Houghton Lodge
Beautiful house and gardens in the Test Valley
For lovers of the countryside, landscaped gardens and beautiful backdrops Houghton Lodge is a wonderful option as a wedding venue. When it comes to your wedding photography the opportunities are pretty much endless; this wonderful space has so much to offer and photographs absolutely beautifully throughout the day. From the charm of the historic walled garden to the wide opens spaces surrounding the marquee down by the river, it's a venue I love to return to again and again. Beautiful weddings happen here.
OVERVIEW:
The main house makes the first impression on your guests when they arrive, typically then turning left from the driveway towards the walled garden which serves as the initial reception space for drinks and canapes. These gardens are so beautifully kept - you'll be assured of colour and interest throughout and it makes for an excellent backdrop for group photographs in particular (also through the little gate and to the other wide of the feature wall where you'll find a bit of welcome shade for your photos on a sunny day). To the other side of the house the lawn sweeps down to the banks of the river and the marquee which serves as the main base for the rest of the celebrations. Down here it's all about the party - food and dancing inside; chilling in the last of the evening light outside. And as the main gardens close to guests later in the afternoon you suddenly find that you have this wonderful space all to yourself for the rest of the evening.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
Where to begin? It's all about the gardens really, but there is so much variety within these that you could photograph a hundred weddings here and give something different every time. One of my personal favourite spots is the sunken garden with the box hedges between the house and the walled garden; wonderful for carving out a little quiet time just with the couple as guests make their way down towards the marquee. Shots down on the river bank are always a classic, or scramble up the bank on the other wise of the marquee for views across the Test Valley. The house itself makes for a beautiful and interesting backdrop, especially if you can find your way inside at some point in the day. The walled garden with its absolute riot of colour never fails to disappoint. The only limit really is how far into the grounds the couple is willing to explore...
