One of the things I love most about photographing weddings in Bristol is that you really don't have to do things the traditional way.


I've photographed weddings all over the city and some of my absolute favourites have been the ones that have thrown the rulebook out completely. Tiny ceremonies followed by a big party, weddings on boats, circus venues, walks through the city, pub stops and celebrations that feel more like a brilliant night out with everyone you love.


If the thought of a traditional hotel wedding with chair covers, formal poses and a very strict running order isn't really you, Bristol is honestly one of the best places to get married.

So here are some of my favourite alternative wedding venues in Bristol, plus a few ideas for creating a wedding that feels completely like you.


Colorful circus-themed carousel centerpiece with floral arrangement on red table in decorated venue.
A glamorous blonde woman in a beaded gown holds blue roses before a lit Welcome to the Circus sign.

Circomedia


I absolutely LOVE photographing weddings at Circomedia.

It's based inside the beautiful St Paul's Church in Portland Square, but this definitely isn't your average church wedding venue. It's home to a circus school and performance space, so you get this amazing mix of dramatic architecture and creative Bristol energy.

The huge windows, high ceilings and beautiful old building give you all the grandeur of a traditional venue, but without it feeling stuffy.

Then fill it with your favourite people, food, drinks and a packed dance floor and it completely transforms.

It's also brilliant for photographs. There's loads of character inside and plenty around Portland Square if I steal you away for a quick wander together.

And when I say quick, I mean quick. I'm not disappearing with you for an hour while your mates drink all the champagne.


I'd recommend Circomedia for: big personalities, brilliant parties and couples who want something beautiful but definitely not boring.

Group of people in festive costumes pose together at a party with pink lighting in the background.
Wedding couple performs romantic dance moves during their first dance at an elegant reception celebration.

Brunel's SS Great Britain


I've photographed weddings at the SS Great Britain and it's such a cool place to get married.

I mean... you're getting married on a ship.

That's already pretty hard to beat.

But what I really love about it photographically is everything around it. You've got the ship itself, Bristol harbour, the docks and loads of brilliant industrial backdrops.

It means we can get loads of variety without you disappearing from your wedding for ages.

That's always really important to me. I don't want you looking back at your wedding and remembering spending two hours posing for photographs.

I'd much rather grab you for a little wander, get some gorgeous photos of the two of you and then send you straight back to your people.


I'd recommend the SS Great Britain for: Bristol lovers, history lovers and anyone who quite likes being able to say, "Yeah, we got married on a ship."


Historic tall ships with white sails are moored at a dock during a maritime festival display.
A couple shares an intimate moment on a cruise ship deck with flags waving in the background.

Trinity Centre


If you want a wedding that feels more like an amazing party than a traditional wedding reception, Trinity Centre is such a good one.


It's an iconic Bristol music venue, which already gives it a completely different feel to your standard wedding venue. I love that you can really make the space your own too. It's a brilliant option if you're planning more of a DIY wedding and want the freedom to put your own stamp on the day.

And because it's normally a gig venue, it feels made for the bit of the wedding I love most: a packed dance floor and everyone having a bloody good time.

No beige hotel function room vibes here.


I'd recommend Trinity Centre for: DIY weddings, music lovers, big parties and couples who want the freedom to do things their own way.



Wedding guests dance and celebrate on the dance floor during a joyful reception celebration.
A joyful celebration on a sunny day with a church spire in the background.

Wake The Tiger – For a Wedding in Another Universe


If you're looking for a wedding venue that's completely, wonderfully bonkers, Wake The Tiger has to be on the list.

Created by the team behind Boomtown, it's basically an immersive alternative universe filled with incredible sets, secret spaces, colour, lights and surreal artwork. It's weird, wonderful and about as far away from a traditional wedding venue as you can possibly get.

From a photography point of view, I'd be like a kid in a sweet shop. There are interesting backgrounds EVERYWHERE. You could disappear for a quick wander together and come back with couple photos that look like you've travelled through several different dimensions.

It's also such a fun choice if you want your wedding to feel like an experience for your guests rather than just a ceremony followed by dinner.

If your dream wedding involves colour, creativity, a bit of chaos and absolutely no beige ballroom vibes, this one's pretty hard to beat.


I'd recommend Wake The Tiger for: creative couples, festival lovers, colourful weddings and anyone who wants their guests to spend half the day saying, "What the hell is through there?!"



Two people share joyful moments together in a winter setting with snowy white background.
A couple dancing and twirling together in front of a brick wall with holiday decorations.

Walton Castle – A DIY Wedding With a Seriously Good Backstory


I have such a soft spot for Walton Castle because it's not just an incredible place to get married, it has a properly colourful history too.

Margarita Hamilton bought the castle with her then-husband in the 1980s and, with her connections to the music world, Walton became known for parties and events throughout the 90s. Which somehow feels very fitting for a place that still makes such a brilliant party venue today.


Another massive plus is that you can hire Walton Castle for the whole weekend, so it doesn’t have to feel like everything’s over in a few hours. You can make a proper weekend of it, put tents up in the grounds and basically create your own little wedding festival. Get everyone you love together, make the place completely your own and keep the celebrations going. More mini festival, less traditional wedding day.



