My Favourite Home Counties Wedding Venues
I am a big fan of the home counties wedding venues. If you’re based in or around London and looking for a more rural wedding venue, consider the home counties, which include Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Essex, and Hertfordshire—all bordering the capital. These locations offer the perfect balance of picturesque settings and proximity to London, allowing you to escape the city’s hustle and bustle without the added stress of long-distance travel or accommodation logistics. It’s an ideal option for a charming countryside ceremony while staying close to home.
Here’s a list favourites I’ve worked with in the past.
The Bedford Swan, Bedfordshire
Shrigley Photography
Shrigley Photography
SL Photography
The Bedford Swan Hotel overlooks the River Ouse and is an enchanting, picturesque wedding venue. It was originally built in 1917 for the 5th Duke of Bedford, with stunning 18th century architecture. If you’re looking for a canvas full of character to create your dream day and capture some gorgeous pictures, it’s a great option.
Being a hotel as well, it brings convenience. This means that the bride can wake up in one of the luxurious rooms and get ready for her big day, without rush. Guests travelling from afar, will have an easy option of staying overnight and enjoying some time in the spa.
I absolutely loved seeing my designs modelled here as we really did have full creative freedom to deck it out with candles, lights and extravagance. Just what we needed, to really bring the dresses to life.
This splendid venue boasts some very bold interior design, which I think suits a very minimal styled wedding dress, be it a white or a dramatic dark tone, like plum.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Fanhams Hall, Hertfordshire
Amy Murphy Photography
HN Photography
Emma DB Photography
As a certified lover of all things gothic, Fanhams was the perfect venue to create our opulent, dramatic themed wedding shoot.
Whilst I wrote another blog post about the day itself, I also wanted to shine a light on how brilliant the hall is. The building could easily be spooky if it weren’t so breath-taking, with the classic medieval features almost giving it a Kate Bush, Wuthering Heights vibe. It’s the perfect spot if you want drama and history.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Chicheley Hall, Buckinghamshire
Shrigley Photography
Shrigley Photography
Shrigley Photography
It’s easy to see why we chose Chicheley for this dreamy, fairy-tale themed shoot.
This Grade I listed building exudes charm and whimsy, with its stunning architecture, high ceilings, and winding staircases set against 80 acres of beautiful grounds.
Indeed, the groom of one of my past brides actually arrived there by helicopter, so yes… it’s very fancy.
The huge windows allow swathes of natural light to flood in and flatter you from every angle.
It’s no surprise that Chicheley is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Milton Keynes. The Mansion House can host up to 110 guests, but for those looking to throw a grand celebration, a marquee option allows for up to 600 guests—making it an ideal choice for couples planning an extravagant affair.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Delve deeper into the Marie Antoinette Wedding Shoot
Ashridge House, Hertfordshire
Nick Rutter Photography
Nick Rutter Photography
Nick Rutter Photography
You can’t get much more grand than Ashridge House. Resembling a church or palace both inside and out, it’s the perfect spot for couples who refuse to do anything low-key. They are also really flexible with space, reporting that they’ve had owls deliver the wedding rings, cakes cut with axes, and a Toy Story inspired nerf gun competition take place in the Old Library.
If you want to check it out, click here.
One of the best parts about designing dresses, is snooping around our treasury of wedding venues. It inspires me to create designs that would marry up with the backdrop most optimally; nay magnificently. I go so far as to picture what the photos might looks like in each photogenic nook and corner and consider how the bride would navigate the great staircases and ornate doorways.
I also just love working with other wedding vendors. It’s an industry which creates magic and beauty, so getting to be around it all the time is an absolute pleasure.
If you’re an upcoming bride and have liked any of the dresses in this post, they were all made by me! Feel free to get in touch to begin the journey of creating your own, custom gown.
Why I, as a dress designer like to snoop classy venues!
One of the best parts about designing dresses, is snooping around our treasury of wedding venues. It inspires me to create designs that would marry up with the backdrop most optimally; nay magnificently. I go so far as to picture what the photos might looks like in each photogenic nook and corner and consider how the bride would navigate the great staircases and ornate doorways.
I also just love working with other wedding vendors. It’s an industry which creates magic and beauty, so getting to be around it all the time is an absolute pleasure.
If you’re an upcoming bride and have liked any of the dresses in this post, they were all made by me! Feel free to get in touch to begin the journey of creating your own, custom gown.
