Hazel Gap Barn Wedding Photographer

Martin Cheung Photography

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A bride in a white strapless gown with a long veil stands indoors, holding a bouquet. She is posed in front of a decorated brick wall with candles, greenery, and hanging foliage overhead.
A bride in a white gown and a groom in a suit stand facing each other in front of a brick wall and fireplace, surrounded by candles and lanterns, under a large chandelier.

Introduction

If you’re planning your wedding at Hazel Gap Barn and looking for a photographer who truly knows the venue inside out, you’re in exactly the right place. I’ve put together this page to share some of my favourite Hazel Gap Barn wedding photos, give you an honest insight into what makes this place so special to photograph and help you feel confident that you’re making the right choice when it comes to your photographer.

Hazel Gap Barn is, without doubt one of the most beautiful wedding venues in Nottinghamshire and I genuinely look forward to every single wedding I photograph here.

My Experience Photographing Weddings at Hazel Gap Barn

How many weddings I’ve shot here and why that matters to you

I’ve photographed over 90 weddings at Hazel Gap Barn. That’s not a number I drop lightly. It means I know this venue like a second home. I know exactly where the light falls at different times of day, which corners of the courtyard come alive at golden hour and how the ceremony room behaves when it’s packed with people and lit by candlelight. When you book me for your Hazel Gap wedding, you’re not getting someone who’ll be figuring things out on the day. You’re getting someone who has it all figured out already so you can relax and enjoy every moment.

A bride and groom pour champagne into a pyramid of glasses during their outdoor wedding celebration, surrounded by smiling guests dressed in formal attire.

I’m a recommended photographer at Hazel Gap Barn

Full Day Coverage from £1695

Being on Hazel Gap Barn’s recommended supplier list is something I’m genuinely proud of. Cripps & Co, who run the venue, are known for holding their recommended suppliers to a really high standard. They don’t hand those spots out lightly and they only recommend photographers they trust to look after their couples brilliantly. It means a lot to me and it should give you real confidence too.

What drew me to Hazel Gap Barn as a photographer

Honestly? The first time I drove up that path and saw those twin red brick watch towers, I was completely hooked. There’s something about Hazel Gap that feels timeless. The huge oak barn doors, the candlelit interiors and the beautifully kept gardens. It has a warmth and character that’s genuinely rare and it photographs beautifully in every season and every weather condition.

What couples tell me they love most about their Hazel Gap Barn wedding photos

Almost every couple says the same thing when they get their gallery back. They can’t believe how different the photos look from different parts of the venue. The watch towers at golden hour. The intimate ceremony shots. The courtyard sparklers. The woods in the late afternoon light. Hazel Gap gives us so much to work with that every gallery feels completely unique.

A bride and groom walk hand in hand outdoors. The bride wears a white dress with a deep neckline and bow sleeves, while the groom wears a black tuxedo. They are smiling at each other, with greenery and a stone wall in the background.
A bride and groom walk along a curved gravel driveway in Aerial drone photo of bride and groom walking around the path at Hazel Gap Barn with the venue clearly visible in the top of the frame
A bride and groom share a kiss outdoors at night, surrounded by guests holding sparklers and cheering. The couple stands in the center, illuminated by warm lights, with a brick archway in the background.

Getting to Know Hazel Gap Barn

The story and character of the venue

Hazel Gap Barn sits on the stunning Welbeck Estate near Cuckney in Nottinghamshire and is run by the brilliant team at Cripps & Co, a family-run group known for their beautifully restored rustic venues and genuinely excellent food. The venue has a warmth and personality that you feel the moment you arrive. It’s grand without being stuffy and rustic without feeling rough around the edges. It just feels right.

The grounds, architecture and atmosphere

From the iconic twin watch towers at the entrance to the sweeping courtyard, the oak-doored ceremony barn, the gardens perfect for games and mingling and the woodland that backs onto the estate, there is no shortage of variety here. The candlelit interiors bring a magical quality to evening receptions and the outdoor spaces shift beautifully with the seasons.

