Abi & Matt | An Intimate Summer Wedding in Lewes & Alfriston

Chlo
Jan 17
3 min read

Some wedding days stay with you long after you’ve packed your cameras away. Abi and Matt’s was one of those days. When I get enquiries from couples telling me they want an intimate, relaxed day - this is the wedding I talk about.

On the 25th of July 2025, Abi and Matt chose to celebrate their marriage with a beautifully intimate family wedding, with fewer than 20 guests and a focus on what mattered most to them – connection, emotion, and time spent together. I was lucky enough to be with them for the entire day, quietly documenting everything as it unfolded.

Relaxed, intimate morning preparations

The day began in a gorgeous AirBnB where Abi got ready alongside her sister, her mum, Matt’s mum, and his sister-in-law. The atmosphere was calm, unhurried, and full of gentle excitement. There was no rush, no pressure – just meaningful moments shared between the women closest to her.

Laughter drifted through the rooms, final touches were made, and the sense of anticipation slowly built. It was the kind of morning that perfectly sets the tone for a wedding day rooted in love rather than spectacle.

A heartfelt ceremony at Lewes Registry Office

The ceremony took place at Lewes Registry Office, and just before Abi went inside, she shared a quiet, intimate moment outside with her dad. One of those fleeting pauses in time that says more than words ever could.

Inside, Matt was already waiting. Nervous, excited, and not quite sure what to do with himself, he was pacing slightly when I popped in to say hello.

The ceremony itself was deeply emotional. There truly wasn’t a dry eye in the room – including mine. Abi and Matt’s personal vows were, without question, some of the most heartfelt and beautifully written vows I’ve ever witnessed. Every word was full of honesty, vulnerability, and love. By the time they reached the end of the aisle together, the emotion had completely spilled over.

Family hello's & natural moments

After the ceremony, everyone gathered outside for family portraits and a gentle walk through the grounds. Abi and Matt were keen to have photographs that felt natural and candid, alongside a few gently posed moments with their families. The result was a collection of images that felt relaxed, genuine, and full of warmth.

Once the family portraits were complete, Abi and Matt stayed behind for some portraits of just the two of them – soaking in those first quiet moments as newlyweds.

A surprise Italian-inspired wedding car

What Abi and Matt didn’t know was that their families had a surprise waiting for them.

A few weeks before the wedding, Matt’s mum Sharon had emailed me to let me in on the secret. Knowing how much Abi and Matt (and their parents) love all things Italian – and with their larger wedding celebration planned in Italy later this year – Sharon had arranged a surprise wedding car.

Waiting outside was Bluebell, the most beautiful vintage Fiat 500, owned by Amy of @lilandbluevintagecarhire, ready to chauffeur them to their reception at The Star in Alfriston. Watching Abi and Matt realise what was happening, surrounded by their family, was such a joyful moment. We took a few photos with the car before they hopped in and headed off, smiling from ear to ear.

Intimate Wedding Reception at The Star, Alfriston

The wedding reception took place at The Star in Alfriston, a perfect choice for an intimate wedding meal. Guests enjoyed drinks outside while I photographed the beautifully styled private dining room, decorated with simple wildflower arrangements that suited the relaxed aesthetic of the day.

After giving the couple space to enjoy their meal, I returned to document the wedding speeches, which were just as emotional as the ceremony — full of heartfelt words, shared memories, and gentle humour.

Sunset Wedding Photos at Camber Sands

To end their wedding day, Abi and Matt headed to Camber Sands with their family for a sunset walk along the beach. This part of the day was completely unstructured — no posing, no pressure, just real moments.

Children ran into the sea, families laughed together, and the evening light created the perfect backdrop for natural, documentary wedding photography. It was the ideal ending to a wedding day centred on connection, family, and presence.

Abi and Matt’s wedding is a perfect reminder that small weddings and intimate celebrations can be just as powerful — if not more so — than large traditional days. With meaningful locations, personal vows, and time to truly be together, their wedding was full of emotion from start to finish.