Farnham Castle Wedding Photography Portfolio
Farnham Castle is a really wonderful wedding venue, and it’s also a fab engagement location. Here are some of my favourite engagement shoots and weddings that I’ve been fortunate to capture here.
From the first time I shot a wedding and a pre-wedding shoot here I loved the possibilities that this amazing wedding venue offers for simply stunning Farnham Castle Wedding Photography. What a fabulous and elegant location.
Starting with the Bishop’s Palace, Farnham Castle’s Grade 1 listed buildings are quite the sight to see. With beautiful views over Farnham itself there aren’t many wedding venues that are this majestic. Walk a little further around the Palace and you’ll find yourself at the foot of the Motte and shell Keep. Climb to the top and enjoy incredible views over Surrey as well as a dramatic location for your Farnham Castle Wedding Photography. Here are some useful tips to help you plan your Farnham Castle Wedding Photography and links to my favourite pre-wedding shoots and weddings that will show you how gorgeous your wedding photos will be.
Tips for your Farnham Castle Wedding Photography
Getting Ready and your Ceremony
On your wedding day you get no areas barred exclusive access to the grounds and all aspects of the venue for your Farnham Castle Wedding Photography, so make the most of it. You can use all the buildings, both inside and out as well as the grounds and of course, weather permitting, the extraordinary Keep. It’s wonderful to have a venue that offers so much in terms of photo backgrounds and locations.
If you can, get ready at The Gatehouse at Farnham Castle. It will save you lots of travel time and remove the stress of wondering if you’ll make it to Farnham Castle on time. Then it’s only a short walk from The Gatehouse to the Bishop’s Palace which is really convenient if the weather doesn’t play along.
If you’re planning your civil wedding ceremony in The Lantern Hall, you can accommodate up to 150 seated guests. The Lantern Hall has a great atmosphere, with a wooden floor and five arched windows where tons of natural light streams in. The ceremony room is laid out diagonally drawing focus to the small nook where your ceremony will be held. And the light streams in as you walk in and down the aisle which just looks gorgeous.
If instead you are planning your wedding in one of the two chapels in the Bishop’s Palace the feel of your wedding photos will be very different and a lot more intimate. As beautiful as they are, the lighting there is very different, so make sure your photographers are comfortable shooting in low light and ask to see examples. You can also use either chapel for a creative evening shot. So striking.
You can also choose to have your wedding ceremony outdoors weather permitting. With five acres of glorious gardens and grounds, Farnham Castle has plenty of options to choose from for your outdoor ceremony or reception. Choose from the Great Lawn, the Rose Garden or the Fox’s Steps.
Give yourself some time
After your wedding ceremony at Farnham Castle, when you’re finally married to your best friend, you’re likely to walk into the Stone Hall and onto the Great Lawn. The steps leading down are the perfect place to throw confetti and for any formals you have in mind. Let’s get them ticked off early, so you can party without worrying if we’ve missed any later. Then you can enjoy a chat with your guests, relax with a drink and try a delicious canapé.
Towards the end of your drinks reception, I’d budget around 30-40 mins to capture some beautiful and really natural photos of the two of you having fun together. It sounds like a lot of time, but don’t underestimate how much longer it will take you to walk around the grounds in your dress and shoes. Even if you’ve walked it on your visits here before and you know how long it takes to walk around the grounds, on the day and potentially with different weather, it might take longer than you think.
The grounds are extensive, so be generous with the time you allocate to your portraits to avoid disappointment. Especially if you want to go up to the Keep, give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. If you don’t use it all you’ll have more time to chat with your guests. Your wedding photos will look all the better for it.
You don’t have to have contrived or overly posed wedding portraits. The more relaxed you feel and the more natural you behave with each other, the more unposed and informal your photos will look. So enjoy these few minutes of newly married togetherness, because the rest of the day will be a whirl.
Documenting your Farnham Castle Wedding Reception
Unless you choose a different room, your wedding breakfast often takes place in The Great Hall at the Bishop’s Palace. There you can chat and sip champagne with your guests and laugh and cry at your speeches. And let’s not forget the Party.
The Great Hall is a great size and will accommodate any band or DJ set up and still leave lots of space for dance floor shapes. I like to move between the ground floor and the various balconies overlooking the Great Hall to capture the best moments of your Party at various angles.
At the end of the night
Farnham Castle is beautifully lit up at night. It’s gorgeous and a wonderful background for a late night creative photo. So when your guests are enjoying the great music, sneak away for 2 minutes to capture a striking moment. It will give you time to look back on your day and the rollercoaster of emotions that you’ve experienced. And it will be the perfect ending to your glorious day.
Farnham Castle Photography Video
If you’d like to get in touch with the friendly wedding staff at Farnham Castle, here are their details:
Farnham Castle
Castle Street
Farnham
Surrey GU9 0AG
UK
01252 720402
weddings@farnhamcastle.com
FAQs
Can I have an outdoor ceremony at Farnham Castle?
Yes. Farnham Castle has plenty of options when it comes to outdoor ceremonies and entertaining. Choose from the Great Lawn, the Rose Garden or the Fox’s Steps.
Can I get ready at Farnham Castle?
Yes. The Gatehouse just off to the left of the main venue is your own private preparation space where you and your bridal party can get ready for the ceremony and celebrations.
What is the capacity for a civil or religious ceremony at Farnham Castle?
The Lantern Hall is liscenced for weddings up to 150 people.
The Norman Chapel is available for a Church of England marriage service and is licensed for up to 80 guests.
The Bishop’s Chapel is the perfect setting for an intimate religious ceremony, and can accommodate up to 60 guests.
Is catering provided in-house?
Farnham Castle has an in-house team of classically trained chefs who prepare exceptional food using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients, in the Castle kitchens.
Can my guests and I stay at Farnham Castle?
There is a spacious king-size en-suite Honeymoon Suite available to you as a couple. Farnham Castle also offers a range of guest accommodation in 34 en-suite bedrooms across the estate. There is a range of doubles, twins and family rooms which offer flexible options for guests. Breakfast is included and is served in the Library the following morning.
How do I get to Farnham Castle?
Farnham Castle is located just an hour from London and easy to reach. Situated just off the A31 and A325 and ten miles south of the M3 motorway (Junction 4), there is easy access to the A3, M25 and national
motorway network. There are also direct trains from London Waterloo to Farnham Station, which is only 1 mile away.
Can I park at Farnham Castle?
Yes. Free parking is available onsite.
