Continuing the series of blogs looking at our favourite wedding video venues in Devon, this time we focus on Exeter Castle. A lovely location, with an option to be an all-in-one venue. Although a little more limited in terms of the scope at the grounds, there is enough outdoor space to hold a wedding of up to 150 people – and the indoor spaces are STUNNING to film!
Here is Kate and Ross’ Devon wedding film from Exeter Castle
Advantages for wedding video Devon – City Centre Venue
Right in the heart of Exeter, Devon the castle is a historic venue – so whatever the weather, your wedding film will a stunner. There are a small number of apartments, so the bride-groom and a few immediate family can stay on site. But as a city centre venue, you’re a stones throw away from a range of hotels – and the castle has so much parking, you can just leave your car and walk, then collect in the morning!
Advantages for wedding video – Ceremony
With a range of function rooms, Exeter Castle can accommodate weddings of all sizes. There are different rooms for the ceremony, food and the dancing. The ceremony room is stunning – and is wonderful for wedding filming. Thew aisle is wide, and there’s enough space to film without being intrusive at all. Bright and airy, with large bay windows at the front and wooden flooring throughout, even the chairs are lovely!
Advantages for wedding film Devon – Drinks & Chats
After the ceremony, everyone spills out to the outside space. The car park is nearby, so it’s not quite as pretty as it would be otherwise. The castle walls also keep the wind out, so even in cooler months it should stay a bit warmer. And the front of the castle is great for photos!
Advantages for wedding video – Speeches and food
The largest function room is also a stunner – easily accommodating more than 100 guests. While the final room is reserved for the evening’s dancing, in the case of Kate and Ross’ wedding, it was also used for speeches; it was amazing to film such an unusual setup. The space means that the audience ALL have a great view of the speaker, the bride and groom can see each other, and we/photographer can get a great shot on everyone involved.
We’re used to filming long head tables, with a window back-light making everything look bright white immediately behind the speakers. This was the first time we’d ever had the chance to ‘light’ speeches the way we thought would be best for the wedding video – and it looked amazing! The lights are small and unobtrusive, but made things look really cinematic. Look at the wide shot – do the lights seem obstructive at all?!
Advantages for wedding video Devon – Couples Photos
Grounds around the immediate castle are fairly limited for wedding video couples content (although there are some great possibilities for shots from the roof). But a quick walk takes you to a nearby park – which has a range of flowers, trees and lovely open spaces. There’s also the shell of an old clock tower, which has a stunning texture and can make for a very unusual portrait location.
Advantages for wedding video – First Dance & Dancing
Quickly turned around from speeches – it feels like a gig venue! The raised stage is great for bands to set up, and the lighting, being set up to such a high angle, looks amazing. One of our all time favourite locations for dancing – spacious but intimate, looks incredible.
Not ashamed to say we danced while filming. But compared to the stage rush by a bridesmaid, it was some very small debauchery.
Advantages for wedding video – Sparkler Run
Back into the (weather shielded) outside space, it’s great for a sparkler run! One of our favourite ways to end a wedding video (Devon), it’s a wide open area with suitable ambient lighting for safety – but also lovely for framing the couple in the image!
Even better if you get a drunk smoker who likes to take a daring approach to lighting up!
