Elegant Wedding at Emmanuel College in Cambridge.

Leah & Nic’s Emmanuel College Wedding was a fantastic example of the unique grandeur, rich traditions and beautiful, historic architecture that a Cambridge college can offer as a wedding venue.

Being a Cambridge Wedding photographer feels like such a privilege. I am surrounded by so many stunning and unique wedding venues.

The Couple

Leah and Nic first reached out to me about being their wedding photographer in Cambridge back in 2018. Leah is known for being super organised and was already planning her wedding day 2 full years in advance, little knowing that the pandemic would push her wedding date back a further year. If anything, however, the extra long wait added to the anticipation and the sense of occasion – there has been a real feeling of gratitude and heightened levels of celebration at most of the weddings I have shot in 2021 and this one was no exception. 

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Weddings in Cambridge

Anyone that knows the city of Cambridge will be familiar with how busy the traffic is and how hard it is to park. If you’re having a wedding in Cambridge it’s always the sensible thing to stay in one place for the whole day (unless each location is within walking distance). Luckily for Leah and Nic’s wedding at Emmanuel College, we were based in the grounds from start to finish. The couple had each been given rooms in different areas to prepare with Nic’s room overlooking the amazing front court of the college grounds.

The ceremony was held in Emmanuel College’s own chapel, which in itself is a stunning building worthy of hosting the most prestigious of wedding ceremonies with the high ceiling, highly polished chequered floor, chandeliers and pews along each side, it is as unique as it is beautiful.

Drinks in the college’s immaculately maintained gardens followed, along with the group photos. The wedding breakfast and speeches took place in the dining hall,  another spectacular backdrop. The top table flooded in light on either side by huge windows looking out onto the medieval surroundings.

After the meal the newlyweds and I headed back out around the college grounds for their couple portraits. We simply had to stop by at the front court cloisters where the light created by the row of stone arches casts longs shadows which create dramatic lighting for a full length portrait of the Bride and Groom.

We continued around the grounds taking in the floral surroundings of the pond and fellow’s garden, and making the most of all of the open green spaces and hidden alcoves and textured walls.

By the time we had done a circular walk capturing some naturally lit portraits along the way,  we re-joined the guests,  who were enjoying the late evening sun on the new court.

We rounded off the evening in the old library where the DJ was set up ready for a night of partying and celebrations like we used to have in the pre-Covid days.

Wedding at Emmanuel College

A wedding at Emmanuel College is really special and exclusive.  The college buildings are set in the heart of historic Cambridge. The wonderful buildings, old courts and immaculately kept gardens of the college provide the perfect backdrop for a memorable wedding day. An idyllic setting with over 400 years of history.

About Emmanuel College

The college  was founded in 1584 and is one of the larger colleges of the University of Cambridge. It has a community of around 500 undergraduate students; 150 postgraduate students; 90 Fellows and 150 College staff. The main college site provides a truly peaceful and inspirational environment for both learning and living.

Famous graduates from the college include John Harvard, one of the founders of Harvard College, filmmaker Karel Reisz and Novelist Sebastian Faulks.

Damien Vickers is a Cambridge Wedding Photographer capturing couple’s wedding memories throughout the UK and beyond.