Hi, my name is Matt and I’m an award-winning, documentary Southampton wedding photographer. Most recently I won Best Documentary Wedding Photographer in the South East in the Global Wedding Awards.
Based just along the coast in Brighton I cover, Southampton, Hampshire and also frequently travel across the UK and abroad to photograph weddings.
A Bit About Me
Hi, I’m Matt. I was fortunate enough to have grown up in the Caribbean and now live Brighton with my wife, Lara and and our young daughter, India.
When I’m not shooting weddings, we love travelling, snowboarding, seeing our favourite artists playing live and scouting out the latest restaurants and quirky pop ups that Brighton has to offer.
My style of wedding photography is best described as relaxed and natural, capturing the moments throughout the day as they happened. There won’t be any awkward posing and I won’t have you away from your guests and the party for ages taking photos. The only thing that you need to concentrate on is having the best day of your life and I’ll be there to capture it all.
Wedding Photography Southampton
In Southampton and the surrounding areas, we’re really spoilt for choice when it comes to wedding venues. Whether you looking for a beautiful historic wedding venue, a rustic countryside setting, DIY and everything in between they’ve got it all. Below are some popular wedding venues to suit different styles.
Historic Wedding Venues Near Southampton
Larmer Tree
If you’re looking for a quintessentially English countryside wedding then this could be the place for you. Larmer Tree is truly a special and unique place to celebrate your big day.
The venue is set within 11 acres of Victorian pleasure gardens, originally created in 1880 by General Pitt Rivers. The garden boasts a varied collection of ornate buildings, such as the Singing Theatre and Roman Temple. The Roman Temple proved a particularly beautiful backdrop for outdoor ceremonies in the warmer months. In the colder months or when the English weather isn’t playing ball the charming Victorian Jubilee Hall with I’s canopied ceiling is also wonderful space for your ceremony.
With space for up to 150 guests for dinner and up to 250 for the evening party there’s plenty of space to accommodate weddings of all sizes.
Sopley Mill
Spoley Mill is a beautiful, newly renovated watermill. With the River Avon on both sides it sits with uninterrupted views across the water and countryside beyond.
Though the original Mill was first built in 1066, the current building was constructed around 1780. Following various uses over the years, renovations then started in 2013 to bring it back to reinstate its former glory. With it’s original feature, oak beams and beautiful gardens, the Mill is another stunning and very unique wedding venue near Southampton.
You’re able to have your ceremony here, with two beautiful rooms available, one for smaller weddings of up to around 25 guests and another that can seat up to 100 guests. They also have the capacity for up to 140 for the evening celebrations.
Wedding Barns Near Southampton
Bury Court
A short drive out from Southampton there is some wonderful barn venues. The first that I would like to mention is called Bury Court.
You can get your wedding day preparations in the stunning Oast House. Then when it comes to the ceremony you’ve got the option of having it outdoors at their rustic gazebo or indoors in the main hall of the barn. The main hall of the barn boasts beautiful high ceilings and traditional wood beams.
Outside the barn lays the walled garden, beautifully manicured and has been designed to look great all year round. A feature that they’re particularly proud of.
Grittenham Barn
Another beautiful barn wedding venue nearby is Grittenahm Barn. A sympathetically restored traditional stone barn located in the heart of the Sussex countryside and has incredible views of the South Downs.
The barn is licensed for ceremonies and can fit 150 seated or up to 250 standing, so there’s plenty of space no matter the size of the wedding The lake, gardens, orchard and woodland that surround the property make it a very tranquil and special place to have your wedding. Not to mention also offer some wonderful photo opportunities. I’m always on the lookout.
Southampton DIY Wedding Venues
Holywell Estate
If you’re looking for a DIY wedding venue near Southampton then Holywell Estate is a great place to start.
Set in the beautiful countryside of the Meon Valley the estate extends over 900 acres covering everything form farmland, woodland to lakes, manicured lawns and gardens.
In the newly renovated walled garden sits a tipi that can be used for your reception and is the perfect blank canvas to create your own unique reception venue. Furthermore, you’ve got the characterful historic features of the Grade II listed house and charming gardens as backdrop and for photo opportunities.
Here are some of my favourite images from weddings in Southampton and across Sussex
If you’re looking for a Southampton wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you.