Why couples choose Hazel Gap Barn for their wedding day

Aside from how stunning it looks, couples consistently tell me it’s the whole experience. The food is exceptional (I’ve genuinely had some of the best meals of my life here). The team are warm and professional. The venue has enough space to feel grand but also intimate. And that watch tower entrance just never gets old.

Seasonal considerations for your Hazel Gap Barn wedding photos

This venue is genuinely beautiful in every season and I’ve photographed weddings here in all four. Spring brings blossom and fresh greenery that wraps beautifully around the courtyard. Summer gives us long evenings, golden light and lush gardens. Autumn delivers those rich warm tones that complement the rustic barn perfectly. Winter weddings have a magical cosy quality and of course the infamous Hazel Gap Barn Christmas Tree! The real candles and firepits come into their own and if there’s ever a frost or dusting of snow, the watch towers look absolutely stunning.

Featured Hazel Gap Barn Wedding Photos by Season

One of the things I love most about Hazel Gap Barn is how completely different it looks throughout the year. Rather than just telling you, I’d love to show you. Click on the season closest to your wedding date to see a real wedding gallery from that time of year and get a genuine feel for what your photos could look like.

The Photography Opportunities at Hazel Gap Barn

My favourite outdoor portrait locations

The watch towers are my go-to. Why? Well they create an iconic backdrop that you genuinely can’t get anywhere else. You wouldn’t go to Paris and not take a photo at the Eiffel tower right? Besides which, during golden hour the sun sits in just the right position to backlight the building with a warm dreamy glow. Even on an overcast day they look incredible. The imposing structure just does something special. The gardens are also brilliant for relaxed couple portraits and at night even the courtyard can be used for iconic photos.

Bride and groom evening portrait in the courtyard at Hazel Gap Barn
A bride and groom walk hand in hand on a gravel path, smiling, with Hazel Gap Barn’s rustic brick backdrop and lush greenery bathed in warm, golden sunlight.
Bride snuggles with groom
A bride and groom stand outside, smiling and gazing at each other. The groom wears a light suit and the bride wears an off-shoulder white gown while holding a bouquet of flowers. Greenery and a brick wall are in the background.

The best indoor spaces for natural light photography

The ceremony barn is the stand-out space for me. The combination of the high ceilings, those huge oak doors and the candlelit interior creates a mood that is almost cinematic. The Oak Room, where guests dine, has a different character with lovely warm tones that work brilliantly for relaxed candid shots during the wedding breakfast.

A wedding party poses indoors against a brick wall at Hazel Gap Barn. The bride sits in the center holding a bouquet, surrounded by smiling bridesmaids in light dresses and groomsmen in black tuxedos. Flowers and candles decorate the space.
A bride and groom kneel indoors, smiling and petting a large, curly white dog wearing a ribbon. The setting is warm with candles, string lights, and rose petals scattered on the floor.
A bride in a long white gown with a lace train and veil stands in front of a brick fireplace, surrounded by lit candles. Chandeliers with candles hang above, creating a warm and elegant atmosphere.

lesser-known spots only a regular photographer knows

The woodland at the back of the venue is one of my personal favourites when the weather allows. A few steps in and it feels like you’ve entered a completely different world. It creates a totally different aesthetic to the rest of the venue. Lush, private and beautifully atmospheric. I’d put this at the top of the list for couples who want something a little different in their Hazel Gap Barn wedding photos.

A bride in a strapless white gown and a groom in a light grey suit walk hand in hand in a wooded area, smiling at each other with trees and greenery in the background.
A bride in a white dress and heart-shaped sunglasses holds up a colorful bouquet, smiling next to a groom in a green suit and sunglasses, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.

