19 Jan Beautiful UK Wedding Venues
WHICH VENUE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Considerations for your wedding venue
Your venue is typically the first aspect of your wedding to secure. Once you have your venue and your date you can book your key suppliers. I’ve been all over the country and abroad and seen some amazing venues. But big is not necessarily beautiful and your day is more about your friends, family and guests than the place that encompasses you. That said, I think you get a feeling for a venue when you walk in and that goes a long way to making it the right one and some are just visually stunning. There are practical factors that come into play, too, like travel distances for your guests, accommodation and even layout. Below are a few of those considerations and then 18 beautiful UK wedding venues that I’ve shot at to give you a wedding photographer’s perspective together with approximate capacities and whether they have accommodation. Check out the links to see the venues in full.
Venue Size
Sounds simple, but you need to fit your guests in! The average wedding party size is about 75 guests in the day and then up to 140 in the evening. Make sure you count for the full list but most venues accommodate this number and a few more. If you’re having over 200 guests then you need to get on the case ASAP, as there are fewer venues with that capacity. If you’re in that space try Mitton Hall, Rivington Hall Barn, Stanley House or Nunsmere Hall.
Room Configuration
Check out the size and placing of the rooms. Where’s your party room? Your ceremony room? Your wedding breakfast room? Some venues use one room for all three! That means as each part of the day passes the rooms get turned around and reset for the next part. In that case you and your guests will have to go elsewhere while that’s being done. Do you want a room for older guests or young children while you party on with the tunes going off the decibel scale!!? On that note, think about your guests being together in one place. Fewer rooms means everyone is all together and not getting lost somewhere else! Somewhere like Eaves Hall has different rooms but are all close together.
Exclusivity
Fancy meeting another bride in the same building!? A handful of venues do run more than one wedding on a day and some are still open to the public and have other guests. You’ll be caught up in the whirlwind of the day so being in your own part of the venue will feel exclusive in most cases but exclusivity means it’s just you and your party. Ultimately you have to pay extra for exclusivity. Some venues are exclusively wedding venues so what you see is what you get – and pay for! For exclusive only wedding venues try Eaves Hall, Ashfield House or West Tower.
Location & Accommodation
Where are you guests who live farthest away coming from? Maybe one thing to think about when choosing your venue. How does everyone get there? And where are people staying? On average venues have around 20-30 rooms and if you have exclusivity they are all yours. Most family and friends will plump for a local B&B or Premier Inn if close by, so worth a scan of the surrounding area when checking venues. As they’ll be spending most of the day/night with you it’s probably just to sleep over and they may well need a cab at the end of the night so factor this in too. For a venue that will accommodate all of even the biggest parties try Crow Wood.
Going abroad!? This is a whole new ball game! Please check out my destination wedding blog post or get in touch as I have worked abroad.
Food
In the true traditions of weddings the celebrations are around feasting, so food and the wedding breakfast are so important. Plus I love my food and I have had the pleasure of dining with a lot of my couples on their big day – so have had the same food as they have. My top tip for any restaurant or dining venue? Always go by the veg dishes! The average chef can cook a steak but the better ones know how not to serve mushy, over boiled veg. If you get a taster menu offered to you by your venue, maybe take a vegetarian with you!? They’ll be a good indicator to the quality of the menu! I’ve worked at Mitton Hall quite a few times (or any of James’ Places) and can highly recommend their veg – and the rest of their menu!
Photography!
Well, I had to have this as a consideration! In all truth whatever your venue it is people and personalities that will be at the heart of your day and therefore your photography. I do love to visually express the context of where you are on your wedding day, though.
If your venue has grounds with lots of nooks and crannies and pathways and trees I can shoot amongst you’ll get lots of lovely layers to your photos. If you imagine going for a (romantic!) wander in the grounds for a wee while – simple and nice and relaxed – then the backdrops that will be in the photos are all around you.
Think of somewhere like Eaves Hall with seven acres of beautiful grounds, compared to somewhere like Victoria Warehouse with its funky brickwork and contemporary lighting. Maybe you’ll want some shots with your venue in the background lit up at night? Also think that’ll you’ll be in your dresses and/or dapper suits. You’ll be more aware of your wedding dress on the day. Will you be ok if there’s a bit of a dusty old track en route? It may have rained the night before and be a bit muddy. So maybe take some other shoes and think of how you’ll get there or if you’ll want to keep your dress relatively clean.
Maybe take a shawl or something to keep you warm if we pop out on a crisp autumn day. Also, think about how far you want to go and how long you want to be away from your guests. I think 20-30 mins is ample for some gorgeous, relaxed portraits but you may need to add on a few mins to get there.
