Elms Barn Wedding Photography in Suffolk

Photography tips for a beautiful, relaxed Elms Barn Wedding

As a relaxed wedding photographer, I’ve photographed my fair share of elegant, romantic, fun weddings at Elms Barn in Toft Monks near Beccles, Suffolk. Over the years I’ve been a recommended photographer and it’s always such a joy to go back. This place is very special wedding venue, offering completely unique grounds, accommodation and truly wonderful staff. Here’s everything you need to know about holding your wedding at this wonderful, relaxed Suffolk Barn venue.

Where to get ready for your wedding at Elms Barn?

It goes without saying that one of the amazing benefits of having your wedding at Elms Barn, is that you are able to book the on site accommodation, in the forms of Stackyard Lodge (featuring the divine bridal suite), Meadow Cottage and The Annex. These are perfect for the bridal party and grooms party as each can get ready on site, whilst being far enough away to not catch a glimpse of each other the morning of the wedding. 

There are also enough bedrooms to also host your immediate families. Having everyone getting ready all together makes for truly beautiful, emotive bridal prep photos the morning of the wedding. There will be such an excited buzz in the air on the morning of the wedding! I always recommend staying on site together if you’re able.

The wonderful thing about getting married at Elms Barn is that the location is fantastically easy to access from both Suffolk towns and villages, as well as Norwich. So, even if your guests don’t live locally, there’s a whole host of hotels and Air BnB’s to host them before and after the wedding. The Loddon Swan is one of the most popular and is only 10 minutes drive away.

Options of places to have your ceremony at Elms Barn

Of all the times I’ve photographed weddings at Elms Barn, the wedding ceremonies always have such a unique feel. This is one of the best things about photographing at Elms Barn; my couples have the flexibility to really make the wedding their own – there’s never a carbon copy of other Suffolk and Norfolk Barn weddings here.

The beauty of Elms Barn is that you can opt for both an indoor or outdoor wedding ceremony. With the backdrop of the gorgeous rose walk, the walled garden and the moat; just picture your ceremony outdoors with the hazy sunshine beating down overhead as you say your vows.

Alternatively, you can hold your wedding ceremony inside the 17th century barn, candlelit and cosy. It’s a really beautifully unique spot for a barn wedding ceremony – with a red carpet aisle to walk down; opt for incredible floral design to sit on the rustic window ledges. When the bride or groom enter the ceremony room to meet their soon to be husband or wife, it’s a really atmospheric moment. I can’t think of many other wedding venues that offer a ceremony space like this. 

At the end of your ceremony, whichever location you choose; you’ll be pleased to know you’re able to throw confetti freely at Elms Barn.

Ideas for your Elms Barn Wedding Reception

As I’ve mentioned before, the beauty of Suffolk barn venue Elms Barn is that you can literally make your wedding whatever you want it to be. 

Generally, most of my past brides and grooms have chosen to have their wedding breakfast in the rustic, beautifully decorated barn, exquisitely designed with flowers and candles. With their loved ones sat at round, elegant tables; it’s spacious, yet cosy and really atmospheric for speeches and a divine wedding meal.

However, other couples have chosen to have the ultimate relaxed wedding dining on the Patio and had an alfresco BBQ and luxury grazing platters, with an ice cream truck arriving for desert for guests to enjoy while wandering and enjoying the gardens and playing garden games.

For your background music, singers and guitarists make for the perfect background accompaniment to your meal; whatever you choose for your wedding.. I’ve got lots of recommendations for wedding musicians – if you’d like them, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Your Speeches at Elms Barn could be done from the top table in the barn during your wedding breakfast, or alternatively before you go inside, with your guests gathered as you stand in front of the moat with a glass of champagne or prosecco in hand. I’ve also seen some really memorable speeches after dark, under the stars when everyone was gathered around candles outdoors before a sparkler line.

Your Evening Party at Elms Barn

Whether you decide on a band or a DJ for your evening entertainment, Elms Barn has the perfect evening set up. 

The Barn is spacious, event with a band or DJ set up inside and it can be a really electric atmospheric, when the dance floor is full! It also has the benefit of being in the same room as the bar, which is the best thing as it means your guests generally all stay in the same room all night long. 

If you’ve got older grandparents or young children coming to your wedding, the marquee turns in to the perfect chill out area for more in depth conversations and as space for guests to rest and have a cuppa. I’ve seen the marquee host a photo booth for guests which is always a fun activity, or a magician entertaining both the adult and younger guests alike. 

The parties at Elms Barn are always at full whack, with some serious dance moves being thrown and the drinks flowing, between the clinking of glasses and conversations over candlelight and watching the stars. 

Making your relaxed wedding photography at Elms Barn unique

Every wedding at Elms Barn is as unique as the couple getting married, so it stands to reason that the relaxed photography I offer at Elms Barn is unique to you, too. I’ve photographed Suffolk weddings here so many times but even now, I always find new places to take my couples for their relaxed portraits and group photos. 

This Suffolk barn wedding venue is so ideal for a luxury but relaxed wedding photographer. There are so many rustic spots to photograph in, whether we’re wandering over the bridge in front of the big house, lounging the benches in the walled garden, having a quiet moment in rose walk, or strolling down the quiet, picturesque country lane outside. With Elms Barn as your Suffolk wedding venue, your couples portraits and group photographs will be utterly gorgeous.

If you’re looking for a photographer from your wedding at Elms Barn, you can find out more about what I offer here; I’d love to hear from you.

For ideas from my past couples weddings at Elms Barn, you can check these galleries here: Emily & Ben / Katie & Adam / Michelle & Richard / Lesley & Rob