CHIDHAM BARN AUTUMN WEDDING
TARA & MATT’S SUNLIT OCTOBER WEDDING AT CHIDHAM BARN sussex
SUSSEX BARN WEDDING AND A GOODWOOD LOVE STORY
Chidham Barn is located on a working family run farm just outside of Chichester, near the harbour. Surrounded by 600 acres of Sussex farmland, it’s an idyllic venue for rustic weddings.
Tara & Matt;’s wedding at this lovely rural Sussex barn featured warm autumn sunshine, vintage cars, family love and a very happy couple! Let me tell you more…
A Goodwood Lovestory!
Some wedding days hold a kind of quiet magic — the sort that arrives with crisp autumn air, golden light and a couple whose happiness literally radiated through every moment. Tara and Matt’s autumn wedding in Itchenor and Chidham Barn was the perfect blend of West Sussex charm, golden October sunshine and relaxed family celebration. Both Tara & Matt work at Goodwood, and are involved in running some of the iconic events there. And that’s where they met and fell in love. Capturing preparations are definitely one of my favourite ways to start a wedding day. They both began their big day in Itchnor, just outside of Chichester, with their respective families and both houses were filled with that unmistakable wedding-morning energy! A very heavily pregnant Olivia, Tara’s sister did her hair & make-up, and helped her with mum to get Tara ready. Matt with his groomsmen and family nearby, suited & booted before heading off in a incredible array of vintage cars & hot rods… working at Goodwood Revival and the Festival of Speed clearly has its benefits!
Church Wedding Ceremony in Ichenor
Their ceremony took place at St Nicholas Church, a tiny grade 1 listed church in the heart of Itchenor, the same church where her sister married a few years earlier so I knew it well! Tara arrived in a gorgeous vintage green Roll-Royce, as Matt waited patiently. The tiny church was packed to the rafters with guests on this cold crisp autumnal day. The ceremony was warm and heartfelt, hymns were rousing, and then they were married! After confetti, everyone made their way to Chidham Barn for the celebrations.
Chidham Barn West Sussex
Tucked away on a working family farm, in what literally feels like the middle of nowhere, guests were welcomed into the grounds of Chidham Barn, one of the most picturesque barn venues near Chichester I’ve been to. We absolutely lucked out with the most glorious autumn sunshine, after a cloudy start, everything was bathed in golden light for the afternoon. Guest gathered in a warm welcoming tent for drinks and nibbles, whilst Anouska Assisi, a very talented guitarist/ singer-songwriter, filled the space with her acoustic magic. She’d even written a song for the couple, and guests joined in with the sing-along.
MY HIGHLIGHTS
Here’s a selection of my favourite images from the story of Chris & Mercy’s wedding at the Bluebell Railway in Sussex
Golden Light Portraits
The barn was decorated beautifully, with long trestle tables lined with green glassware, gorgeous florals and foliage by Beachtown Blooms, intertwined with twinkling lights across the beams. It felt cosy, elegant and warmly autumnal, creating the wonderfully hygge, relaxed vibe they were after. As I always recommend for autumn and winter weddings, it’s really important to get the timings right for photos of the two of you – sunset is so much earlier after October so always factor this into your day, if you want some gorgeous golden hour photos. Tara & Matt were lucky as it had rained a lot that week, but on the day, the light was totally gorgeous. We took a stroll around the barn, along the driveway up and took some fabulous natural, relaxed portraits. Then back to join their guests, the brides’s father gave a wam welcome speech in the tent before dinner.
Dinner, Speeches and the Party!
Back in the barn, with their guests waiting, the newlyweds made their big entrance, cutting the beautiful homemade made cake by Olivia, before dinner. Happy, emotional funny speeches by Matt and his best man his brother, followed dinner, and then came cocktails whilst the band, Dysfunktional, set up and then the party began. Tara and Matt had their first dance — a sweet shuffle with a couple of pretty good twirls, before everyone piled onto the dance floor. A live band always elevates the energy of a wedding, and this was no exception; the place was buzzing. As the dancing carried on late into the night, we wrapped up our coverage and raised a glass to this gorgeous couple
Final Thoughts
Tara and Matt’s wedding was one of those wonderful days where everything aligns effortlessly: the glorious autumn sunshine, all the laughter, family, and a couple who couldn’t stop smiling at one another. What a beautiful autumn wedding, one of my favourite times of year. If you’re getting married at Chidham Barn too, contact me if you’re still looking for a photographer, I’d love to talk with you about how I’d cover your day.
Want to learn more about how I shoot and what I look out for on a wedding day, take a look at the art of observation, or another wedding, take a look at this colourful Brighton Pavilion wedding.
ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED AT THE
CHIDHAM BARN SUSSEX?
If you’re getting married at Chidham Barn, or any other Sussex barn venue, like my documentary-style of photography, and want more information, I’d love to hear more about your wedding plans and chat about working with you!
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