When I first visited Wasing Park in late 2007, I remember walking through a draughty barn minus much of it’s roof on a windy and rainy winter’s morning. I looked at plans and listened to ideas. I’ve shot over one hundred weddings at Wasing Park since that day. Every wish mooted during that meeting seems to have come to fruition.
Wasing Park; Berkshire’s much sought after barn and country estate wedding venue is well positioned for religious and civil ceremonies, being one of the few venues in the south to have it’s own parish church within it’s grounds. The following pictures show a journey Neale has made photographing at one of the country’s most desirable wedding venues, including various Photofilms; a fusion of stills and real sounds from the day, an editorial account of a each couple’s big day.
The beautiful 15th Century Parish Church of St. Nicholas in the grounds and indeed shadow of the venue’s Castle Barn is used for marriage ceremonies and blessings. Further unique styled bedrooms have been recently been fashioned to utilise out-buildings such as The Granary and Dovecote. Since 2011, the Victorian summerhouse has been available for civil wedding and partnership ceremonies. Located within private gardens, this classic hexagonal structure is surrounded by lawns where guests are seated for the ceremony.
The alternative to marrying in the gardens, or Parish Church is to make use of the purpose built Ceremony Barn, also known as the Garden Room. The Barn is spacious, light and airy with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency; a truly ‘green’ wedding venue. It has full disabled access and can seat up to 140 guests for a civil ceremony.
Following the wedding ceremony, there is continued exclusive use of a private walled garden that creates a fabulous backdrop for wedding photography during the afternoon drinks reception. Guests are then invited to dine in a Grade II listed Castle Barn, savouring exceptional food and wine provided by Wasing Park’s in house catering partner, Galloping Gourmet.