When we look back through the weddings we photographed last year, a few immediately stand out — and not always for the reasons you might expect. Some were big, busy, full-day celebrations. Others were smaller, quieter, and far more intimate.

This Butley Priory elopement wedding in September 2025 firmly sits in the second category. In fact, it was one of the smallest weddings we’ve ever photographed — and without question, one of the most memorable.

Looking Back on a Standout Elopement at Butley Priory

We were lucky enough to photograph two weddings at Butley Priory last year. One earlier in the year, and then this one in September. It’s always a good sign when a venue books you more than once — it usually means the experience works, the team communicates well, and everyone involved understands the value of doing things properly.

This September wedding was a true elopement. No guests. No audience. Just the couple, the registrars, the venue team, and us quietly doing our job in the background.

From the moment we arrived, the tone was different. Calm. Unrushed. Considered. And honestly? That’s often where the best photography lives.

A Proper Elopement – Just the Two of Them

This elopement was for an older couple who had made a very deliberate decision: they wanted to get married quietly and then surprise their family and friends afterwards.

No pressure.
No expectations.
No compromises.

It was literally just the two of them — which still feels quite rare. We’ve photographed micro-weddings with six or ten guests, but this was a proper elopement in every sense of the word.

As a photographer, days like this remind you that weddings aren’t about scale. They’re about intention. And when couples are completely comfortable with their choice, the atmosphere changes instantly. There’s less nervous energy and more genuine enjoyment.

Why Butley Priory Elopement Weddings Work So Well

One of the reasons Butley Priory elopement weddings are so popular is how thoughtfully the venue is run.

A Deliberately Limited Wedding Schedule

Butley Priory only hosts two weddings per week:

• One midweek elopement

• One full-day Saturday wedding

That’s it.

From a professional point of view, this is brilliant. It means the team aren’t juggling multiple couples, the venue never feels rushed, and elopement weddings are treated with the same respect as a full-scale celebration.

For couples researching Butley Priory elopement weddings packages, this structure adds real value. You’re not being squeezed in — you’re being looked after.

What’s Included in a Butley Priory Elopement Wedding Package

This wedding was covered with a small three-hour midweek elopement package, which is ideal for couples who want:

• A beautiful ceremony

• Relaxed portraits

• Time to actually enjoy the day

From our experience, this length works perfectly for elopements at Butley Priory. It allows space for storytelling without overcomplicating the timeline.

When people search for Butley Priory elopement weddings prices or Butley Priory elopement weddings cost, what they’re often really asking is: Is it worth it?

And the honest answer is yes — because the experience is so well thought out. Compared to traditional weddings, elopements often deliver exceptional value, especially when couples are also comparing Butley Priory wedding cost against larger venues.

Getting Ready Together – One of Our Favourite Parts

One of the nicest moments of the day happened before the ceremony even started.

The couple got ready together.

No separate rooms.
No rigid schedule.
No unnecessary nerves.

They helped each other, shared a few laughs, and genuinely enjoyed the build-up. From a photography perspective, this creates incredibly natural images — the kind that feel relaxed rather than staged.

We took a handful of quiet, informal photos during this time, nothing intrusive. These moments often become favourites in the gallery because they’re real. No performance. Just connection.

Photographing Elopements: Calm, Observant, Unrushed

Elopement photography requires a slightly different mindset. With shorter coverage, there’s no room for over-directing or over-thinking.

Our approach to Butley Priory elopement weddings photos is simple:

• Observe more than we direct

• Step in only when it adds value

• Let the day unfold naturally

Experience really matters here. When timelines are tight, you need to know exactly when to step back and when to step in. That’s something you only learn by photographing a lot of weddings — big and small.

The Importance of a Great Venue Team and Registrars

We can’t talk about this wedding without mentioning the Butley Priory staff and the registrars.

They were excellent.

Friendly, calm, and quietly efficient. Everything ran smoothly without feeling scripted. As photographers, we notice this immediately because it directly affects how relaxed couples feel — and relaxed couples photograph beautifully.

When a venue team understands elopements, the whole experience lifts. It stops feeling like a “small wedding” and starts feeling like a carefully curated one.

One of the Smallest Weddings We’ve Ever Delivered

This was genuinely one of the smallest weddings we’ve ever photographed — possibly the second or third time it’s been just the couple and no one else.

And yet, it never felt empty.

If anything, it felt complete.

There’s something powerful about watching two people stand together, fully present, without distraction. It’s a reminder that weddings don’t need an audience to matter.

For couples exploring cheap elopement weddings UK, it’s worth reframing the idea of “cheap.” Elopements aren’t about cutting corners — they’re about spending intentionally on what actually matters.

Looking Ahead – Why We’d Love to Return

This was our second time photographing a wedding at Butley Priory, and we’d happily return again and again. In fact, we’re really looking forward to photographing a full-day wedding there in the future.

That says a lot.

When a venue treats elopements with care and professionalism, it builds long-term trust — not just with couples, but with suppliers too.

Is a Butley Priory Elopement Wedding Right for You?

A Butley Priory September elopement wedding package could be perfect if you:

• Want privacy and calm

• Prefer quality over scale

• Value thoughtful planning

• Want photography that feels natural, not forced

If you’re currently researching Butley Priory elopement weddings packages, comparing costs, or browsing galleries, our advice is simple: choose people and places that feel aligned with your values.

When that happens, the rest tends to fall into place.

Small wedding.
Big meaning.
Done properly.