I’m Simon Fazackarley, a Sussex-based documentary wedding photographer with extensive experience at Pelham House.
PELHAM HOUSE
Set in the heart of Lewes, with views stretching across the Sussex Downs, Pelham House has a quiet confidence about it. It is elegant without feeling imposing. Characterful, but never theatrical. Having photographed more than 50 weddings here over the past 7 years, and being the venue’s official recommended photographer since 2019, I know how the day tends to unfold, where the best light is, and how to work with the house – rather than against it.
Keep reading to get some insight and to see real weddings from this beautiful venue.
My approach is documentary in nature. I am there to observe, anticipate and respond, not to orchestrate. Pelham House suits that way of working perfectly. It allows couples to be present with the people that matter, and it gives me the space to capture what actually happens.
If you are planning your wedding at Pelham House and are looking for a steady, experienced presence, this page will give you a clearer sense of how I work here and why it matters.
As Pelham House’s recommended wedding photographer, I’ve had the pleasure of being part of many couples special days at this great wedding venue.
We’ve put together this page to curate various weddings across the seasons to show you exactly what to expect from your Pelham House wedding photography and perhaps provide inspiration for your own plans.
If you’re looking for a Pelham House Wedding Photographer and feel we would be a good fit, please get in touch to check our availability for your wedding.
Real weddings at Pelham House
How Weddings Flow at Pelham House
Ceremonies
Ceremonies take place either in the beautiful Goring Room (pictured, decorated by the amazing Tony Dunn) or, in the warmer months, under the purpose-built pavilion at the bottom of the terraced garden.
The Goring Room has generous windows overlooking the gardens and out towards the gardens and the distant Downs. These let in plenty of natural light for beautiful photos of your ceremony – all year round.
Winter ceremonies typically begin between 1–2pm, much like summer weddings, but the light fades earlier and the garden falls into shade quickly. That shift in light needs to be anticipated and planned for. It influences how we plan the afternoon.
In summer, outdoor ceremonies beneath the pavilion have a different energy. The lower terrace creates a sense of enclosure while still feeling open and immersed in the stunning gardens – It helps the guests feel involved and from my perspective means movement is easier
Getting Ready
Most preparations begin in the bridal suite, separate from the main house. For larger groups, or when more space and light are needed, the Pelham Suite – directly above the Goring Room, reached via the main staircase – works beautifully. It has high ceilings and better natural light, which makes a noticeable difference in winter. It’s a very elegant space.
Moving from one space to another here requires familiarity. Timing matters. So does knowing when to step back.
Drinks and Portraits
The gardens are central to the Pelham experience. The upper terrace usually hosts the drinks reception and informal photographs, while the lower terrace is reserved for outdoor ceremonies.
The gardening team take evident pride in the grounds, and that care shows. However, midday light can be harsh. Because the house is set into the hillside, the garden also falls into shade earlier than you might expect. When possible, I prefer to keep portraits short and fluid during drinks and then return outside later, when the light softens.
For couples who want a little more space, Lewes offers options within walking distance – from the historic streets to views near Lewes Castle. During summer, stepping slightly beyond the house can extend the golden hour and create more depth in the imagery. The key is keeping it unforced and close to the flow of the day.
Dinner, Speeches and Dancing
The Blencowe Room hosts the meal, speeches and evening party. It is a large, wood-panelled space with mixed lighting. If not handled carefully, it can lean warm and overly orange. Experience here matters – particularly during speeches when expressions shift quickly and light levels vary.
For smaller weddings, bringing guests closer together in the centre of the room works well, especially for the first dance. Otherwise, couples can feel visually isolated. That awareness comes from repetition and observation.
Speeches sometimes move outdoors to the terrace in summer, which changes the dynamic entirely – more relaxed, more interactive.
The bar area can become busy in poor weather, particularly with higher guest counts, but in general Pelham accommodates 80–120 guests comfortably. While the house can hold up to around 200, that mid-range number tends to feel balanced within the rooms.
Many guests stay overnight. Breakfast the following morning often carries the atmosphere forward – a quieter, reflective continuation of the celebration.
Why Pelham House Suits People-Focused Weddings
Pelham works best when the emphasis is on people rather than production.
The layout encourages movement between inside and out. Guests are rarely confined to one space. Conversations spill onto terraces. Drinks move between levels. There is enough structure to keep the day cohesive, but enough freedom for it to breathe.
Couples who choose Pelham often want elegance without spectacle. They care about the experience their guests have. They value atmosphere over choreography.
That aligns closely with how I work.
I do not remove you from your day for extended portrait sessions. Group photographs are usually handled efficiently during the drinks reception, adapting location depending on light and weather. Even in heavy rain, I have rearranged the Goring Room to accommodate group photographs when needed – something that comes from familiarity and trust with the team.
Because I regularly work with Pelham’s coordinators and suppliers – and often cover their open houses and Chef’s Table events – there is a level of ease behind the scenes. That rapport allows for flexibility when plans shift.
My Approach at Pelham House
Documentary photography relies on anticipation. At Pelham, anticipation means understanding how the light moves through the Goring Room in winter. It means knowing when the lower terrace will fall into shadow. It means being prepared for the Blencowe Room’s mixed lighting during speeches and transitioning cleanly into flash for the evening without disrupting the atmosphere.
I use flash primarily during dancing and occasionally during winter speeches or in the bar when necessary. It is there to support the environment, not dominate it.
Portraits are typically short and close to your guests – often in the gardens, sometimes around Lewes if that suits you. The aim is to create space without removing you from your own celebration.
Couples often tell me they value the life and atmosphere I capture, alongside a calm, steady presence. That steadiness matters in a venue like Pelham. The staircase, the terraces, the flow between rooms – all benefit from someone who understands the rhythm of the house.
Being on Pelham House’s official list since 2019 is not about status. It reflects consistency. Familiarity. Trust.
Planning a Wedding at Pelham House
If you are looking for a Pelham House wedding photographer, experience at the venue should go beyond knowing where the staircase is. It should extend to understanding how the day feels there – in summer heat, in winter rain, in crowded bars, in quiet morning light at breakfast.
I photograph weddings across the county as a Sussex wedding photographer, but Pelham remains one of the venues I know most intimately.
If you would like to discuss your plans, you are welcome to get in touch. I am always happy to talk through how your day might unfold and whether I am the right fit for it.
No pressure. Just an easy conversation about your plans.