HINTS & TIPS FOR YOUR PELHAM HOUSE WEDDINGS

Getting Ready at Pelham House

One of the things I love about Pelham House is that it offers dedicated spaces for both sides of the wedding party to get ready in comfort. The stylish Pelham Suite is spacious, flooded with natural light, and ideal for bridal preparations. You’ll have space to spread out with your hair and makeup team, enjoy a glass of fizz with your wedding party, and savour those quiet moments before you walk down the aisle.

If your partner is getting ready on-site too, the venue provides separate areas to ensure you won’t bump into each other before the ceremony – perfect if you want to keep that first look for the aisle.

Tip: Ask your florist to deliver your bouquets and buttonholes to your suite in the morning so everything is ready for your detail photos. The clean lines and soft colour palette of the rooms make a perfect backdrop for capturing all the little touches you’ve carefully chosen.

Ceremony Spaces Filled with Light

Pelham House offers several options for your ceremony, whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a grand celebration.

The Goring Room is a beautiful space for civil ceremonies, with tall Georgian windows that flood the room with light. From a photography perspective, this natural illumination is ideal for capturing those emotional moments as you exchange vows, without the need for intrusive flash.

For larger weddings, the Garden Room offers a spacious, contemporary setting with views across the lawns. In summer, you also have the option to marry outside on the manicured Terrace, with the house as your backdrop – a truly romantic scene that feels quintessentially English.

Tip: If you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, be sure to think about the position of the sun. The venue team are fantastic at helping you plan timings so you and your guests won’t be squinting, and your photographs will have a lovely soft light.

Elegant Receptions Indoors and Out

After your ceremony, guests can enjoy drinks and canapés on the terrace or in the walled gardens while we slip away for some relaxed couple portraits. Pelham House’s gardens are a joy to photograph – neat topiary, sweeping lawns, and colourful borders that change with the seasons.

For your wedding breakfast, the Garden Room is transformed into an elegant dining space with views across the grounds. The styling is effortlessly sophisticated, with neutral walls, contemporary lighting, and space for up to 150 guests.

When it comes to your evening celebrations, the space is seamlessly turned around for dancing, with plenty of room for a live band or DJ. The private bar and dancefloor are just steps away from the terrace, so guests can mingle inside and out as the evening unfolds.

Tip: Golden hour at Pelham House is not to be missed. As the sun dips behind the rooftops of Lewes, the gardens are bathed in the most beautiful soft light – perfect for a short walk to capture some natural, romantic portraits before your first dance.

Beautiful Backdrops for Photography

From a photographer’s perspective, Pelham House offers a wealth of beautiful backdrops that make every wedding feel unique.

The grand staircase is a lovely spot for capturing portraits with a touch of drama, while the front facade provides an iconic backdrop for group photos. The gardens, with their mix of manicured borders and sweeping lawns, are ideal for relaxed couple portraits that feel timeless and elegant.

Inside, the neutral interiors ensure your colour palette always shines, whether you’ve chosen soft pastels, rich jewel tones, or classic whites and greens.

Hints and Tips for a Pelham House Wedding

• Plan a Confetti Moment: The steps at the front of the house are perfect for a confetti throw. I recommend biodegradable confetti in soft tones that complement the brickwork – it always looks fantastic in photos.
• Consider a First Look: If you’re nervous about the ceremony, a first look in the gardens can be a beautiful way to have a private moment together and ease any nerves.
• Make Time for Sunset Photos: The light in the early evening is truly special here. Build in 15 minutes to step outside with me for some natural portraits that will be some of your favourites from the day.
• Stay Overnight: Pelham House has 29 bedrooms, so you and your guests can relax and stay on-site, making the celebration last that little bit longer.
• Trust the Team: The in-house wedding coordinators are brilliant and know the venue inside out. They’ll help ensure everything runs smoothly so you can focus on enjoying your day.

Your Pelham House Story

Every wedding at Pelham House is unique, and as your photographer, my goal is to capture it all in a way that feels true to you – the laughter, the quiet moments, and all the wonderful details in between.

If you’re planning a wedding at Pelham House and would love natural, relaxed photography that tells the full story of your celebration, I’d be delighted to hear from you. Feel free to get in touch to check my availability, ask any questions, or simply have a chat about your plans.