Chiddingstone Castle Wedding Photographer
Natural, Timeless Wedding Photography at Chiddingstone Castle
If you're planning your wedding at Chiddingstone Casle, you're choosing one of Kent's most picturesque and historic wedding venues.
From the beautiful gardens and grounds to the elegant indoor spaces, coupled with the most amazing outdoor ceremony location in Kent, every part of Chiddingstone castle offers incredible opportunities for natural, stunning relaxed wedding photography.
I'm David Burke, a Kent Wedding Photographer who captures genuine moments with minimal interruption, allowing you to enjoy your day while creating timeless images you'll treasure for years to come.
Planning your Chiddingstone Castle Wedding? I'd love to hear all about it.
Why Chiddingstone Castle is one of Kent's most beautiful wedding venues
Chiddingstone Castle combines centuries of history with beautiful landscaped grounds plus wild woodland areas, a lake and a stunning bridge and outdoor ceremony area. This all makes if one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Kent. As a Kent wedding photographer, I'd have to say it's one of my favourite wedding venues to photograph at.
Whether you're planning an intimate ceremony or a larger celebration, the venue offers a wonderful mix of elegant interiors, colourful gardens, peaceful countryside and more formal landscaping, giving endless variety throughout your wedding photographs.
Wedding Photography at Chiddingstone Castle
As a Chiddingstone Castle wedding photographer, my approach to is mostly documentary-led, capturing genuine emotion without endless awkward posing. Rather than take you away from your guests for one long period, I'll fit a few smaller sessions away from the guests in natural breaks in proceedings, making the most of the stunning locations and the light to capture wedding photographs in the many stunning locations around Chiddingstone Castle.
Using those few quieter moments in your wedding day (such as once you've finished eating but the guests are still being served) allows us to photograph these moments in the most efficient way possible, taking in all the amazing photography locations at Chiddingstone Castle.
My Favourite wedding photography locations around Chiddingstone Castle
The lake and bridge
An amazing spot for dramatic wedding pictures at Chiddingstone. The natural leading lines of the bridge, coupled with the dark background of the woods really makes the centre portion of the bridge really pop for some amazing bride and groom portraits. A "must have" wedding photography shot.
Outdoor ceremony area
In my opinion THE best outdoor ceremony location in Kent. Massively spacious, with a very high glass ceiling, which means you'll be in the same light your guests are in (outdoor gazebo locations have a massive difference in lighting on you in the shade and your guests out in the sun, making it very difficult to get both exposed correctly). Makes for perfect wedding photographs.
This area can also be used for those final, off camera 'wow' wedding photography images!
Woodland area
This area is a bit wilder than the flower borders, the open shade and high grass make for awesome portraits especially with a bit of wind to make the grass move. I love this area of Chiddingstone Castle!
Rear doors to the castle
Brilliant architecture in their own right and great for photos and groups, the rear doors are great if the weather isn't perfect, allowing you to remain under cover in the dry (while I get wet outside!)
There are also some nice smaller doors and rose garden areas here, especially suited to bridal portraits.
The Great Hall
A large, galleried hall perfect for indoor ceremonies and the wedding breakfast, This is also where the first dance and party are held later!
Real weddings at Chiddingstone Castle
Tips for planning your Wedding Photography at Chiddingstone Castle
Confetti
Always a great wedding photography shot, if you're using the outdoor ceremony space for your wedding then confetti will be as you exit the ceremony down the aisle. An indoor ceremony will see you exit the main front doors where confetti will take place.
If you're using individual bags then these can be left on the seats for the guests; if you're handing out loose confetti then assign someone to hand it out as soon as you go up to sign the register - make sure they're aware of how much you have and how many guests it needs to go round so that the first few guests don't end up taking huge handfuls and then there's none left for the last guests.
Group shots
The direction of the light is the most important aspect for group shots. I've done groups at Chiddingstone Castle at a variety of places:
Using the roses and the east side of the castle (where we can also use a window to get a big group of everyone if you want it.
Large rear doors, which are also useful if it's raining and you need a bit of shelter
Front doors also are good for groups
The Bridge
An iconic photo location at Chiddingstone - but it gets windy so if you're having a veil, make sure it's held in place well!
Golden Hour
As the sun sets either behind the castle or towards the car park, you won't get really low sun shots due the trees, but of course you'll always get that lovely quality of light that Golden Hour affords to wedding photography.
