Relaxed documentary wedding photography in Somerset
So I LOVE Somerset, and it may be my favourite place to photograph weddings. I was born in Taunton and grew up near Castle Cary (in a very small hamlet named Foddington), and while I did head off to the big city for university, I love spending as much time as I can at home, and shoot probably about 30-40% of my weddings in the south west. Somerset is home to so many AMAZING wedding venues, and I've been fortunate enough to shoot at quite a few of them, so I'm familiar with all the best spots for pictures and how to help your day run smoothly. There are also a few still on my bucket list as well, so please get in touch if you're eyeing any of them up!
On this page you can find more information about some of my favourite wedding venues in Somerset, as well as photos from real Somerset weddings! I hope it is helpful, but please contact me if you have any questions, or want more of an inside scoop on any of the venues.
Nice t hings other Somerset couples have said!
"Thanks so much for these photos, we absolutely love them! The whole experience has been great. We're super pleased with the USB too!"
Beckie & Mike
The Guildhall, Bath
Bianca & Patrick
Stanley Hall, South London
"Thank you SO MUCH for being a lovely part of our day! The photos look amazing! And we loved the smoke bombs!"
"Thank you SO MUCH for being a lovely part of our day! The photos look amazing! And we loved the smoke bombs!"
"We love them! Thank you so much you’ve got some lovely photos of the day. We can’t wait to look at them all now. Thank you so much again!"
Avril & Jordan
Elmhay Park, Orchardleigh
Ben & Sam
Warwick Castle, Warwickshire
"Thank you so much for everything! The preview pictures are amazing! We love them and are very excited to see the rest of them."
Lola & William
Priston Mill
Somerset Wedding Venues I Know and Love
Some of the beautiful Somerset (and Bristol) wedding venues I've been lucky enough to shoot at include:
Crowcombe Court
Hestercombe House & Gardens
Elmhay Park, Orchardleigh
Bristol Harbour Hotel
Priston Mill
Pennard House
Market House, Castle Cary
Holbrook Manor
Old Municipal Buildings, Taunton
Charlton House Hotel
Limpley Stoke Hotel
Bath Botanical Gardens
Sparkford Hall
Taunton Castle
Roman Baths, Bath
Rockaway Park, Bristol
Abbey Manor, Yeovil
Elmhay Park
Elmhay Park, part of the Orchardleigh Estate (you can also tie the knot at Orchardleigh House) is a stunner. You can get married in the Italian Garden, which is handily covered to protect you against the iffy British weather, and have your reception in the Orangery, which is flooded with all the natural light a photographer could dream of. In between them sits a red brick walled garden full of flowers, perfect for a summer reception. I absolutely loved it there, and guarantee you will too.
Hestercombe House & Gardens
You'll soon come to realise that I love gardens, greenery, orangeries, and outdoor weddings. So it's not surprising I adore this venue near Taunton. With a whopping 50 acres of gardens (!) and a range of historic, light-filled buildings to hold your ceremony and reception in, you're spoilt for choice. Personally, I feel I'd have to have several different weddings there just to make the most of all the options. So maybe not one for the indecisive, but absolutely stunning.
Crowcombe Court
Situated on the edge of the picturesque Quantocks, this Grade 1 Listed Georgian manor house has the brightest getting-ready room I've ever come across, spectacular for hair and makeup and fun bridesmaids snaps in snazzy matching robes. But that's not the only reason I love this place. The ceremony takes place in the spectacular main hall, and you can make your entrance down the staircase like Cinderella. And when it's time to get the party started, you can do so in the vaulted basement and dance the night away in your own private, and very historical, nightclub.
Holbro ok Manor
Just outside of Wincanton, and very near where I grew up, is lovely Holbrook. The gardens here are great, and you can even have an outdoor wedding with the backdrop of the Summer House. Otherwise, the rooms inside the manor are full of light and character, and the manor also boasts 20 bedrooms, so you and your loved ones can stay on site. Holbrook Manor has a spa on-site for the ultimate pre and post-wedding relaxation experience, and the food is damn good too!
Priston Mill
This pretty venue near Bath has two parts to choose from - either the Watermill, which is incredibly lovely and has the option for an outdoor wedding, or the Tythe Barn, which is beautifully rustic. Both are surrounded by stunning gardens and so many photo opportunities you're spoilt for choice. The food is also really nice, and the staff friendly and helpful. Plus, being close to Bath makes transport and accommodation nice and easy for your guests.