It's a fantastic option if you want a DIY wedding venue near Bristol where you can really make the day your own.


But when I say DIY, I mean DIY.


This isn't necessarily a venue where everything magically appears as part of a wedding package. You'll need to think about all the practical stuff too, including chairs, cutlery, suppliers and even what happens to all your rubbish afterwards. It's worth knowing before you fall completely in love with the place!

For the right couple though, that's exactly the appeal. You've got the freedom to create something completely your own rather than choosing Wedding Package A, B or C.

And then there's one of my favourite details...



There's a heated swimming pool underneath the castle.



So yes, you can have an amazing wedding, dance the night away in a castle and potentially end the weekend with a post-wedding swim.

Not bad.


I'd recommend Walton Castle for: DIY wedding lovers, festival lovers, big personalities and couples who'd happily trade an all-inclusive wedding package for the freedom to do things their own way.

Bride in white gown and groom in navy suit with orange tie pose before rustic stone wall and wooden door.
Bride and groom walk through confetti shower surrounded by cheering guests at outdoor wedding ceremony.
Aerial view of a glamping site with white bell tents among green trees, overlooking a scenic coastal bay under a cloudy sky.

Clifton Observatory – Get Married Above Bristol


I've photographed weddings at Clifton Observatory and it's such a fun one if you want something small, a bit unusual and VERY Bristol.

Obviously you've got that ridiculous view over the Suspension Bridge, but it's everything else tucked inside that makes it properly interesting.

There's a historic Camera Obscura at the top of the tower and you can take your guests down through the tunnel into Giant's Cave, which comes out on the side of the Avon Gorge. You can actually get married in the cave too, with around 20 guests standing, which has to be one of the more unusual places to say your vows in Bristol. Clifton Observatory

Then you've got the rooftop terrace for drinks overlooking the city, Clifton right on your doorstep and loads of brilliant places nearby if you want to carry the celebrations on afterwards.

And from my point of view, there are SO many opportunities for photos without turning your wedding into a photoshoot. A few on the roof, a wander around Clifton, maybe down to the cave, then straight back to your people.


I'd recommend Clifton Observatory for: smaller weddings, Bristol lovers, couples who want something unusual.

Bride and groom embrace overlooking a suspension bridge and lush valley landscape on their wedding day.
Historic stone castle tower with crenellations beside a tall cypress tree under a clear blue sky on a sunny day.


What Does an "Alternative Wedding" Actually Mean?


I don't think an alternative wedding has to involve neon signs, tattoos, pizza vans and everyone wearing Dr Martens.

Although, to be clear, I would absolutely photograph that wedding.

For me, an alternative wedding is really just one where you've stopped worrying about what you're supposed to do.

I've seen enough weddings now to know that there isn't one magic formula that makes a good one.

You can walk down the aisle together.

You can skip the aisle altogether.

You don't have to have bridesmaids or groomsmen.

You don't need a first dance.

You don't need a wedding cake.

You don't need 15 group photographs.

You can have your kids involved, bring the dog, have four speeches, have no speeches or spend the afternoon playing arcade games if that's what makes you happy.

The weddings I enjoy photographing most are the ones where I can look around and immediately get a sense of who the couple are.



Looking for an Alternative Wedding Photographer in Bristol?

If you're planning your wedding in Bristol and want photos that actually feel like you, I might be your person.

My photography is colourful, relaxed and mostly documentary. I'm there for the ridiculous laughs, emotional bits, questionable dance moves and all the little things happening around you while you're busy having the best day.

We'll still get the family photos your mum wants and I'll whisk you away for some quick couple photos, but I'm not going to turn your wedding into one massive photoshoot.

Less posing. More you.

If that sounds like your kind of wedding photography, have a nosey through my weddings and get in touch. I'd love to hear what you're planning.


I Don't Want Your Wedding to Feel Like a Photoshoot Either

This is a big one for me.

If you've gone to all the trouble of planning a wedding that feels completely like you, the last thing I want to do is turn up and spend the day telling you where to stand.

My photography is colourful, relaxed and mostly documentary.

I'm looking for what's actually happening.

The hugs. The belly laughs. Your mate crying during the speeches. Kids doing something ridiculous. Someone getting a bit overexcited with the champagne. Your nan on the dance floor. All those tiny moments happening around you that you don't even realise are going on.

Of course I'll still get some family photographs.

And yes, I'll steal the two of you away for some couple photos.

But I'm not interested in turning your wedding into one massive photoshoot.

I want you to enjoy your wedding.

Because in my experience, people having a bloody brilliant time make pretty brilliant photographs.



Planning an Alternative Wedding in Bristol?

If you're planning something colourful, relaxed, unusual, tiny, massive or just completely your own, I'd genuinely love to hear about it.

I'm a Bristol wedding photographer and I photograph weddings all over Bristol, the South West and beyond.

My approach is fun, colourful and relaxed, with loads of the real stuff and just enough gentle direction when you need it.

Have a nosey through my wedding photography and, if you think I might be your kind of photographer, come and tell me what you're planning.



The weirder the better.




📸 — Melanie Chitty, Bristol wedding photographer

www.melanie-chitty.com

07540997555