Top Three Venues for a Stately Home Wedding in the Country

As a luxury London wedding planner who specialises in organising weddings at country estates and stately homes, I am often asked for recommendations for the best country estate wedding venues near London.

Although each and every wedding is unique, when it comes to the venues, my couples all share the desire for these three critical elements – exclusivity, faultless service standards and the venue being a ‘destination’ in itself.  Although we are spoilt for choice when it comes to luxury exclusive use wedding venues, today I’m going to summarise my top three luxury stately home wedding venues near London all of which I can personally recommend.

No.1 | Cliveden House, Taplow

Top of my list for a luxury country house wedding venue near London has to be Cliveden House - a luxury 5 star Grade 1 Listed stately home hotel, close to London Oxford and Heathrow Airport. There's something magical in the air at Cliveden, making it a fitting setting for a fairy-tale wedding. Maybe it's the venue's opulent history or glamorous guest-list of past visitors. Or it might be the luxuriant interiors which strike the perfect balance between lavish and homely. From the moment you arrive and are welcomed by the House’s friendly and helpful liveried doormen, before being invited to take a seat in the Great Hall and absorb the unique ambience of Cliveden House, you just know it’s going to something truly special. Cliveden is the perfect venue for your luxury intimate wedding in one of the staterooms or for a grander affair, you can exclusively hire the whole hotel for the weekend and even put a luxury marquee on the lawns. For a more in-depth review of Cliveden House and everything it has to offer, do read my earlier blog on it here.

No.2 | Cowdray Park, West Sussex

Moving on, the ultimate exclusive use country estate wedding venue for your luxury wedding has to be Cowdray Park in West Sussex. Owned by the Cowdray family since 1908, the manor house sleeps 44 of your guests and offers an outdoor pool, indoor pool, tennis court, bowling alley and helipad and is surrounded by 110 acres of incredible private gardens, grounds and parkland, guaranteeing you and your guests total privacy.

There is the option of an outdoor wedding ceremony on the beautiful lawn or if preferred, this can be held in the historic Buck Hall, under its beautiful vaulted ceiling, complete with stained glass windows and an arched minstrel's gallery.

Similarly, your canape reception can then be hosted either on the lawns or inside, in the drawing-room, prior to a sumptuous dinner in Buck Hall with dancing in the adjacent drawing-room. For couples with a higher number of guests, a luxury bespoke marquee would be installed on the lawns – a wonderful blank canvas to be styled exactly to your taste, with the stunning Cowdray Park as the most beautiful backdrop.

Cowdray Park is a truly spectacular exclusive-use venue and would appeal to couples looking to host both large wedding receptions or more intimate gatherings – one of the most outstanding features of Cowdray is how despite its impressive features and grandeur, it manages to retain the warmth and character of an ancestral family home and guests are guaranteed to be made to feel very much welcome. For a more in-depth review of Cowdray Park and everything it has to offer, do read my earlier blog on it here.

No.3 | Goodwood House, Chichester

No shortlist of the best country estate venues near London would be complete without suggesting Goodwood House. With its classic Regency architecture, a fabulous collection of art and furniture, and breathtakingly beautiful grounds, it’s hard to imagine a more English setting for your wedding.  From small and intimate receptions to lavish wedding breakfasts, Goodwood is perfect the most important day of your life.  A wedding at Goodwood House also gives you the opportunity to hire the incredible Hound Lodge – a private country retreat a stone’s throw from the main house with 10 fabulous and unique bedrooms. With your own butler and chef, you will not have to lift a finger as you will be looked after and spoilt in every possible way. Can you think of a better way to spend your luxury wedding weekend?

To discuss any of these exclusive country house wedding venues, or to receive a venue proposal tailored to your exact specification in terms of style, location and budget, just drop us a line to susannah@couture-events.co.uk and let us do the hard work for you!

Susannah x

Image credits

Cliveden – Kate Nielen

Cowdray – Google images

Goodwood House - Camilla Arnhold