Oaks Farm Barn review
I’ll admit right off that I’m a bit partial to Oaks Farm…
For starters, the good folks at Oaks Farm are kind enough to list us as a recommended wedding photographer for the venue… and secondly, being located in Shirley near Croydon and literally only about 10 minutes from me, Oaks Farm is like a hidden local treasure so tucked away from the city streets that you’d never believe it was there unless it was pointed out to you…
This is a quite lovely wedding venue, with an intimate feel and plenty of charm on offer – and one I always enjoy returning to.
There are two main reception rooms – the Victorian Barn, and the Orangery. The barn where the wedding ceremony is held boasts wooden beams overhead and Oak flooring underfoot, both of which help set the atmosphere inside. The feel is warm and cosy.
From a photographer’s point of view, although certainly not the darkest wedding venue we’ve seen, the fairly low ambient light does mean we have to stay on the ball to get the best pictures. Fortunately, large doors at the ‘business end’ of the barn ensure that the best light falls on the wedding couple where the actual ceremony takes place. Staff are helpful and friendly at all times, making both guests and us photographers feel right at home…
In addition to the main barn and the orangery, there is also a tiny cottage, perfect for the bride and bridesmaids to get ready in. This gives us another photo location for bridal portraits and detail shots of shoes, rings, and dress etc – and also gives the bride a base where she can take a quiet moment if she needs to! And if that’s not enough, even the family home for the owners also makes a lovely backdrop for a photograph:
Outside, there are two main gardens areas where guests can mingle and enjoy the wedding day. The first features a lovely pond area with fountain (and a hidden lattice-work beneath the water level, to remain kid-friendly) along with a selection of small plants and shrubs, and a Wisteria covered Pergola/Arbour which looks absolutely beautiful when in full bloom around May. The second, larger lawn area to the rear of the venue has room for seating, with both open and shaded areas (very handy for your wedding photos when the sun is blazing brightly)…
For the keen-eyed wedding photographer there are also a few other features around the venue which can be used to create some eye catching photos for your day, and the golf course next-door makes a lovely backdrop for a picture when not in use:
Back inside, the wedding breakfast can be served either back in the main barn or (for smaller wedding parties) in the orangery, which is lovely and light throughout and makes photographing the speeches an absolute pleasure!
Once evening sets in, guests will generally gather again in the main barn for a few drinks and some dancing, while your photographer can think about leaving you to enjoy your night – but only after we have everything well and truly covered, of course!
So there you have it.
All in all, Oaks Farm is a surprisingly charming and picturesque wedding venue nestled close to both Croydon and London, and can make for some wonderful wedding photos when handled well. If you’re looking for a wedding venue for up to around 100 people in the Surrey area, and want a very intimate, relaxed and friendly feel to it I would definitely recommend checking it out.
Want to know more? Visit the Oaks Farm website
And if you’re also looking for a local, recommended wedding photographer who knows the venue very well indeed…
