St Audries Park is a historic country estate and manor house wedding venue set in the heart of the Somerset countryside, and it comfortably sits in my top five wedding locations.
From the moment you arrive through the gates, you know you are somewhere special. The long drive, the surrounding countryside, and the sheer presence of St Audries Park immediately set the tone for a wedding day that feels grand without being overwhelming. It is one of those venues that feels impressive but still warm and welcoming, which is not an easy balance to strike.
I arrived nice and early with my second photographer Brandon, which is always something I build into my day wherever possible. That early arrival time allows us to familiarise ourselves with the layout, walk the grounds, and spot potential locations before the day really gets going. We met up with the staff shortly after arriving, and they could not have been more helpful. They made sure we were parked in the best possible spot, showed us a few shortcuts around the estate that saved a lot of time later in the day, and generally treated us exceptionally well.
That level of support from a venue team makes a huge difference. When staff understand how photographers work and actively help rather than hinder, everything runs more smoothly. It allows us to focus on doing what we do best, documenting the day naturally and without unnecessary stress.
This was a December wedding, which always brings its own atmosphere and considerations. Over the years, I have noticed that couples tend to fall into two camps when it comes to winter weddings. Some couples want to avoid Christmas decorations as much as possible, while others fully embrace the season and everything that comes with it. This couple absolutely embraced it, and it worked beautifully.
The festive décor throughout St Audries Park added warmth, character, and a real sense of occasion. Christmas trees, seasonal touches, and soft lighting complemented the historic feel of the building perfectly. It never felt forced or overdone, instead it enhanced the space and made everything feel even more inviting on what was a very wintry day outside.
Bridal preparation took place within the house, in one of the larger and brighter rooms. This space was ideal. It had plenty of natural light, which is always a priority for me during prep, and it was refreshingly well organised. Clutter is usually the biggest challenge during bridal prep, but on this occasion, there was very little to deal with. I only needed to move a few small items around, and the bridal party were incredibly helpful and relaxed, which set a great tone for the rest of the morning.
Those early moments are some of my favourites to photograph. The quiet anticipation, the final touches of makeup, the subtle nerves mixed with excitement. Because the space was so easy to work in, I was able to focus entirely on capturing genuine moments rather than worrying about logistics.
Then came the ceremony room, and it really deserves its own moment. Walking into that space for the first time was genuinely impressive. The room is stunning. The scale, the architectural detail, and the atmosphere all combine to create something truly special. What made it even better was the lighting.
No additional lighting was needed at all. In seven years of photographing weddings, this has only happened twice. The light throughout the room and across the ceiling was already perfect. It was soft, flattering, and evenly spread, which meant I could work quietly and unobtrusively without introducing flashes or additional equipment. As a photographer, that is an absolute dream.
The ceremony itself was emotional, intimate, and beautifully paced. Being able to move freely and discreetly allowed me to capture genuine reactions from both the couple and their guests. Those small glances, smiles, and moments of emotion are what really tell the story of a ceremony, and this space allowed all of that to unfold naturally.
As expected for a December wedding, the weather outside was mostly rainy. Under normal circumstances, that might cause concern for couples, but at a venue like St Audries Park, it simply does not matter. There are so many incredible indoor spaces and sheltered areas that the weather becomes almost irrelevant. In many ways, the rain outside added to the cosy, atmospheric feel inside the venue.
The couple had been very clear from the start about what they wanted from their photography. They were not interested in long, posed bride and groom photo sessions. Instead, they wanted candid, natural images that reflected how the day actually felt. This approach suits both my style and this venue perfectly.
Rather than pulling them away from their guests, I focused on capturing them as they moved through the day. Talking, laughing, greeting friends and family, sharing quiet moments together. These are the images that bring a wedding gallery to life. St Audries Park provides such strong backdrops that you do not need to force anything. The surroundings do the work while the moments happen naturally.
Guest reactions throughout the day were wonderful to photograph. There was a real warmth among everyone there, and you could tell how much it meant for people to be celebrating together. The festive setting, combined with the intimacy of the day, created an atmosphere where people felt relaxed and present. That always shows in the photographs.
As the day moved into the evening, the energy shifted into full celebration mode. One of the highlights for everyone was the sparklers later in the evening. Sparklers are always popular, but at St Audries Park they felt particularly special. They brought everyone together, created lots of laughter, and gave the evening a real sense of occasion. From a photography point of view, they also look fantastic and add another layer to the story of the day.
The main dance room was absolutely stunning for the first dance. The layout, lighting, and overall atmosphere made it the perfect setting to end the day on a high. Everything came together in that moment. The venue, the couple, the guests, and the energy in the room all aligned perfectly, and it was a pleasure to photograph.
St Audries Park is one of those venues that genuinely understands weddings. It works for couples, it works for guests, and it works incredibly well for photographers. The combination of beautiful spaces, thoughtful staff, and flexibility makes it a joy to work at.
I truly hope to return there again in the future. It is a venue that never feels repetitive, always offers something new visually, and consistently delivers an exceptional wedding experience. I absolutely loved photographing a wedding at St Audries Park, and it remains firmly one of my favourite places to work.
Equipment used on the day
2x Sony A7IV
Sony 70 to 200mm f2.8 GM V2
Sony 24 to 70mm f2.8 GM V2
Sony 24mm f1.4
Sony 85mm f1.4
Godox AD600 Pro flash
Godox V1 speedlights on both cameras, each controlling the other lights
Godox AD200 strobes positioned on each side of the reception room
If you need a wedding photographer for your wedding at St Audries Park please get in touch!
