MARQUEE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY
Mulling over a marquee wedding?
As a wedding photographer, I’m not meant to play favourites. But when it comes to photographing UK weddings, I’m going to call it: Marquee weddings have a special place in my heart.
(Oopsies! Did I say that out loud?)
The magic of marquee weddings
In a country where it unapologetically rains for at least 156 days of the year (thanks, Great Britain), marquee weddings are more than just a cute, creative option for wedding venues... They’re a genius solution for combining your gorgeous wedding with the great outdoors.
We might bemoan our moody British weather, but whether you’re pitching your (admittedly rather large) tent in your own back garden, or going all out with a themed tipi and thoughtful touches, you can’t deny marquee weddings offer an opportunity to create a unique space that's just yours.
Planning your marquee wedding
When it comes to creating your dream marquee wedding, the options are endless. You can go classic with a clear span marquee and décor designed to look like an orangery, or create a flower-filled oasis that’d be equally at home at the Chelsea Flower Show. You could channel a boho festival vibe, or let your imagination run wild and transport your guests into another world entirely.
While photographing marquee weddings, I’ve teleported to the rolling hills of Tuscany, the depths of the African jungle, the heart of the English woodland, and even stepped through the beautiful sunflower fields of Provence - without even having to pack a suitcase.
But it’s not all about the style.
With all that personal input, marquee weddings have substance too. You can tailor the wedding roof over your head to the exact style, size and shape you desire.
So it’s no surprise that some of the marquee weddings I’ve shot have been some of the most intimate, personal and meaningful weddings I’ve captured.
Five reasons you’ll love your marquee wedding photos
- You get to celebrate your love in a meaningful location. And with no venue rules or regulations, you can design your own wedding and make it a real reflection of you, which means images that capture your unique style. Speaking of which …
- A la naturel photography. When you pair natural backgrounds with natural moments, you get the purest of natural photos. It’s like tasting raw, organic honey as opposed to the processed stuff from the supermarket. There’s just no comparing it.
- The relaxation is real. Retreating to the countryside means infusing your day with a sense of peaceful serenity that puts everyone at ease. Surrounded by greenery and great views, you and your guests can’t help but be relaxed. Which means I get to capture photos of everyone looking chilled out and gorgeous!
4. You set the pace. With no venue-enforced timings, you can create your own schedule for the day, allowing all the time you want for fun and cake (and for me to capture every moment of it!) This means your day will be structured just enough to ensure everything runs smoothly, but there’ll be no need to rush about from formality to formality. You can even party until dawn if you want to (just make sure you invite the neighbours!)
5. You get to savour the season. By bringing the outside in (or is it the inside out? Hmm), you’ll give your stories more depth and dimension, allowing the season and weather to feature fully in your photos. Think multicoloured leaves cascading down the surrounding trees, kids racing raindrops as they trickle down windows, guests dashing to the bar under big brollies and glorious rainbows hugging the marquee.
All in all, a match made in documentary wedding photography heaven
Why I love photographing marquee weddings
I’m based in the Northamptonshire countryside, which means around 75% of my weddings are in a marquee or tipi, either in private gardens or country houses.
Which. I. Love.
I adore spending time in nature, so shooting weddings in the countryside is a dream. It fills my cup. I’m a big believer that you can only give from a full cup … and mine overflows at marquee weddings!
Marquee and tipi weddings tend to be effortlessly relaxed, authentic and oh so much fun to capture.
And if you’re pairing your marquee reception with a church ceremony in the village where one of you grew up, you get a beautiful double whammy: A fantastic sense of family, and an intimate feeling like no other wedding.
Real-life marquee muses
Browse some of my fave marquee weddings I've photographed at private homes.
Helen & Guy
A relaxed day in Kings Cliffe & Polebrook
Helen and Guy had a classic church ceremony at All Saints & St James in Kings Cliffe and left happily in the family 'something blue' jag. A broken fanbelt forced a pitstop and portraits in Fotheringhay, before very competitive garden games at home in Polebrook.
Hannah & Chippy
A farm wedding in Maidwell - avec chiennes!
Hannah and Chippy got married at St Mary's church in Maidwell, and we found a stunning spot en route to their reception to take some pics of the two of them overlooking the Northamptonshire countryside. Their four dogs and an action-packed dancefloor are particular memories.
Georgie & Tom
A rainy wedding in Geddington
There's no rainbow without the rain, and Georgie and Tom certainly didn't let the wet dampen their spirits. They took in The Star Inn and St Mary's church in Geddington, before leading their guests pied-piper-style to their marquee reception at Georgie's parents'.
Serena & Dom
A classic wedding in Market Harborough & Old
Serena and Dom got married at Our Lady of Victories church in Market Harborough, followed by a garden marquee reception at Serena's childhood home in Old. The flowers were a big feature for this pair - so much so that I photographed them the day before to allow enough time!
Like what you see? Want to know more?
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Marquee wedding enquiry
Want something to read while you wait?
How about a guide to help you plan your marquee wedding photography?
You’ve already got a lot on your marquee wedding planning cake-plate. There’s the power sources, security, parking, water supply, accommodation for overnight guests, access for suppliers, and even the neighbours are testing your A-game planning skills...
… And now, there’s your wedding photography to think about. But you don’t have to navigate this alone. I’m here to help you get that bit right.
In my free guide, you’ll find my pro tips on making your marquee wedding photography-friendly, including how to ensure your lighting actually lights up your gorgeous faces, where to do group photos if it rains, and how to stay calm when Uncle Pete stumbles into your wedding cake. (I lied about one of those.)
