Windy Days, Warm Barns, and “Plan B” Magic at Hunters Hall
Today’s wedding was one for the books! We kicked off the day with an early start for the long drive up to Hunters Hall in Norfolk.
We arrived a good couple of hours ahead of schedule, which turned out to be a stroke of genius. It gave us plenty of time to explore the beautiful grounds, though the weather definitely had other ideas—the wind was wild! Our hair was blowing all over the place, but thankfully, the venue’s event team was amazing and let us in early to shelter from the elements.
Morning Prep & The Park Room
Having bridal prep happen right on-site is always a major plus for us. The bridal suite was cozy and, crucially for us photographers, had fantastic makeup lights. It made those getting-ready moments feel intimate, fun, and perfectly lit.
As the day went on, the skies darkened, but the excitement didn’t drop one bit. Emma stayed with the bride in the suite, while I headed out to capture the anticipation of the arriving guests and the groomsmen trying to hold down the fort against the breeze.
The ceremony was held in the Park Room, a lovely light-filled space that felt totally magical despite the grey skies outside. I managed to catch some great shots of the bride and her father waiting to walk down the aisle, while Emma captured the groom’s nervous energy right beside me.
Hedges, Cows, and Clearing Skies
Right when the couple shared their first kiss, the weather gods smiled on us—the gloomy weather unexpectedly cleared up! We seized the moment and dashed outside for group photos.
The wind was still being a bit feisty, so we had to get creative. We sheltered everyone by shooting against a lovely high hedge—a clever little fix that kept the hair disasters to a minimum! The couple was super relaxed and even requested a fun portrait under a quirky cow’s head mounting on the wall. It’s those little personality-filled shots we love the most.
Caricatures & Starlit Dancing
While guests mingled and made their way to the bar, we snagged a few more portraits in the garden before heading in for the wedding breakfast.
The speeches were absolute gold—there were some hilarious moments that had the whole room roaring. A massive highlight was the wedding Illustrator they hired, who was sketching guest caricatures throughout the day. It added such a fun, unique vibe to the celebration.
The evening reception kicked off in the main Starlit Barn. With the DJ keeping the dance floor lively, we captured the enchanting moments of the cake cutting and the couple’s first dance under those twinkling lights.
It was a beautiful end to a day filled with love, laughter, and a little bit of wind! It’s days like these that remind Emma and me why documenting these celebrations is such a privilege.
Venue Spotlight
Hunters Hall
Park Farm, Swanton Morley, Dereham NR20 4JU
If you are planning a wedding at this stunning Norfolk venue, here are a few tips to help your day run smoothly:
Stay on Site: Hunters Hall has 11 ensuite bedrooms (including a Honeymoon Suite). We highly recommend booking these for your nearest and dearest—it takes the stress out of travel and keeps the party going longer!
The Park Room: If you love natural light, this is the spot for your ceremony. It has views over the meadow and floods with light, making it a photographer’s dream even on cloudy days.
Ample Parking: Unlike some rural venues where parking can be a nightmare, there is plenty of complimentary on-site parking here. Definitely let your guests know this in your invites so they can drive up stress-free.
Wedding Video
