As an Essex wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of capturing countless moments at Villiers Barn. In this post, I’ll share some of my favourite features and highlight some photos I’ve captured there!
Tucked away in the village of Thorpe-Le-Soken, Essex, Villiers Barn wedding venue is the ultimate blend of rustic charm and modern elegance. Surrounded by lush gardens and stunning countryside, this family-run venue sets the stage for a wedding day that’s as beautiful as it is memorable. From the gorgeous barn to the peaceful outdoor spaces, it’s the perfect spot for couples seeking romance and style.
The history of Villiers Barn
Villiers Barn is a stunning Grade II listed barn in rural Essex, lovingly restored to maintain its historic charm while offering modern elegance. Originally part of a grand estate, it’s set against a picturesque backdrop, with a tree-lined drive leading up to the beautiful Georgian house. This perfect blend of history and beauty creates an unforgettable setting for a wedding day celebration.
Ceremony Barn
The Ceremony Barn at Villiers Barn, once part of the estate’s stable block, has been beautifully transformed into a warm and romantic space for weddings. With high wooden beams, soft natural light, and views of the courtyard, it creates the perfect atmosphere for saying “I do.” The venue is fully licensed for civil ceremonies and can be personalised to fit any style, making it ideal for capturing beautiful, timeless photos. Plus, it comfortably seats up to 150 guests!
The Grand Barn
Grand by name and Grand by design. The Grand Barn is the heart of the celebration at Villiers Barn! With its soaring ceilings, rustic beams, and open-plan layout, this space is perfect for everything from dining to dancing. Whether it’s the speeches, cake cutting, or lively dancing, the atmosphere is warm and inviting, ensuring unforgettable moments. It’s where memories are made and fun takes centre stage, all in a stunning setting that’s ideal for photos and celebration.
The Bridal Suite
The Bridal Suite at Villiers Barn was once a coach house and has been transformed into an on-site space for brides to prepare. Just 25 meters from the Grand Barn and Ceremony Room, it’s the perfect spot for those final touches before the big moment. With access from 9 a.m. on the day of your wedding.
Dog friendly wedding venue in Essex
At Villiers Barn, your furry friends are welcome to join in the wedding fun! They can be part of the ceremony and even feature in your wedding photos, making it a special way to include them. While dogs can attend the ceremony and be in the photos, they have to be taken home before the wedding breakfast. This is perfect for pups, as it gives them a chance to relax at doggy daycare while you enjoy the rest of your celebration.
Picture perfect even on the rainest of days
Villiers Barn is a great venue, rain or shine! Having photographed weddings there in all kinds of weather, I can confidently say it’s beautiful year-round. Even on the wettest days, the Grand Barn provides a stunning backdrop for both couple portraits and group shots. And if you’re up for a little adventure, we can venture outside with umbrellas—who knows, you might even get lucky and catch a rainbow like Laura and Aaron did on their special day! It’s proof that a rainy wedding day can still be magical.
The buildings and grounds at Villiers Barn
Some of my favourite photos taken at Villiers Barn wedding venue
Planning your Essex wedding at the Villiers Barn?
As a wedding photographer local to Villiers Barn with extensive experience capturing this beautiful venue in all weather conditions, I know just how to showcase its charm. I’d be delighted to document your special day, from the venue’s picturesque backdrop to the joyful moments with your loved ones. Let’s create stunning, unforgettable memories together. Get in touch, and let’s start chatting about your special day!
Photography testimonial from a Villiers Barn couple
“After following Gemma for some time on social media, I knew that when we were planning our wedding, she would be the perfect photographer for our special day. We were particularly drawn to Gemma’s relaxed and documentary style photos as well as her light, soft and natural editing.
Shortly after getting engaged, we reached out to Gemma for more information about her wedding photography packages. She quickly came back and we booked in a video call to chat more with her and about our special day.
A month or so before the wedding, Gemma arranged another video call to talk through the final details of our day and our photo list. She was great at offering advice and suggestions, all while being open to our ideas and making sure we still had plenty of time to spend with guests on the day.
From bridal prep through the to the speeches and first dance, Gemma and her brilliant second shooter, Clint, captured our whole day and every moment in between. Both Gemma and Clint were professional yet super friendly and approachable and seamlessly integrated themselves into the day. They made us and everyone feel completely at ease in front of the camera.
Battling slightly unpredictable and windy weather on the day, Gemma still managed to capture all of the group photos, details and moments we had asked for perfectly, as well as documenting the day, our guests and fun couple photos.
We received a selection of beautiful previews the day after our wedding which was such a lovely surprise and then the full album within just a few weeks which was amazing to receive them back so quickly!
As well as being an amazing photographer, Gemma is also so lovely and down to earth.
The photos were all we could have hoped for and more. We highly recommend Gemma to anyone looking for a professional, friendly and documentary-style photographer for their special day. Thank you so much Gemma for capturing special memories that we can treasure forever!”
