Southend Barns Wedding Photographer
Barns, gardens and fields on an old farm just outside Chichester. A venue I've photographed for years, with your gallery ready within 24 hrs.
Southend Barns sits on a former working farm on the Selsey Road, a few minutes south of Chichester.
The barns, gardens and yard are all within a short walk of each other, and the venue is yours alone for the day. It's relaxed, it's pretty in every season, and the fields around it are made for late portraits.
A venue I know well
I lived in Chichester for twenty years, and Southend Barns has been a regular for most of them.
I know where the light falls in the barns late in the afternoon, how long it takes to walk out to the fields, and how a Southend day tends to run. That means less standing around for you and your guests.
On the day I work quietly. Group photos are kept to about twenty minutes, portraits take fifteen, and the rest of the time I photograph what actually happens.
Barrie
The spaces at Southend Barns
Everything is close together, so the day never feels spread out.
The Dairy Barn
The indoor ceremony barn. Big windows and soft, even daylight, which is about as kind as ceremony light gets.
The Secret Garden
The outdoor ceremony option. A long aisle up to a raised pagoda, sheltered and green. Lovely in summer, and good for portraits in any season.
The Threshing Barn
Beams, iron chandeliers and big windows onto the gardens, with warm light after dark. The wedding breakfast and the party happen here.
The Collecting Yard and gardens
Hidden courtyards, a terrace bar, a fire pit and landscaped gardens. Where the drinks reception and most of the candid pictures happen.
The Milking Parlour is the bridal suite on site, so getting ready, the ceremony and the evening can all happen in one place.
Where to take portraits at Southend Barns
Fifteen or twenty minutes when the light is right, and you're back with your guests before anyone misses you.
- The fieldsWheat and open sky right behind the venue. Best from late afternoon to sunset.
- The Secret GardenSheltered and green, and easy if the wind picks up.
- The barnsOld walls and big windows for portraits indoors if it rains.
- West WitteringAbout fifteen minutes away if you want the beach at sunset. Worth slipping out for between dinner and the first dance.
The day, in order
Nine frames from Heidi and Christian's spring wedding, in the order they happened. Getting ready at the Ship Hotel in Chichester, the ceremony in the Dairy Barn, then the gardens and dinner in the Threshing Barn.
The rest of their day is in Heidi and Christian's wedding story. There are more Southend Barns weddings from Esther and Rob and Gemma and Michael.
More weddings at Southend Barns
Heidi and Christian are above. These are two more couples I photographed here, each with the full story on the blog.
Doughnuts and a big reveal
Gemma got ready in the Milking Parlour and kept her dress a secret from everyone, bridesmaids included, so we did a reveal. The ceremony was in the Dairy Barn, groups were in the courtyard with drinks, and the cake was a tower of 180 Krispy Kreme doughnuts. After dinner we took a few minutes in the fields in the low evening light.
Read their story
A church, then a ceilidh
Esther and Rob married at St Leodegar's church in Hunston on a hot summer day, then came to Southend Barns for the reception. Drinks were in the Collecting Yard, the Threshing Barn was dressed with lavender and wooden crates, and in the evening guests toasted marshmallows on the fire pits before a ceilidh in the barn.
Read their story
From Gemma and Michael, Esther and Rob, and other Southend Barns weddings I've photographed. There's more in my portfolio.
Planning a Southend Barns wedding
The practical bits couples ask me about, and how they affect your photos.
Getting there and parking
Free parking on site for around 80 cars, with disabled bays. Cars left overnight need collecting by 10am. Chichester station is a short taxi ride away.
Petals only
Confetti has to be natural, like rose petals, and the venue asks couples to provide it rather than guests. Tell me when it's happening and I'll be in front of you as you walk out.
No sparklers, but fireworks
Sparklers and lanterns aren't allowed. Fireworks are, through the venue's approved supplier, if you let them know first. A last dance or a firework finish makes a good ending instead.
Rooms on site
The Milking Parlour and the Mama Lou shepherd's hut each sleep one couple, and there are bell tents in the meadow from April to September.
A typical summer day
Every wedding is different, but this is how a summer Southend Barns day with a 2pm ceremony often runs. The Classic collection covers 11.30am to 7.30pm.
Getting ready
In the Milking Parlour. Hair and make-up, the dress, and the details while the light is good.
The ceremony
In the Dairy Barn or the Secret Garden. I stay out of the way and keep the camera quiet.
Confetti, drinks and groups
Petals on the way out, then drinks in the Collecting Yard. Family groups take about twenty minutes.
Portraits
Fifteen minutes in the Secret Garden or the gardens, then back to your guests.
