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Katie & Oli’s Winter Wedding at Bignor Park – A Real Wedding Story
A Real Wedding Story by Matt Ryle Photography
Bignor Park Estate is one of those rare places that feels almost hidden from time. Tucked beneath the sweeping South Downs, surrounded by ancient oak and beech woodland, it’s a paradise of pink‑washed walls, long grand avenues and quiet pockets of wild beauty. From a wedding photography point of view, it’s a dream — dramatic architectural backdrops, a serene pond with a walkway, sprawling lawns, and characterful old trees that seem to whisper their own stories.
✨ A Morning in Arundel
Katie spent the morning in a cosy AirBnB in historic Arundel — a pretty little town known for its castle, narrow lanes and beautiful views. The atmosphere was calm, emotional, intimate. After a lovely first look with her dad, the wedding party made their way to Bignor Park.
Katie arrived in the most glorious old Jaguar, gliding up the driveway as though the car had been designed specifically for the estate. The only thing more perfectly fitting would’ve been a horse and carriage.
💍 A Phone‑Free Ceremony Full of Presence
Katie and Oli had chosen to ask guests to keep their phones away during the ceremony — something I always gently encourage. Weddings are one of the few times in modern life where we truly “switch off.” There’s something sacred about seeing every face fully present, not hidden behind a screen.
If you’ve hired a photographer, let them be the only one seeing your day through a lens. It changes everything.
🌸 A Bridgerton‑Like Walk Through the Gardens
Despite the frosty weather, Louise and her team at Bignor Park had the ceremony marquee warm and welcoming. Watching Katie and her bridal party walk through the formal gardens to the ceremony felt like a shot straight out of Bridgerton — elegant, romantic, timeless.
We didn’t linger long for photos there; the rest of the estate is so vast and photogenic that sometimes the simple moment of the bride walking through the gardens is enough.
🌳 A Ceremony Inspired by David Gemmell
Katie and Oli are both fans of author David Gemmell — known for novels filled with mountains, honour, courage, and deep, meaningful love. Gemmell writes of strong, independent women as “ones to walk the mountains with,” which felt like a perfect reflection of Katie.
He also describes a symbolic ritual called walking the tree, where a couple circles an ancient oak to affirm their bond.
Bignor Park, by sheer magic, has a magnificent old oak overlooking the Downs. Katie and Oli chose to honour this tradition — a quiet, powerful moment that felt almost mythic to witness.
📸 Portraits Among the Trees
This wedding was a little more time‑sensitive for personal family reasons, so rather than long posed sessions, we focused on what mattered most: time with loved ones.
We spent a short while at the oak tree, a few minutes at the little swing tucked away in the grounds, and then they went straight back to their guests — exactly as it should be.
Bignor Park makes this easy: even when you take only a handful of portraits, every frame still looks magazine‑worthy.
🐴 Dining in the (Very Fancy) Old Stables
Katie and Oli had around 100 guests, and the reception was held in the beautifully converted old stables. And just to clarify — these weren’t ordinary stables. These must have been the most pampered horses in West Sussex because the building is stunning. Rustic charm, characterful details, warm lighting — plenty of space, even for a larger group.
🥂 Speeches That Truly Hit Home
During the speeches, I found myself unexpectedly emotional. I’m always professional on a wedding day, but I’m also human — and the love in that room was powerful. It felt like every guest adored this couple so deeply that, in a way, their union meant each person was giving away a small piece of themselves. Beautiful. Honest. Real.
🎶 Sea Shanties & A Night of Celebration
The evening erupted into heartfelt sea shanties, laughter, loud singing and dancing that echoed through the estate. It was one of those receptions where the joy becomes almost tangible — the kind you feel in your ribs, not just your ears.
🙏 A Big Thank You to the Team at Bignor Park
I want to personally thank Louise, who runs the show at Bignor Park. She is incredible — attentive, calm, kind and completely dedicated to making every wedding run smoothly. She even made sure I was looked after, which isn’t something photographers always experience at venues. It genuinely makes a difference and allows me to give my full energy to the couple.
