My Top Wedding Venues Of 2022
Once again, we have come to the end of a year – and the end of a wedding season. 2022 was an incredible year for me, with 34 weddings to photograph across Norfolk, Suffolk, London and even Portugal! I got to experience some new venues, as well as return to some favourites, and, as always, it was an absolute blast. Part of the reason for this blog post is to highlight some amazing venues that I would love to return to – but it’s also to hopefully help you newly-engaged folks as you begin your venue hunt. Every venue I visited in 2022 was superb, but these 10 were the standouts. Take a look below!
Oxnead Hall
oxnead, Norfolk
If you live in Norfolk, chances are you’ve attended or know someone who has attended a wedding that took place at Oxnead Hall. This popular and undeniably stunning venue is tucked away in the Norfolk countryside, and consists of a Tudor Hall, a Great barn, two estate cottages, an Orangery and fifteen acres of stunning gardens. Every time I visit Oxnead Hall, I’m blown away by the beauty of the estate! Not only are there endless photographic opportunities, there are also a variety of locations to hold your ceremony. I absolutely love this venue and am always treated amazingly by the fantastic Unique Norfolk Venues staff.
Waxham Barn
waxham, Norfolk
My first visit to Waxham Barn was in 2022, and I fell in love with it immediately. Waxham Barn is a 250-capacity thatched barn that dates back to 1580s, and it’s absolutely stunning. As a fully dry hire venue, couples have the opportunity to personalise it entirely – and every wedding I’ve photographed there has been completely different. Plus, it’s located a 5-minute walk from the beach, which is perfect for photography opportunities or even (like Chelsea & Thomas) to just chill out with your guests for a bit while the room is turned around! I hope I get to photograph a lot more weddings at this beautiful barn.
The Fire Pit Camp
dereham, Norfolk
A long-time favourite, I genuinely love photographing weddings at The Fire Pit Camp. Nestled in the countryside just outside of Dereham, this warehouse-slash-campsite is perfect for festival style weddings. You can get married in a variety of beautiful spots around the venue, from the fire pit itself to the fields to the licensed outdoor ceremony room. Similarly, you can hold your wedding breakfast outdoors in the al-fresco dining area, or inside the warehouse itself. The possibilities are endless! The best thing about this venue, though, is the chilled vibe of both the venue and the staff. It’s a super relaxed, natural location and every experience I’ve ever had here has been so positive and warm.
Curds Hall Barn
dereham, Norfolk
This was another new-to-me venue for 2022, and it was an immediate favourite. Located in the heart of Norfolk between the market towns of Swaffham and Dereham, and dating back to the 17th century, the barn was lovingly restored a few years ago and has been used for weddings since. I love the layout of the barn, which allows it to be adapted for both large-scale and intimate weddings: the smallest I photographed here had just 30 guests, whilst the largest had upwards of 100! Just outside the main barn sits a beautiful garden and small covered barn, perfect for garden games and canapés, while the grounds surrounding the barn are ideal for slipping away for those all-important couple portraits.
Titchwell Manor
titchwell, Norfolk
Surrounded by the most beautiful countryside and coastal views, Titchwell Manor is a hidden gem on the North Norfolk coast. I absolutely loved photographing my first wedding here in 2022! Its location makes it feel incredibly tranquil and peaceful, while its layout evokes an intimate vibe even when full to capacity. With bedrooms, suites and shepherd huts available, Titchwell Manor is ideal for couples that want to enjoy a long wedding weekend with their guests. Plus, can we talk about the food for a moment?! Having held 3 AA Rosettes since 2013, they have a reputation for amazing flavours, stunning presentation and super fresh ingredients. And yeah... it was undeniably amazing. If you’re a foodie couple, I highly recommend this venue.
Godwick Great Barn
godwick, Norfolk
Having photographed an intimate elopement at Godwick Hall, I was very excited to be returning for a full-scale wedding at the 450-year-old, Grade II listed Great Barn – and it didn’t disappoint! Godwick Hall & Great Barn has been hosting weddings for years, and their experience shows. The day ran like a well-oiled machine, and the venue itself looked absolutely stunning. Despite the rainy and windy weather we experienced, there was plenty of room for all the guests indoors, and, thanks to the historical landscape surrounding the venue, no shortage of photo opportunities. Rustic yet super elegant, this venue is perfect for a rural Norfolk wedding!
Fitzrovia Chapel
central London
I photograph a couple of weddings in London every year, and in 2022 I was lucky enough to be asked to shoot one at the historic Fitzrovia Chapel. Located in the heart of Westminster, Fitzrovia Chapel is a Grade II listed building – and it’s absolutely stunning. The interior is made up of 17 types of marble, and it’s filled with mosaics, with my favourite being the incredible ceiling of blue stars against a gold background. You really have to see it in person to understand its beauty! The chapel is super small, making it perfect for intimate weddings, and its location makes it an easy journey to most central London reception venues. I would love to return to this unique, visually fascinating venue.
The Great Hospital
Norwich, norfolk
Another historical venue, The Great Hospital in Norwich was founded in 1249 as an infirmary for priests, poor scholars, and sick and hungry paupers. It’s a fascinating venue, containing one of the smallest monastic cloisters in England, a medieval refectory, an 18th century swan pit and a large Victorian hall. I found this venue not only interesting, but also beautiful – there were so many photographic opportunities, and the separate rooms were perfect for dividing the wedding into formal and fun. Plus, events at the Great Hospital are catered for by the award winning team from Brasted’s, meaning you’re guaranteed to have some amazing food.
White Dove Barns
beccles, Suffolk
I photographed my first wedding at White Dove Barns in September 2022, and was immediately impressed with this intimate venue. The beautiful Grade II listed thatched barn is super light and airy, with contemporary decor that juxtaposes beautifully against the ancient beams and original features. Booking a wedding at White Dove Barns gives you exclusive access to the entire Marsh Farm Estate, which means you have miles of stunning countryside for those all-important photographs, and there is accommodation available for up to 50 of your guests across 23 bedrooms. The most important thing, however is that this venue is utterly, undeniably elegant. Despite its small size, it is grand and opulent. I truly hope I get to return to White Dove Barns!
The Boathouse
Ormesby Broad, Norfolk
I first visited The Boathouse for a wedding a couple of years ago, and was pleased to return in 2022. Set on the Ormesby Broad, The Boathouse is incredibly picturesque and tranquil, combining contemporary and classic styles together to create a stunning setting. Imagine this: you sail across the broad on the ‘Gentleman Jim’ boat, before walking across the beautiful outdoor decking to the wedding arbour to say your vows. Gorgeous, right?! Add to that the waterside views, the bright and airy indoor spaces, and the meticulous, detail-oriented planning of the coordinators, and you have yourself a modern, romantic wedding venue.
Well, there you have it, folks: my top 10 venues from 2022. Are you tying the knot at any of these venues? I would love to hear from you!