I was so excited when I was booked to photograph this wedding — after all, how often do you get to shoot a castle wedding? A Hedingham Castle wedding is something truly special, and this venue did not disappoint.

Hedingham Castle is a stunning Norman castle located on the border of Essex and Suffolk. Built around 1140, it is one of the best-preserved Norman keeps in England and offers an unforgettable setting for a wedding day. One of the unique aspects of getting married at Hedingham Castle is the exclusive use of the venue for the entire day. Couples can host their whole wedding within the Castle walls and even stay overnight in the Royal Chamber at the very top of the Castle — a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The wedding party had already stayed the night in the on-site Cottage and Lodge, meaning everyone was wonderfully relaxed when I arrived. Staying on site removes so much of the usual wedding-morning stress — there’s no rushing around, just a short stroll across the grounds up to the Castle for the ceremony. And of course, the bride still arrived in style, driven up to the Castle for her entrance.

The ceremony took place inside the Castle’s Banqueting Hall. Lit mainly by candlelight, the room was absolutely breathtaking and created an atmosphere that felt both intimate and dramatic — perfect for a historic castle wedding in Essex. After the ceremony, guests gathered outside on the Tudor Bridge for confetti before heading back inside for the drinks reception.

While guests enjoyed a drink, I took a walk around the grounds with the couple for some portraits, making the most of the beautiful surroundings. We even met the Castle’s resident cat along the way, who was more than happy to make a guest appearance in a few photos.

After returning to the Castle, it was time for the wedding breakfast, followed by heartfelt speeches from the father of the bride and the groom as well a quiz host by the bride. Later, everyone headed back upstairs to the Garrison floor for the cake cutting and first dance. A few final family group photos on the Castle Terrace rounded off my coverage before I left the wedding party to continue celebrating into the evening.

It was an incredible day to photograph and a perfect example of how magical a Hedingham Castle wedding can be.

Thinking of having your Wedding at Hedingham Castle, contact me to discuss your photographic needs.