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A countryside wedding venue in Northamptonshire - but make it relaxedLooking for a stunning Northamptonshire wedding venue you can call home for the day? You might just find it here!

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Oh hi! I’m Sarah......a wedding photographer with a borderline obsessive affection for countryside weddings!

Sarah Vivienne taking photos at Fawsley Hall

Also, I’m based in Northamptonshire – which is lucky (for both of us!) because the county is blessed with an abundance of stunning manor house, country estate, barn, and castle wedding venues.

So to help inspire your venue search, I’ve compiled a collection of my favourites. Each one has its own magic but I’ve found them all to be a wonderful blend of history, breathtaking beauty, and a welcoming atmosphere. 

Explore each venue to find out what makes it so great for wedding photography and have a nose at some of the photos I’ve captured there.

READY WHEN YOU ARE!

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Boughton House

Boughton House

Dubbed the ‘English Versailles’, Boughton House is your no-flight-required destination wedding venue. The period backdrops are virtually unchanged since the 17th century. And it’s serenely set amid romantic gardens, relaxing waterways, and neverending nature. 

If you follow the typical country house naming convention, you’d set the sat nav for Boughton. But nope, this one’s  in Weekley, over 20 miles away from Boughton. Go figure.

Courteenhall

Courteenhall is one of Northamptonshire’s lesser-known but most incredible country house wedding venues. If an elegant celebration immersed in nature is your vibe, you might just have found your venue. You can get married in the church or have a celebrant ceremony, and then use the house (depending on numbers) or have a marquee for your reception. And the grounds? Wow – breathtaking!

Find Courteenhall near Roade, just off the M1 junction 15.

The view of Courteenhall house from the St Peter and St Paul church
Bride & groom in front of Deene Park house

Deene Park

Not one, not two, but three wedding venues in one - and all nestled in nature. Deene Park has a lakeside location for large alfresco weddings, a walled garden for licensed outdoor ceremonies & marquee receptions, and a woodland glade for rustic tipi celebrations. But tbh, the black swans, highland coo, and teapot topiary might be enough to swing it. 

Close to Corby in Northamptonshire.

 

Dodford Manor

AKA the one with the big skies. Seemingly in its own beautiful bubble, Dodford Manor is a peaceful retreat. It’s made up of a series of contemporary-styled barns that are centred around a manicured courtyard and surrounded by verdant views, rolling hills, and loopy llamas. Yep, it’s the ideal location for a relaxed wedding - and glorious sunset photos. 

Find it close to Daventry, but far from hustle and bustle.

Aerial photo of Dodford Manor taken with a drone
Dodmoor House

Dodmoor House

A relaxed barn wedding venue that oozes romance and rustic charm. It’s a flexible venue with a few ceremony locations to pick from. And depending on your guest list, there are two options for your wedding breakfast. The courtyard and gardens make your reception feel like a garden party, the canal runs alongside for extra juju, and the team is one of the best in the UK. 

Located near Weedon and easily reached by car – or barge!

Fawsley Hall

Fawsley Hall was purposely built to entertain royalty in the 1500s. And since it stayed true to its roots, you can be sure of excellent history and hospitality. You can get married and have your reception in the main Tudor house or the Georgian Knightley Court. Or there’s a church within walking distance. You’ll also find a spa and 60 bedrooms – ideal for a weekend-long celebration.

Set in southwest Northamptonshire near Daventry.

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Drone photo of the front of Kelmarsh Hall

Kelmarsh Hall

This 18th-century country house has it all. Inside, you’ll find a grand but cosy Great Hall, an elegant ceremony room, and a spacious ballroom for dinner and dancing. Then there’s the outside with swoon-worthy gardens, rolling countryside views, and even a woodland complete with treehouse. And the team is the icing on your wedding cake!

You’ll find Kelmarsh midway between Northampton and Market Harborough.

Hill Farm House

Behind the farmhouse facade, you’ll find acres of space for a relaxed wedding. You’ll also find numerous nooks for pictures of the two of you. And a whole menagerie of animals – doves, ducks, donkeys, llamas – who, depending on their mood, will provide either chaos or cuteness. And you’ll receive friendly attentive service from the family who run this wholesome venue. 

This one’s in the north east of the county, in Brigstock.

The garden at Hill Farm House in Brigstock
A view of Rockingham Castle sitting on the hill taken from Rockingham village

Rockingham Castle

It doesn’t get any more fairytale than Rockingham Castle. Just the name conjures up images of castellated towers, romantic ramparts, and glorious gardens. And although it’s spacious and sprawling, it’s actually ideal for smaller weddings. You got me! It’s impossible to do justice to this Northamptonshire gem in one paragraph – so just take a look!

Literally and beautifully located for its views on the Rutland/Northamptonshire border.

Rushton Hall

A wedding at Rushton Hall gives the best of the old and the new. The Hall itself brings stunning Tudor architecture and palpable history – and countless bedrooms. And the recently built orangery lends a contemporary style for a chic celebration with high-touch service. The grounds are a delight too – with vast lawns and a lake close to hand. 

Tucked away in the countryside near Corby but easily accessible from the A14/A43.

Aerial photo taken from the front of Rushton Hall
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Is your venue not listed here?

No worries. I’ve photographed at many more venues than I’ve listed here.

So if yours isn't on the list, message me with the name of your venue and I’ll send you some links.

If I haven’t shot there, I’ll send some similar weddings for you to have a look at. I work at new venues all the time and this is actually a really good thing. Find out why you might want a wedding photographer who hasn't worked at your venue before.

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Want more wedding venue wisdom? Need help narrowing down your contenders?

Grab a (big) cuppa and get comfy! I’ve got a series of candid guides that explain (almost) everything you need to know about how your wedding venue affects your photos.

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Searching for your dream wedding photographer to complement your dreamy wedding venue?(Totally blushing if that photographer is moi!)

Contact me about your wedding photography at one of these fine venues and I’ll get back to you faster than you can say “lemon cheesecake”!