A Wedding Photographer’s Guide to North Wales Wedding Venues (Part 3)
For Part 3 of my Wedding Photographer’s Guide to North Wales Wedding venues, I’m going to introduce you to two stunning venues- Soughton Hall and Ruthin Castle.
As a wedding photographer based in Flintshire, I’m ideally placed for weddings across North Wales, Chester, Cheshire, and the North West. This means I get to work at some truly fabulous venues: I believe that North Wales and Cheshire have some of the finest wedding venues in the UK and I can’t wait to share these two with you.
North Wales Wedding Photographer
I often get asked which are my favourite wedding venues to shoot at, so I decided to put together a guide to my most-loved wedding venues throughout the North West. You can see the first two instalments of my Guide To North Wales Wedding Venues here and here.
As a wedding photographer, I love working at wedding venues in North Wales: the area is famous for its stunning scenery and I find that it makes the best backdrops for wedding photography. Whatever your tastes or theme of your wedding, North Wales has a venue for you. I’ve been lucky enough to be the wedding photographer at coastal hotels, fairytale castles, stately homes, and rural venues in the North Wales countryside.
Soughton Hall, North Wales
Soughton Hall is one of the wedding venues that I shoot at most frequently, and it’s not hard to see why it’s such a favourite for couples who are getting married. Set on the border of Cheshire and North Wales, this stunning Georgian country house is approached down a sweeping driveway and surrounded by landscaped gardens.
Incredibly, Soughton Hall has been welcoming guests for over 300 years! Soughton Hall has been the home of the Wynne Bankes family for over 200 years, and it perfectly combines the atmosphere of a much-loved family home with the luxury of a boutique venue.
What I love about Soughton Hall is that it’s full of character: the reception grooms are grand but also cosy and full of warmth and charm, which makes for some gorgeous wedding photography. A lot of couples choose to have their ceremony in the beautiful Drawing Room which is fabric lined in blue and gold and features a fresco painted ceiling with chandeliers.
Couples tend to choose the marquee for their wedding reception: it’s a lovely, elegant space that lends itself to any type of venue dressing. The Marquee overlooks the wooded gardens and is accessed directly from the house through a glass walkway.
The exterior is just as stunning as the interior: I’ve captured some brilliant group shots of guests outside after the ceremony. Some of my very favourite photos from Soughton Hall have to be the ones I’ve taken of the couple enjoying some time alone outside, especially in the venue’s picturesque Secret Garden. Overlooking the southern façade of the Hall, and shaded by eucalyptus trees, this atmospheric garden really is perfect for some magical wedding photography, whatever the season.
If you’re looking for an exclusive-use wedding venue on the Cheshire and North Wales border, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Soughton Hall. This is a venue full of charm and beautiful features that are ideal for wedding photography, and it really does feel like a home from home.
Ruthin Castle, North Wales
If you’re looking for a true fairytale castle wedding venue in North Wales, then Ruthin Castle will not disappoint! Ruthin Castle is a 4 star mediaeval luxury hotel situated within the glorious Clwydian Range in North Wales. Ruthin Castle is steeped in history and combines traditional interiors with luxury facilities.
As a wedding photographer, I love being asked to shoot weddings at unusual venues. The fact that Ruthin Castle was built in mediaeval times gives it a unique atmosphere. The reception rooms really capture the castle’s history: think wood panelling, high ceilings, and grand chandeliers.
My favourite place to shoot at Ruthin Castle is in the stunning grounds. The Castle sits in acres of parkland beside the Clwydian Range in North Wales and benefits from immaculate gardens and sprawling woodland, all of which make for countless photo opportunities.
I’ve enjoyed capturing some really unique images of couples surrounded by the castle ruins: the high stone walls and the views of the North Wales hills beyond provides the backdrop for some outstanding wedding photography.
If you’re getting married in North Wales and looking for a historical wedding venue with a difference, then Ruthin Castle could be the ideal choice for you.
Chester and North Wales Wedding Photographer
Hopefully this has been a useful glimpse into some more of North Wales’s most beautiful wedding venues. If you are thinking of getting married in North Wales and are considering Ruthin Castle or Soughton Hall, I would love to discuss your plans for the day. I’m a professional wedding photographer in North Wales and Chester and would be delighted if you got in touch for a chat.
