Choosing the right wedding venue is the most time consuming part of your wedding planning and that’s only the beginning. Planning your wedding can take years and with so many different elements to pull together, it’s a full-on event, where do you start? I hope I can help...
I’m an Oxfordshire based wedding photographer - I’ve photographed weddings all over the UK from the incredibly stunning Lake District to fashionably striking London City centre (and many in between) so although every wedding venue is beautifully unique, the venues we have right here in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds are some of the best!
This page only highlights a handful of the gorgeous venues we have near us, so I will add to this guide as time goes on. So, let me introduce, in no particular order- Caswell House, Tythe Barn, Stratton Court Barn, Cogges Manor Farm, Worton Hall, Witney Lakes Resort.
As I strolled around some of the 300 acres of picturesque Cotswold countryside that make up the grounds of Caswell House, I was blown away by the amount of gorgeous photo opportunities around every corner. I’m quite glad I was discovering this beautiful place alone with my camera as every few steps I was quietly whispering ‘Wow! Wow! WOW!!!’. If you haven’t visited yet I highly recommend putting Caswell House on your short list for so many reasons. Oh did I mention there’s a moat?! How cool is that?!
As a wedding photographer I look at venues differently to a bride and groom. I’m sure you’re busy considering guest experience, eating, drinking and parting areas, accommodation and of course the feeling that it’s “the one.”
As for me, I’m loving a venue that gives me light - when I say me, I obviously mean you, as I photograph the light that falls on you. And, I also fall in love with a venue with that all- important backdrop, Caswell House has that covered in abundance. At every twist and turn is a glorious photo opportunity and as this venue is offered exclusively to you, I don’t need to be on the lookout for photobombers as strangers trek past your party. There is so much to love about this historic place, the outdoor spaces include a moat, elegant walled gardens (I love a walled garden, always have! Gives me such a cosy feeling). You have access to the landscaped courtyards for your drinks reception, and the pretty gardens, bridges, pond, woodland and open countryside allow endless opportunities for your wedding photos.
If you are opting for an indoor ceremony, the barns are utterly charming and are the perfect, romantic setting to take your vows. Or you can enjoy an elegant outdoor ceremony in the summer months, exchanging rings under the ancient archway of the Loggia.
It was an absolute pleasure taking pictures at Caswell House to add to my list of favourite local venues. Beautiful, idyllic and with very welcoming, friendly staff. To find out more, contact Kirsten Jones on 01993 701064 or email weddings@caswellhouse.co.uk and visit www.caswellhouse.co.uk
When I arrived at The Tythe Barn, the word that popped into my mind was - nice! I mean not just nice, but niiice! This place has an air of cool and after loving first impressions, I went on to love second, third, fourth and it just kept going... I was warmly welcomed by a very friendly member of staff and with the outdoor PA sound system playing I was instantly immersed into a relaxed vibe. The warmth of a traditional, historic setting sitting comfortably alongside state-of-the-art touches shows that Tythe Barn is a versatile venue - oh wait there’s more, if the ultimate grand entrance is your style... there’s even a helicopter landing site!
Your venue choice determines so much about how your day will look and feel and it’s undoubtedly one of the biggest decisions you’ll make as an engaged couple. With so many options from rustic barns, manor houses and festival tipis, it’s just a matter of finding “the one.” You’ll know when it’s right, it will tick all the boxes and the style will match your theme. But that’s not all, there’s also ambience to consider. And this is what I really loved about the Tythe Barn, there’s an intangible atmosphere which I can only put into words by saying I could have stayed there all day (and night - the Shepherds Hut is gorgeous!!)
Shepherds Hut
The Sweetest little find!... My eye is drawn down a path lined with birch trees to the cutest little love seat #photoopportunity. And then I find The Hut, quietly and unassumingly tucked away and nestled into a secluded corner is the most adorable Shepherds Hut. I couldn’t wait to get inside and see how such modest accommodation could lend itself to a honeymoon suite and boy - was I pleasantly surprised. This isn’t just cute, cosy and comfortable, it’s also packed full of creature comforts, designed with careful consideration to satisfy the desires of modern living. A wood burning stove, under-floor heating, fitted kitchen, en-suite bathroom and a comfortable double bed. There’s quality touches everywhere, the bed linen, luxuriously soft towels and beautifully scented soaps and shampoos and cosy sheepskin rugs for underfoot, the list goes on. It’s very well thought through, there is a place for everything and everything has its place - there’s even a special place to put your wedding dress / groom's suit!
