The Perch
wedding
photographer
Oxfordshire
The Perch wedding photographer: an honest guide
If you’re looking for a photographer for your wedding at The Perch, here’s where I stand. I haven’t photographed a wedding there yet. I’m based in Northamptonshire and photograph weddings across Oxfordshire, so Binsey is an easy trip. What follows is the planning I’d do for a day here.
An old pub, a river and a very big meadow
The setting
The Perch sits in Binsey, just outside Oxford, beside the Thames and Port Meadow. In a fairly small area you’ve got water, open sky, the meadow, mature trees and the old pub itself. The willow trees are the bit I’d keep in mind for portraits on a bright day, because they give soft shade rather than everyone squinting into the sun.
Arriving by boat
This one isn’t just marketing. The venue has a private mooring you can reserve for the wedding, and boat arrivals can be arranged through local suppliers. If you’re doing it, I’ll be on the bank before you arrive, ready for the bit where you try to step off gracefully.
The important bit: where you’ll actually get married
The Perch isn’t currently licensed for civil ceremonies. Its 2027 brochure says it concentrates on wedding receptions, so you’ll need to get legally married somewhere else first, then head over for the celebration. A blessing or non legal ceremony may be possible by arrangement, so ask the venue about that.
From a photography point of view, that’s no problem. I’ll photograph your ceremony wherever it is, then head to The Perch ahead of you so I’m there when you arrive. It just means building a bit of travel time into the plan, which I’m happy to help you think through.
The marquee and the evening
The reception happens in the venue’s heated marquee, with fairy lights, chandeliers, and its own private front garden and rear courtyard. A fairy light walkway runs from the marquee towards Port Meadow and the mooring. Live music is licensed until 10.30pm and recorded music until 11.30pm, so think about how much of the evening you want covered. My packages start at 6 hours, and extra hours are £150.
The bar closes at 11.45pm and everyone needs to be off the premises by 12.30am. The venue asks guests to leave quietly, as it’s in Binsey village. Bands and DJs use the venue’s own PA system.
Where I’d plan portraits and groups
- Port Meadow. The venue itself recommends it for couple portraits and groups, and the path from the marquee heads straight there, so no long walks.
- The riverside and the mooring, especially if you’ve arrived by boat.
- The willow trees, for something softer when the sun’s high.
- The garden, for groups and real moments, because your guests are already there with a drink in hand, chatting away.
- The fairy light walkway between the marquee and the meadow, once it gets dark.
Portraits take around 15 minutes, spread over a couple of these at most. Then you’re back with everyone.
The Perch wedding FAQs
Can we get legally married at The Perch? Not at the moment. The venue isn’t currently licensed for civil ceremonies, so you’ll need a legal ceremony elsewhere first. A blessing may be possible by arrangement.
Is there accommodation at The Perch? No, there’s no accommodation on site, so you and your guests will need to stay nearby.
Can we use our own caterers? No. Food is handled by The Perch, and external caterers aren’t currently allowed.
Is there parking? Very little. The current brochure only guarantees two spaces for the wedding party, so the venue suggests taxis, buses or arriving by boat. Worth telling your guests early.
Do you travel to Oxford for weddings? Yes. I’m based in Northamptonshire and photograph weddings all over Oxfordshire. If you’ve got questions about timings or travel between your ceremony and The Perch, ask away, any time.
If it rains
The marquee is heated and covered, so the reception doesn’t depend on the weather. Port Meadow and the riverside obviously do. If it’s grim, we’ll grab a few minutes under the fairy lights or wait for a dry spell, rather than marching you across a soggy meadow in your wedding shoes.
How I work
I photograph weddings in a documentary way, which mostly means watching rather than directing. The hug on the riverbank, your uncle holding court in the garden, the speech that goes slightly off script. When something needs organising, a group photo or the confetti, I’ll take charge for a minute, then leave you to it.
Looking for a wedding photographer in Oxfordshire?
I’ve been photographing weddings since 2015, over 250 of them, in Northamptonshire, around the UK and abroad in Mexico and Cyprus. That’s a lot of different venues, timings and weather, which helps when your ceremony and your reception are in two different places.
You’ll get 20 sneak peeks within 48 hours, so there’s something to show everyone while the wedding’s still fresh, and every image in your gallery is edited individually by me.
For an Oxfordshire wedding from start to finish, have a look at Frankie and Sam’s day at Primrose Hill Farm, near Banbury. Relaxed from the start, emotional in all the right places, and completely unhinged once the evening arrived.
Planning a wedding at The Perch?
Send me your date, where you’re getting married and roughly when you’re heading to Binsey. I’ll check I’m free and we can work out the timings from there.
Haven’t seen it yet? Book a viewing with the venue. Their details are below.
Phone: 01865 728891
Website: www.The-Perch.co.uk
From the Blog
Some real moments, kind words and cool images from recent weddings…
