The Best Unique Suffolk Wedding Venues
I just love a wedding venue with something a bit different about it! If you’ve found yourself here, I’m guessing you’re just starting out planning the big day. If a beautiful, relaxed wedding venue is at the top of your to-find list, you’ve come to the right place. As a relaxed Suffolk wedding photographer, I’ve definitely seen my fair share of incredible Suffolk wedding venues in my time as a photographing weddings. I thought it was only fair, that I share some real gems with couples like you. So whether you’re looking for Suffolk Barn Wedding Venues, Suffolk Stately Home Wedding Venues, Suffolk Outdoor Wedding Venues or something else in between – here are the best unique Suffolk wedding venues in this beautiful ol’ county of Suffolk. Happy planning!
Barn Wedding Venues in Suffolk
If you’ve found your way here, I presume you’re just starting out on your planning and looking for a rustic haven to tie the knot! Congratulations and happy planning – here’s my pick of the best barn wedding venues in Suffolk!
Elms Barn, Beccles
This place is a fave of mine, for a whole host of reasons. The prep set up is pretty unique because there’s so much accommodation. The grooms party can get ready in the cottage or the annex, the bride and her girls can get ready in the lodge and both are just a stones throw away from the venue – the perfect stumbling distance after being on the dance floor all night! The venue offers both the barn itself plus a marquee area for drinks and relaxing. Then there’s the outdoor space – the rose garden too and the meadow over the way; both super dreamy and makes for a very happy photographer. Another reason I love it here is because the staff are just bloomin’ lovely; nothing is too much trouble and their attention to detail is on point.
Chapel Barn, Wilderness Reserve
Chapel Barn at Wilderness Reserve is the ultimate party barn – I’m a recommended supplier here and I couldn’t be prouder. With huge floor to ceiling windows looking out on the it’s enclosed grass courtyard, there are options galore for your wedding ceremony and dining. Chapel Barn doesn’t stop at the grand barn itself, as there is also an underground pool, games room, cinema, sauna and steam room – meaning your wedding weekend will be one none of your guests can forget! This venue also includes 18 bedrooms so some of your guests can stay on site, while the rest can take advantage of the other accommodation wilderness reserve has to offer. If you’re interested, you can find out more as I’ve written everything you need to know about getting married at Wilderness Reserve.
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
This place has a super warm, intimate feel about it as Blackthorpe Barn is almost fully enclosed, other than the giant barn doors that open at the back of the room. There are fairy lights galore overhead with lots of rustic charm. Outside there is masses of outdoor space; if you’re planning garden games with fizz then this place ticks that box. Hoping for glamping and toasting marshmallows at the end of the night? You can do that! The food here is always bloomin’ delicious and the staff are super lovely too. As a photographer, it’s a great venue because there’s such an array of different backgrounds to choose from. Rustic, industrial and picturesque meadows – the work I deliver here is completely unique each time.
Wood Farm Barn, Benacre
I’m not sure if all weddings here are a ‘dry hire’ of the venue, but the few I’ve photographed have been. I think that’s one of the reasons that it always feels so relaxed when I shoot here! I’m over the moon to be one of their recommended suppliers because it’s the perfect place for the couple that really want to do things their own way and be completely in control of how their day goes down… Greenery surrounds the venue for miles; it’s really the most gorgeous setting and I get pretty excited for couples portraits here.
Easton Grange, Woodbridge
Unlike a lot of barns, this place has giant windows letting all the gorgeous sunlight stream in. It’s super light and airy! The ceremony barn is of course where you say I do, and the celebration barn is where all the feasting and partying goes down afterwards! There’s a whole host of gorgeous grounds for photos so I always feel spoilt when I’m here! The staff are fab and there’s accommodation on site too. Winner.
Bruisyard Hall, Saxmundham
For the relaxed, fun, ‘doing it our own way’ couple – Bruisyard might just be perfect as there are so many options for your ceremony – from the hall itself, to the gardens and the barn. This place has rustic charm galore and the surrounding area is stunning. For the bride and groom that want to get wed and party the night away surrounded by the gorgeous Suffolk countryside, this could be the place. Giant points because it’s dog friendly too. There’s not a whole load of places your furry friend can spend the day with you, so that’s a pretty special thing! Bruisyard offers a huge amount of on site accommodation too which is always a plus. Oh, and how can I forget to mention the delicious grub!
I hope this helps in your search for the best barn wedding venue in Suffolk! Once you’ve found the perfect place and are looking for your wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you. For outdoor venues and stately homes, keep scrolling!
Outdoor Wedding Venues in Suffolk
Upthorpe Wood, Bury St Edmunds
It may be the most gloriously quirky wedding venue in all of Suffolk – ideal for outdoorsy, relaxed couples looking for a woodland haven for their big day. Upthorpe Wood is so up my street. Think really relaxed vibes, saying your vows in the greenery, food trucks, dancing under the stars and toasting marshmallows at the end of the night. Dreamy hey? When the party is over, the Bride and Groom can relax and sleep on site in the beautiful Bluebell Cabin. Psssst, you’ll even brought breakfast in bed the next morning!
Rookery Meadow, Harleston, Suffolk
The wonderful Rookery Meadow near Harleston is a genuine blank canvas outdoor wedding venue. So, whether you’re hoping for a ceremony under a canopy of trees, a tipi wedding, a marquee or a festival weddings, there are nine acres of space for you to make your own! There’s a meadow, ancient oak trees and a private lake meaning you can really use the three day hire period to transform the space however you want it! I love working here because there’s so much variety in terms of the scenery, it makes couples portraits really exciting.
