St Thomas à Becket Church Warblington Wedding

Two hours, one very special church doorway, and a whole lot of heart.

“We didn’t even notice her there so how she captured all those photos is amazing!”

Sally, St Thomas à Becket Church

Some weddings are all about the scale. This one was all about the meaning. Sally and Dave kept things beautifully small for their big day: two hours of coverage, one gorgeous old church, and a reason for being there that honestly gave me goosebumps. Throw in a cloudless blue sky on a Friday in July and, well, I was one very happy photographer.

Bride and groom stood in the doorway of St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington, looking to camera

A church that runs in the family

Here is the bit that got me. Both Sally’s mum and dad AND Dave’s mum and dad had their own wedding photos taken outside this exact church, stood in this exact doorway, years and years ago. So there was never really any question about where Sally and Dave were going to say their I dos.

Sally’s one big wish was to recreate those family photographs as closely as we possibly could. Same doorway, same simple pose, the two of them just stood there looking straight down the lens. No fuss, no gimmicks, just a quiet nod to the couples who came before them. And knowing those old photos are now going to sit right alongside Sally and Dave’s? Chills. Every single time. It is exactly the sort of thing I became a photographer for, so you can bet we took our sweet time getting it spot on.

St Thomas à Becket Church in Warblington, Hampshire, with the bride and groom in the doorway

Bride and groom recreating their parents' photo in the doorway of St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington

Bride and groom during their ceremony at St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington

Family formals with a proper giggle

Next up, family formals, which with this lot were far more laugh than line-them-up-and-hope. The sun was absolutely beaming, which is lovely for a tan and an absolute nightmare for squinty eyes and harsh shadows across everyone’s faces. So I did what I always do and dragged my flashes out, popped a bit of light exactly where I wanted it, and kept everyone looking their best. No scrunched up eyes, no shadows, just happy faces. A little bit of flash wizardry goes a very long way.

Flash lit family group photo outside St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington

Bride with her bridesmaids outside St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington

Couple portraits (and a groom who came round to the idea)

With the family sorted, it was time to steal the newlyweds away for a few couple portraits. Now, I will let you in on a little secret. Dave was, shall we say, not exactly champing at the bit to have his photo taken. If you have ever met a groom who would rather be anywhere else on earth than in front of a camera on his own, then reader, you have met Dave.

But bless him, he obliged. And do you know what? I reckon he actually had a bit of fun with it in the end. There may even have been the odd smile that was not through gritted teeth. Nothing stiff, nothing posey, just the two of them together, soaking up the fact that they were finally married. See Dave, that was not so bad now, was it?

Relaxed couple portrait of the bride and groom at their Hampshire micro wedding

Bride and groom share a kiss under the veil at their Hampshire micro wedding

Off to the party (without me, rude)

After the ceremony the whole gang headed off to Newtown House Hotel over on Hayling Island for the celebrations, and let me tell you, you could FEEL it coming. That crackle in the air when a group is about to go off and have the night of their lives? It was there in bucketloads.

I will be honest with you. I was a tiny bit gutted my two hours were up, because I could tell this lot were about to have the most enormous fun and I very much wanted in on it. Newtown House is fast becoming one of my favourite venues for exactly this reason. It is made for couples who want a proper knees up rather than a stiff, formal do.

Newlyweds walking back down the aisle at St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington

Small day, big heart

Here is what I want couples to take from Sally and Dave. Two hours does not mean less of the good stuff. We still packed in the meaningful doorway portrait, the relaxed couple shots, the giggly family moments and all the little in between bits that made the morning completely theirs. You really do not need a twelve hour epic to end up with photos that make your heart do a little flip.

Sometimes the smaller, simpler weddings are the ones absolutely bursting with the most heart. This was one of those.

Sally and Dave, thank you for having me along, even if it was just for the good bit before the party. It was an absolute joy.

Wedding rings and bridal bouquet detail from Sally and Dave's micro wedding

What Sally Said

“We couldn’t have asked for a better wedding photographer than Emma to capture our church ceremony so beautifully! Every special moment photographed perfectly. Emma was fun, friendly, and made us feel completely at ease! We didn’t even notice her there so how she captured all those photos is amazing! The photos are absolutely stunning, and we’ll treasure them forever. Highly recommend to anyone looking for a fabulous and talented wedding photographer!”

Sally, St Thomas à Becket Church

Planning your own micro wedding in Hampshire?

If you are keeping things small and meaningful, whether it is at St Thomas à Becket Church, Newtown House Hotel, or anywhere across Hampshire, West Sussex and Surrey, I would love to hear all about it. I photograph relaxed, real, fun weddings of every size, and I am currently booking for 2027. Head over to my contact page and let’s have a chat.

The dream team

Ceremony: St Thomas à Becket Church, Warblington (@WarblingtonwithEmsworth). Reception: Newtown House Hotel, Hayling Island. Dress: @thebridalmill_botley. Flowers: @i_do_wedd. Hair: @suzyshairspace. Makeup: @makeupbynishi. Photography: Emma Staley Photography.