Tythe Barn made me feel extremely welcome and I’m super excited that I’ll be back there in 2021 to photograph lovely couples celebrating their dream wedding. If you would like to visit a stylish venue that perfectly combines Vintage with Contemporary contact Marie Thompson on 01869 321442 or email info@thetythebarn.co.uk and visit www.thetythebarn.co.uk
Driving through the main gates, I immediately appreciate why Stratton Court Barn is such a popular wedding venue. The beautiful tree-lined drive, flanked on both sides by an expanse of open countryside is an impressive welcome. As the venue gradually reveals itself, first the delightful courtyard, enclosed and sheltered and then the barns with their huge glass double doors - I’m truly charmed. There’s an abundance of space and yet it feels warm and inviting. Effortlessly stunning and everything you would hope for from an idyllic venue in the North Oxfordshire countryside.
Looking for the perfect venue can become overwhelming, so I recommend doing your homework right from the start. A venue can WOW you on sight, but you should read the reviews and be prepared to revisit at different times, even the evening. A good place to start your research is where you want to end up, that sounds a bit cookie right? Close your eyes and daydream. How does your perfect wedding day look? If you see a beach wedding, start there as your benchmark then visit some alternatives. This will either tell you that your sandy toes wedding is exactly what you want or you’ll realise that a cider and straw bales wedding is actually more you.
Set within 50 acres of private land, Stratton Court Barn is surrounded by an incredible expanse of beautiful Oxfordshire countryside with straw bales and 5 star reviews aplenty. Let me show you more...
If you have done your homework and researched some of the many reasons you might come to choose Stratton Court Barn as your wedding venue, the pretty backdrops and dedicated, friendly wedding team should definitely get a big tick on your list. I have spent several days working here and it always seems to be bright and sunny with clear blue skies (I’m lucky like that!) and I can tell you with confidence that there’s an abundance of photo opportunities. You can wander along woodland paths bathed in dappled sunlight and relax in quaint flower gardens, there’s rustic old stone buildings, wood fronted barns and the most gorgeous courtyard all surrounded by beautiful countryside. And if you’re lucky enough you might even get a picture perfect sunset over the fields.
With a dedicated in-house wedding coordinator your day is set to run as smooth as silk. For more info contact Karin on 01869 278899 or email enquiries@strattoncourtbarn.co.uk and visit https://www.strattoncourtbarn.co.uk
If rural - yet practically town centre is one of your criteria then you have stumbled across a real gem at Cogges Manor Farm. Nestled in a beautiful patch of West Oxfordshire countryside you are only a few minutes walk from Witney centre. And I love it for so many reasons. Cogges Manor Farm is an incredible venue with the most relaxed and flexible options available to you. With everything from from stunning walled gardens, an orchard and even farm animals to include in your photos. This venue is totally unique and utterly charming! No wonder it was used as a filming location in the famous Downton Abbey.
Choosing the right venue is very personal to each couple so if you are looking for somewhere that is totally open to whatever your style is then you need to pay Cogges a visit. The decor is left to your imagination and pretty much anything is possible. You can DIY to your hearts content or bring in venue enhancing suppliers to get the exact feel you’re dreaming of.
Cogges Manor Farm is a truly joyful barn venue which is so unique and idyllic that you and all who celebrate with you will remember your day for a very long time.
Cogges Manor Farm is a place I hold dear to my heart, not just because it’s a beautiful rustic wedding venue, but because my children spent many hours running around and enjoying the environment when they were little people with too much energy. I'd imagine every local child for generations have played, learned and wallowed during the hours it’s open to the public as an animal farm and education centre. So, when you are here for your special day it is made even more wonderful by the fact you can stroke a goat and feed a pig. How lovely is it that you can share your day with all the people you love and when your tunes are playing the chickens can strut their stuff too! And that’s just part of the magic that is Cogges.
With over 1000 years of history, Cogges retains its 'other worldly' tranquil beauty and tells a fascinating story of the past. A mention in the Domesday Book of 1086 - Wadard, the first owner of Cogges appearing as a Norman knight riding a horse on the Bayeux Tapestry and to modern day where Cogges can boast a name-dropping filming career with Downton Abbey (did I mention that already haha!) So, on your wedding day you will feel like you are stepping into history whilst you make wonderful memories of your own. On top of all its interesting history, Cogges also plays a wonderful integral part in the local area, this really is the sweetest place.
It’s wonderful to think that your Wedding would play a really important role towards the upkeep of this historic site as Cogges Heritage Trust is an independent charity that is entirely self-funding. And offering only a limited number of weddings each year, plus only one wedding per weekend means you can really enjoy your wedding day the way you want it. Cogges Manor Farm prides itself on offering a wonderfully relaxed and flexible service – allowing your wedding to be as individual as you are. You can rely on their experience for guidance or completely go your own way and use the suppliers of your choice to bring your dream barn wedding to life. There’s room for canapés on the lawn, a barbecue or hog roast, a fire pit, food vans, music and games, along with beautiful rural backdrops for photographs around the grounds. And after 5pm, as well as the barns, the rest of the site is exclusively yours to enjoy too. There’s also plenty of accommodation nearby, just a 5 minute lovely walk across the river meadows from the centre of Witney.
