Oakley Hall Hotel Wedding Venue
Wedding planning is quite an adventure, and trying to find the right venue for your style is just the beginning. So sit back, grab a cuppa and see if this stunning grand venue nestled in the countryside in Hampshire is the right wedding venue for you.
Oakley Hall Hotel is a grand venue surrounded by beautiful countryside, elegant architecture and quite the setting for a fabulous celebration with all your loved ones. Set within 315 acres of countryside, this beautiful 18th-century country house combines historic charm with contemporary wedding spaces, beautifully landscaped gardens and accommodation for your guests (an all in one venue; not always easy to find).
Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony with your closest family and your favourite people or a huge celebration that no one will forget, Oakley Hall offers plenty of flexibility to make the day your own.
As a documentary wedding photographer, I’m always drawn to venues that give couples the freedom to enjoy their wedding naturally. Somewhere with beautiful surroundings, interesting light and plenty of opportunities to capture so many amazing memories that everyone loves to look back on.
In this short guide, I’ll take you through everything you need to know about getting married at Oakley Hall Hotel, from its ceremony and reception spaces to photography opportunities and a few tips for making the most of your day.
Could A Oakley Hall Hotel Wedding Be For You?
One of my biggest loves of Oakley Hall is the balance between traditional country house elegance and the ease and beauty of a modern wedding venue. The Georgian manor house creates a wonderful sense of occasion, while the surrounding countryside provides a peaceful setting for the perfect celebration.
You definitely want to explore the grounds, especially if you’re dreaming about an outdoor wedding. There’s space to step away for a quiet moment together, to take in the rolling countryside as you say I do, to enjoy drinks with your guests or simply take in everything that’s happening around you.
With several different ceremony and reception spaces, you aren’t restricted to one particular style of wedding. You can keep things intimate and traditional, embrace an outdoor ceremony or plan a larger celebration with all your family and friends.
What I particularly like about venues with this kind of flexibility is that your day can flow naturally. You don’t need to spend lots of time travelling between locations, which means more time celebrating and less time worrying about logistics. Plus, the staff here are absolutely amazing and provide an outstanding service.
The Best Places For Wedding Photographs At Oakley Hall Hotel
When choosing your wedding venue, it’s worth thinking about how you’d like your photographs to feel. Do you imagine relaxed portraits surrounded by greenery? Something a little more editorial against elegant architecture? Or photographs that capture the atmosphere and the fun of your day as it unfolds?
Oakley Hall offers a lovely variety of settings, which is one of the main reasons it’s worth considering from a wedding photographer’s point of view. Whether that be for couple photos or documenting the magic of your day.
Here are a few locations to consider for your couple photos:
1. The Georgian manor house – the architecture of the main house provides a beautiful backdrop for wedding portraits. Its traditional exterior is particularly suited to couples who love elegant, understated photographs. You don’t need elaborate posing or lots of props. Sometimes a beautiful building, good light and a quiet moment together are all you need.
2. The landscaped gardens – with lawns, perfect planting and stunningly maintained gardens, there are plenty of opportunities for natural photographs. These spaces can work particularly well for relaxed couple portraits, family photographs and candid moments during your drinks reception.
3. The woodland and countryside – fancy your couple photos with a bit more nature in? No worries, the woodlands and surrounding landscape offer a fantastic setting for all nature lovers. Trees, open countryside and changing seasonal colours can all add something special to your wedding gallery. I particularly love using natural surroundings for photographs that feel unforced, allowing couples to walk, chat and enjoy a few minutes together rather than feeling like they’re taking part in a formal photoshoot.
4. The Garden Terrace – the terrace provides another opportunity for photographs, particularly when your guests are enjoying drinks or spending time outside. These are often the moments where some of my favourite images happen: people laughing, hugging, catching up and enjoying the celebration.
5. The Library and historic interiors – don’t overlook the indoor spaces. The Library’s rich textures, chandeliers and traditional details could be lovely for a handful of atmospheric portraits, particularly if the weather isn’t on your side (always be prepared as you never know what the British weather might throw at you).
My photography tip: You don’t need to spend an hour away from your guests to create beautiful couple photographs. I’d usually suggest allowing around 15–20 minutes for relaxed portraits, with the option of stepping outside again for a few minutes later in the day for golden hour (picture you being dazzled with gorgeous golden light).
Don’t forget the best photographs often happen when you’re simply enjoying yourselves and taking in all the love.
Oakley Hall Hotel Wedding Galleries
There’s something special about seeing how a wedding venue comes to life on the day itself. From the excitement of getting ready and the emotion of the ceremony to those little unscripted moments during the drinks reception, every wedding at Oakley Hall Hotel tells a different story.
Take a look through the gallery below to see a wedding at Oakley Hall. Find inspiration and think about how you can put your stamp on it.
