Monkton Barn wedding photography is every photographer’s dream – a mix of rustic barns, meadows, woodland ceremony spots, and joyful, relaxed couples who want real moments over stiff poses. This beautiful Buckinghamshire wedding venue, just outside Marlow, has it all, and this day was one of our absolute favourites to photograph.
Real Moments, Woodland Light & Epic Party Vibes
If you love the idea of saying “I do” under the trees, laughing your way through confetti, and dancing in the rain, you’ll love this Monkton Barn wedding. From woodland vows to smoke bombs and ice cream, this day had everything. Here’s how we captured it all with our signature DOCU-ART wedding photography style – real, relaxed, and bursting with joy.
Getting Ready at Monkton Barn – Two Rooms, One Hilarious Challenge
Both our bride and groom got ready right at Monkton Barn, which makes the day flow effortlessly.
The bride prepped in the Hen House, while the groom was just next door in another barn room. Cue some sneaky corridor moments and close calls, especially on toilet runs! Watching them both try to avoid seeing each other was pure comedy, and it set the tone for a relaxed, laughter-filled morning.
For a documentary wedding photographer, this kind of morning is gold – genuine reactions, laughter, and nerves, all in one place.
A Woodland Ceremony Full of Heart
The ceremony took place in the woodland meadow, easily one of the most romantic outdoor ceremony spaces in Buckinghamshire.
The bride’s aunt, a vicar by profession, acted as celebrant and blended Christian elements with non-religious touches. There was singing, laughter, and a lot of emotion, a ceremony that truly reflected their personalities and families.
From a wedding photography perspective, that woodland light was incredible. Soft, warm, and beautifully filtered through the trees, the dream setup for natural wedding photography that feels alive and real.
Confetti, Couple Photos, and Clever Timing
After the “I do’s”, guests showered the couple in confetti as they walked through the courtyard, a classic Monkton Barn wedding moment.
Then, instead of waiting until later, we took the newlyweds straight back to the woodland area for portraits. A little tactical planning goes a long way, we knew rain was on the way, so we made the most of the perfect light while everyone enjoyed drinks.
The results? Relaxed, joyful Monkton Barn wedding photos surrounded by greenery, captured before a single drop fell.
Garden Games, Canapés, and That Famous Marquee
By the time we returned, the courtyard was buzzing. Guests were enjoying canapés, Prosecco, and garden games, including a very competitive round of giant Jenga!
The atmosphere was pure happiness – easy, natural, and fun.
Then, as if on cue, the skies opened. Everyone moved into the marquee, safe and dry, just as the rain started pouring down. Luckily, we’d already ticked off portraits and group shots, so our couple could simply relax and enjoy the evening.
This is why we love Monkton Barn wedding photography, everything is right there, perfectly connected, whatever the weather.
KEY FACTS
Location: Just outside Marlow, Buckinghamshire, surrounded by rolling meadows and woodland magic.
Vibe: Relaxed, rustic-chic and 100% exclusive-use. A barn, a meadow, a woodland dell, all yours for the day.
Prep: Bride in the Hen House, groom next door, cue hilarious “don’t look yet!” moments.
Ceremony: Woodland vows under the trees or cosy indoor “I do’s” in the barn or marquee.
Confetti: The courtyard is perfect for those cinematic slow-mo throws.
Reception: Drinks, canapés, lawn games and laughter, think giant Jenga and a meadow backdrop.
Marquee Magic: Rain? No problem. The bright marquee keeps the party glowing whatever the weather.
Photos We Love:
Woodland dell for golden light & romance.
Meadow for sunset portraits.
Barn for warm, rustic charm.
Night shots + dance floor = epic DOCU-ART moments.
Style: Festival vibes meet fine-art photography: relaxed, real, and full of personality.
Why We Love It: You never have to leave. Every backdrop, every laugh, every memory, all in one beautiful place.
Speeches, Smoke Bombs, and Dancing in the Rain
Speeches brought a mix of laughter and tears (as the best ones always do), followed by a delicious wedding breakfast.
Then came one of our favourite moments, smoke bomb photos! We dashed outside between showers to create some epic, colourful portraits, full of movement and joy.
Later, guests were treated to ice cream and dancing. Because Monkton Barn has no sound restrictions and a late-night licence, the party kept going, and we stayed to capture the dance floor chaos with our off-camera flash, ensuring every frame popped with colour and emotion.
This is where candid wedding photography really comes alive, real people, real fun, no awkward posing.
Why We Love Photographing Weddings at Monkton Barn
We’ve photographed hundreds of weddings, and Monkton Barn is easily one of our top UK barn wedding venues.
Everything about it supports storytelling: the flow between spaces, the friendly staff, and that perfect mix of rustic charm and open countryside. It’s also one of those rare places that works in any season, the barn for cosy winter weddings, the meadow for summer sunshine.
For couples looking for natural, documentary wedding photography that feels effortless, Monkton Barn is a dream.
Planning Your Monkton Barn Wedding?
If you’re planning a Monkton Barn wedding, we’d love to chat. We know the best spots, timings, and light, from the Hen House prep to golden hour portraits in the meadow.
Get in touch to check our availability and see more Monkton Barn wedding photography in our portfolio.
Let’s capture your day naturally: laughter, tears, rain and all.
