When it comes to booking the ultimate wedding venue there are plenty of different options to choose from. Depending on your style as a couple you may wish to view rustic barns, luxury hotels or something completely unique. However, if you love the idea of holding your wedding in an environment that feels like home, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city or town, then we strongly recommend looking at some country house wedding venues.

A country house wedding venue is exactly what it says on the tin; a house (sometimes a very grand one!) located in the countryside that is available to hire for your wedding.

All country house wedding venues will offer something different. Some venues will be available for hire on an exclusive use basis only. Others can be hired for the duration of time that you need them, whether that be for a day, 24 hours, or even an entire weekend! In terms of their grounds and facilities also, each venue will differ; you’ll get to know how each wedding venue works in terms of their staff and what’s on offer when you visit or book.

There are lots of things to consider when searching for the perfect country house wedding venue. You don’t want to rush into any major decisions when booking your venue as you’ll need to know that it is just right for you as a couple and the style of wedding you wish to hold. However, throughout your search for the perfect location to tie the knot, consider the following…

When it comes to searching for the perfect venue, we recommend that you agree on a location between you first. For example, if you live near London then it would make sense to look at wedding venues within, say, an hour’s drive from where you live. Alternatively, you may take a family home, the area of residence of the majority of your guest list, or proximity to an old family connection as your geographical anchor point. Take into consideration also the way in which you’ll be getting married. If you’re having a church wedding then it’s important to consider on-the-day travel requirements. Alternatively, if you’d like a civil wedding ceremony at the venue, make sure that it is licensed before making any further decisions.

Think about local transport links and how close the venue is from the nearest airport if you’ve got friends and/or family traveling in from overseas. The location of your chosen wedding venue will have an impact on the logistics of your day too. Ensure that you’re happy with the distance that you’ll be from home. Then think about transporting your wedding décor, your dress, booking suppliers, and ensuring that they are familiar with your venue, and not forgetting that you may need to travel back and forth to your venue for one reason or another before you get married. So you’ll need to get used to the journey, wherever you choose.

Some country house wedding venues will offer complete exclusivity, meaning that the venue is yours, and yours alone, for the duration of your wedding celebration. An exclusive use venue will guarantee that you won’t be bumping into anyone unexpected on the big day, and if it is staffed, then the staff will be able to give you their full attention for the duration of your celebration. Decide between you whether or not you are looking to hire your wedding venue on an exclusive hire basis. You may pay slightly more than if you were to book a hotel or multiple-use wedding venue, but you’ll receive guaranteed privacy and a home to call your own for the day.

Unlike a hotel that may have lots of bedrooms to offer overnight guests, a country house style wedding venue may only have a limited number of guest bedrooms to take advantage of. This, however, isn’t such a bad thing. Hiring any wedding venue with accommodation allows you to invite your closest family members and friends (and probably the wedding party) to stay over. You may get to enjoy breakfast together the following morning and you know that you won’t need to travel anywhere once your wedding has come to an end.

There are so many benefits to choosing this type of wedding venue, but we’ve listed ten of our favourites to get the ball rolling…

1. Privacy throughout your day
2. A multitude of wonderful, countryside photographic opportunities
3. A peaceful and quiet environment to enjoy before, during, and after your ceremony
4. Getting away from the hustle and bustle of a busy city
5. Feeling as if the venue is your home for the duration of your celebration
6. Keeping everything and everyone in one place
7. Having the undivided attention of the venue staff throughout the day
8. The guarantee that you won’t get any gate crashers
9. You won’t have the fear of bumping into another wedding party
10. If you choose a summer wedding date then you may be able to have a country garden wedding outside