Down Hall Wedding Photography with Michelle & Stuart
Sitting on the Essex/Hertfordshire borders in an area of outstanding beauty is majestic Down Hall. This award-winning 17th century Italian Mansion sits in 110 acres of woodland. A prestigious wedding venue and a real favourite with home counties wedding photographers.
With a history dating back to 1322 its impressive façade, ornate interiors and grand ceilings make fantastic backdrops in wedding photos. Particularly as every room is bathed in an abundance of natural light (music to the ears of any Hertfordshire / Essex wedding photographer!
Down Hall boasts an array of rooms and suites ideal for hosting gorgeous wedding ceremonies, elegant wedding breakfasts and epic wedding receptions. Which I will talk about now.
Spring 2019 marked the re-launch of the completely rejuvenated wedding space in the West Wing of Down Hall costing a whopping £1.3 million pounds. With a newly created private entrance, beautiful landscaped gardens for your Down Hall Wedding Photography , a private lobby, private lounge and bar, and all within an exclusive self-contained area of the wedding hotel, the new space is a complete transformation making couples wedding days even more special.
Down Hall Wedding Venue for your perfect wedding
In the old part of the mansion, the largest suite is the Bridgeman Suite which can host up to 180 guests for a seated wedding breakfast and 250 guests for an evening reception so is ideal for larger weddings. Decorated in a contemporary style allowing you to add your wedding theme with extra decoration if you wish. The room has feature chandeliers and bespoke dancefloors to choose from. Exclusive views and access to the manicured gardens allow you to throw open the doors to blend indoor and outdoor spaces, and a private entrance gives the feel of exclusive use.
The Bridgeman Suite also has a state-of-the-art sound system making it perfect for live entertainment. The system also includes speakers and projector/screen that can be put to use in your speeches, for photographs to be displayed, or to show messages from loved ones who can’t be with you on the day.
Down Hall also offer romantic outdoor wedding ceremonies in their Wedding Gazebo which sits within the beautiful gardens. The wedding gazebo is licensed to hold outside ceremonies for those who want to take advantage of the English summer and beautiful surroundings, it also makes the perfect backdrop for your candid and documentary Down Hall Wedding Photography .
Contained within the privacy of a hedged wall and set in 110 acres of neighbouring woodland, parkland and landscaped gardens, the gazebo is surrounded by some truly stunning countryside that makes a stunning backdrop in wedding photos.
For small and intimate weddings Down Hall have a suite that holds up to 32 guests, so you don’t have to compromise on style and grandeur when your celebration is smaller.
The wedding team at Down Hall have decades of experience of creating beautiful bespoke weddings and guide their couples through every decision in planning their perfect wedding. They have established relationships with all the best local suppliers who bring their experience and ideas to help you bring your vision to of your perfect wedding day to life. Check here to see all of their Down Hall wedding day packages
Down Hall Wedding Photography to tell the Story of your wedding
When I shoot wedding photography at Down Hall, I love capturing bridal prep images. The team at Down Hall take wedding prep very seriously with a luxurious boutique spa on site offering reviving, relaxing and rejuvenating treatments in four treatment rooms, nail and manicure tables, a hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steam room, outdoor terrace and relaxation area, the perfect place to unwind before the big day. When I shoot wedding photography at Down Hall, I always love taking bridal prep images in Down Hall’s beautifully spacious backlit dressing room, the perfect space for a bride and her squad to get ready.
Weddings booked at Down Hall are given exclusive rates on treatment packages. Every wedding celebration booked with Down Hall receives a complimentary wet spa pass for two to use either the day before or after the wedding. You can really ramp it up and enjoy a prosecco lunch with or a delicious afternoon tea, whether that’s with friends, family or as part of your Hen Party celebrations.
And the boys don’t miss out. New to Down Hall is their new Glasscock Suite which is an ideal space for grooms to relax with their grooms party. Equipped with a 65-inch smart screen, PlayStation 4 and a pool table, there are plenty of activities designed to relax and entertain the groom’s party. Within the expansive grounds, they also have archery, mini golf and giant chess to keep the grooms party occupied before the ceremony. Down Hall also has a fully equipped gym with a sauna and steam room which is complimentary to use during any part of guests stay.
With all this on offer it’s a wonder either of the wedding parties can tear themselves away and get themselves to the wedding!
Natural and Informal Documentary Down Hall wedding photography
When it comes to food, Down Hall have a team of talented in-house chefs who work with couples to create the perfect wedding menu. Food and drink from your welcome drinks right through to tasty evening treats, is meticulously planned with taster sessions for you in advance of the day. (Tough I know, but somebody’s got to do it!) Everything from formal fine dining to informal street food is on offer, allowing you to have your wedding food done your way.
The chefs at Down Hall pride themselves on only using the freshest local ingredients, where possible, using ingredients grown in Down Hall’s own vegetable garden. With their own awarding winning AA Rosette restaurant on site, you can be sure that the food at your wedding will really impress your guests.
A lot of historic houses don’t have enough accommodation for all guests to stay. But Down Hall have 98 individually designed luxurious bedrooms that all reflect the grandeur and elegance of this beautiful mansion house. So, when the party ends, you and your guests can all flop into bed to meet up the next morning for a leisurely breakfast.
So, if you’re considering getting married and/or having your wedding reception at Down Hall, I hope this has been helpful to you. Down Hall really is a stunning wedding venue but don’t just take my word for it. The best thing about planning a wedding is getting to visit stunning wedding venues in beautiful places so go have fun with it.
Mark Seymour your TRUSTED wedding documentary wedding photographer
And when you’ve found your perfect Essex wedding venue, you’ll be looking for an experienced Documentary wedding photographer. Feel free to get in touch.
Mark Seymour is a seasoned documentary wedding photographer who captures the moments that occur naturally on your wedding day. Couples TRUST Mark to photograph the memories they make together that will bring smiles to your face when you can re live your day through the images captured for generations to come
