Wedding Venue Review: Butley Priory
A magical Manor within the heart of the forest
We had the pleasure of doing a styled shoot at Butley Priory with a group of wonderful, local wedding suppliers (linked below) and two beautiful models. Something that stood out the most to us about this venue was the light. For an old building, a 13th Cenutry Priory to be exact, the rooms were spacious and flooded with light. This is perfect for natural wedding photography.
Set within the woodlands of Rendlesham Forest, not far from Woodbridge or Ipswich, Butley Priory is an exclusive hire venue, surrounded by the Suffolk countryside.
Getting ready
Starting with the preparations for the day, the bedrooms upstairs are large and are beautifully decorated. With the light decor and large windows, these rooms are light bright - something you hairdresser, make-up artist and photographer will all thank you for! In fact, there are multiple rooms you can occupy so there's plenty of room for a large wedding party to get ready together.
Where you say I Do
The ceremony room downstairs fits 100 seated guests (although 50 is comfortable) and is full of character; the stone work, ancient architecture and large fireplace creates a romantic setting for your ceremony. While you say your vows, you will be looking out through the glass doors across the landscaped gardens of the Priory. And of course, an outside ceremony is also a fantastic idea for the Spring and Summer months.
You can head outside for photos while the ceremony room is transformed for your wedding breakfast. We love the look of long tables in the Great Hall for the meal - it's just so fitting for the historic space. Alternatively, there is the option of moving outside to a marquee or tipi if this suits your style better.
Picture-perfect Grounds
If you wanted to give a lot of time for your wedding portraits there are endless, stunning locations to explore at Butley Priory. But you also don't have to travel far for a variety of spots perfect for your portraits. The fountain is a focal point of the secluded garden which is landscaped with colourful flowers. The tree-lined driveway itself is a magical spot. But the main attraction are the old ruins just a short walk away - completely unique to this venue. To be fair, even in the event of bad weather and having to do your portraits inside, the rooms are spacious, beautifully decorated, and the light is amazing.
Two thumbs up from us!
We love that this venue is perfect for a classic, traditional, romantic wedding but also offers the flexibility and creativity for a more alternative celebration too. You can truly make it what you want. It genuinely feels magical as you drive through the forest towards the house - go check it out! But most importantly for us, nothing can beat the amount of light that fills each room, making it the perfect venue for bright, natural photos.
The ideal venue if you’re looking for:
Exclusive hire
All in one venue with accommodation
Historic venue
Countryside location
01394 450046
www.butleypriory.co.uk/weddingandevents
Butley Priory, Suffolk, IP12 3NR
———————————————————-
Ipswich wedding suppliers we worked with:
Florist: @valefloraldesign_uk
Hair: @heavenlyhair_amayaspa
Make-up: @clarabo_uk
Dress: @lilychristina_bridalcollection
Suit: @coes_stores
Stylist: @pammystyles
Models: @crootrebecca, @jacoblevismith93
Venue: @butleypriory
Written by Eleth Mageehan, (c) 2022, all rights reserved.
With historic charm, a beautiful backdrop and flexible options to create your unique celebration - could this be the perfect wedding venue for you?