Is this the world's smallest chapel?

Kate McGrath

WHEN newlyweds Anne Steel and Peter Hallum decided on an intimate wedding, they found the perfect venue.

This tiny chapel, dating back to the 13th Century, is thought to be the smallest in the world.

Measuring only 7ft long by 6ft wide, the chapel at St Peter's Hall, Reydon, near Southwold, only holds six people.

“It's easy to lose the significant of getting married. We chose the smallest intimate chapel for our smallest intimate wedding,” said graphic designer Anne, 41.

“It has the most amazing atmosphere. It was very romantic and very lovely. Because it is so small it was quite funny to squeeze everyone in.”

The wedding party included just five of their closest friends and family and the registrar, but not all could squeeze in the tiny venue.

“We could only fit six people in, so I think we offended some of our friends. We had a big engagement party and said that was the wedding party. Most of our friends just said 'Do what makes you happy'. And we did!”

Anne, who lives in Morningthorpe, Norfolk, added: “Peter used to be known as a bit of a 'commitment phobe' and I knew he was against all the palaver of a big wedding. He's against all the attention and the money. We wanted to keep the tradition of a wedding.”

The couple met four years through work and Peter, 50, who owns Planet Pots in Aldeburgh, proposed on April 1. They were married on Friday.

This is the first time a couple has married in the chapel at the former monastery, St Peter's Hall.

Sam Goodbourn, managing director of Wickedly Good Food which manages the hall, said: “It's lovely and quaint and very romantic.

“We can cater for much bigger weddings here, but Anne chose a very intimate affair. We believe the chapel is the smaller in the whole country. I have certainly not heard of anything smaller.”

For details of the chapel visit www.stpetershallsuffolk.co.uk