Pembroke College Cambridge Wedding Photographer

Relaxed + candid wedding photography in the heart of Cambridge

Pembroke College is one of my absolute favourite places to photograph a wedding, and I'm so honoured to be a recommended photographer at such a beautiful venue and return most years to capture a wedding there!

Available as a wedding venue for those with a close connection to the college, this historic venue is truly special and makes not just a memorable setting for your wedding day, but a truly personal one too.

Your day will be in safe hands with the college’s fantastic in-house events team, and I work with them seamlessly to capture your day as it unfolds with my unobtrusive, relaxed approach that prioritises your enjoyment of the day whilst ensuring I capture the moments that matter.

A bride and groom hold hands walking in the grounds of Pembroke College in Cambridge. The historic chapel is behind them, with the Library on the left. The sun sets behind them.
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WHY I LOVE PEMBROKE COLLEGE

Couples who marry at Pembroke College have a close, personal connection to the venue and their unique relationship to the venue makes weddings there a joy to capture as the College has played a special role in their lives at some point.

The historic grounds are a photographer’s dream, filled with beautiful light and awe-inspiring architecture, with no shortage of incredible backdrops! It’s always a big talking point for the couple and their guests and I love making the most of the surroundings in a couples’ photos.

With their own in-house events and catering team, you are truly looked after by the college and I love working with them to capture your day. The food is absolutely delicious and your wedding breakfast will be a real treat for you and your loved ones!

Summer weddings at Pembroke College are the highlight of my wedding calendar.

Here’s why I love working there.

The bride and groom smile at their guests as they walk down the aisle at Pembroke College Chapel. The chapel features ornate carved wood panelling, marble pillars and a checkered floor. Guests sit on pews at the side as they leave.

PEMBROKE COLLEGE WEDDING GALLERIES

Pembroke has been a favourite part of my wedding calendar for years and I’ve had the joy of capturing many weddings there. I know the grounds inside and out which enables me to capture your wedding in a relaxed, unhurried way, leaving you lots of time to soak up your day with the people you love and whilst ensuring you end up with photographs you treasure.

Fancy browsing some weddings I’ve photographed at Pembroke College? Head on over to the galleries below to have a peek.

GETTING READY AT PEMBROKE COLLEGE

It can be possible to get ready at Pembroke College on your wedding morning providing there is space available that day and you organise it with the events team in advance. This is typically the Old Library for weddings where the ceremony is held in the Chapel, but other rooms may be available with prior arrangement.

Alternatively, there are many fantastic hotels nearby in Cambridge city centre ideal for morning preparations, a favourite of mine being the University Arms Hotel on Regent Street.

Getting ready in the Old Library

A full length photo of a bride in a lace dress smiling as her bridesmaids in blue satin dresses help her get dressed on her wedding morning at Pembroke College.
The bride's dad smiles, overcome with emotion after seeing her in her wedding dress for the first time at the Old Library at Pembroke College.

CEREMONIES AT PEMBROKE COLLEGE

Pembroke College offers three beautiful options for your wedding ceremony: the Chapel, the Old Library and the Thomas Gray room.

Weddings are held in the Chapel at the discretion of the Dean, and the Old Library and the Thomas Gray room are licenced for civil ceremonies. Whichever you choose, you’ll be saying your vows surrounded by centuries of history and the people you love the most.

Pembroke College Chapel Ceremonies

An epic, wide view of a wedding ceremony at Pembroke College in Cambridge. The chapel is decorated with an ornate plaster ceiling, wood panelling and marble pillars. The couple exchange rings as their guests look on.
Photographed from the organ mezzanine, the bride walks down the aisle arm in arm with her father. The guests look on from the pews. The bride's white dress contrasts against the checkered tiles of the Pembroke College Chapel.
The bride and groom joyfully leave their wedding ceremony in the Pembroke College Chapel. Guests applaud in the foreground as the bride jubilantly punches the air with her bouquet of red and pink flowers.

