Ashridge House is a beautiful venue set in the Hertfordshire countryside. I’ve photographed lots of weddings there over the years and one of the things I love about it is there are always great spots for photos whatever the weather. I like to create something different at every wedding I photograph but having a good understanding of the venue and the way the light falls at different times of year helps me work in an efficient and creative way. Here are a few of the best places for photos at Ashridge House.
STAIRCASE
The beautiful staircase in the main hall at Ashridge House is a feature that never fails to impress. Couple’s often choose to have their ceremony here as the soft light and ornate architecture provide the perfect the location to elope. It’s also a popular place to cut the cake but I love to use it for making portraits. I like to use creative lighting to transform the look of the room and the lack of natural light makes it perfect for nighttime portraits or winter weddings.
ARCHES
When you head upstairs you get an even better view of the amazing interior so I often choose this spot for portraits of the couple or group photos. It can be quite dark in this part of the house so I always use lighting to accentuate the couple.
THE DUKE’S SITTING ROOM
Brides often choose to get ready with their bridesmaids in the Duke’s Sitting Room. It’s 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. I always recommend getting into your dress around an hour before you’re due to walk down the aisle to allow plenty of time for touch ups and a couple of portraits. This space is split into two rooms which gives the bridesmaids an area to get ready whilst the other room can be kept clutter free for photos.
LIBRARY
After the ceremony, guests usually make their way to the Library for the drinks reception. Just off of this room there is a Loggia which is a beautiful bright space leading out to the terrace. The glazed façade floods the space with natural light so, when it’s cold or rainy, the Loggia provides great back up for group portraits.
TERRACE
When the weather is warmer, the terrace is the perfect spot for guests to enjoy the drinks reception. A large staircase leads down to the Italian Gardens which works really well for outdoor group photos and means 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, this staircase is definitely the best place to do it.
SOUTH TERRACE
The South Terrace is one of the best places for photos at Ashridge House and I often use it for portraits of the bridesmaids and ushers. The arches at the back of the house provide the perfect backdrop and the area is covered so it also works well in wet weather conditions. If you decide to have fireworks on your wedding day, this is the perfect spot for guests to stand as the look over the stunning landscape.
SOUTH LAWN
The South Lawn is a great place for couple portraits in the evening. The sun sets on the other side of the house so it’s important to do these pictures an hour or two before sunset so you don’t lose the light. As you walk towards the gardens you get to the Victoria Oak Tree which frames the building perfectly and this is where you’ll find the best view of the house.
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 with lots of interesting areas for photos with beautiful light in the evening.
BEST PLACES FOR PHOTOS AT ASHRIDGE HOUSE
I hope this has helped you plan the photos for your wedding day. You can find more information about what Ashridge has to offer here. If you’re looking for an Ashridge House Wedding Photographer, I’d love to hear from you!