Did you recently get engaged? If so, congratulations! (I bet you keep admiring your ring at every possible opportunity!) Or perhaps you've been engaged for a while, but have decided that now is the time to plan your wedding!
So you have a wedding to plan! YAY! First up on your wedmin list is more than likely going to be 'find the perfect venue'! But with so many venues to choose from it can be a little overwhelming. I've had the opportunity to photograph at some absolutely wonderful wedding venues over the last 9 years. So to help with the overwhelm, I have put together this guide with some of my favourite wedding venues in The Midlands area. I hope you find it useful!
I live in Rugby, which is a great location as it’s right on the border of Warwickshire, so Northamptonshire and Leicestershire aren’t far at all! I photograph weddings all over The Midlands and because Rugby is right on the main road network (M6/M1/A45 etc.), lots of places are easily reached. I include travel within 50 miles of Rugby with all my packages and all the venues on this list are within that radius, so no extra travel costs apply. I do of course travel all over the UK though - so just get in touch for a millage quote if your venue is more than 50 miles from my postcode CV22. Before you start looking for the perfect venue it’s a good idea to start by thinking about possible 'themes' and styles for your day and pick a venue that suits your personality! Do you know what style of venue/wedding you want - A rustic barn? A farm in the middle of nowhere? A field with a Tipi for a festival vibe? Or maybe a fancy country house? You’ll find venues that match all of those styles on this list! Other things to consider is what is your budget and also a rough guest list so you know how many people you need the venue to accommodate.
So, in no particular order, here are my favourite Midlands wedding venues!
Swallows Nest Barn - Warwickshire
Swallows Nest Barn is a gorgeous rustic wedding venue set in the Warwickshire countryside. Near Warwick, it is an exclusive-use venue set on a family farm. The main barn has amazing high ceilings and huge windows allowing lots of natural light in. The courtyard is a lovely area to have your drinks reception with your guests and the fields surrounding the venue are perfect for couple portraits!
Wethele Manor - Warwickshire
Wethele Manor is a fantastic venue set in the Warwickshire countryside near Leamington Spa. The venue has an impressive outdoor ceremony area (as well as a beautiful indoor ceremony room) and the marquee is the perfect blank canvas to style to suit your theme. This is such a wonderful venue for couple portrait locations - one of my favourite areas is the pagoda at night which is lit up with fairy lights, creating an amazing photo!
Dodford Manor - Northamptonshire
Dodford Manor is set in the Northamptonshire countryside. The barns have been beautifully refurbished to create an amazing venue with so much rustic charm! And how could I not mention the incredible views - an epic backdrop for photos, especially at sunset!
The Granary at Fawsley - Northamptonshire
The Granary at Fawsley is a gorgeous barn venue set on the Fawsley Estate in the Northamptonshire countryside. It has gorgeous rustic oak beams in the ceremony room and the reception barn is a beautiful bright and airy space, the perfect blank canvas for any theme. The lawn is also set for outdoor ceremonies in the warmer months.
The Barns at Hunsbury Hill - Northamptonshire
The Barns at Hunsbury Hill is Northampton‘s hidden gem! It is such a stunning rustic barn venue in Northampton. My best friend also got married here in 2021, so as well as photographing a wedding at this amazing venue, I've also been a guest at this venue and it was the most amazing day, plus the food and venue staff were amazing!
Dodmoor House - Northamptonshire
Dodmoor House is an amazing barn wedding venue in Northamptonshire. I've photographed here so many times over the last few years and I have absolutely loved all of my weddings here. The staff are amazing and it’s a multi-award-winning venue for good reason! With two amazing converted barns, it has so much rustic charm. There is a lovely honeymoon suite to stay in for the wedding night, which also doubles up as a nice area to get ready in on the morning of your wedding too.
Warwick House - Warwickshire
Set in the Warwickshire town of Southam, Warwick House is a stunning wedding venue. It's a blank canvas venue that fits lots of themes, including rustic. The gardens are lovely and you can even get married outside in the warmer months. The honeymoon suite is pretty impressive and the big bay windows at the front of the house are perfect for a romantic silhouette photo.
Park Farm - Northamptonshire
Park Farm is a barn venue in Upper Shuckburgh near Daventry. Set on the Warwickshire - Northamptonshire border, this gorgeous venue is full of rustic charm. The gardens and countryside views are impressive and perfect for photos.
Home Farm Events - Northamptonshire
Home Farm events venue
Skylark Farm - Northamptonshire
Skylark
The Woodlands - Leicestershire
The Woodlands
Ashton Lodge Country House - Warwickshire
Ashton Lodge will always have a special place in my heart as it is where my husband and I got married back in 2016. It’s a lovely venue near Rugby. Set in the Warwickshire countryside, the grounds are gorgeous for photos. The main ceremony room is light and airy - perfect for lovely ceremony photos and the marquee is an amazing blank canvas to style and theme however you want to! We had lots of vintage bunting, rustic wooden logs, flowers in jars, hessian and lace. But it is a venue which can suit so many different styles and themes. The house has lots of rooms for vip guests to stay which we loved as lots of family don‘t live locally.
Hampton Manor - Solihull
Hampton Manor
Sulgrave Manor - Northamptonshire
Sulgrave Manor
Slapton Manor - Northamptonshire
Slapton Manor
Crockwell Farm - Northamptonshire
Crockwell
Bourton Hall - Warwickshire
Bourton Hall
Other Midlands Wedding Venues
The following venues I haven’t photographed at yet, or some I’m booked to photograph at very soon and I can’t wait! They definitely deserve a place on this list though and are on my bucket list to shoot at for sure! The Meadow Barn at Stratford Park - Warwickshire
Shustoke Barn - Warwickshire
Blackwell Grange - Warwickshire
Cider Mill Barns - Warwickshire
Kingstanding Farm - Warwickshire
Wood Farm at Everdon - Northamptonshire
The Hill Farm House - Northamptonshire
Mythe Barn - Leicestershire
Shearsby Bath - Leicestershire
Norton Fields - Leicestershire
Bennetts Willow Farm - Worcestershire
