Southdowns Manor have Nailed it!

Southdowns Manor have absolutely knocked it out the park since their outside refurbishment in Spring 2018. Their outside ceremony setup is stunning.

The white gazebo that couples get married in is just lovely both inside and out.

The decor of the bridal suite has always been stunning...

...and its hot-tub in the ensuite bathroom has always attracted much attention.

Much like Southdowns' iconic white framed pergola on the front lawn.

It's absolutely wonderful for romantic portraits. To our knowledge, Southdowns Manor is the only wedding venue with a pergola like this.

 

We have had a bride who booked Southdowns Manor for her Winter wedding specifically because of this pergola but sadly it rained all day and she could not get out there for photographs. To make her day complete, we all dashed out in the rain with her to get this photograph. It has pride of place as a double page spread in her wedding album.

The Southdowns Manor white pergola looks stunning in sunshine, cloud as well as in the rain at night.

They also have a lovely sweet-heart seat in the same style as the white pergola which makes for a different feel of romantic portrait but still with the distinctive Southdowns Manor style.

From the front lawn, there is wonderful access to the western sky. Perfect for evening romantic portraits...

...even with a cloudy sky.

In the Spring there are some fabulous blossom-backdrop opportunities only yards from the bar!

The outside of Southdowns Manor is lovely but there are some wonderful and distinctive opportunities for romantic portraits inside as well.

The dance floor and bar area is fabulous. There is tons of room for a couple to do their First Dance on the dance floor and there still be room for photographers to get amazing photographs from an unobtrusive distance.

We have always liked photographing weddings at Southdowns Manor but since their Spring refurbishment of their outside ceremony area, we love it even more.

If you are looking for a wedding venue with a stunning outside-ceremony option that has an excellent indoor-ceremony alternative, Southdowns Manor may well be worth your consideration.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photographers

(who occasionally venture across the border into West Sussex 

to visit nice venues like Southdowns)

Mr and Mrs (Behind Enemy Lines)

Almost all the weddings we photograph are in Hampshire but we keep our jabs up-to-date and sometimes sneak across the border and go behind enemy lines and into West Sussex for a day out. And this particular day was fabulous.

Andy and Caroline had the most enchanting of weddings at the "4 Canon Lane" venue in Chichester - which also happens to be its address! 

What the venue lacked in brand-naming flare, it totally made up for in its exquisite charm.

It is situated at the back of the Cathedral amongst the paths, lanes and walled gardens of Chichester and has just the most peaceful vibe you can imagine.

Many of the guests remarked how peaceful it was and how easy it was to forget that we were actually in the centre of a busy city.

We took Andy and Caroline around the precincts and lanes of medieval Chichester as well into the Quad of the Cathedral.

It was a little windy but it was a fabulous place to spend time alone with the one you have just married.

Andy and Caroline were a wonderful bride and groom. They were so relaxed, welcoming and absolutely brilliant together. 

The whole vibe was one of fun-in-the-sun and chilling-in-the-garden.

There were garden games-a-plenty

But the one that caught the bridesmaids' imagination was the sack-racing. 

Shortly afterwards whilst we sat on the patio enjoying the sun and the vibe, we were asked by one of the bridesmaids, "What's the weirdest thing you've ever photographed?"

It was a question we'd never been asked before but after a few minutes thought, we had to admit, "Bridesmaids sack-racking!"

Caroline was so creative. She not only made her own wedding dress but she also made her own wedding cake. 

The cutting of the cake was just as playful as the rest of the day.

Before their First Dance, Andy and Caroline had to play a game of Mr and Mrs. Each of them would have a blue card (him) and a pink card (her). The DJ would ask a question like, "Who is worst at getting out of bed in the morning?" They would then have to raise their card without knowing what the other had answered. It was hilarious.

We can't remember what particular question was asked but we can remember the fear in Andy's eyes and him pleading with the DJ to not make him answer it. Of course his discomfort just made his guests laugh even louder.

Andy and Caroline's wedding was relaxed (apart from a few moments in the Mr and Mrs game), playful, fun and was simply a fabulous way to spend a day.

We loved our time with them and we wish them a wonderful future together.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photographers

(occasionally visiting West Sussex but don't tell anyone)

A Scorcher at Southdowns Manor

Finian and Leanne's wedding was an outside ceremony at Southdowns Manor not far from Rogate near Petersfield. It's a remote place just across the Hampshire border and into West Sussex - it's not often we venture into foreign territories but we are so glad we did.

Their wedding was at the beginning of May but oh my word it could have been high Summer. It was glorious.

Leanne was meticulous in her preparations and the result was truly stunning.

Throughout the entire ceremony, Finian could not take his eyes off of his gorgeous bride...

...and it was obvious to everyone as to why. 

We spent a little time with them in the grounds of Southdowns...

...and what a perfect day it was for them.

Their speeches were a lot of fun but even then, Finian could not take his eyes off his gorgeous new wife.

As the sun went down on their perfect day, we took them back into the gardens for some romantic portraits... 

...but then it was time for silliness and it was up to the honeymoon suite where all the bridesmaids and groomsmen joined the bride and groom in the hot-tub.

During their First Dance they had their guests spell-bound and I don't even think they noticed. It was so touching to watch. They were so wrapped up in each other's company that I'm certain for that moment they felt as though they were the only two people on the planet.

Their wedding was a wonderful day in every way and they were truly blessed with the weather. Their guests were great fun and we had a brilliant day with them.

We wish Finian and Leanne the happiest of lives together.

by Jacqui and Steve

Hampshire Wedding Photographers

Awesome Weather & Awesome Venues - Southbourne & Goodwood Wedding

Colin and Karen had the most fantastic day for their Spring wedding. They were married in Southbourne Church and then they moved to Goodwood for some romantic portraits and their reception.

But first Karen had the talents of professional make up artist Natasha Wiggins to make her look perfect...

 ...whilst Colin was in the garden with his Dad, who seemed to be in a celebratory mood, at the thought of getting rid of him?

The Boys all had their own but matching cufflinks.

 ...and the girls looked amazing and ready to rock.

 Colin was delighted when he first saw Karen walking up the aisle to him.

Then it was into the sun for a blizzard of confetti...

 ...and more photographs in the sun. Then it was off to Goodwood...

 

Goodwood House is an epic location...

...perfect for a romantic portrait session

...and so grand and elegant...

Colin and Karen really enjoyed each other's company and it was amazing to photograph them in such an awesome location...

 ...and the weather was perfect.

They had their reception and party at the Goodwood Hotel, just round the corner from Goodwood House and they couldn't have asked for a better venue.

It was a awesome day in every way: the weather, the venues, the people...and most of all, Colin and Karen themselves. They were an awesome bride and groom.

Congratulations to them both and we were so pleased to have been part of their day

by Steve Dunster

11 June 2015