Edes House Wedding Photography – Jessica & Nick

 

 

As Sussex wedding venues go, Edes House has to be one of the most beautiful for couples to get married at. This elegant seventeenth century Georgian mansion is right in the heart of Chichester on West Street and has wonderfully light panelled rooms. As always I’m looking for good available light & Edes House has great directional light from the large windows in every room. It’s also very spacious which means even when there are a lot of guests I still have room to work & move around photographing people arriving. There’s always loads of energy at this point, lots of people won’t have seen each other for a while so there’s lots of hugging & laughter as guests greet one another.

Documentary wedding photography

I’ve always found shooting in the background while the couple & guests enjoy themselves to be by far the best way to get the best shots. This documentary style of photographing weddings has always been the way I’ve shot since becoming a West Sussex wedding photographer after I moved over from advertising photography. Laughter, tears, “the look” as couples say their vows or just have a fleeting moment as they pass each other while talking to guests, these are all things I like to capture on the wedding day. Ultimately there’s only so much you can convey with set up photos, when so much comes across from just a hand on an arm or a glance.

Bridal Preparations

I started at Woodacre Bed & Breakfast where Jessica & all the bridesmaids were getting ready. I was able to wander around photographing them all as they had their hair & makeup done by Claire Beevor from Modern Vintage Wedding Hair and Makeup, in the beautiful house & gardens. From there I headed over to Edes House to photograph Nick & the groomsmen, firstly in the Duke & Rye pub & then as they walked to the House itself to get set for the ceremony.

The Leconfield Room at Ede’s House

This beautifully calm and tranquil room was the setting for Jess and Nick’s ceremony. The light was gorgeous & gave me a wonderful graduation from the windows across the room. The room has a window right in front of where Jess & Nick were to say their vows so I had a great drop of light straight on them.

Vintage Theme

Some of the outfits for the wedding were fantastic. Jess & Nick’s were wonderful of course, Jess’s dress having come from Velvet Birdcage  & Nick’s suit from Gresham Blake, while their parents had gone all out & I have to make a special mention for Graeme’s (Jess’s dad) hat which looked great. The bridesmaid’s dresses were particularly special, I’ve not seen anything like them before, they worked beautifully for the wedding.

Boxgrove Village Hall

After the ceremony we went outside to do some confetti & group shots in the afternoon sun. We then headed over to Boxgrove Village Hall for the reception where loads more of their friends were gathered. We did a few more group shots & then I was able to spend some time wandering around photographing some of the action taking place in the field next to the hall. Some of the outfits were amazing, Lots of people had gone to a huge amount of trouble to dress up in the vintage style. Everyone moved into the hall for food, which was provided by West Sussex Hog Roast, served after the speeches. Dessert was served by Sussex Vintage Ices from their beautiful van in the dying evening light.

Jive Dancing

The evening kicked off with Jess & Nick doing a Jive first dance followed by some pointers from Colin at Brighton Jive for the guests who wanted to try a bit of jive for themselves. It was great for me as the photos were full of energy with lots of people taking part.

I have to say a particular thank you to Jess & Nick for making their whole wedding a particular pleasure for me right from the first time I met Jess through to leaving their wedding on that gorgeous August night. They really are a top couple.