Planning Your Photography Timeline at Hazel Gap Barn

My approach is 90% documentary-led, which means for most of your day I’m quietly working in the background capturing real moments exactly as they happen, with no interruptions. That said, we will carve out a little time to explore Hazel Gap Barn together, because this venue deserves more than a few rushed snaps. Even just 15 minutes in the right spot at the right moment is all it takes to create the stunning portrait images that sit alongside your natural storytelling photos and make your gallery complete.

Where to spend your golden hour and why it matters here specifically

Golden hour at Hazel Gap is something I hope for every single wedding. The watch towers, backlit by the setting sun, create the kind of images couples print and hang on their walls. I always recommend building around 10-15 minutes into your evening for a quick portrait session. It doesn’t need to be long. Just enough to capture that magic. It’s always worth it.

A bride in a white dress and a groom in a green suit with a kilt walk hand in hand  outside Hazel Gap Barn, with sunlight streaming through the trees in the background.

The ceremony room and what to expect photographically

Ceremonies at Hazel Gap Barn take place at either 1.30pm or 3pm. In winter I recommend avoiding 3pm to make the most of the available light. The ceremony barn is both stunning and one of the more technically challenging spaces in the venue. It’s often dimly lit at the front and heavily backlit by the large oak doors. This is exactly the kind of situation where experience really counts. After 90+ weddings here, I know precisely how to expose for those conditions so you get beautifully lit ceremony images without blown-out doors or underexposed faces.

A groom in a black tuxedo places a ring on the brides finger during a wedding ceremony at Hazel Gap with their young son as a ring bearer nearby and guests seated in the background.
A bride and groom stand holding hands at the altar in Hazel Gap Barn surrounded by seated guests. The ceiling features exposed wooden beams and a central chandelier. Flowers decorate the scene.

Getting ready rooms, light, space and what works best

There’s no on-site accommodation at Hazel Gap, which means most couples get ready nearby and arrive at the venue. I’ve been to pretty much all the nearby hotels, AirBnB’s so I’d be happy to advise on spaces that work really well for morning photography. Good light and a bit of space makes all the difference to those preparation shots.

A bride in a white dress faces five smiling bridesmaids in matching blush dresses, holding colorful bouquets. The bride raises her bouquet as the bridesmaids react joyfully. A BRIDE TO BE banner hangs in the background.
A bride in a white, off-shoulder wedding dress with lace sleeves smiles softly as another person adjusts her veil from behind in a bright, softly lit room.

Reception and evening coverage opportunities

The evening at Hazel Gap is genuinely brilliant to photograph. The courtyard comes alive with firepits and sparklers. The barn interior glows with candlelight. If the timing works, the courtyard also gives us the opportunity for a beautiful night portrait with the venue lights as a backdrop. The kind of image that stops people in their tracks. The party is my favourite time of the day so you’ll probably see me in the middle of the action, singing & dancing along with you!

Groom picks up bride during sparkler tunnel at their Hazel Gap Barn Wedding
Two men in formal wear laugh and pose playfully, holding beers at a lively indoor event with brick walls. One man sticks out his tongue and hugs the other’s head, both appearing joyful and energetic.

Let’s PARTY!

A woman in a satin dress and a man in a suit celebrate at a party, smiling and holding drinks, with colorful lights and a blurred background creating a lively atmosphere.
Two women at a party laugh and celebrate together. One, in a yellow dress, smiles with her arm raised, while the other, in a dark dress, holds a drink. The background features exposed brick and colorful party lights.
Bride dancing at Hazel Gap Barn

What Makes Hazel Gap Barn Weddings Unique to Photograph

Hazel Gap is so beautiful that it’s hard not to take beautiful photos at every turn. The venue does a lot of the work for us and my job is to be in the right place at the right time to catch it.

Challenges I’ve encountered here and how I handle them

Two spaces require particular experience to photograph well. The ceremony barn is often dimly lit at the front and backlit by the oak doors. Without the right gear and know-how, you end up with either a blown-out background or underexposed faces. The Oak Room in winter loses natural light quickly while in summer the afternoon sun pours through the glass doors creating strong backlight. These are exactly the situations where having photographed a venue over 90 times pays off. I know what’s coming, I know how to handle it and you never have to worry.

