Katie & Jordan's Relaxed Wedding at Morley Old Hall
Katie and Jordan's wedding at Morley Old Hall was everything I love about a relaxed Norfolk wedding 〜 an outdoor ceremony beneath the trees, their dog Maple taking on the very important role of ring bearer, long-table dining outside and an afternoon spent celebrating in the gardens with all their favourite people.
Set within the Norfolk countryside, Morley Old Hall gave them the freedom to create a day that felt completely personal to them. There was no need to rush from one part of the day to the next; everything flowed naturally from their ceremony in the grounds through to drinks, lawn games and dinner beneath the trees.
For me, it was the perfect kind of wedding to photograph. So much of the day happened naturally around us, giving me plenty of space to document the laughter, conversations and little interactions as they unfolded, alongside relaxed portraits of Katie and Jordan around the beautiful grounds of Morley Old Hall.
A Norfolk Country House Wedding
at Morley Old Hall
Morley Old Hall has so much character, surrounded by beautiful gardens and countryside that make it feel wonderfully private once you're there. The historic Hall creates an incredible backdrop for a wedding 〜 something Katie and Jordan made the most of.
Their ceremony took place beneath the willow tree, with the gardens becoming the setting for drinks, lawn games and relaxed photographs before everyone gathered around long tables beneath the trees for dinner. Having so many different spaces within the grounds meant the day could move naturally from one part to the next.
It's also such a lovely venue to photograph.
There are beautiful views back towards Morley Old Hall itself, quieter corners amongst the trees and gardens, and plenty of space to create a handful of more considered portraits while still keeping everything relaxed. For couples who love the setting and character of a Norfolk country house wedding without necessarily wanting to hire an entire country house, Morley Old Hall offers a beautiful alternative 〜 with the freedom to create a day that feels personal and easy-going.
Getting Ready at Morley Old Hall
The morning began with Katie getting ready surrounded by her bridesmaids, with plenty of conversation and laughter while hair and make-up got underway. It was a really relaxed start to the day, with everyone getting ready together before heading outside for the ceremony.
I love this part of a wedding day because there are so many little moments happening without anything needing to be directed 〜 the finishing touches, bridesmaids helping one another and that little shift in atmosphere as suddenly everyone realises it’s almost time to go.
An Outdoor Wedding Ceremony Beneath the Willow Tree
Katie and Jordan chose to hold their ceremony outside beneath the willow tree, surrounded by the gardens of Morley Old Hall. With their guests gathered outside and a pianist playing as Katie made her way down the aisle, it was such a beautiful setting for an outdoor ceremony.
And then there was Maple. Their dog had the very important job of ring bearer, making the ceremony feel even more personal to them and creating some of my favourite moments to photograph.
Outdoor ceremonies are always lovely from a documentary point of view 〜 reactions from family and friends, little glances between guests and all those completely unplanned moments unfolding around the ceremony itself.
Personal Details & Their Very Important Ring Bearer
There were little pieces of Katie and Jordan throughout the day, which is always what makes wedding details worth photographing. So much time and thought goes into choosing, creating and sometimes making these little things, and your photographs become a way of remembering them long after the wedding day.
Maple was obviously a very important part of their day, from her role in the ceremony to the handmade candles created in her honour. Alongside the colourful flowers, stationery and other little details they had chosen, everything felt personal to them.
These are the things I love blending into the wider story of a wedding day 〜 details that might seem small amongst everything else happening, but years later can take you straight back to all the thought and care you put into creating your day.
Relaxed Couple Portraits Around Morley Old Hall
We took a little time away from the celebrations for Katie and Jordan to have some photographs together around the grounds of Morley Old Hall. With the Hall itself, the gardens, trees and water, there was so much variety without needing to disappear for ages or venture far from their guests.
I always want this part of the day to feel relaxed. You don't need to know how to pose or spend ages having photographs taken 〜 I'll give you a little direction when it's helpful to create some beautiful portraits, but mostly it's about giving you space to be together while I photograph what naturally happens between you.
We wandered, chatted, included Maple in a few (of course), and created a mixture of natural moments alongside a handful of slightly more considered portraits. Prompts over posing, and then back to the party.
Al Fresco Wedding Dining Beneath the Trees
After a lovely drinks reception, everyone gathered around long tables beneath the trees for dinner. With festoon lights overhead, colourful details along the tables and the gardens surrounding everyone, it was such a lovely way to make the most of the outdoor setting at Morley Old Hall.
Katie and Jordan kept things relaxed with a BBQ, everyone eating and chatting together outside as the light started to soften through the trees. The whole setting had such a lovely atmosphere 〜 sitting beneath the trees on a warm September evening, you could easily have imagined being anywhere in the world.
I loved how relaxed this part of the day felt. People could get up, chat, move between tables and enjoy the evening, which naturally created so many of those little interactions and moments I love photographing.
Lawn Games & A Relaxed Evening at Morley Old Hall
The relaxed feel continued throughout the afternoon, with lawn games set up around the gardens for everyone to enjoy. There was plenty of competition, lots of laughter and guests making the most of being outside 〜 exactly the kind of atmosphere I love to be a part of.
I love this part of a wedding day, when everything becomes a little less structured and everyone simply settles into enjoying themselves. Rather than pulling people away or directing what’s happening, I can move amongst it all and photograph the conversations, reactions and moments as they unfold.
It’s often these photographs that really bring back what your wedding felt like, rather than simply what it looked like.
Planning Your Own Morley Old Hall Wedding?
If you're planning your own wedding at Morley Old Hall and are looking for photography that feels relaxed, natural and true to your day, I'd love to hear what you're planning.
My approach is documentary at heart, with gentle guidance and a subtle editorial touch for those beautiful portraits 〜 giving you space to enjoy your wedding while I photograph everything happening around you.
I'm a Norfolk wedding photographer covering Morley Old Hall and weddings throughout Norfolk, Suffolk, London and across the UK.
If this sounds like how you'd love your wedding to be photographed, get in touch and tell me all about your plans.
