When looking for a wedding venue, Hertfordshire is a great place to start. There are so many amazing places to get married from beautiful barns to magnificent manor houses so you’re sure to find the perfect setting for your big day. I’ve photographed lots of weddings in the area so I thought I’d put together a list of some of my favourite wedding venues in Hertfordshire to work at.
TYING THE KNOT IN THE HOME COUNTIES
ASHRIDGE HOUSE
Ashridge House is a grade I award winning manor house set in the heart of the Chiltern Hills. It boasts acres of perfectly manicured gardens and a terrace looking over the fountain – the perfect spot for a drinks reception. I have worked at Ashridge House on numerous occasions and I always find beautiful new places to photograph at any time of year. The neo-gothic architecture provides the ideal backdrop for creative portraits and documentary images of your friends and family. As an Ashridge House Wedding Photographer one of my favourite spots is the staircase in the main hall. Many couples choose to have their ceremony here and it also makes for a stunning place to cut the cake. I often use creative lighting on the staircase to create some dramatic couple portraits and unique group photos. Check out Kate & Dominic’s Ashridge House Wedding for more inspiration.
The picture above is a great example of how I use colourful lighting to transform the staircase into a dramatic background for Kate and Dominic’s creative couple portraits.
MICKLEFIELD HALL
Micklefield Hall is a beautiful country house situated in the Rickmansworth countryside. During the summer, brides often choose to have their ceremony in front of the picturesque lake – the perfect place to elope. Winter ceremonys and receptions often take place in the Great Barn, a stunning 16th century interior adorned with fairy lights. As a Micklefield Hall Wedding Photographer I love going down to the lake in the evening to get some creative nighttime portraits. There is also a beautiful field at the back of the barn which works really well for portraits at sunset.
SOUTH FARM
South Farm is a family run wedding venue in the picturesque Hertfordshire countryside. The pretty grade II listed country house provides the perfect backdrop for portraits with it’s unique pastel yellow facade and blue doors. It also boasts several beautifully paint Romany caravans for guests to stay, a lake which is perfect for portraits at sunset and an outdoor ceremony space for summer weddings. As a South Farm Wedding Photographer, one of my favourite things about this venue is the stables where you can meet the piglets during the late summer and early autumn.
THE GROVE HOTEL
I’ve photographed several weddings at The Grove Hotel and it never fails to impress. There are several spaces where you can choose to have your reception with varying styles and capacities. The Potting shed is a beautiful spot situated in the walled gardens. The unique shabby chic decor make it the perfect space for intimate weddings. The Amber room really does have the wow factor. I recently photographed a winter wedding there and the unique modern art combined with the modern interior makes it the perfect place to elope at any time of year.
ST MICHAEL’S MANOR
St Michael’s Manor is a beautiful country house in St Albans, Hertfordshire. It boasts perfectly manicured gardens overlooking the lake which works perfectly for pictures at sunset. Most brides choose to have their reception in the orangery. The large windows let in lots of natural light and allows you and your guests to look over the gardens during the wedding breakfast. If you’re looking for a St Michael’s Manor wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you.
MILLING BARN
Milling Barn is one of my favourite wedding venues in Hertfordshire set in the heart of the countryside. The 17th century oak barn is the perfect spot for a wedding reception whilst the adjoining dairy barn provides a light an airy venue for your ceremony. The country lanes and surrounding farmland are great spots for couple portraits. They have also recently built a bridal suite so you can get ready there with your bridesmaids on the day of the wedding.
MINSTREL COURT
Minstrel Court is a beautiful listed building overlooking a private lake surrounded by picturesque gardens and unique features. I think it’s definitely one of the best places to get married in Hertfordshire if you’re looking for an outdoor ceremony. This ceremony space is sheltered so you can get married outside whatever the weather. One of my favourite spots for portraits is the bridge overlooking the lake. One of the photos I took here recently won a Wedisson award. Kim and Tony’s Minstrel Court wedding is up on the blog.
ESSENDON COUNTRY CLUB
Essendon is a golf club with vast grounds with lost of opportunities for great photos. They also provide your own private golf buggy so it doesn’t take too long to make the most of all the best spots the venue has to offer. The great barn is light and bright and leads onto a terrace with amazing views of the surrounding countryside. The mezzanine level in the barn provides the perfect backdrop for the cutting of the cake and also makes for a very grand entrance. Click here to see more of Kirsty & Jack’s Essendon Country Club wedding.
HATFIELD HOUSE
Hatfield House is a magnificent Jacobean wedding venues in Hertfordshire surrounded by a spectacular countryside setting. There are lots of spaces within the grounds to hire for your wedding so whether you’re planning a large celebration or an intimate ceremony, there’ll be something to suit you. If you’re looking for a Hatfield House wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you.
TEWIN BURY FARM
I have photographed several weddings at Tewin Bury Farm and I always seem to discover new spots for photos. There are four converted farm buildings that are available to hire, each with it’s own outside area. The Millstream suite is one of the most popular as it’s set along the River Mimram but it’s restricted to intimate ceremonies. For larger weddings people often opt for the Meadow Barn which can accomodate up to 500 people. If you’re looking for a wedding venue in Hertfordshire, Tewin Bury Farm is definitely worth considering.
TOP TEN WEDDING VENUES IN HERTFORDSHIRE
So that completes my list of top wedding venues in the county. If you’re looking for a Hertfordshire wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you!