Bath Botanical Gardens
If you're looking for a magical outdoor wedding, the Botanical Gardens and the Temple of Minerva are the place for you. Locatied in Victoria Park, handily close to Bath City Centre, you can tie the knot in the temple with a cosy 35 guests, or throw open the doors to add on 65 more. Your reception can then take place in a private part of the gardens, and you can make the most of your stunning green surroundings with loads of photos to mark the occasion.
Sparkford Hall
Sparkford Hall is the closest wedding venue to my Somerset base - a mere five minutes away! I actually drove past it every day on the way to and from school from 1995-2009 (but please don't work out my age from that!) and always wondered what it was like inside. Well, when I got to find out, I was not disappointed! In fact, the first creature to greet me on my arrival was a CAT. For that fact alone, this venue will remain for eternity in my top ten. A little quirky, and fully exclusive, you can make the house your own, and either have an intimate ceremony inside, or utilise the large rustic barn, complete with plenty of hay. Complete with an outdoor pool, sauna, basement nightclub, and llamas, this venue has it all.
Pennard House
Pennard House is conveniently located almost smack bang in the middle Shepton Mallet, Castle Cary, Wells, and Glastonbury. This beautiful venue can accommodate ceremonies inside the house, outside in the garden, or in the 14th century church located inside the grounds, so there's something for everyone. The house has a gorgeous bridal suite to spend your wedding night in, or if you fancy something a bit different they also have cosy tipis in the summer!
My Somerset Wedding Venues Bucket List
I spent five years planning my own Somerset wedding and as such I could reel off a list of almost every licensed venue in the county by heart. There are some stunning ones I've yet to shoot at and would absolutely LOVE TO. So if you're thinking of one of these for your wedding, please do get in touch. I may even do you a special deal...
Almonry Barn
Oh so stunning! I spent years lusting after this venue, and the only thing that kept us from marrying there ourselves was our teeny tiny budget.
Brympton House
Beautiful Brympton House was also at the top of our list when Emma and I were getting married. Country Life has described it as the most beautiful house in England - and I don't think they're wrong! And on another note, it even has a party barn to dance the night away in.
Bishop's Palace, Wells
One of my favourite wedding venues in Wells is the Bishop's Palace. You can hire the 800-year-old venue exclusively, and the catering is award-winning. Also, it has a moat, and a drawbridge. Major fairytale vibes.
St Audries Park
This venue is a stunner, and was the winner of 'Best Coastal Venue' at the 2019 British Wedding Awards. The Orangery is a beautiful backdrop for your ceremony, and there are DEER IN THE GROUNDS. What more is there to say?
Maunsel House
Halfway between Bridgwater and Taunton, Maunsel House is gorgeous, and if you're looking for an amazing outdoor wedding location, look no further than the Pergola. The venue also has 17 bedrooms, so you can really make a weekend of it!
Ston Easton Park
This romantic venue near Bath is a wedding photographer's dream, with beautiful gardens, secret grottos, and an ancient stone bridge over the River Norr.
Bath Assembly Rooms
If you're looking for a stunning, historical city wedding venue, look no further. The Assembly Rooms featured numerous times in Jane Austen's novels, and make such a beautiful backdrop for your wedding day. And being in the city centre, you have the whole of Bath at your fingertips for your wedding photographs.
Quantock Lakes
The gazebo floating over the lake, the barns...the swimming pool! This beautiful venue has it all, in stunning surroundings. And all wedding packages include a two night stay so you can really make the most of it.
So why should you choose me as your Somerset wedding photographer?
One of the reasons I love being a wedding photographer in Somerset is because I myself was a Somerset bride. I've been in your shoes; I've spent hours researching venues, caterers, makeup artists, musicians, et al, so I believe I have a good handle on what's out there and would be delighted to offer any recommendations. I am also passionate about where I'm from, and I love getting to know the local venues and vendors, as well as meeting all you lovely couples!
My style of working is chilled-out and documentary; I won't impose on you, or drag you away for an intense three-hour shoot to get lots of shots I want for my portfolio. I'll spend most of the day in the background, telling the story; capturing all the special little moments that make up your wedding, and which you might miss in the overwhelming, exciting blur of it all.
Sound good? Then hit the button below and drop me a message! I can't wait to hear all about your amazing wedding plans.