Old Library Ceremonies

Two grooms walk back up the aisle hand in hand as guests congratulate them at the end of their wedding ceremony in the Old Library at Pembroke College, Cambridge.
A black and white moment as the two grooms smile in their wedding ceremony at Pembroke College's Old Library.
In the Old Library at Pembroke College, two grooms hold hands, beaming at each other as they are announced by the registrar as married. The guests look on and applaud them.
Guests beam as they give rapturous applause at the end of a wedding ceremony in the Old Library.

WEDDING PORTRAITS AT PEMBROKE COLLEGE

The grounds of Pembroke College are an absolute joy for wedding portraits with countless beautiful backdrops for your photographs. The gardens look spectacular in July and August, perfect for a relaxed walk among the flowers whilst your wedding guests have a drink, and the old brick walls, wooden doorways and cloisters give your portraits that unmistakable Cambridge college feel.

If we’re lucky enough to be treated to some beautiful evening light, I’ll let you know so you can slip away together for a moment as the sun sets over the Library Lawn. It’s a lovely, quiet pause in the middle of the celebrations and a moment just for the two of you.

A bride and groom smile at each other as they walk in the grounds of Pembroke College. The Library is behind them, with a border of vibrant red roses. The bride wears a strapless white dress with white appliqué flowers and the groom wears a tuxedo.
A bride and groom share a kiss as the sun sets behind them at Pembroke College.
Two grooms laugh in black and white on their wedding day at Pembroke College.
Two grooms hold hands and laugh as they walk in the gardens at Pembroke College on their wedding day. The sun shines behind them after a flash rain storm. They each wear navy suits, one with a bow tie and one with glasses.
The groom kisses the bride's temples as she laughs. She hangs a bouquet of wildflowers over his shoulder. Behind them is a backdrop of vibrant hibiscus flowers in the gardens at Pembroke College.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom in the Pembroke College cloisters on their wedding day. A high contrast black and white photo.

GROUP PHOTOS AT PEMBROKE COLLEGE

As a photographer with a candid, relaxed style, I’m often asked if I actually do group shots! I absolutely do - these are photos I prioritise capturing as they often end up being the photos couples look back on the most in the years after their wedding day.

At Pembroke College, you’ll most likely have your drinks reception on the Library Lawn so my favourite place to capture your group shots is right there, with the Library as the backdrop. At this point in the day it’s in the shade so everybody is comfortable, it has step-free access and we’re close by to everyone enjoying the drinks reception so it’s quick and easy to find everyone.

On the run up to your day, I’ll work with you to put together a list of the group photos you’d like to ensure I capture you with the most important people in your life, and I get them ticked off quickly and efficiently so you can get back to the party!

The bride, groom and her parents look at each other and laugh during a family photo session on their wedding day at Pembroke College.
The groom stands proudly amongst his groomsmen in a posed photo at Pembroke College. They all wear navy blue and pale pink ties.
The bride and her bridesmaids link arms and laugh as they walk together on her wedding day. The bridesmaids are wearing different shades of emerald and carry bouquets of wildflowers. The Pembroke College library is behind them.
The bride's sister laughs and rests her head on her grandad's shoulder in a family portrait at Pembroke College.

PARTY TIME AT PEMBROKE COLLEGE

After your wedding breakfast in the Hall, coffee and petits fours await you and your guests on the Library Lawn or in the cloisters to enjoy whilst the College team turns the room around for the evening.

Capturing the party is the perfect way to end the story of your wedding and I’ll head off to let you dance the night away after 30 mins to an hour into your evening celebrations. Chat to your DJ or band to make sure the song after your first dance is an absolute hit that’ll keep everyone dancing and give you all a night to remember!

Four men clap and pump their hands in the air, watching a live band at a wedding. The photo is black and white.
Three groomsmen in blue double breasted waistcoats dance at a wedding.
An atmospheric wide shot of guests dancing in the Hall at Pembroke College at a wedding reception. They are silhoetted against a lit up ornate plaster ceiling as they pump their hands in the air dancing.
A wide establishing shot of the cloisters at dusk on a wedding day at Pembroke College. Guests are silhoetted against the yellow light in the cloisters, with a vibrant blue dusk sky above.