So, beautiful grounds around your venue are great but if there are a few drops of rain on the day, is there somewhere inside for some photos? In fact, it is very, very rare that it rains all day – contrary to your fears! I always have a plan B – and C – too! We’ll go through all the options to make sure the approach to your photography – particularly your portraits – will be perfect.
18 wedding venues to consider
I’ve worked in many, many wedding venues. These are not meant to be ‘the best’ but ones that I think are worth considering for a variety of reasons.
Eaves Hall, Clitheroe
Eaves Hall is classy, extremely well run and has seven acres of gardens as well as a set of elegant rooms all in one beautiful Georgian mansion. It offers so many opportunities in the gardens and fantastic when guests spill out onto the grounds. The Lodge provides a special space for bridal preparations and the accommodation at Eaves is magnificent. The rooms are adaptable depending on your size of ceremony. Check out some of my work at Eaves Hall.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~120
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 30 rooms
Crow Wood, Burnley
A seamless and fantastic wedding space. Able to accommodate all of your guests overnight if required the ceremony, reception and grounds ‘space’ merge as one. This has the effect of keeping the vibe of your day incredibly fluid where everyone is always together. You can pop out to the front if you need a quiet spot but the modern interior with the scenic outdoor landscape combines wonderfully well. Check out Carly & Aaron’s day here.
Guest Count:
Day ~85
Evening ~250
Accommodation:
Yes. 100+ rooms
Falcon Manor, Settle
Part of the James Places group there is something special about this venue. In the glorious setting of The Yorkshire Dales it is a beautiful manor house and gardens with perfect room configuration, great staff, brilliant food and tasteful decor. The bridal suite is a great size, too, with a grand chandelier staircase. Also, it has massive fluffy lampshades in the main room. Enough said. Check out Danielle & Pete’s wedding there.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~120
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 17 rooms
Rivington Hall Barn, nr Chorley
Rivington Hall Barn lies at the bottom of the hill to Rivington Pike. It’s surrounded by beautiful countryside. Rivington will house an over average amount of guests – it’s a superb ceremony and party room. There’s a great ambience to the barn space for the ceremony and wedding breakfast and some fantastic photo opportunities outside. Guests will gather in the one spot outside so it always has an intimate feel whilst being a large venue. Supremely well run and great food, too. Check out my work at Rivington Barn and for a wedding in full see Amy & Adam’s day in summer.
Guest Count:
Day ~85
Evening ~250
Accommodation:
No
Mitton Hall, Whalley
Run by the same management as Eaves and Falcon, Mitton Hall is a fantastic venue. It has a good size for the larger wedding party and the whole feel is classic and tastefully done. Great food, good room sizes and extremely well run. The gardens, both at the rear and in front, are fantastic for some intimate photos as well as the inside with its authentic manor house feel. Lots of dark beams, a cosy fire and a whopping great chandelier! Check out a host of my Mitton Hall weddings here.
Guest Count:
Day ~85
Evening ~220
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 87 rooms
Netherwood Hotel & Spa, Grange Over Sands
A fantastic building and location in the South Lake District Netherwood offers an abundance of features that can make a beautiful wedding day. The sea is not far with an expansive beach, the gardens are wonderfully layered and beautifully kept and the authentic interior offers a really exclusive feel. There are super views out to the sea, too. Check out Leepika and Matthew’s wedding.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~150
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 28 rooms + 3 self catering
Lodore Falls Hotel, nr Keswick
Lodore Falls Hotel has a spa, is a very plush hotel and also has one specific wow factor; location. Right on the banks of Derwent water and among the fells of The Lake District, photo opportunities are in abundance. There is The Surprise View and the iconic Ashness Bridge just a few mins away with a jetty going out into Derwent Water itself. The gardens outside themselves are perfect for natural, documentary style photography and if you wish they have a gazebo outdoors under which to make your vows! Check out Amber & Dan’s Wedding I shot there.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~140
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 85 rooms
St James at Wrightington, nr Chorley
This is just a blank canvas space. For those that are thinking marquee or tipi then this is worth looking at. St James is the church just next to the site so if you were married there like Sarah & Allan then it was just over the road to the marquee. I love a Tipi wedding. They are totally relaxed and perfect for my style just like Jane and Matt’s day. This place offers the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere! You will, of course, just need to sort the accommodation.