A man in a vest and sunglasses gives a speech with a microphone at a wedding reception, while the bride and groom sit smiling at a decorated table in a light-filled room with large windows and flowers.
father of bride in a white shirt and bow tie gives a speech at a wedding reception at Hazel Gap Barn, standing beside a table with the bride and groom. Guests seated around listen attentively, under hanging greenery and warm lighting.

Weather contingencies and what we do if it rains

Rain at Hazel Gap is never a disaster, I promise you that. I always say to other wedding photographers that the venue I want to be stuck at in the rain is Hazel Gap! The barn is perfect for family photos and a stunning backdrop that work just as well for portraits. In fact, some of my favourite Hazel Gap Barn wedding photos have been taken in the rain.

A bride and groom smile while walking under a white umbrella in the rain at night in the courtyard of Hazel Gap Barn
A bride and groom stand under a white umbrella at night, surrounded by rows of illuminated trees in the garden at the back of Hazel Gap, with rain softly falling around them and creating a romantic, magical atmosphere.

Working with the Hazel Gap Barn team and coordinators

The team at Hazel Gap are genuinely brilliant to work with. As a recommended photographer I’ve built up a great working relationship with the coordinators there, which means we work together naturally on the day to ensure your day always runs smoothly. So you get the perfect day along with the perfect photos.

A bride and groom stand at the altar holding hands during a candlelit wedding ceremony in a rustic, brick-walled venue, surrounded by seated guests. Greenery and lights decorate the space.
A bride in a white dress and veil stands in a sunlit doorway, facing a courtyard with trimmed trees and brick buildings. Lanterns with candles decorate the entrance.
Two brides stand outdoors, holding hands and smiling at each other. One wears a white floral wedding gown and the other wears a black off-shoulder dress; both hold small bouquets and are surrounded by greenery and rustic buildings.

Reviews & Testimonials

Hazel Gap Wedding Videos

Did you know that my wife, Daiga is a talented wedding videographer in Nottingham? And that like me, she is one of Hazel Gap Barn’s recommended suppliers too?

Together we can provide a joint package that is a seamless experience for you. All delivered by a husband & wife team with years of experience and a reputation for excellent customer service.

Hazel Gap Barn Wedding Photos

As you can imagine I have quite literally thousands of photos of Hazel Gap Barn. To make it easier, I’ve put them into sections. Click on section to see more. But if you’re convinced then click this button and check if I’m available for your day!

The two distinctive red brick watch towers make a unique and iconic backdrop for your wedding photos. I often say to couples that you paid a lot of money to be here and we should definitely use it as a backdrop for at least a few photos! I also love the way that during golden hour the sun is in the perfect position to back light the building and give that dreamy golden glow to your photos. But even if the weather isn’t sunny, the watch towers still make an awesome background!

For me, this is the stand out space at Hazel Gap. It’s not only such a stunning space to say your vows, it also makes the perfect backdrop for photos and of course later an epic party!

The perfect place after your ceremony to throw confetti and for your guests to relax. With plenty of seating and firepits for the evening, your guests will enjoy chatting and mingling here. In the evening the courtyard looks iconic for sparklers.

Weather permitting and depending on the time of the year we can use the courtyard for an amazing night time portrait too!

Bride and groom evening portrait in the courtyard at Hazel Gap Barn

This is where you & your guests will be treated to top notch food. Over the years I’ve tried pretty much the entire menu and I can honestly say I have never had a bad meal at Hazel Gap Barn. In fact the food at Cripps is one of the big draws for many couples. And I always recommend if you haven’t already done so, to book in on one of their famous Feast Nights so you can try for yourself!