Stately Home Wedding Venues in Suffolk
Glemham Hall, Suffolk
Glemham Hall is a beautifully unique space, giving you multiple spaces to host your ceremony and reception, from The Great Hall with it’s impressive architecture to the Rose Garden outside. This luxurious venue is just 2.5 hours from London and is set within 300 acres of beautiful parkland. Outside the Hall, there’s even a semi-permanent marquee hidden away, with it’s own secret garden entrance with twinkling fairy lights leading you there. Glemham Hall hosts 18 people the night after your wedding in it’s stunning bedrooms, perfect for your guests travelling from further afield. I’m over the moon to be a recommended supplier at Glemham Hall, it’s such a special space and I can’t get enough of photographing here!
Helmingham Hall, Suffolk
The driveway up to Helmingham Hall will stop you in your tracks! Helmingham Hall is a beautiful Tudor Hall sat within a whopping 400 acres of deer park and it’s incredible grade 1 listed gardens. There aren’t many gardens that can top those at Helmingham! during your drinks reception, if you close to have this on the Parterre, they can wander and enjoy them with champagne and canapés in hand. Wedding ceremonies can be held in the gardens or in the great hall, with a marquee for your wedding breakfast and reception – or for smaller weddings, you can choose to hold your reception in the beautiful tea room. Weddings here have a really luxurious feel; I can’t wait to be back.
Hengrave Hall, Suffolk
Hengrave Hall is a venue with a whole host of options for your ceremony – you could choose the church on site just a few steps away from the main house, the spectacular Hall itself or consider an outdoor ceremony in the gardens overlooking the lake! Hengrave Hall also features a truly unique and grand courtyard – this space is perfect for drinks receptions, outdoor dining or an alfresco first dance under the festoon lights. There are countless bedrooms for you and your guests to enjoy the night of the wedding, or book the night before too and make it in to a real wedding weekend.
Woolverstone Hall, Suffolk
Woolverstone Hall overlooks the gorgeous River Orwell and quintessentially English Suffolk countryside, making it totally unique. The Grade 1 listed mansion has beautiful drawing rooms and an incredible Orangery to choose from for your wedding, also with its own church on site. It’s a venue with full flexibility, so you can really make it your own. The grounds at Woolverstone Hall are vast and are the perfect spaces to explore with your wedding photographer (that’s where we come in!), or to hold your drinks reception outdoors.
Truly Unique Suffolk Wedding Venues
Wilderness Reserve, Saxmundham
Wilderness Reserve is a complete show stopper if you’re looking for something totally unique. luxurious and very grand. The venue is full of the wow factor and will give your guests the most incredible wedding weekend to remember. Wilderness Reserve is a collection of divine properties set amongst parkland, woods and lakes too. Sibton Park is the beautiful Georgian Manor House with it’s beautiful hand-painted wallpaper, the incredible Orangery and all the outside space to have a marquee too.. Wilderness has plenty of luxurious accommodation on site too which is super handy for guests to really let loose and have a good time. If you’re interested, you can find out more – I’m a recommended supplier here and I’ve written everything you need to know about getting married at Wilderness Reserve.
Butley Priory, Woodbridge
I adore Butley Priory because of it’s distinctly grand, yet warm and homely feel. An old monastery with beautiful grounds all around for photos, the interior is a perfect mix of contemporary and bohemian whilst still screaming luxury. Couples can get married in the sitting room or the grand hall, plus there is the option for tipis, bell tents or a marquee in the gardens too to carry on the party outdoors. There’s accommodation for the bridal party within the bedrooms upstairs, and further accommodation on site for other guests at Butley Abbey Farm House. I’ve worked here a few times now and I can’t wait to be back!
Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Suffolk
The Royal Hospital School in Holbrook is a really unique space to get married – it has a cathedral sized chapel and extremely impressive historic rooms for your reception, making the most beautiful spaces for your wedding reception. Options for your dining include the Jellicoe Room which can seat 120 or the grand Dining Hall which seats 400. Overnight accommodation can be available on request and the delicious menus for your wedding breakfast are produced by their in-house professional chefs.
St Peters Brewery & Hall, Bungay
If you want somewhere really unique, fun and relaxed – this might be the place for you! This is the perfect place for big foodies and well, people that know a good drink when they have one! There are four different areas at St Peters Brewery – The Library Bar, The Great Hall, The Upstairs Sitting Room and The Suffolk View Room – all of which have something totally different to offer.
Thorpeness Country Club
Anyone that’s been to Thorpeness will already know of it’s divine 1920s charm (the boating lake is a personal favourite of mine). The country club sits on the cliff top looking over the sea – dreamy! I think a fun, relaxed wedding would be an absolute blast here. The interior is gorgeous and you can really make it your own. I’ve been a guest at a wedding here myself and it was an absolute blast – a plus is that there is plenty of accommodation within walking (or stumbling) distance at the end of the night! I love that you can easily stroll down to the beach with your wedding photographer for some photos and then be back with your guests in an instant!
I hope that this helps a little with your search for the best unique Suffolk wedding venue for your special day! If you are still looking for your wedding photographer, we would love to hear from you!
Share this story
