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Wedding stories / Essex

Vaulty Manor
Wedding Photographer.

A historic Essex barn, beautiful countryside and a celebration full of natural, joyful moments.

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WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS BYAndrew Miles4 min read
Marie and Sean smiling together on the driveway at Vaulty Manor
Marie & Sean · Vaulty Manor

THE STORY, IN WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHS

Marie & Sean’s story

If you’re looking for a wedding venue with character, beautiful grounds and a relaxed countryside setting, Vaulty Manor is a lovely place to start. Near Maldon in Essex, its historic barn and Manor House make a beautiful backdrop for a day shared with your favourite people. I loved photographing Marie and Sean’s wedding here, and their photographs offer a glimpse of what makes this venue so special.

Select any photograph to take a closer look.

01A countryside welcome

The Manor House and wedding suite

One of the lovely things about Vaulty Manor is the opportunity to spend more time together around the wedding itself. The Grade II listed Manor House combines period character with modern comforts and offers accommodation for up to ten guests.

The white Manor House beyond the garden gate
The Manor House and clipped hedge in summer light Family gathered outside the wedding accommodation
Bunting above the courtyard entrance Vaulty Manor’s timber-clad barn buildings

02

The morning at Vaulty Manor

The venue also has a private wedding suite for getting ready and staying overnight. It’s worth checking the latest arrangements and availability with the team as you plan.

Groomsmen relaxing during the morning preparations
Marie smiling while having her hair styled Marie reflected in the dressing-room mirror
Hair and makeup preparations in the wedding suite Small waistcoats and bow ties hanging ready for the wedding
Family relaxing outside with a baby before the ceremony The ceremony room set with white ribbons and flowers
A glass jar of flowers decorating the ceremony aisle A family seating sign tied to a ceremony chair
Sean adjusting his cuff beside the window Two family members sitting outside before the ceremony
Marie having the final touches to her hair and makeup Marie smiling in her bridal robe
A bridesmaid having her makeup finished Hands arranging the wedding buttonholes
A guest adjusting his jacket in black and white A family member smiling on the staircase
A family member laughing before the ceremony Marie coming downstairs in her wedding dress
Marie sharing a smile with a family member in black and white Marie approaching the barn across the courtyard

03

The promises and the confetti

Vaulty Manor offers a choice of indoor and outdoor settings for your ceremony. The light oak Ceremony Barn dates back to the early 1600s, with high beams, fairy lights and a chandelier creating a warm, characterful place to say your vows.

There’s also the option of a ceremony in the Manor House gardens, as well as the Baronial Barn. Whatever you have in mind, the venue team can help you explore the spaces and plan a celebration that feels right for you.

Sean and his best man waiting in black and white
Family smiling from their ceremony seats Guests waiting inside the ceremony room
A bridesmaid carrying a baby down the aisle Another bridesmaid carrying a baby during the procession
A bridesmaid walking into the ceremony with flowers Members of the wedding party entering together
Marie walking down the aisle with a family member Marie arriving beside Sean at the front of the ceremony
Sean reading his vows Marie smiling at Sean during their wedding ceremony
The couple exchanging a look as their guests watch The best man helping during the ring exchange
Marie and Sean holding hands during the ceremony The newlyweds sharing their first kiss
Marie and Sean kissing as their guests applaud Bridesmaids holding babies near the ceremony window
Marie and Sean walking back down the aisle Confetti falling around the newlyweds outside the barn

04

Celebrating in the courtyard

I’ll offer gentle guidance when you need it, while leaving room for sincere moments and genuine emotions to unfold naturally. That way you can enjoy your celebration and look back on photographs that bring it all back.

Marie holding her bouquet in the courtyard Sean laughing with a guest during the drinks reception
A saxophonist playing outside the barn Guests chatting with Marie during the drinks reception
Friends laughing together outside the venue Colourful bottles and glasses arranged for the drinks reception
A wooden wedding timeline sign decorated with flowers The wedding welcome and confetti display
Guests sitting outside with the fields behind them Guests gathered around a newborn baby
Two young guests sitting together beside the fields

05

A quiet walk together

The long driveway, gardens and surrounding countryside offer plenty of inspiration for photographs. There’s a lovely variety of settings to explore, whether you’d like a quiet walk together or a few relaxed portraits with the landscape around you.

