Rachel & Danny planned their Ashridge House wedding and wanted to use their engagement shoot to explore this beautiful Hertfordshire wedding venue. With a summer wedding, they opted for a winter visit to Ashridge House to admire it in a different season. Once a royal residence Ashridge House is set in 190 acres of gardens. There are stunning spaces inside, including a beautiful staircase used for ceremonies and a Loggia – a light filled space with high arched ceilings and French doors out onto the Italian Gardens.
The grounds of Ashridge House are perhaps even more special. They are sunken Italian Gardens, formally laid out around a pool and with a backdrop of this neo-gothic country house. There are ancient trees – oak and yew on a lawn perfect for garden games, and large banks of rhododendrons. There is a rose garden enclosed by high hedges with beds laid out around a central fountain. The monks garden is tucked to the side and includes a recessed seat in the walls surrounding it. And even if it rains there is a garden space to enjoy – a tranquil Victorian glasshouse called the Fernery.
Ashridge House is a special place – an exclusive use wedding venue in Hertfordshire, only 30 minutes north of London. Exploring your wedding venue can be a great idea for your engagement photos – but I’ve also shared other location ideas for your engagement shoot.
I always recommend an engagement shoot – especially if you feel anxious or would describe yourself as camera shy. An engagement shoot lets us get to know each other, you get to feel relaxed in front of my camera, get a set of beautiful portraits and it means that your wedding photos will be gorgeously natural. If you’re just engaged please send me a message so I can help you plan a relaxed and natural engagement shoot somewhere that’s special to you.
