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Christy & Ben’s Luxury June Wedding at South Lodge

Picture a Victorian country house set in 93 acres of gardens and woodland, with the South Downs stretching away on the horizon.

That’s where Christy and Ben’s June wedding day unfolded.

As a South Lodge wedding photographer, I’ve been lucky enough to photograph here many times. It never loses its magic.

Their day had it all. A Rolls Royce arrival, an outdoor ceremony in front of the pavilion, a fantastic toastmaster and a dance floor that never emptied. Here are some of my favourite South Lodge wedding photos from their day.

Why Couples Fall for South Lodge

South Lodge is one of the most luxurious places to marry in the south east. It was built in the 19th century as a private family home, and arriving still feels personal.

With 88 bedrooms, you and your guests can stay the night and wake up to the countryside.

The spa is the perfect way to unwind the day before, or to recover the morning after.

Everything from the wedding breakfast to the bar is looked after by the hotel’s own team. That’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Bride and groom walking hand in hand through the wildflower gardens at South Lodge in June

For photographs, the grounds are a gift. Wildflower gardens, grand stone steps, sweeping lawns and long views to the Downs give you a fresh backdrop at every turn.

Bride and groom sitting on the old stone garden steps with their dog at South Lodge

Arriving in Style

Christy and Ben travelled in a classic white Rolls Royce, and there’s something about that moment you never forget.

Bride and groom smiling in the back seat of a white Rolls Royce on their wedding day at South Lodge

The car pulls up, the door opens, and suddenly it’s real.

Bride and groom standing beside a vintage white Rolls Royce in the grounds of South Lodge

If you’re planning a grand arrival, it’s one of the moments I always make sure I’m ready for.

South Lodge wedding photographer portrait of the bride and groom with a white Rolls Royce under a summer sky

An Outdoor Ceremony in Front of the Pavilion

Christy and Ben said their vows outside, in front of the wrought-iron pavilion in the gardens.

Groom and groomsmen in black tie waiting for the bride at the South Lodge outdoor ceremony

Groom smiling with bridesmaids in dusky pink during the outdoor wedding ceremony at South Lodge

An outdoor ceremony here feels open and relaxed, with nature doing most of the decorating.

And if the English weather has other ideas, there are beautiful rooms inside that are licensed for ceremonies too.

Bride walking down the aisle at South Lodge as the emotional groom turns to see her

I work quietly during the ceremony. You won’t notice me hovering, but I’ll be catching the glances, the squeezed hands and the faces of the people who love you most.

Bride and groom exchanging vows at an outdoor wedding ceremony at South Lodge

Close-up of the bride smiling at her groom during their vows at South Lodge

Guest giving a reading in front of the wrought-iron pavilion during a South Lodge wedding ceremony

Then comes that walk back up the aisle as husband and wife. It’s pure joy, and even a four-legged guest joined in.

Newlyweds walking back up the aisle from the pavilion with a dog as guests cheer at South Lodge

Just married couple walking up the aisle from the white pavilion at South Lodge

Drinks and Portraits Around the Grounds

After the ceremony, guests relaxed with drinks under the parasols on the terrace.

Wedding guests enjoying drinks under parasols on the terrace at South Lodge

Meanwhile, we explored the grounds for photographs. South Lodge has so many different corners, from old stone steps to long summer grass and leafy hedges.

Groom and groomsmen in black tie on the stone steps of the South Lodge gardens

Bride, groom, bridesmaids and groomsmen group photo in the formal gardens by a South Lodge wedding photographer

Group photos don’t have to be stiff. I like to keep things fun with the wedding party, and this lot didn’t need much encouragement!

Bride, groom and wedding party running across the sunlit lawn at South Lodge

Wedding guests having fun with piggyback rides on the South Lodge lawn

Wedding guests on each other's shoulders on the lawn with countryside views at South Lodge

Wedding party striking playful poses on the lawn at South Lodge

Wedding party lifting the bride and groom in the long summer grass at South Lodge

For your couple portraits, I keep things relaxed and natural. A few quiet minutes together, away from the crowd, often turns out to be your favourite part of the day.

Bride and groom laughing and dancing in front of a green hedge at South Lodge

Groom embracing the bride from behind in the gardens at South Lodge

Bride and groom kissing in silhouette against a tall window at South Lodge

Bride and groom on the stone staircase inside South Lodge

Speeches, Laughter and a Fantastic Toastmaster

Then it was time to head inside for the wedding breakfast.

Groom walking through the hallway under a chandelier towards the reception room at South Lodge

Bride and groom making a joyful entrance through the doors beneath a chandelier at South Lodge

A great toastmaster changes the whole feel of a day, and Christy and Ben had a brilliant one. Everything flowed beautifully, so nobody had to watch the clock.

Guests listening to speeches in the draped wedding breakfast room at South Lodge

Bride and groom laughing together at the top table during the South Lodge wedding breakfast

Bride and groom sharing a look across pink and white flowers at the top table at South Lodge

For me, speeches are where the best reactions happen. The happy tears, the belly laughs and the knowing looks across the top table.

Groom giving his speech as the bride smiles beside him at South Lodge

Groom laughing as a speech is given at the top table at South Lodge

Groom giving his wedding speech at the top table at South Lodge

Groom and guests reacting during the speeches at the South Lodge wedding breakfast

Cake, First Dance and a Packed Dance Floor

As the evening drew in, Christy and Ben cut their cake surrounded by friends and family.

Bride and groom cutting their wedding cake surrounded by guests at South Lodge

Then the toastmaster introduced the first dance.

Toastmaster in a red coat introducing the first dance at South Lodge

Guests watching the bride and groom share their first dance at South Lodge

Bride and groom laughing during their first dance at South Lodge

After that, the dance floor filled up and stayed that way. This is where documentary photography really comes alive. Nothing posed, just your favourite people having the time of their lives.

Bride dancing with friends on a packed dance floor at South Lodge

Our Favourite South Lodge Wedding Photos from June

Christy and Ben’s day was everything a South Lodge wedding should be. Elegant, relaxed and full of joy.

If you’re dreaming of a country house wedding with genuine luxury, it’s very hard to beat. I hope these South Lodge wedding photos help you picture your own day here.

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Venue – South Lodge

Planning a Wedding at South Lodge?

If you’re getting married at South Lodge and you’d love internationally acclaimed, award-winning photography from someone who knows these grounds inside out, I’d love to hear about your plans.

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Want to see more? Read Karen & Andrew’s South Lodge wedding ▸

You might also like my Ashdown Park wedding photographer page.