Wedding breakfast and speeches
In the Threshing Barn. Speeches before or after the meal both work for photos.
Cake and first dance
The barn lights come on, and the evening guests arrive.
Sunset in the fields
In June and July, five minutes in the fields as the sun goes down. Worth adding Premium for if this is the photo you want.
When the sun goes down
Sunset decides when the fields look best. These are rough times for Chichester.
Rain doesn't ruin it
The Dairy Barn takes the ceremony, and the barns have big windows and old walls for portraits. If it clears for ten minutes, we pop out to the fields. Wet grass and a big sky can make the best pictures of the day.
Venue details are from Southend Barns' own FAQs. Check anything important with the venue team, as rules can change.
What Southend Barns wedding photography costs
Sussex collections, priced by the hours you actually need. With getting ready on site and the party in the Threshing Barn, most couples here choose Classic or Premium.
Ceremony through to the speeches.
- For smaller weddings and daytime receptions
- Ceremony and drinks
- Portraits in the garden or fields
- Family groups kept short
- Dinner details and speeches
Preparations through to the first dance.
- The standard full Southend Barns day
- Getting ready
- Ceremony, drinks and portraits
- Dinner in the Threshing Barn
- The first dance
Preparations through to the last dance.
- For big celebrations where nothing gets missed
- Everything in Classic
- Sunset portraits in the fields
- The evening party
- An unhurried pace all day
A second photographer is £1,250 and albums are quoted separately. Albums and extras are explained on my wedding prices and collections page. Nearby: Chichester and Goodwood House. The rest of the county is on my Sussex wedding photographer page.
What my couples say
Reviews from Google, written by couples I've photographed.
We had Barrie come by and photograph our civil ceremony / wedding registration at Old Marylebone Town Hall. We wanted it shot in an elopement style as it was just one of the many pre- weddings events …
Barrie was fab! He knew Old Marylebone Town Hall really well (even the registrars knew him). He made us feel comfortable and took us to really cute places to get some special shots. Would highly recom…
Barrie was the photographer for our civil wedding ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall and he was great! Professional, friendly and creative throughout the day. The photos are amazing, stylish and ple…
Barrie is incredible! He is a total pro and the best in the business! We love our photos so much. We got married at trading boundaries and he was the perfect photographer. So special. Thank you Barrie
Barrie was such a great photographer for our wedding from start to finish. He was so friendly and make us feel so calm and relaxed on our big day. The photos he took were amazing and we loved all of t…
Southend Barns wedding questions
Where do ceremonies take place at Southend Barns?
Inside in the Dairy Barn, or outside in the Secret Garden. The wedding breakfast and the party are in the Threshing Barn.
Have you photographed weddings at Southend Barns?
Yes, many times over the years. I lived in Chichester for twenty years and it's been a regular venue for most of them.
Where are the best places for photos at Southend Barns?
The fields behind the venue late in the day, the Secret Garden, and the barns if it rains. West Wittering beach is about fifteen minutes away for sunset.
How much does a Southend Barns wedding photographer cost?
My Sussex collections are £1,150 for five hours, £1,550 for eight and £1,900 for eleven, with every image edited. Galleries come back within 24 hours for smaller weddings and within a week for a full day.
Is Southend Barns exclusive use?
Yes. No other events run alongside yours on the day.
Where can we get ready at Southend Barns?
The Milking Parlour is the bridal suite on site and opens from 11am. Some couples get ready in Chichester instead. Heidi and Christian used the Ship Hotel.
Can we have confetti at Southend Barns?
Yes, as long as it's natural, like rose petals. The venue asks couples to provide it rather than guests bringing their own.
Are sparklers allowed at Southend Barns?
No. Sparklers and lanterns aren't permitted. Fireworks are allowed through the venue's approved supplier if you tell them in advance.
What time does a Southend Barns wedding finish?
Music stops at 11.30pm and everyone is off site by midnight. Most couples have me until the first dance. Premium covers eleven hours if you want the party too.
What happens to the photos if it rains?
The Dairy Barn takes the ceremony and the barns are good for portraits inside. If the rain stops for ten minutes, we go out to the fields.
How soon will we get our photos?
Smaller weddings usually get their gallery within 24 hours, and a full day comes back within a week. Every image is edited.
Is there parking at Southend Barns?
Yes, free on site for around 80 cars, with disabled bays.
Getting married at Southend Barns?
Send me your date. I read every enquiry myself and I'll let you know straight away whether I'm free.
Rather use the longer form? Head to the contact page
Barrie was the photographer for our late November wedding at the Old Marylebone Town Hall and we are absolutely delighted with the photographs. He was able to capture all the crucial moments before, d…