Wedding photography and film at The Forbury Hotel

The Forbury Hotel is a boutique luxury hotel weddings venue in central Reading, set overlooking the medieval Forbury Gardens and the historic ruins of Reading Abbey.

A boutique luxury hotel in central Reading overlooking the medieval Forbury Gardens and the ruins of Reading Abbey, The Forbury Hotel brings contemporary design and five-star hospitality to a setting saturated with local history.

We are genuinely drawn to what this place offers a wedding day: the contrast of sleek contemporary interiors against centuries of layered history creates a visual tension that makes for compelling photography and film. The gardens and abbey ruins outside provide a remarkable natural backdrop, rich in texture and atmosphere whatever the time of year. It is exactly the kind of venue we would love to bring our cameras to.

Frequently asked questions about The Forbury Hotel

What is it like to get married at The Forbury Hotel?

The Forbury Hotel offers a genuinely distinctive wedding experience, combining contemporary boutique design with a setting that looks out over the historic Forbury Gardens and the ancient ruins of Reading Abbey. The contrast between the hotel's polished interiors and that centuries-old backdrop gives the whole day a character that is hard to replicate elsewhere. For couples who want five-star hospitality without sacrificing a sense of place and history, it feels like a very special choice.

How does the setting around The Forbury Hotel work for wedding photography and videography?

A hotel that sits alongside a medieval garden and abbey ruins is a gift for visual storytelling, because you have layers of texture and atmosphere right on the doorstep without needing to travel anywhere. The Forbury Gardens provide open, natural light and greenery, while the abbey ruins add an ancient, architectural quality that contrasts beautifully with the hotel's modern interiors. We always look for venues where the surroundings tell part of the story, and this setting has that quality in abundance.

Can we book Big Day Productions to photograph and film our wedding at The Forbury Hotel?

Absolutely, we would love to be part of a wedding day at The Forbury Hotel. If you are planning your wedding there, please get in touch with us to check availability for your date and to talk through what you have in mind. We cover weddings across London and the South East and are always excited to work with venues that have this kind of character and history.

Is The Forbury Hotel a good choice for couples who want a city-centre wedding without a traditional church or country house?

It is an excellent option for couples looking for something that feels urban and contemporary but still carries real atmosphere and history. Being right in the heart of Reading means guests can travel easily and accommodation is on site, which takes a lot of the logistical pressure off. The hotel's boutique scale also means the experience tends to feel more personal and considered than a large conference-style venue might.

Does the boutique size of The Forbury Hotel affect how photography and videography are approached on the day?

Boutique hotels often work particularly well for photography and film because the spaces are designed with care and detail rather than scaled up for volume, which means there is visual interest in the rooms themselves. We find that more intimate venues also allow for a calmer, more relaxed pace on the day, which tends to bring out the most natural and heartfelt moments. We always carry out a thorough recce of any venue before the wedding so we can plan how to make the most of every space available.

What should couples know about the location of The Forbury Hotel when planning their wedding day timeline?

The Forbury Hotel sits in central Reading, which makes it straightforward for guests arriving by train, as Reading station is one of the best-connected in the South East with direct services from London and across the region. Having the ceremony, reception and accommodation all in one central location simplifies the day considerably and gives couples more flexibility in how they structure their timeline. It is worth discussing with your photographer and videographer how you would like to use the outdoor spaces nearby, as the light and atmosphere around the gardens can vary across the day.