Guest Count:
Church: ~175
Evening: as per Marquee or Tipi
Accommodation:
No
Abbey House Hotel, Barrow in Furness
A fantastically complete venue in the southern Lake District. The grand entrance really sets the tune on arrival. There is a fantastic juxtaposition of this authentic style exterior and a modern design aesthetic inside. Coupled with intimate grounds down to the ruins of the old abbey the visual possibilities here seem endless. Accommodation is good and the prep suites and lodge are great for space to get ready. Check out Natalie & Darren’s day here as well as Jessica & Chris.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~175
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 59 rooms
Stirk House, Gisburn
I’ve always had a brilliant time at Stirk House. Most days are conducted by the legendary ‘Dave’! Dave is an MC extraordinaire but oversees a fantastic operation at Stirk. With a good amount of rooms and a great reception space it always has a great party feel. Whilst the grounds are not extensive it lies in a beautiful area so much to explore outside especially if you have a wedding car for the day. Check out Gemma & Anthony’s day here.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~175
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 33 rooms
Victoria Warehouse, Manchester
An amazing contemporary wedding space. A little bit ‘marmite’ on taste but if you want an urban style wedding then this is a truly exciting, stylish and postmodern option. I love the creative possibilities and you have the streets of Manchester just outside. You really have to consider natural light if you fancy this venue – when it will be with you – or not. Where there is a lack of light inside it is replaced in full by ambience and atmosphere. You also need a photographer who is technically skilled with flash. I shot Karl and Matt’s wedding here and still had the best of both worlds.
Guest Count:
Day ~125
Evening ~250
Accommodation:
Yes but limited rooms
West Tower, Ormskirk
Wonderfully quirky. West Tower is a dedicated wedding venue. The main room and bridal suite are fantastic and the gardens are close and intimate with an east facing horizon for a glorious sunset. Check out Laura & Greg’s I shot there (look out for the ‘walk’ to West Tower from The Birches Brow hotel where guests and the bridal party can stay…)
Guest Count:
Day ~85
Evening ~160
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 27 rooms
The Forest Side, Grasmere
A magical retreat surrounded by the stunning countryside of Wordsworth’s beloved Grasmere, The Forest Side is a high end, exclusive choice. With a Michelin star menu, this venue exudes class and comfort. The rooms make for the perfect bridal suite, the decor is tasteful and chic as a backdrop and the grounds are compact yet beautiful. I love gardens with lots of layers to produce intimate portraits and with the house as the backdrop it works wonderfully. I shot Sally & Matt’s Christmas wedding here and Freya and Adam’s in the spring.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~120
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 20 rooms
The Out Barn, Waddington
A modern, purpose built wedding venue. Renovated from an old barn this venue is in the middle of the countryside with views of Pendle hill on the horizon and will be exclusive on your day. It is a venue where everyone does come together in a single location and is a fantastic party space. There’s a purpose built lodge and house just behind the main building for bridal or groom prep. Guests will have to stay nearby in Waddington and beyond. Check out Ashleigh & Sam’s wedding here.
Guest Count:
Day ~100
Evening ~175
Accommodation:
No
Ashfield House, Wigan
Run by the lovely Katie, Ashfield truly has a homely feel and is an exclusive wedding venue. There is so much attention to the decor which is regularly updated in inspiring ways. The grounds are intimate and layered perfectly for my style of relaxed portraits. There enough for you to be away from everyone briefly but not too far. The grounds hug the beautiful building that will always offer some visual classiness to your photos and swell as the rooms within. Check out Tia and David’s wedding I shot here.
Guest Count:
Day ~120
Evening ~220
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 15 rooms
Knowsley Hall, Liverpool
An amazingly grand venue. Once you drive the half mile to the entrance it seems nothing but palatial. Such grandness both inside with its huge paintings and exquisitely tall rooms and the stunningly immaculate grounds that extend to the horizon, is actually matched with a very welcoming and homely feel. Brilliantly run by the most courteous staff this is truly a dream venue and offers the best in visual backdrops for your day. Kirstie & Chris had their day here in Spring.
Guest Count:
Day ~125
Evening ~175
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 16 rooms
Storrs Hall, Windermere
A stunning location in the heart of The Lake District. Its grounds meet the shores of Windermere. Whilst it is not necessarily exclusive it certainly has an exclusive feel with it’s Grade II listed building and two private jetties, one leading to The Naval Temple of Storrs. It is such an intimately beautiful venue with the offer of sunsets over Windermere as well as an outdoor ceremony if our weather allows. Check out my day with Pippa & Harry.
Guest Count:
Day ~75
Evening ~120
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 29 rooms
The Manor House, Huddersfield
An award winning venue in Huddersfield, Yorkshire. If you would like a modern space for both ceremony and party then this is fantastic. It keeps everyone closely knit and has a visually stunning bar area. The grounds are intimate rather than extensive but nonetheless it really works as a space and works so well for me as I can weave in and out of the crowd catching those priceless moments! I shot Claire & Lee’s fabulous day here.
Guest Count:
Day ~150
Evening ~200
Accommodation:
Yes. Approximately 10 rooms
So, have you found the perfect UK wedding venue for you?
There’s so much to consider when it comes to choosing your venue, and there are so many out there to consider! I’m always happy to chat about venues, so do get in touch with me if you’d like my recommendation.
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