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UK WEDDING VENUES

Searching for your dream UK wedding venue?

(And maybe a photographer to go with it?!)

Whether you’re launching your love story in the east, saying “I do” in the west, sashaying south for your vows or adventuring north for your nuptials, read on to find out which UK wedding venues make for magical wedding photography. 

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Have camera. Will travel.I’m Sarah Vivienne - a wedding photographer from Northamptonshire. But my work isn't limited to my home county. I'll go wherever the wedding (and cake) is. Bali, anyone?

Sarah Vivienne taking photos at Fawsley Hall

I’m pretty chuffed that my wedding photography adventures have taken me to some truly magical venues in the UK – many of which I venture back to with hubs and pups to explore more! 

Happily, I'm based smack bang in the middle of the UK. So I can travel around the country easily and quickly. There aren’t many places I can’t reach within a couple of hours. 

And road-tripping with the windows down, the tunes up and a bag of liquorice allsorts all to myself? Heaven.   

LET’S GO ON AN ADVENTURE!

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My favourite UK wedding venues for gorgeous photography

Click each venue to borrow my brain and explore their potential for wedding photography.

CAIN MANOR

Near Farnham, Hampshire/Surrey border

Cain Manor is a countryside wedding venue contradiction. It’s a barn - but light and airy. It’s also a medieval manor - but with a modern vibe. It has a courtyard that's surrounded by a manicured garden that's nestled in a meadow that's hidden by woodland. And it's backed up with an exceptional experience from a top-notch team. What more could you want?! Good food and a luxurious overnight stay? Cain Manor has that too. It's an automatic “yes” from me!

Best photo attribute: The variety of locations for pictures of the two of you

The front of Cain Manor
Vintage wedding car driving up to the front of Chicheley Hall

CHICHELEY HALL

Location: Near Newport Pagnell, north Buckinghamshire

Chicheley Hall has all the palpable heritage, original features, and relaxing grounds you’d imagine of a 1700s country house - but thanks to the large windows and light decor, it’s unusually light and airy. It’s been converted to a hotel, so there are bedrooms and modern touches too. The main house has an intimate feeling but it’s spacious enough for 80 people. Or you can have a marquee outside. Just the ticket for an elegant ceremony, relaxing reception, and beautiful photos.

Best photo attribute: The light. Or maybe the architecture. Nope, definitely the staircase.

HARLAXTON MANOR

Near Grantham, Lincolnshire

Harlaxton Manor is an American university - but only on an IYKYK basis because it looks every inch the stately home with the house and grounds in their original splendour and glory. I feel like Alice in Giantland here - everything is oversize and inspiring. The opulent architecture and beautiful grounds are an obvious draw. But it’s the wide choice of spacious indoor options for wet-weather weddings that make this a winner.

Best photo attribute: The inside is no second place to the outside.

View of Harlaxton Manor from top of drive
The back of Kilworth House

KILWORTH HOUSE

South Leicestershire

Large luxurious hotel meets country house with a view - and a conservatory the size of a house. But it works equally well for small and large weddings. And you can choose exclusive-use for complete privacy. The bedrooms are wonderful, particularly the wedding suite. And the library, staircase, and Portico entrance are great spots for rainy-day portraits. But my favourite feature has to be the dolls’ house-style TV cabinet!

Best photo attribute: The lovely light for photos inside

NOTLEY ABBEY

Near Thame, on the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire border

History and architecture nerds will love this place. Especially if you also enjoy informal luxury. Because this is somewhere you can truly spoil yourself and feel right at home. (If that home was a converted 12th-century monastery.) But it’s the combination of styling and atmosphere that set Notley Abbey apart from other venues. It brilliantly balances the old and the new. There are original and interesting features everywhere you look. And the natty but mellow modern touches and sumptuous bedrooms top off the experience.

Best photo attribute: The endless choice of locations for pictures of the two of you

Notley Abbey
The front entrance of Stapleford Park hotel

STAPLEFORD PARK

Near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

The ultimate country retreat. This indulgent but warm and inviting venue has options for micro weddings through to maxi weddings. And there’s a delightful church on the grounds for a blessing. There are extensive gardens and rolling countryside views as the setting for your drinks reception. And with a spa, woodland walks, country pursuits, and close-by Rutland Water you could make a celebratory weekend of it.

