Getting Married at Ashridge

The thing I love most about working at this amazing venue is that every wedding is completely unique. All nine of the reception rooms are licensed for weddings so you can pick the one that best suits your big day. Exclusive use of the venue means each element of your day can be hosted in a different room so your guests can experience everything the manor house has to offer. All of these elegant spaces are beautifully decorated and offer breathtaking views of the estate.

Pre-Wedding Preparations

At Ashridge House there is plenty of space for both the bride and groom to get ready and knowing you don’t have to travel between venues on the morning of your wedding definitely helps things run smoothly. Bride’s usually choose to get ready in the Duke’s Sitting Room A spacious room that’s tucked away from guests a short walk from the main hall. There’s also a secret staircase that takes you up to the ceremony so you don’t risk being seen by any of your friends and family before you tie the knot.

Exchanging the Rings

The grand staircase is one of the many things that draws people to book this amazing manor house for their wedding. Couples often choose to have their ceremony here but it’s also a great place for cutting the cake in the evening. If you’re looking to make a grand entrance on your big day, it won’t disappoint!

If you’re looking for a more intimate way to say I do, the venue has recently opened up the Victorian Fernery where you can enjoy beautiful views of the gardens. There is also the option to use the chapel for a blessing on your wedding day if you’re looking for a more traditional service.

For any couples having a church ceremony, St John The Baptist C Of E Church is located just 5 minutes away, opposite the entrance to the Ashridge Estate. 

Wedding Reception

There are a couple of spaces you can choose to hold your reception depending on the number of guests you need to seat. The Lady Marian Alford Room is a spectacular space that boasts marble fireplaces and a beautiful ornate ceiling adorned with gold leaf. the perfect spot for small and medium sized weddings to celebrate. Repton Hall provides a great alternative for those with over 100 guests and can seat up to 190 people. Regardless of where you decide to have the wedding breakfast, the dance floor and evening entertainment will be held in the Wyatt Room. This means you don’t have to include a turnaround time when putting together your schedule and your band or DJ can set up during whilst you and your guests enjoy dinner. There is also separate bar and seating area when you need a break from dancing!

Documenting Weddings at This Award Winning Venue

As a photographer, I like document the in between moments to really capture how you felt on your wedding day. Although I have a documentary approach to wedding photography throughout much of the day, I really love making amazing portraits with dramatic lighting and creating something completely unique for the couples I work with. Click here to read more about my style.

The weather is one aspect of your day that’s completely unpredictable, especially in the UK, but at Ashridge House you know you’re going to get amazing photos at any time of year. From the light and bright Loggia leading out to the terrace, to the magnificent staircase with it’s neo-gothic architecture, there are plenty of spaces inside that work really well for portraits. Here are a few of my favourites:

• Staircase – The sweeping staircase in the main hall is a feature that never fails to impress. Couple’s often choose to have their marriage service here as the soft natural light and beautiful interior provide the perfect the location to elope. But, it’s also a great spot for portraits. I like to use off camera flash to transform the look of a room, creating artistic images that are completely unique.
• The Duke’s Sitting Room – A large space with big windows that let in lots of natural light making it the perfect spot for portraits of the bride before the ceremony. It’s split into two rooms which gives the bridesmaids an area to get ready whilst the other room can be kept clutter free for photos.
• Loggia – Situated just off the library, the Loggia is a beautiful bright space leading out to the terrace. The glazed façade floods the room with light so it provides great wet weather back up for group portraits.  
• Italian Gardens – The ideal location for outdoor group photos and it’s close to the terrace where the drinks reception is held so your friends and family won’t be away from the party for too long. If you’re looking to get a big group shot of all of your guests, the staircase leading down to the Italian Gardens is the best place to do it.  
• South Terrace – The arches at the back of the house provide the perfect backdrop for portraits of the bride and groom or the wedding party. The area is covered so it also works in wet weather conditions. If you decide to have fireworks on your wedding day, this is the perfect spot for guests to stand as they look over the picturesque landscape. 
• South Lawn – The South Lawn is a great place for couple portraits in the evening, however, the sun sets on the other side of the house so it’s important to do these pictures an hour or two before sunset to avoid losing the light.
• Rhododendron Walk – If you keep walking to the edge of the path, you’ll come across the Rhododendron Walk. The colourful flowers create a vibrant background and the tall hedges either side add a graphic element. There is also a path that runs parallel to the house which has lots of interesting places to shoot and beautiful light in the evening. 

What Makes This Wedding Venue Stand Out

• The Staff – All the people who work at Ashridge House are extremely helpful and friendly. The wedding coordinators do an amazing job to ensure everything is running smoothly on time.
• The Food – The caterers at Ashridge are known for their delicious food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The wedding breakfast is sure to be an element of your day that guests will remember.
• The Accommodation – It’s rare to find a such a spectacular venue that offers accommodation all of your guests. The Brownlow Lodges have 179 en-suite rooms and leisure facilities including a pool for your friends and family to enjoy.

If you’re looking for an Ashridge House wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you! Just get in touch to check my availability using the contact form below.