Wedding photography and film at St Mary in the Castle

St Mary in the Castle is a castle weddings venue in the South of England, a Greek Revival chapel converted into an arts space directly beneath Hastings Castle on the cliffs above the seafront.

A Greek Revival chapel converted into an arts venue directly beneath Hastings Castle on the cliffs above the seafront, St Mary in the Castle provides an extraordinarily atmospheric ceremony space — ancient masonry, sea views, and the weight of the castle above combining into a setting of genuine, rugged coastal drama.

We are genuinely drawn to what this place offers visually: ancient stonework, open sea views, and the sheer physical presence of the castle overhead create a coastal drama that is rare and entirely real. For couples who want a ceremony space with genuine character and atmosphere, rather than something polished and predictable, this feels like a remarkable find.

Frequently asked questions about St Mary in the Castle

What is it actually like to get married at St Mary in the Castle?

St Mary in the Castle is a Greek Revival chapel converted into an arts venue, sitting directly beneath Hastings Castle on the cliffs above the seafront. The combination of ancient masonry, sea views and the sheer physical presence of the castle overhead creates a ceremony space that feels genuinely dramatic and atmospheric. It is the kind of venue where the setting does a great deal of the emotional work, giving your ceremony real weight and a sense of place that is hard to replicate elsewhere.

How does the clifftop and coastal setting affect photography and videography at St Mary in the Castle?

Coastal clifftop venues like St Mary in the Castle offer a wonderful range of visual opportunities, from the rugged stone exterior and castle masonry to open sea views that give images and footage a real sense of scale and drama. Natural light coming off the water can be beautifully soft and directional, though it does shift depending on the time of day and the weather. As photographers and videographers, we always scout the specific light conditions and spaces available so we can make the most of whatever the day brings.

Can Big Day Productions photograph and film our wedding at St Mary in the Castle?

Absolutely, we would love to be part of a wedding at St Mary in the Castle. It is a venue with a genuinely distinctive character, and the clifftop location above the Hastings seafront makes it the kind of place we find creatively exciting. Just get in touch to let us know your date and we can talk through how we would approach covering your day there.

Is St Mary in the Castle only used for the ceremony, or can the whole day be held there?

St Mary in the Castle is primarily known as a ceremony venue, and many couples choose to move on to a separate reception space nearby for the rest of the day. The Hastings area has a range of reception options to suit different styles, from seafront spaces to town centre venues. We are always happy to discuss how to plan your photography and videography coverage across multiple locations to make sure the whole day is captured well.

What should we think about when planning photography and videography at an arts venue inside a historic castle structure?

Venues like St Mary in the Castle tend to have interior spaces that are rich in texture and character but can be quite dark, with light sources that are limited or unconventional. We work with that rather than against it, using the available light and the architectural details to create images and footage that feel true to the atmosphere of the space. It is also worth thinking about access and timing, as historic venues can have restrictions on where and when equipment can be set up, and we always liaise with venue coordinators in advance to make sure everything runs smoothly.

Are there good spots near St Mary in the Castle for couple portraits after the ceremony?

The clifftop location above the Hastings seafront gives you some genuinely compelling options close to the venue, with the castle ruins, coastal paths and sea views all within easy reach. The combination of historic architecture and open coastal landscape means there is real variety available without needing to travel far. We love exploring the area with couples to find the spots that feel right for them, so this is something we would always plan together in advance of the day.