I’m Simon Fazackarley, a Sussex-based documentary wedding photographer with extensive experience at Goodwood House.
GOODWOOD ESTATE
Goodwood can feel intimidating the first time you head up it’s grand driveway and through its doors.
It is darker than people expect. The ceilings are high. The art is significant. Staff move quietly and confidently. You are aware very quickly that this is not just a venue. It is a historic house that is still very much alive.
I have photographed many weddings at Goodwood House over the years. For a venue that only hosts a limited number annually, that is meaningful experience. I have also worked across the wider estate, including weddings at The Kennels and ceremonies at nearby churches and Chichester Cathedral that returned to the House for the reception.
The key at Goodwood is not to be overwhelmed by it.
The focus has to stay on the couple and their guests.
How Weddings Work at GOODWOOD HOUSE
Ceremonies I have photographed inside the House have taken place in the Yellow Drawing Room. It is elegant and intimate, dominated more by tone and atmosphere than by bright natural light. Windows are often partially dressed to protect the paintings, so the space leans darker. That surprises some couples when they first see it dressed for a wedding.
It works beautifully when handled calmly.
Drinks are usually either in the main hall or outside at the front of the House beneath the columned portico and copper domes. The frontage is extraordinary, but it never feels showy. It simply gives space. Large family groups work well there & Portraits feel special.
The wedding breakfast is typically held in the Ballroom. It suits large numbers of guests comfortably. Two hundred guests does not feel excessive – in fact it feels alive. Speeches follow the meal, then guests move into an adjoining room for dancing. That separation is practical. It protects the historic interiors while allowing the evening to build properly.
Couples are sometimes granted access to the State Apartments for portraits. These rooms are not open to the public. Some artwork cannot be photographed. Flash is often restricted. You have to work with what is there rather than trying to control it – but it’s worth the effort.
That structure shapes the rhythm of the day. Timings are observed. Access can be limited. There is usually security presence. It sounds formal, but once you understand the system it becomes straightforward.
Real weddings at GOODWOOD HOUSE
THING TO CONSIDER AT GOODWOOD
the Type of weddings Goodwood suits
Many Goodwood weddings are rooted in family history.
Some couples have longstanding ties to Sussex. Parents or grandparents may have married locally. I have photographed siblings within the same family across different venues, with Goodwood chosen when a garden or marquee at home was not possible.
Others are drawn to the estate’s legacy and reputation. Occasionally wealth is visible in obvious ways, but more often it is simply assumed.
There is usually a little more formality than at other Sussex venues. Dress is considered carefully. Details matter. Standards are high. You don’t “wing it” at Goodwood.
That said, the couples I work with here are rarely theatrical personalities. They want things done properly. They want their families comfortable. They want the day to feel significant but not staged. People over performance.
The building sets a tone. My job is to soften it.
Light, Space and Working with the house
Goodwood is not a bright venue. Most rooms lean towards darker palettes. Windows are not expansive and are often filtered by curtains or blinds to protect the art.
Flash is frequently restricted, especially in the State Apartments. Some paintings cannot be included in images at all.
An inexperienced photographer can panic here. They chase wide architectural shots. They become distracted by ceilings and canvases. They fight the light.
I do the opposite.
I embrace the atmosphere. I expose carefully. I keep attention on faces. The building becomes context rather than the subject.
Inside the Ballroom the light drops quickly later in the day. When dancing begins I introduce flash discreetly and with intention. The aim is clarity and energy without flattening the room’s depth.
Goodwood rewards restraint.
Keeping the day human
The most important thing at Goodwood is to remember that it is still a wedding.
It is easy for couples to feel slightly dwarfed by the surroundings. I am conscious of that. Portraits are relaxed. Group photographs are structured clearly on the lawns so families aren’t left waiting. Movement through restricted areas is calm and respectful.
Over time I have built good relationships with the staff, from the events team to security. Talking to people matters. Understanding how the House operates makes the day smoother for everyone.
When that happens, the grandeur fades into the background. What remains are conversations on the steps, laughter during speeches, grandparents watching from the side of the Ballroom.
That is what lasts.
My Approach at Goodwood House
Goodwood does not need a photographer who tries to compete with it.
It needs someone who understands when to step forward and when to disappear.
The building is impressive. The art is significant. The staff operate with precision. It would be easy to spend the day chasing architecture and dramatic angles. That is not how I work.
My focus stays on people.
I am not there to manufacture moments. Goodwood does not need embellishment. When two hundred guests fill the Ballroom and the room feels alive, that energy speaks for itself.
My role is to capture it honestly, without interrupting it.
Planning a Wedding at GOODWOOD HOUSE
If you are planning a wedding at Goodwood House and want a photographer who understands both the scale of the building and the importance of keeping things grounded, I would be glad to speak with you.
I photograph weddings across Sussex, but Goodwood carries its own rhythm. It benefits from someone who is steady, unobtrusive and comfortable working within its structure.
If that sounds aligned with how you want your day to feel, you are welcome to get in touch.
We can keep it simple.