from the historic town of Arundel. Needless to say, how great for me as a Sussex wedding photographer to photograph a wedding so close to my home!
The barn is one of just five built on farms around Arundel by the Duke of Norfolk in the late 1800s and the only one left in its original form, most of the others are now converted to houses.
It is virtually unchanged since it was first built, and the timber beams upstairs create a stunning backdrop to whatever dining you choose, with seating for up to 120 guests. On the ground floor, there is an open-fronted reception area that spills out onto the landscaped lawns with outdoor seating.
We only hold events from April to September, as when the sun starts to shine, South Stoke really comes alive.
As the season begins to blossom, the fields and hedgerows explode into life, and as you look out from the barn towards the downs, nature, in all its glory is laid out before you.
Sophie & Ashley’s wedding party was as Sophie expressed it “the best day of our lives.” It was the kind of party that I was longing for in the lockdown months not knowing if we will ever be able to get back to normal and celebrate weddings the normal way. This wedding celebration was again a reminder of how amazing it is to have all family and friends together and one place all in a truly magical location in the historic town of Arundel.
Every wedding is unique and Sophie & Ash’s wedding was truly special. I was delighted to be part of this amazing celebration as a wedding photographer, to be able to capture real moments and to show the love and connection between the couple and their family and friends. Sophie’s bridesmaids were absolutely stunning and the first on the dance floor and I have to say, I’ve never had a wedding before with 11 groomsmen, absolutely brilliant. A special thank you goes to Sophie’s parents who were absolutely amazing and took good care of me through the entire day!
A truly special moment that impressed me to tears was the reaction of 140 people when Ash made the announcement about Sophie being pregnant. It was magical, every single person was cheering, everyone coming to hug them and congratulate them, the energy and the happiness were going through the roof whilst I was crying and photographing at the same time. Another incredible moment was when during the second set of the music band, David, the father of the bride joined the band and played his guitar and sang together with the rest of the members is the most epic way. A true talent that made everyone dance and cheer from the top of their lungs.
Thank you Sophie & Ash for having me be your wedding photographer, the wonderful energy and vibes from your wedding will stay with me for a very long time! <3