Photo Credits
All dresses hand made by Caroline Versallion, featuring embroidery by Ashleigh Jay and Susan Kennewell Textiles / Shrigley Photography and Film / Butterfly Road (florist) / Holly Carter / Kiran Rival Make Up / Acorn & Oak Planner and Stylist
Amy Murphy Photography / HN Photography / Emma DB Photography / Holly Carter HMUA / Chimney Menswear / Vicki’s Floral Designs
I am a big fan of the home counties wedding venues. If you’re based in or around London and looking for a more rural wedding venue, consider the home counties, which include Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Kent, Surrey, Essex, and Hertfordshire—all bordering the capital. These locations offer the perfect balance of picturesque settings and proximity to London, allowing you to escape the city’s hustle and bustle without the added stress of long-distance travel or accommodation logistics. It’s an ideal option for a charming countryside ceremony while staying close to home.
Here’s a list favourites I’ve worked with in the past.
The Bedford Swan, Bedfordshire
Shrigley Photography
Shrigley Photography
SL Photography
The Bedford Swan Hotel overlooks the River Ouse and is an enchanting, picturesque wedding venue. It was originally built in 1917 for the 5th Duke of Bedford, with stunning 18th century architecture. If you’re looking for a canvas full of character to create your dream day and capture some gorgeous pictures, then it’s a great option.
Being a hotel as well, it brings convenience. This means that the bride can wake up in one of the luxurious rooms and get ready for her big day, without rush. Guests travelling from afar, will have an easy option of staying overnight and enjoying some time in the spa.
I absolutely loved seeing my designs modelled here. We really did have full creative freedom to deck it out with candles, lights and extravagance. Just what we needed, to really bring the dresses to life.
This splendid venue boasts some very bold interior design, which I think suits a very minimal styled wedding dress, be it a white or a dramatic dark tone, like plum.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Fanhams Hall, Hertfordshire
Amy Murphy Photography
HN Photography
Emma DB Photography
As a certified lover of all things gothic, Fanhams was the perfect venue to create our opulent, dramatic themed wedding shoot.
Whilst I wrote another blog post about the day itself, I also wanted to shine a light on how brilliant the hall is. The building could easily be spooky if it weren’t so breath-taking! The classic medieval features almost giving it a Kate Bush, Wuthering Heights vibe.
It’s the perfect spot if you want drama and history.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Chicheley Hall, Buckinghamshire
Shrigley Photography
Shrigley Photography
Shrigley Photography
It’s easy to see why we chose Chicheley for this dreamy, fairy-tale themed shoot.
This Grade I listed building exudes charm and whimsy, with its stunning architecture, high ceilings, and winding staircases set against 80 acres of beautiful grounds.
Indeed, the groom of one of my past brides actually arrived there by helicopter, so yes… it’s very fancy.
The huge windows allow swathes of natural light to flood in and flatter you from every angle.
It’s no surprise that Chicheley is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Milton Keynes. The Mansion House can host up to 110 guests, but for those looking to throw a grand celebration, a marquee option allows for up to 600 guests—making it an ideal choice for couples planning an extravagant affair.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Delve deeper into the Marie Antoinette Wedding Shoot
Ashridge House, Hertfordshire
Nick Rutter Photography
Nick Rutter Photography
Nick Rutter Photography
You can’t get much more grand than Ashridge House. Resembling a church or palace both inside and out, it’s the perfect spot for couples who refuse to do anything low-key.
They are also really flexible with space, reporting that they’ve had owls deliver the wedding rings, cakes cut with axes, and a Toy Story inspired nerf gun competition take place in the Old Library.
If you want to check it out, click here.
Why I, as a dress designer like to snoop classy venues!
One of the best parts about designing dresses, is snooping around our treasury of wedding venues. It inspires me to create designs that would marry up with the backdrop most optimally; nay magnificently. I go so far as to picture what the photos might looks like in each photogenic nook and corner and consider how the bride would navigate the great staircases and ornate doorways.
I also just love working with other wedding vendors. It’s an industry which creates magic and beauty, so getting to be around it all the time is an absolute pleasure.
If you’re an upcoming bride and have liked any of the dresses in this post, they were all made by me! Feel free to get in touch to begin the journey of creating your own, custom gown.
Photo Credits
All dresses hand made by Caroline Versallion, featuring embroidery by Ashleigh Jay and Susan Kennewell Textiles / Shrigley Photography and Film / Butterfly Road (florist) / Holly Carter / Kiran Rival Make Up / Acorn & Oak Planner and Stylist
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