The Pumping House | Ollerton Pumping House Wedding Photographer
Beautiful Spring Wedding of Jade & Luke
Jade and Luke held their gorgeous Spring wedding at The Pumping House. Their entire day was hosted here, flowing perfectly from the morning prep right through to the civil ceremony and evening reception.
I’m blessed with some truly amazing and unique wedding venues near where I live in Newark, but the closest—and arguably the most unique of all—is literally a mile away from my front door. As an Ollerton Pumping House wedding photographer, I absolutely love shooting here.
The industrial-chic vibe of the building mixed with the stunning surrounding woodland means there are so many unique design elements inside and out. To top it off, it is an exclusive-hire venue, meaning there won’t be another bride or groom in sight. I once photographed a wedding at an (unnamed!) hotel near Blyth where there were THREE separate wedding receptions happening at the same time—it was truly awful! You never have to worry about that here.
A Unique Sherwood Forest Wedding Venue
Nestled right in the heart of Sherwood Forest, this magnificent Grade II listed building perfectly blends old and new. The historic red brickwork and the distinctive original chimney give it so much character, while the interiors have a modern, industrial elegance.
For Jade and Luke’s day, the emotion and laughter were non-stop. Following their beautiful ceremony, they walked down the venue's spectacular double-aspect exterior steps into the garden for their confetti run—one of my absolute favourite spots for photos at this venue!
Confetti :-
There are so many beautiful places in the grounds of the Pumping House, to have your confetti - Jake & Luke held theirs in the garden after they’d walked down the beautiful double aspect steps.
Why The Pumping House is Perfect for Photography
With over six acres of tranquil woodland and beautifully styled interiors, I am spoilt for choice when taking couples away for their 20-minute portrait stroll. Here is why the venue works so flawlessly on camera:
The Engine Hall: Flooded with natural light during the day beneath a spectacular 50-foot glass ceiling, and transformed with atmospheric lighting by night for the evening party.
The Ollerton Room: With its original paned windows and gorgeous parquet flooring, it offers beautiful, even light for ceremonies.
The Quirky Details: The botanical gin room and the cinema room offer brilliant, moody backdrops for candid guest moments.
The Woodlands: A quiet escape during golden hour to get those cinematic, relaxed portraits against the towering trees of Sherwood Forest.
Speaking of details, Jade and Luke's amazing wedding cake was actually made by Jade's maid of honour and sister, Nicole. If you love one-of-a-kind, stunning artisan wedding cakes, you should absolutely check out her Retford-based cake business here:
The Evening Party
Once the heart of the original water pumping station, the Engine Hall forms the ultimate centrepiece for the evening celebrations. With its own beautiful bar area and massive dance floor, Jade, Luke, and their guests partied long into the night (helped by the venue's 1 am late licence!).
It was an absolute privilege to capture this day. If you’re planning a wedding that combines industrial grandeur with a relaxed, contemporary style, this venue is incredibly hard to beat.
The Pumping House Wedding Venue FAQs
How many guests can The Pumping House accommodate? The venue is incredibly versatile. For ceremonies, the Ollerton Room holds up to 100 guests, while the impressive Engine Hall can host up to 150 guests for larger celebrations.
Is there on-site accommodation for the wedding party? Yes! The Pumping House Quarters features a stunning luxury Bridal Suite spread across two floors (perfect for morning prep), plus ten self-catered luxury apartments that can sleep up to 28 of your closest friends and family.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day? This is where the venue's industrial architecture truly shines. The sheer size of the Engine Hall, the massive glass ceilings, and the beautifully styled botanical rooms mean you are guaranteed stunning, light-filled wedding photos without ever needing to step outside.
Planning a Nottinghamshire wedding? You can read about more beautiful weddings I have photographed nearby at Hazel Gap Barn, Hodsock Priory, Kelham House, and The Carriage Hall.
