How to pick your Country House wedding venue
Second on my blog posts about searching for a wedding venue, is one of my favourite styles – the grandeur of a Country House wedding venue. A beautiful old building to host your guests in, often with decor to compliment your own styling that adds to its WOW factor. I love long driveways that open up to stunning mansions, high ceiling dining rooms that make your guests gasp. I have been fortunate to photograph so many STUNNING Country house wedding venues, I am haven’t included them all but here are a few the last year or so.
Braxted Park
Braxted Park definitely has the wow factor as you come down the tree lined avenue to the main House. We have been lucky enough to photograph this beautiful venue several times, and are back their this summer on a few occasions and I cannot wait!
Couples have lots of choice when they say I do here, they can get married in the pretty orangery, which attaches to the bridal dressing area, meaning you dont have to go anywhere just stay n the comfort of your bridal area until you say I do. If you want to say I do the Walled Gardens, you can get married outside as your guest look on surrounded by flowers. OR if you would prefer a church service, there is a church within the grounds so you can say I do there as well.
Also with the reception you can host guests in the beautiful sage green dining room, for dinner up to 100 or for couples with more guests they have a permanent marquee with a hidden dance floor which holds up to 350!
Have a look at more from this venue with Hayleigh and Ben’s Braxted Park wedding
Syon Park
Just a short distance from London, within the borders of the suburbs, Syon Park was a venue that was on my list of venues I REALLY wanted to shoot at, so I was over the moon we got to photograph at this spectacular last year. Couples get married in the Great Hall followed by beautiful private drinks reception in the Courtyard which leads out from the Great Hall itself (we can sneek into the state dining room for photos inbetween too) then the guests are lead around the gardens to their Great conservatory.
With it’s impressive glass dome, it is like a blank canvas for you to style, although the beautiful indoor foliage definitely influences. But it is a photographers dream too with so much beautiful airy light. I cannot wait to go there again soon.
Amy and Olivers wedding at Syon Park click to see them on the blog. But it was also featured on top wedding blog rock my wedding here
Hedsor House
Sitting very near to the Thames almost at the top of a hill, as you wander around Hedsor House, I love to look at the rolling countryside hills. One of the favourite spots for photographs has to be their beautifully cultivated walled garden, as you go down into the garden for photographs with the house imposing in the background.
Hedsor House has one of my favourite dressing rooms/honeymoon suites. the interconnecting rooms are the perfect way to get ready and just feel so peaceful and serene. And of course being flood with light for the big windows they are great to photograph too.
You can say I do in the Central Hall before you wander outside or to one of the many rooms for a drinks reception. Then wow guests with the stunning dining room for dinner. No wonder named it Vogue’s Dream Wedding Venue
Click to see Kirsty and Jack saying I do at Hedsor House
Luton Hoo
Set in the countryside on the Bedfordshire/Hertfordshire border this 11th century building is incredibly romantic. It has vast gardens, I think Ive only managed to see a fraction of them so far, but loved wandering the grounds with Christina and Shane last year.The house sits high overlooking it all, creating a breathtaking photographic backdrop.
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh often visited Luton Hoo in the early years of their marriage to celebrate their wedding anniversaries, it has the royal approval too!
Click to see Christina and Shanes Luton Hoo country house wedding venue
Horsley Towers
Sitting on the lake with beautiful lawn surrounding it, Horsley Towers is impressive on first viewing, but I loved discovering all the hidden beauties. A secret chapel, beautifully tiled cloisters you can take a wander down with for portraits. You could easily get lost, with so many places to take photographs.
Harriet was able to get ready upstairs before being whisked off to church but lots of couples love to say I do in the Great Hall before heading outside to the veranda for drinks over looking the gardens
Click for Harret and Edwards Horsley Towers wedding
Gosfield Hall
This stately home has actually hosted a couple of famous faces in recent years. It’s a palatial Georgian Mansion you can call home for the day. Most couples fall in love with the Rococco Bridal Suite, decorated during the residency of King Louis XVIII. I am not sure I have seen a bridal suite that impresses quite like this one.
When you say I do Victoria opted to be outside surrounded by loved ones, but you could also opt for the Queen gallery or Grand salon before heading outside to the constable country inspired gardens and views of rural Essex.
The former Marquis of Buckingham’s Ballroom is an exquisite setting for your wedding breakfast, even without a lot of styling it has an instant wow.
More of Victoria and Ricks Gosfield Hall wedding here
Fanhams Hall
A Jacobean Mansion tucked in the Hertfordshire countryside on the edge of Ware, Fanhams hall is surrounded by walled gardens, fountains, vegetable gardens and huge trees. Wander further and the archways of wisteria lead to a pretty Japanese Tea House and garden area with bridge.
For me I loved the little touches, I loves that Courtenay and Tom got to plant their own rose bush in the gardens, knowing that will be there for years to come. I actually love the wooded area before the Japanese Garden, often overlooked, but reminiscent of middle american states. Similar to VERY popular pinterest wedding photos, combining that out in the wild look just a few steps away from the gardens
Great Fosters
With nearly 50 acres of land this grand Country House wedding venue with a Michelin star restaurant, has it all. Whether you want to get married indoors or outside, a lavender filled walled garden, tree lined entrance but my favourite its Maze. In Spring many trees in the gardens are full of blossom, which always makes a favourite photo
Notley Abbey
Hengrave Hall
The West Terrace is perfect for an outdoor drinks reception in the summer months, but this venue really wows too in winter with its beautiful rooms and halls to host your guests
If you loved this piece but are still searching wedding venues have a look at my how to pick your barn wedding venue too
Or if you’re just engaged What to do before you start planning