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Emily & Adam’s Fun-Filled Wedding at Highley Manor

What if your wedding day didn’t have to follow the usual script?

That’s exactly how Emily and Adam approached their day at Highley Manor. This fun-loving couple were most looking forward to mingling with their guests after saying “I do”.

As a Highley Manor wedding photographer, I love a couple who make the day completely their own.

They wanted their wedding to be full of joy, without sticking to a traditional timeline. These Highley Manor wedding photos show just how well that worked.

A Wedding That Flipped the Script

Emily and Adam’s wedding was anything but traditional, and you could feel it from the moment guests arrived.

Bride and groom standing together in the foyer beneath the stained glass window at Highley Manor

Instead of a first dance, they took over the DJ booth. Instead of confetti, there was “pomfetti”. More on both of those below!

An Outdoor Ceremony at the Pavilion

Guests gathered on the lawn, with the red brick manor house behind them and the countryside rolling away in front.

Guests arriving for the outdoor ceremony with the red brick manor house behind at Highley Manor

Guests seated on the lawn for the ceremony in front of the manor house at Highley Manor

Emily and Adam married at the pavilion, which is perfect for an outdoor ceremony, with long views across the Sussex countryside.

The outdoor ceremony seen from the back of the aisle, with the pavilion and countryside beyond at Highley Manor

Bride and groom standing at the wooden pavilion during their ceremony at Highley Manor

Bride and groom exchanging vows beneath the pavilion at Highley Manor

Their celebrant was Jane Blackman, and every guest had a front-row view of the countryside behind them.

Bride and groom sharing their first kiss under the pavilion at Highley Manor

Bride and groom signing the register inside the pavilion at Highley Manor

Newlyweds turning to their cheering guests at the end of the ceremony at Highley Manor

Portraits by the Old Trees and the Swing

Highley Manor has so many spots for relaxed, natural photos. The groomsmen certainly made the most of the lawn!

Groomsmen lifting the groom on the lawn with countryside views at Highley Manor

Bride running across the lawn laughing with a friend at Highley Manor

Bride and groom standing in the wildflower meadow with the manor house behind them at Highley Manor

There’s a beautiful old tree with a low branch that’s perfect for sitting together, and a swing suspended from another tree.

Bride and groom sitting on the low branch of an old tree at Highley Manor

Bride and groom laughing together on the old tree branch at Highley Manor

Bride sitting on the tree swing with the groom behind her at Highley Manor

Groom cheering as he pushes the bride on the swing at Highley Manor

Bride swinging high on the tree swing at Highley Manor

It’s impossible not to smile on that swing, and Adam had a go too.

Groom laughing on the tree swing at Highley Manor

Groom on the swing looking out over the countryside at Highley Manor

Tucked away in a quieter corner, the sweeping branches of an old tree make a secret garden that’s perfect for a private moment together.

Bride and groom sitting beneath the sweeping branches of an old tree at Highley Manor

Bride reflected in a mirror hung beneath the old tree at Highley Manor

Speeches Full of Laughter

The speeches were full of laughter from start to finish, and Emily gave a speech of her own too.

Groom and guests laughing together at Highley Manor

Bride giving her speech as the groom smiles at Highley Manor

Bride laughing during a speech at the wedding breakfast at Highley Manor

The speeches are always an ideal chance to tell some embarrassing stories about the groom!

Guests reacting during the speeches at Highley Manor

Groom laughing during the speeches at Highley Manor

Groom giving his speech at the wedding breakfast at Highley Manor

Cake Cutting and Pomfetti in the Foyer

The cake cutting happened in the main foyer rather than on the dance floor, which is unusual at Highley Manor.

Bride and groom cutting their cake in the foyer as guests line the grand staircase at Highley Manor

Guests gathered behind them and lined the grand staircase to watch.

Guests gathered round to watch the cake cutting at Highley Manor

But the real showstopper came next. Instead of regular confetti, Emily had made over a hundred mini pompoms, now known as “pomfetti”. Right after the cake was cut, everyone threw them at the happy couple.

Guests showering the couple with handmade pompom confetti in the foyer at Highley Manor

Taking Over the DJ Booth

Talk about flipping the script. Instead of a first dance, Emily and Adam took over the DJ booth.

They used Stick It On, where the couple and their guests become the DJs for the night. How brilliant is that?

Guests on the dance floor in front of the DJ booth at Highley Manor

Guests dancing with their arms in the air at Highley Manor

Guests singing along on the dance floor at Highley Manor

Fun, Joyful Highley Manor Wedding Photos

Emily and Adam proved that the best weddings are the ones that feel completely like you.

If you’re dreaming of a relaxed, fun-filled day at Highley Manor, I hope these Highley Manor wedding photos give you plenty of inspiration.

Suppliers

Venue – Highley Manor
Hair and makeup – Gemma Souter Hair and Makeup
Cake – The Crafty Cake Lady
Celebrant – Jane Blackman
Entertainment – Clayzer Laser Clay Pigeon Shooting
Music – Quattro String Quartet
Toastmaster – Toastmaster Dan
Flowers – The Brighton Flower Company
DJ – Stick It On

Planning a Wedding at Highley Manor?

If you’re getting married at Highley Manor and you’d love fun, natural, award-winning photography from someone who knows all the best spots here, I’d love to hear about your plans.

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Want to see more? Read Jessica & Jonny’s Highley Manor wedding ▸

Or see Jade & Matt’s Highley Manor wedding ▸