If you’re looking for a wedding venue with romance, Notley Abbey has it in spades. Once the home of Vivien Leigh and Lawrence Olivier, Notley Abbey is positively brimming with romance. It’s also full of glamour and historic charm, which may be why Catia and Matt selected it for their September wedding. Here’s a sneak peek at their Notley Abbey wedding day.
The day of the wedding was bright, beautiful and surprisingly humid. As I arrived at the abbey, I was excited to see that autumn had also arrived in the avenue of trees; excited, because it’s a fab location for bride and groom pics when the sun’s shining.
Inside the abbey, the party was already in full swing. The bridal suite, aka the Notley Suite was chok-full of people. Everyone was relaxed and in good spirits, except for the poor MUAs, who were melting in the heat, along with some of their products I’m sure.
After some natural wedding photography with the girls, I wandered over to where the groom’s party was getting ready in the little guest cottage next to the Monk’s refectory. Everyone was decent but like the bridal party, feeling a bit hot so we got outside into the shade as quickly as possible.
By the time I got back to the bridal party, Catia was pretty-much ready for her Notley Abbey wedding ceremony. I was just able to capture a few last candid moments before it was time to go.
The ceremony took place in the Abbot’s Hall, a lovely intimate room overlooking the gardens on three sides. I noticed that the walled garden was also set up for a wedding ceremony and I did wonder if Catia and Matt had considered it but of course everyone would have been in direct sunlight; in 31°C, I was certainly glad they took the indoor option.
20 minutes later with a short break in-between, Catia and Matt were ready to face their public at the front of the abbey for confetti, drinks and group photos.
At some venues, it can be difficult to capture a shot of all the guests but a Notley Abbey wedding has the perfect location without the need for guests to be looking into the sun.
The reality of weddings is that however much time you think you’ll need to cover a drinks reception, confetti, group photos and any bride and groom portraits, it probably won’t be enough.
In my experience, wedding venues will generally suggest 1.5 hours for your drinks reception, with an expectation that things like confetti, groups and portraits can all happen in the timeframe.
I recommend allocating at least 2 hours for the drinks reception as this allows you to get all of the planned photos out of the way and still have time to spend with your guests before you’re called into the wedding breafast.
Anyway, back to Catia and Matt’s Notley Abbey wedding and those 26 group photos 
No. I’m not going to show you those but I will show you a few portraits we took before dinner.
The wedding breakfast was set up in the Monk’s refectory, a lovely converted barn next to the abbey. After the speeches, the room was quickly changed over for the evening’s entertainment, cake-cutting and first dance.
A champagne spray between courses – Notley Abbey wedding
Well, not quite between courses. But while the room was being changed over from the wedding breakfast, it did seem like a perfect time to go for a champagne spray photo in front of the abbey.
After that brief interlude, it was back to the Monk’s refectory for a night of riotious dancing and fun at this gorgeous Notley Abbey wedding. I stayed until 10 but I know the celebrations went on until midnight.
Are you planning a Notley Abbey wedding?
If you’re getting married at Notley Abbey or at any wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, Oxford or Berks, I’d love to hear from you.
Notley Abbey is on Aylesbury Road, Haddenham, Long Crendon HP17 8TN
Here are nine interesting facts about Notley Abbey that you might not know:
Former monastery: Notley Abbey was originally founded as an Augustinian abbey in 1162, serving as a place of religious worship until the Dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII in the 16th century.
Celebrity owners: It became famous in the 20th century when it was purchased by the actors Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh in 1944. They restored the property and hosted many star-studded parties.
Historic guest list: During the Olivier-Leigh era, some of the world’s most famous celebrities visited the abbey, including Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, and Sir Alec Guinness.
Royal ties: King Henry VIII is said to have visited the abbey after the Dissolution when it was in private hands, enjoying its beautiful surroundings and seclusion.
Restoration: The Oliviers did significant work to restore the property, which had fallen into disrepair. They maintained the historical charm while adding modern comforts.
Haunted reputation: Like many old English estates, Notley Abbey has a reputation for being haunted, with some claiming sightings of monks and other ghostly apparitions.
Long driveway: The avenue of trees is a signature feature of Notley Abbey. The current owners believe it was planted during its ownership by Olivier and Leigh, adding to its historic charm.
Grade I listed: The building is classified as a Grade I listed property, meaning it’s considered of exceptional historical and architectural importance in England.
Riverside location: Notley Abbey is situated on the banks of the River Thame, offering scenic riverside views that have been cherished by its residents for centuries.
For information on my photography packages, visit my wedding photography pricing page. You can see more examples of my work in Oxford, Berks and other locations here as a wedding photographer.