A lovely space for your guests to relax and have fun. It’s large enough for garden games or whatever other plans you may have. The trees and bench make a great space for beautiful photos. At night the lights make a unique backdrop for portraits that will wow.

When the weather is great then the woods at the back of Hazel Gap is one of my favourite spots for portraits. it offers a completely different look to the rest of the venue. A few short steps and it feels like you’ve stepped into another world. If it’s wet or snowy, I’d recommend skipping it to avoid getting the dress too muddy. One final tip, if you’re planning to wear stiletto heels then it’s worth packing a second pair of shoes or some heel stoppers to keep you from sinking into the ground.

Why couples who booked Hazel Gap Barn chose me as their photographer

Most couples find me because they were searching specifically for an experienced Nottingham Wedding photographer who really knows Hazel Gap Barn. They want someone who’s been there enough times to know where the light is, how to handle the ceremony barn and where to take them for golden hour, without any guesswork. That’s exactly what I offer. And being on the venue’s recommended list means they can trust I’ve been vetted by the people who run the place.

Practical Information for Hazel Gap Barn Couples

Parking, Access & Logistics

Hazel Gap Barn is located just off the A616 between Cuckney and Thoresby on the Welbeck Estate. There’s plenty of car parking on site. The what3words for the venue is ///treatment.bagels.asleep if you’re sending it to guests.

One important note for evening guests. The venue is fairly rural and taxis can be hard to come by late at night. Pre-booking transport home is strongly recommended.

Venue policies & General Info

  • Only fresh petal confetti is allowed. No dried petals or paper confetti.
  • Fireworks are not permitted at the venue.
  • Sparklers are allowed and absolutely brilliant for a late evening exit shot.
  • Dogs are welcome and I love photographing them as part of the wedding party.
  • The venue can host up to 150 seated guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast and up to 250 for the evening.

Nearby locations for pre-wedding or couple shoots

The Welbeck Estate and the nearby Rufford Abbey offers some truly beautiful locations for engagement shoots or pre-wedding sessions if you’d like to get comfortable in front of the camera before the big day. I’m always happy to suggest spots near the venue that would work brilliantly.

A bride and groom share a dramatic kiss at the end of the aisle inside a rustic barn, surrounded by cheering and applauding guests. Warm lights and wooden beams create a romantic atmosphere.
A bride in a white gown and a groom in a black tuxedo walk hand in hand, smiling at each other, outside a rustic brick building with a vintage car in the background.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click on a question below to read more

Hazel Gap Barn is one of the most popular wedding venues in Nottinghamshire and popular dates book up quickly. As a rule of thumb, I’d recommend booking your photographer as soon as you have your date confirmed. 12 to 18 months ahead is ideal, though I do occasionally have availability at shorter notice so it’s always worth getting in touch.

Yes, I’ve been photographing weddings at Hazel Gap since they first opened and I have a great working relationship with the whole team there. That familiarity makes a real difference on the day. Everything runs more smoothly when your photographer and your venue team are on the same page.

Full day coverage starts from £1,695. I also offer a joint photo and video package with my wife Daiga, who is one of Nottinghamshire’s most talented wedding videographers and a fellow recommended supplier at Hazel Gap. Get in touch and we can talk through what works best for your day.

Yes! I’m proud to be one of the venue’s recommended photographers. Cripps & Co take their recommendations seriously. They only recommend suppliers who consistently deliver a brilliant experience for their couples. It’s a mark of trust that means a lot to me.

Yes. I’ve photographed weddings here in every season and every weather condition. Winter weddings at Hazel Gap are genuinely magical. The candlelit interiors, the cosy atmosphere and the possibility of a frosty morning all create something really special. I know exactly how to work with the available light to deliver beautiful results no matter what the day brings.

No but there are a lot of lovely places nearby where you can get ready in the morning. I’ve listed a few of the places I’ve been to which are only a short drive away. You can visit my page on accommodation near Hazel Gap Barn for more information.

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