You will thoroughly enjoy viewing this venue and might even get to pet a goat while you’re there. To book a viewing contact the friendly team on:- 01993 772602 or email ops@cogges.org.uk and visit www.cogges.org.uk
I do love a barn with a difference and Worton Hall certainly offers that. With a wealth of history including an inclusion in the 1086 Domesday Book and interesting archaeological finds dating back to the Iron Age, there’s a fabulous mix of medieval character alongside state-of-the-art modernity.
I’ve heard brides say that they care about guest experience as much as their own. It’s a lot about first impressions and of course this can have an enormous affect on your overall opinion. A venue that cares about how you feel as you arrive can give you confidence that they apply the same care and attention to the other details of your day. Personally I’m a real fan of a tree lined driveway. It sends out all the right messages and fills me with anticipation as to what will unfold before me. So my first impression of Worton Hall was definitely going in the right direction with the dappled sunlit driveway that opens up into a large courtyard and impressive sized barn complete with arrow-slit windows and double height barn doors. And there’s so much more, let me tell you...
On the edge of the Cotswolds and in easy reach of Oxford, Worton Hall sits within the historic hamlet of Worton. The old grain barn was completely rebuilt in 2014 to make the impressive yellow-stoned wedding reception hall which allows a flexible seated capacity.
Anyway, all this detail you can get from their website, I’m here to tell you about the feels and the feels are oh so lovely. Big sweeping lawns, fruit filled orchard, calming pretty lake, cute little bridge to an unexpected stunning lake landscape, tranquil poolside area, fig trees and weeping willows and I haven’t even started on the outdoor ceremony area. The beautiful Cotswold garden with views over the weeping willow tree pond is as quaint as it comes and if you choose to say your vows under the pretty wooden pagoda you can take the elegant walk from the Farmhouse where you will have all the space and comfort you desire for your bridal prep and honeymoon suite.
What a beautiful place to say ‘I do’! The tranquil gardens really are the most dreamy setting. And once your wedding day draws to an end you have the luxury to relax and unwind in either (or both) of the luxury on-site properties.
Worton Hall offers you an elegant and state-of-the-art venue with stunning photo opportunities around every corner. All you have to do is have the best day of your lives and the team at Worton Hall will be there to support your dream day.
Catherine and Hannah are your welcoming and knowledgable team. Contact them on 01865 882644 or email enquiries@wortonpark.co.uk and visit www.wortonhall.co.uk
With a clue in the name, Witney Lakes Resort is a beautiful Wedding venue and golf course resort, boasting flawless scenery including an attractive lake, woodland areas and rolling greens. The setting is elegant and tranquil and the landscape creates a jaw dropping backdrop for your photos.
If you are dreaming of a setting with incredible open views then a golf course venue could easily match your expectations.
The manicured lawns, deliberately placed lakes with neat verges and landscaped woodland areas have an organised feel that looks great in any weather and through any season.
The quality of the venue is apparent the moment you drive up to the club house and with such picture perfect scenery it certainly warrants the description of a photographers dream. Witney Lakes Resort is a hidden gem in the heart of Witney.
I’m pretty sure all wedding photographers would agree that a venue with a lake is a big bonus. We’ve got reflections to play with, various different beauty spots to angle from and if we’re really lucky there’s a bridge. Well, Witney Lakes doesn’t disappoint. The bridge is very sweet and with the rolling lawns of the golf course behind it makes a super romantic photo opportunity. There’s even some whopping big fish who aren’t camera shy and actually made me jump when they popped up to say hello :)) And there’s more to Witney Lakes than beautiful scenery and a golf course, there’s also a health and beauty spa, fitness centre and luxury swimming pool. Some of the services are limited to members so you would need to enquire if you wanted to enjoy the resort to the fullest to see what’s available.
There are many reasons to choose Witney Lakes and one might be it’s fantastic location. Out of the way, yet just a golf ball throw from Witney and just off the A40 so your guests can whizz in from any direction with plenty of parking. There’s another reason I love this venue and that’s because it's my next-door neighbour!! Yup, I can look out across the golf course when I’m sitting at my desk editing your photos... I’m obsessed about being punctual so the ease of my commute added to the stunning environment and lovely staff is why I’m happy to highly recommended Witney lakes as a top notch Wedding Venue.
The staff at Witney Lakes Resort welcome you with a friendly and professional smile. They have a smart and attentive approach which creates a real sense of exclusivity. To find out more, contact Lauren Beck, Events manager on 01993 893003 or email your enquiries to l.beck@theclubcompany.com