PEMBROKE COLLEGE WEDDING FAQ

  • Pembroke College is in the heart of Cambridge city centre. The address is:

    Trumpington Street, Cambridge, CB2 1RF

  • Pembroke College allocates two parking spaces for bridal party with prior arrangement. They recommend parking at the nearby Grand Arcade car park which is a 5 minute walk away. The address is:

    Grand Arcade Car Park, Corn Exchange St, Cambridge CB2 3QF

  • Getting married and/or hosting a wedding reception at the College is reserved for those with a close link to the College, such as current and previous College members, current staff and their children, and all fellows and their children.

  • Pembroke College hosts weddings on summer Saturdays in July and August and recommends planning ahead to secure your date given the reduced availability.

  • As a recommended photographer, over the years I have had the privilege of photographing many weddings at the College. I know the grounds inside and out for the best possible photos, and have a solid plan in place if the weather is cold or wet too. I have a great working relationship with the events team and we work together seamlessly to keep your day flowing perfectly.

  • The Chapel hosts weddings at the Dean’s discretion, and civil ceremonies can be held in the Old Library (capacity 100 guests), and the Thomas Gray room (capacity 30 guests).

  • A typical wedding starts with a ceremony in either the Chapel or the Old Library, followed by a receiving line before heading to the Library Lawn for drinks and canapés. The wedding breakfast and speeches are held in the Hall, before heading back to the Library Lawn or the cloisters for coffee and petits fours whilst the team turn the room around for the evening celebrations in the Hall until late.

  • The College allows biodegradeable confetti such as petals to be thrown in the enclosed area outside the Hall. I recommend doing this at the end of your drinks reception before everyone heads into the wedding breakfast.

  • This can be arranged in advance with the events team providing a space is available on your wedding day. This is typically the Old Library for weddings where the ceremony is held in the Chapel. Alternatively, there are many excellent hotels in Cambridge city centre that are nearby to the College, I recommend the University Arms Hotel.

  • As a photographer who works at the College often, my favourite spots are the gardens, the cloisters, and the Library Lawn.

  • It depends on a few factors:

    Morning preparations

    If you are keen to have both of your mornings photographed and you are in different locations, you’ll need a second photographer. If you are both getting ready at Pembroke College, I can shoot key moments from both mornings on my own but it won’t be as thorough as having two photographers.

    Guest numbers

    I suggest considering a second photographer if you are having over 75 guests, and strongly recommend one if you are having over 100 guests. Two photographers ensures more thorough coverage, particularly when it comes to candid moments during your drinks reception and speeches.

    You just want to have one!

    Honestly, if you just want another photographer because it feels right then let’s go for it!

Two grooms walk hand in hand, chatting together as they walk at sunset in the gardens at Pembroke College, Cambridge.

“It was an amazing day for us, our family and friends - full of emotions - and you both made it even better.

We were blown away by your ability to command the crowds, give us your direction, but also sink into the background at the right time. In particular we noticed you joining in with the emotion of the speeches which really meant a lot to us.

Thank you so much - we love the photos and really appreciate how well you captured the emotion of the day!”

Pablo + Joshua

Married at Pembroke College

ABOUT ME

Photographer Cat Lane smiles off to the side, holding her camera. She wears round green glasses, a denim jumpsuit and stripy top.

Looking for your Pembroke College wedding photographer? I’d love to capture your day in my relaxed, unobtrusive style.

I’m Cat and for over 15 years I’ve been capturing weddings in my unobtrusive, colourful style for couples all over the UK. Having beautiful photos of your wedding isn’t enough for me - I want to make sure you are comfortable and get to enjoy your day too.

I photograph weddings for people of all backgrounds, identities and love stories and I’m proud to create a space where everyone feels comfortable, celebrated and true to themselves.

Everyone is welcome here.

If you’re looking for relaxed, colourful wedding photography that feels true to you,
you’ve come to the right place.

Check Your Date

CHECK YOUR DATE

If you feel like I might be the right fit for your day, the next step is to check I’m available on your wedding date! Pop your info into the form below and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours to confirm my availability.

You’ll also receive my brochure and a link to book in a call if you fancy a chat - I’d love to hear all about your plans and talk you through my relaxed, unobtrusive approach to wedding photography.