Selden Barns Wedding Photographer
Weddings at Selden Barns, photographed quietly by a Sussex photographer who works with the venue through the year.
Selden Barns is a restored farmyard in the South Downs National Park at Patching, about five miles from Worthing. You get the whole 65-acre estate to yourselves for the day.
Flint and timber barns, an oak pergola, gardens and fields, with the Downs behind all of it. There are eight en-suite bedrooms and The Gatehouse on site, so a lot of couples get ready there and don't leave the estate all day. For photographs that's a gift. No travelling between locations, and no rushing.
A venue I know in every season
I photograph weddings at Selden Barns, and I work with the Selden team through the year on their open days and events. I've seen the place in most seasons and most kinds of weather.
On the day I work quietly. I photograph what happens and stay out of the way of it. Then, at a time that suits you, I take you away for fifteen or twenty minutes for the portraits, the editorial, slightly dramatic pictures couples tend to book me for.
At Selden that usually means a short walk out into the fields. You're back with your guests before anyone notices you'd gone.
BarrieWhere weddings happen at Selden
Three places to get married: the Ceremony Barn, the Sussex Oak Pergola and the Front Lawn. Everything is a short walk apart, so the day never feels spread out.
The Ceremony Barn
Timber, height and big doors. Barns are good rooms to photograph in, because the wood warms everything up and the doorways let the daylight in from the side rather than straight down.
The Sussex Oak Pergola
Out in the gardens, with guests sat in close. On a clear day the light here is lovely, and it works just as well for a second ceremony later in the afternoon.
Dinner and the dance floor
Once the daylight goes, the barns rely on the lighting inside. Festoon lights and candles do a lot of work in the photographs. I use a small flash off to one side for the dance floor.
Getting ready on site. Eight en-suite bedrooms and The Gatehouse sleep up to 24, so the morning happens a short walk from the ceremony. Prep photos there are quiet and unhurried, and some of the best pictures of the day come out of that hour.
Susie and Deshan, two ceremonies in one afternoon
A civil ceremony in the Ceremony Barn at three o'clock, then a Sri Lankan Poruwa under the oak pergola, with Kandyan dancers and a drummer out on the lawn. Family flew in from the USA and Sri Lanka, and we slipped out for ten minutes at sunset after dinner.
More from Selden BarnsElla and Gaal's spring wedding, blue skies and a ceremony under the Sussex Oak Pergola
Photographs from Selden Barns
From two weddings this year: Ella and Gaal in spring, and Susie and Deshan in September.
See the full stories: Ella & Gaal · Susie & Deshan
Where to take portraits at Selden
You're in the South Downs, so the portraits don't need to go anywhere. Fifteen or twenty minutes when the light is right, and none of these need a long walk in your wedding shoes.
- The fieldsOpen country with the Downs behind you. On a clear evening the last hour before sunset is what I plan the portraits around.
- The paddock fencePost-and-rail fencing and long views. Good for walking shots.
- The flint wallsOld Sussex flint and a gravel yard. It looks good in sun or shade.
- The oak pergolaWorth a few frames even if you marry in the barn.
If it rains, the barns have big doors and plenty of room, so we just move inside.
How a Selden Barns wedding usually runs
Every wedding is different, but because everything happens on the one estate, Selden days tend to follow the same easy rhythm.
Morning, on site
Most couples get ready in the rooms or The Gatehouse, so I start there. Natural light, the dress, the rings, and the moment someone close to you sees you ready for the first time.
The ceremony
In the Ceremony Barn, under the pergola or on the Front Lawn. I stay out of the aisle and work quietly from the sides. Two ceremonies in one day is familiar ground.
Drinks and portraits
Drinks on the lawn, then I take the two of you away for fifteen minutes. Group photos come from a list you send me beforehand, and there's plenty of room on the grass for big families.
Dinner and the evening
Speeches from a distance on a longer lens, so the reactions are real. If you want a few frames at sunset after dinner, tell me beforehand and we'll slip out at the right moment.
Local rates for Selden Barns couples
Because I work with Selden Barns through the year, couples marrying there get these rates. They're only for Selden Barns weddings.
A midweek wedding, ceremony through to the speeches.
- For smaller, relaxed midweek weddings
- 5 hours coverage
- Approx 200–250 photos
- Hi-res online gallery
- Download all photos
- Gallery online within 48 hours
The fuller weekend day, from getting ready onwards.
- The fuller Selden weekend day
- 7 hours coverage
- Approx 350–450 photos
- Hi-res online gallery
- Download all photos
- Gallery online within 48 hours
A weekend wedding, ceremony through to the speeches.
- For shorter weekend days
- 5 hours coverage
- Approx 200–250 photos
- Hi-res online gallery
- Download all photos
- Gallery online within 48 hours
My full prices for everywhere else are on my wedding prices and collections page, along with albums and extras. If you're still looking at venues, see my Sussex wedding photographer page, Southend Barns near Chichester, or the full venues list.
What couples say
A few words from couples I've photographed, in Sussex, London and further afield.
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…
Selden Barns wedding questions
Have you photographed weddings at Selden Barns?
Yes. I photograph weddings there and I work with the Selden Barns team on their open days and events through the year. That includes Ella and Gaal's spring wedding and Susie and Deshan's September wedding, both on this site.
Where can we get married at Selden Barns?
There are three places. The Ceremony Barn seats up to 100, the Sussex Oak Pergola is outdoors, and the Front Lawn takes up to 200. Selden Barns is licensed for civil ceremonies, and the evening takes up to 200 guests.
Where do the portraits happen at Selden Barns?
Usually outside, in the fields and along the paddock fence with the South Downs behind you, timed for the last hour before sunset when the light is best. It takes fifteen or twenty minutes.
Can we get ready on site?
Yes. There are eight en-suite bedrooms and The Gatehouse, sleeping up to 24, so most of the day can happen without leaving the estate.
Can you photograph two ceremonies in one day?
Yes. Susie and Deshan had a civil ceremony in the Ceremony Barn and then a Sri Lankan Poruwa under the oak pergola in the same afternoon. The planning is always about where, when, and how much time sits between them.
How much does a Selden Barns wedding photographer cost?
Selden Barns couples get my local rates: £850 for a five-hour midweek wedding (Monday to Thursday), £995 for five hours at the weekend and £1,395 for seven hours at the weekend (Friday to Sunday).
When will we get our photos?
With the Selden Barns collections your gallery is online within 48 hours, as a private hi-res online gallery you can download in full.
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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…