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Steve & Alana’s June Wedding at The Ravenswood

What a day!

Steve and Alana were married on a beautiful June day at The Ravenswood, one of West Sussex’s most sought-after places to marry.

They chose The Ravenswood for its stunning landscape as a whole, but particularly for the boathouse and the ruins – two of the most atmospheric spots on the grounds, and both firm favourites of mine too.

The couple met through online dating, and their wedding day style reflected a lovely personal touch. They chose a blue and silver colour scheme, a nod to Steve’s love of cars and the BMW M4 he used to own.

As a Ravenswood wedding photographer, I know every corner of these grounds, and this Ravenswood summer wedding made the most of all of them.

Bridal Preparations

Alana did her own bridal makeup for the day, and getting to document that quiet, focused prep time alongside the usual morning excitement was one of my favourite parts of the day.

Bride and bridesmaids showing off their wrist corsages at The Ravenswood

Bridesmaids adjusting the bride's dress as she gets ready at The Ravenswood

Close-up of the buttons being fastened on the back of the wedding dress at The Ravenswood

Bride having her tiara placed while getting ready at The Ravenswood

Before the ceremony, she shared an emotional first look with her dad and brother – one of those quiet, unscripted moments that often ends up meaning more to a couple than anything else in the gallery.

Bride reading a card on the morning of her wedding at The Ravenswood

The Ceremony at The Ravenswood’s Little Castle

Their ceremony was held outdoors in front of the Little Castle, one of my favourite spots at The Ravenswood for exactly this kind of romantic, storybook backdrop.

Emotional groom waiting at the end of the aisle at The Ravenswood

Groom overcome with emotion as guests look on during the ceremony at The Ravenswood

As Alana walked down the aisle and saw Steve for the first time, his reaction – and the huge smile that spread across both their faces – was exactly the kind of real, unscripted moment I love capturing as a documentary wedding photographer. The emotion continued through their vows, with genuine reactions rippling through family and guests watching on.

Bride and groom facing each other beneath the white flower arch during their ceremony at The Ravenswood

Newlyweds walking up the aisle in front of the Little Castle at The Ravenswood

Steve’s gold and platinum wedding ring was one of the small details we made sure to capture properly – the kind of detail shot that means even more looking back years from now.

Couple Portraits at the Boathouse

For their couple portraits, we made the most of the grounds Steve and Alana had fallen in love with in the first place – taking in the boathouse, along with a quiet moment together in the Secret Garden.

Bride and groom framed in the window of the wooden boathouse at The Ravenswood

Bride and groom on the garden path with the boathouse behind them at The Ravenswood

Bride and groom standing side by side on the lawn at The Ravenswood

Bride resting her head on the groom's chest during their portraits at The Ravenswood

Bride and groom walking beneath a large tree in the grounds of The Ravenswood

A Quiet Moment in the Secret Garden

The pergola and string lights in the Secret Garden created a soft, romantic setting that felt completely private, despite being just a short walk from their guests – one of the quieter, more intimate spots at The Ravenswood for exactly this kind of portrait.

Bride and groom sitting together under the pergola in the Secret Garden at The Ravenswood

A Surprise Hot Air Balloon

We’d already finished their couple portraits earlier in the day, so what happened next was a complete surprise…

As the evening rolled on, I spotted a hot air balloon drifting over the grounds – and rather brilliantly, it happened to be branded “Virgin.”

I grabbed Steve and Alana, told them to quickly walk towards me, and framed the balloon in the background just in time. It’s now one of my favourite images from their entire gallery – the kind of spontaneous, once-in-a-lifetime moment no amount of planning could recreate.

Bride and groom walking across the lawn as a hot air balloon drifts overhead at The Ravenswood

Speeches, First Dance and Evening Celebrations

Speeches came from Alana’s dad Nic, Steve, and best men Adam and Jack – with one particularly touching moment as Steve presented his mum with a pendant gift partway through his speech.

Groom giving his speech at the wedding breakfast at The Ravenswood

A speech at the top table as the bride looks on at The Ravenswood

Bride and groom smiling together at the top table at The Ravenswood

Bride and groom cutting their cake surrounded by guests at The Ravenswood

Steve and Alana danced their first dance to Firestone (the Fireworks Version), before the evening rolled on into a relaxed, joy-filled celebration with family and friends.

Guests on the dance floor under coloured lights in the evening at The Ravenswood

Guests dancing together at the evening reception at The Ravenswood

In Alana and Steve’s own words, “The photos are absolutely beautiful and we couldn’t be happier. From the get-go Andy was really communicative, engaging and really looked after us the whole way through.”

A June Wedding at The Ravenswood

From the Little Castle to the boathouse and a surprise balloon in the sky, Steve and Alana’s day was full of moments you simply can’t plan.

If you’re dreaming of a Ravenswood summer wedding of your own, I hope their day helps you picture it.

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Venue – The Ravenswood

Planning a Wedding at The Ravenswood?

If you’re getting married at The Ravenswood and you’d love award-winning, documentary photography from someone who knows it inside out, I’d love to hear about your plans.

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Want to see more? Read Emma & Darren’s Ravenswood wedding ▸

Or see Chloe & Josh’s Christmas wedding at The Ravenswood ▸