Best photo attribute: The variety of architectural eras to show off in your photos

STOKE ROCHFORD HALL

Near Grantham, Lincolnshire

The combination of Victorian country house and tranquil surroundings at Stoke Rochford Hall is spot on for a classic and elegant but easy-going wedding. And with plenty of bedrooms, noone has to leave early. Your furry friends (and your guests’ furry friends) will love it and be welcomed as much as you. And at the time of writing, you can enjoy a complementary cream tea for two when you go to view the venue … run, don’t walk!

Best photo attribute: The external views of the house for photo backgrounds

Stoke Rochford Hall - a wedding venue near Grantham in Lincolnshire
Jon & Beth's elegant rustic wedding at Shustoke Farm Barns (21)

SHUSTOKE BARNS

Coleshill, north Warwickshire

As barn wedding venues in the UK go, this is one of the best. It has bags of character. Inside, the main barn (which must be at least three storeys high) has exposed brick, bare beams, and arches in the windows and walls which remind me of a grand cathedral. And outside, there’s a charming rustic courtyard with olive trees and plenty of seats for a chilled drinks reception. Yep, the Cripps & Co group knows what’s what.

Best photo attribute: A close call between the quirky features and the supportive team

ST GILES HOUSE

Wimborne, Dorset

St Giles House is in a class of its own. It’s an effortlessly eccentric country house, with sumptuous but comfortable and homely rooms - and history literally oozing out of the walls. Seriously. You’ll find wallpaper hanging off the batons, roof trusses poking through the ceiling, and battered paintwork. And the grounds follow suit, with an abandoned gate amongst long grasses and unkempt topiary, alongside stately steps and statues. You can see and feel the history and the love in this place. It just works. 

Best photo attribute: All of it! The house, the grounds, the light … you can’t go wrong

St Giles House wedding venue in Dorset
St Tewdrics House, Chepstow, Wales

ST TEWDRIC'S HOUSE

Chepstow, Monmouthshire

St Tewdric’s is a 19th-century Italianate villa - and it certainly has a destination feel with the light brickwork and contemporary minimalist decor. But there’s no mistaking the Welsh location either, with views over the Severn estuary. The venue is exclusively yours for the day, and you can extend the celebration and stay overnight. (Definitely bagsie the tower suite with its spiral staircase and roll-top bath at the top!) It’s family-owned and run, and they take great care to create the day you want. 

Best photo attribute: The chilled-out feeling … which means relaxed photos

WOBURN SCULPTURE GALLERY

Woburn, north Bedfordshire

The Sculpture Gallery is on the grounds of Woburn Abbey, and it was built to house, well, sculptures (because no room at the abbey!) so you can expect, well, sculptures! But there’s so much more to it - a grand ballroom for your ceremony and wedding breakfast, extensive gardens for your drinks reception, and endless options for your formal photos - including some great indoor backups that are actually Plan-A-worthy. And the team is incredible.

Best photo attribute: The indoor options for a wet day - or just any day

Woburn Abbey

Want to take me somewhere new?

Yay!

Seeing new places makes me giddy. And shooting in new places keeps my creative cogs turning and my photos evolving.

And that means something new just for you!

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Does it matter whether I’ve photographed at your venue before?Great question! And I’ve got (hopefully just as great) answers for you.

Click a guide to learn more about choosing the best wedding photographer for you.

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My wedding venue bucket listThese wedding venues are actual #lifegoals

Want to tie the knot in a gorgeous UK destination, and help me tick off one of the venues I’m crushing on right now?

I’d love to shoot a wedding (or twenty) at any of these!

Want to help me tick off some of my bucket list?Come explore the wedding venues I’m currently lusting after.

Euridge Manor

Holkham Hall

St Giles House

Stowe School

Tunnels Beaches

And I’d love to return to …

Belvoir Castle

Brocket Hall

Burghley House

Harlaxton Manor

Lord Leycester Hospital

Soho Farmhouse

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”!

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