I recently had the pleasure of photographing the wedding of Sarah and John at St Michael’s church and the Dolphin Inn in Betchworth, Surrey.

St Michael’s was another church that I had not photographed at previously.

It was a fine church, and was situated in the heart of the rural Betchworth community. I love these small, quaint villages, they are so traditionally ‘English‘ and make a refreshing change from the suburbs from which I have grown up from.

This wasn’t a very big wedding in regards to scale – it was more of an intimate affair with their family and close friends.

The church were very strict with their photography policy – initially I was informed that I was not going to be able to photograph at all during the ceremony, then John the groom managed to have a chat and persuade them to allow me to photograph, which they then did but on the basis that I shot from one specific area. Whilst this was a compromise, they dictated exactly where I was allowed to stand, and I have to say it was incredibly restricted as I was placed behind the empty choir stalls and my view was impeded by the extended ends of the stalls which you could not but fail to include in any photograph in some form! Saying that, I guess it is better than no images at all for the couple, but was frustrating nonetheless!

Following on from the ceremony I had found a couple of interesting locations for some of the bride and groom portraits from my pre wedding visit to the venues. These included a man-made tree swing, and a corn field – both of which were within a 2 minute walk from the church, and these worked an absolute treat.

You can view a selection of images from their day below. For those interested in viewing more from the day please feel free to browse at your leisure…