Chiddingstone Castle Frequently Asked Questions
Have you photographed weddings at Chiddingstone Castle before?
I've shot at Chiddingstone multiple times, covering weddings both indoors, outdoors, with ceremonies elsewhere and also a Jewish ceremony outdoors!
What are the best places for couples portraits?
THe bridge to me, is simply a must! The pathway leading down to it is also a great shot when you walk back towards the Castle. I'd also recommend the woodland area, and the area around the huge rear doors. All amazing photography locations. I'll use my many years of experience on the day to determine tehe best areas and the best light.
What happens if it rains?
With regards to couples portraits, if it's not too heavy we can always go out and get in place with an umbrella. The rear doors also work well to keep you guys dry. If the weather's really bad then we just need to be flexible and if we see a gap in the rain - out we go!
Group shots can be done at the rear doors so you're under cover.
How long should we allow for photographs?
Group shot-wise, I'd always say to allow 30 mins to do my recommended number of shots (10), I also recommend keeping these to immediate family and the wedding party and we'll grab all of those people, keep them there and release them as soon as I'm done. If we're on point, 20 mins should do it.
With regards to couples pictures - it's up to you! I'd recommend two smaller sessions though, one on the bridge and then one later after the meal when the light is going to be more soft, warm and flattering. i'd usually try to do two 15 min or so photography sessions.
Do you work with the venue coordinators?
Of course! Although my job is the photography, I will always liaise with the coordinators to ensure we stay on track. No diva behaviour from this photographer!
Tips for planning your Wedding Photography at Chiddingstone Castle
Confetti
Always a great wedding photography shot, if you're using the outdoor ceremony space for your wedding then confetti will be as you exit the ceremony down the aisle. An indoor ceremony will see you exit the main front doors where confetti will take place.
If you're using individual bags then these can be left on the seats for the guests; if you're handing out loose confetti then assign someone to hand it out as soon as you go up to sign the register - make sure they're aware of how much you have and how many guests it needs to go round so that the first few guests don't end up taking huge handfuls and then there's none left for the last guests.
Group shots
The direction of the light is the most important aspect for group shots. I've done groups at Chiddingstone Castle at a variety of places:
Using the roses and the east side of the castle (where we can also use a window to get a big group of everyone if you want it.
Large rear doors, which are also useful if it's raining and you need a bit of shelter
Front doors also are good for groups
The Bridge
An iconic photo location at Chiddingstone - but it gets windy so if you're having a veil, make sure it's held in place well!
Golden Hour
As the sun sets either behind the castle or towards the car park, you won't get really low sun shots due the trees, but of course you'll always get that lovely quality of light that Golden Hour affords to wedding photography.
Chiddingstone Castle Frequently Asked Questions
Have you photographed weddings at Chiddingstone Castle before?
I've shot at Chiddingstone multiple times, covering weddings both indoors, outdoors, with ceremonies elsewhere and also a Jewish ceremony outdoors!
What are the best places for couples portraits?
THe bridge to me, is simply a must! The pathway leading down to it is also a great shot when you walk back towards the Castle. I'd also recommend the woodland area, and the area around the huge rear doors. All amazing photography locations. I'll use my many years of experience on the day to determine tehe best areas and the best light.
What happens if it rains?
With regards to couples portraits, if it's not too heavy we can always go out and get in place with an umbrella. The rear doors also work well to keep you guys dry. If the weather's really bad then we just need to be flexible and if we see a gap in the rain - out we go!
Group shots can be done at the rear doors so you're under cover.
How long should we allow for photographs?
Group shot-wise, I'd always say to allow 30 mins to do my recommended number of shots (10), I also recommend keeping these to immediate family and the wedding party and we'll grab all of those people, keep them there and release them as soon as I'm done. If we're on point, 20 mins should do it.
With regards to couples pictures - it's up to you! I'd recommend two smaller sessions though, one on the bridge and then one later after the meal when the light is going to be more soft, warm and flattering. i'd usually try to do two 15 min or so photography sessions.
Do you work with the venue coordinators?
Of course! Although my job is the photography, I will always liaise with the coordinators to ensure we stay on track. No diva behaviour from this photographer!
Looking for a Chiddingstone Castle Wedding Photographer?
If you're planning a wedding at Chiddingstone Castle and are looking for relaxed, natural photography that captures the atmospher of the day, I'd love to hear from you.
Chiddingstone Castle wedding photographer
Pricing information from my wedding photography prices page
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