The nearby fields change with the seasons, so we can make the most of the light and surroundings on your day, with the venue’s guidance on access. For Marie and Sean, the grounds gave us space to enjoy some time together and capture the warmth between them.

Marie looking back as the couple walk across the lawn
The newlyweds walking hand in hand towards the garden gazebo Marie and Sean together beside the gazebo
The couple leaning their heads together for a portrait Marie and Sean smiling on the tree-lined driveway
The couple walking towards the camera on the driveway The newlyweds looking at each other as they walk

06

Stories around the table

From the anticipation of the morning to laughter with your guests and the dancing later on, I love documenting the moments that make a wedding feel like yours. The barn’s character and the outdoor spaces give us a beautiful setting for the whole story.

Marie looking up towards a Manor House window
The newlyweds posing with family against a brick wall The wedding breakfast tables set inside the timber-framed barn
The wedding cake decorated with purple flowers and silhouettes Floral table settings in the wedding reception barn
The rustic seating plan displayed on wooden slats Marie and Sean entering their wedding breakfast
Guests welcoming the couple beneath the barn beams Marie laughing with Sean as they enter the reception
The newlyweds laughing together among their guests A family member giving a speech at the top table
Marie and Sean smiling as a family member speaks A guest listening warmly to a wedding speech
The couple sharing a quiet moment in black and white A wide view of guests during the wedding breakfast
Guests laughing during the speeches Sean speaking beside Marie at the top table
Guests smiling and reacting to the speeches

07

From cake to the dance floor

The evening brings the story back to Marie and Sean together, with their cake and first dance followed by family joining them on the floor. Those photographs sit alongside the little exchanges happening around the room.

Guests enjoying playful photo props
Young guests trying out photo-booth props Family relaxing in a sitting area at the reception
A guest smiling during an evening conversation Friends laughing together in black and white
A guest writing in the wedding scrapbook Marie and Sean cutting their decorated wedding cake
Marie dancing as guests gather around the floor Marie holding hands with a family member during a dance
Family joining Marie on the dance floor Marie dancing with family and friends beneath the barn beams
A black-and-white moment of Marie dancing with family Sean holding a baby during the evening celebrations
Marie and Sean beginning their first dance The newlyweds kissing during their first dance
Marie and Sean holding hands as they dance The couple dancing in the barn in black and white
Friends enjoying the dance floor together Guests laughing and dancing at the reception
A bridesmaid dancing with a guest Family dancing together beneath the timber beams
A black-and-white view of guests filling the dance floor

08

A night to remember

A saxophonist among the guests, colourful lights and a busy dance floor give the final photographs a different pace. It’s a lovely way to remember the celebration carrying on around you.

A saxophonist playing among the evening guests
Marie and Sean dancing with friends around them Guests smiling together during the evening music
The newlyweds dancing in black and white Bridesmaids enjoying the evening celebrations
Guests chatting between dances A guest moving to the music beside the barn wall
Guests dancing beneath colourful stage lighting Silhouettes on the dance floor beneath green and purple lights
A guest singing along during the evening party A guest dancing with a drink in his hand
A saxophonist performing beside a dancing guest Friends laughing together on the dance floor
A guest smiling beneath colourful reception lights A guest dancing beside the barn’s timber frame
A guest waving and smiling at the evening reception A bridesmaid dancing with her arms outstretched
The dance floor filled with guests beneath colourful lights

The people. The feeling. The moments that stay.

FOR YOUR OWN CELEBRATION

A few helpful notes
for your day.

A little advice for planning your own wedding, and useful information about the setting.

Tell me about your plans

A comfortable stay for your guests

The courtyard rooms provide space for friends and family to stay close by after the celebrations. With accommodation on site for up to 57 people, including the couple, there’s an opportunity to make the day feel a little longer.

Overnight guests can gather for breakfast the next morning: a lovely chance to catch up, share stories and relive some favourite moments. Ask the venue about rooms, breakfast and booking details for your date.

Planning a Vaulty Manor wedding?

If you’re looking for a Vaulty Manor wedding photographer, I’d love to hear about your plans. I absolutely loved photographing at this venue and would be honoured to capture the people, the feeling and the little moments that matter to you.

For current venue details and availability, visit Vaulty Manor’s website .

EXPLORE TOPICSEssex weddingsWedding venuesBarn weddings

YOUR STORY IS NEXT

Photographs that feel
like you.

If you’re planning a wedding at Vaulty Manor, I’d love to hear all about it.

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