Dreaming of a relaxed and refined wedding? You’ll be hard-pushed to find anywhere better than Kelmarsh Hall.
Having been the family home of renowned interior designer Nancy Lancaster, Kelmarsh Hall is kept true to her vision: a luxurious home with a lived-in feel.
You’ll feel like a royal here... but also like you can grab a tea in your favourite chipped mug, curl up on the sofa with a crumbly coconut cookie, and sink back into the freshly-plumped cushions - without a butler giving you a Paddington stare.
But it isn’t just the homely feel.
Kelmarsh Hall has a unique superpower: Giving you the wedding you want
This isn’t a cold commercial venue that churns out hundreds of cookiecutter weddings a year. At Kelmarsh, you get to have your wedding.
“We always ask our couples what they imagine their dream wedding to be – so we can make the right recommendations to make the day personal to them and make their dream come true.”
Eleanor, Kelmarsh Hall Wedding Planner Extraordinaire
This is a BIG thing. Because when your wedding feels like you, you’ll feel like you. And your relaxed day - and photos - will simply fall into place.
Your elegant home away from home is calling
Kelmarsh Hall Wedding Photography
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Take a peek for yourselves...
Five reasons you’ll love Kelmarsh Hall for your wedding photography
Spacious and flexible reception areas. Weather not so great? No problem! Kelmarsh Hall works just as well in cold or wet weather as it does on a gloriously hot summer’s day. The interior spaces couldn’t have been designed better for photos inside and every season has something special outside.
Incredible architecture. The Palladian style, the scale of the windows, the intricate plasterwork, *that* ceiling.... Kelmarsh Hall is full of talking points; not to mention brilliant backgrounds for your photos!
Extensive gardens and grounds. Take your pick: Historic walled garden, romantic paths, billowing borders, serene lakeside, peaceful woodland, verdant views… Soooo many breathtaking settings for a little timeout and pictures of the two of you.
Relaxed atmosphere. Whether you crave calm or it’s time to celebrate, Kelmarsh Hall has this way of bringing what you need. Which means everyone has a great time and you get photos to prove it.
Dreamy flattering light. Those beautiful big windows aren’t just about the views. They’re your wedding day BFFs for flattering photos! All that lovely natural light will do wonders for your skin and make sure every emotion is captured crisply and faithfully as you make your marriage vows.
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Oops! In my excitement to gush about Kelmarsh Hall, I forgot to introduce myself. How rude. Let’s try again.
Hi! I’m Sarah. Wedding photographer, coffee cake connoisseur, and lover of love.
I’ve been a recommended photographer at Kelmarsh since I photographed my first wedding there over 15 years ago. And I also do Kelmarsh’s commercial photography when they need images of the hall, gardens, and events. All of which I’m hugely grateful for. Partly because it means Kelmarsh is a regular feature in my carefully colour-coded calendar - but mostly because they have tea on tap. #itsthelittlethings
So over the years, I’ve absorbed every nook and cranny, from the attic to the servants’ quarters. (Trust me, you wouldn’t want photos in either of those places, but I like to pay due diligence and check out everywhere.)
Which means…
More fun, more photos, less faff. You won’t be left hanging or miss out on photos while I work out where the light is best, get lost between locations, or wonder where we can go when rain sets in mid-way through a portrait session. Instead, I’ll capture as many moments as I can and, when it comes to your groups and portraits, we’ll shortcut straight to the best locations.
Your much-loved venue captured at its very best. I’ve photographed the Hall and gardens in every season and in all kinds of light and weather conditions. So I’ve come to appreciate what makes it so special and understand how to photograph it so it looks good. Because even country mansions have bad angles!
My Experience at Kelmarsh Hall
Sarah who?!
Fiona & Will
“Sarah is the best photographer we could've imagined for our wedding. She knew our venue (Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire) so well so we trusted her completely and rightly so! Sarah was so fun on the day and made everyone so comfortable when taking the photos. She is SO great and if you ask her to be your photographer, you’ll be infinitely grateful to this wonderwoman.”
Love note
Just imagine yourselves (and your photos) here…
The Kelmarsh Hall Gallery
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Curious if there’s anything you should know about Kelmarsh Hall when it comes to your wedding photography?
From what to do if it rains to where the best lighting is, I’ve condensed (almost) everything I know into my free ‘Guide to Wedding Photography at Kelmarsh Hall’, so you can get the best photos possible.
Borrow my brain on all things Kelmarsh Hall
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If you're getting married at Kelmarsh Hall, you get VIP access for your pre-wedding photoshoot. Not only is this a great way to practice being in front of the camera, it's also a chance to create memories and photos in a different season or location from your wedding pictures.
Nervous about being photographed?
My top five planning tips for wedding photography at Kelmarsh Hall
Optimize portrait time. Immortalise more of the venue by splitting your portrait photo time into two. How about a 10 minute session while your guests find their seats for dinner, somewhere close by, say at the front entrance or in the Chinese Room? And then a 20 minute slot after dinner, when time is more relaxed and we can go deeper into the gardens or down to the lakeside?
Plan ahead. Having a civil ceremony? Space around the registrar's table is very limited and when your witnesses join you for your vows they can unwittingly obscure the view of you. So before the day, ask them to stand back a little so they don’t block your photos.
Get that confetti exit ready. Want to take a big group photo of all your guests? This process is super efficient and takes the least amount of time possible: Walk down the aisle, then head to the library and take a post-ceremony breather. Meanwhile, your guests exit the hall via the front door, grabbing a handful of confetti from a basket as they go, and then make a pathway ready to throw said confetti. When everyone’s in place, you appear to a sea of smiling faces and run the confetti gauntlet. Lastly, your guests gather on the front steps for that big ol’ photo … and then your reception awaits. Bish-bash-bosh!
Cut that cake. Want the best possible cake cutting photo? Plan to cut it in daylight hours. And when it’s time, we’ll turn your cake so the front faces the piano (with your permission, of course). Then you face the piano and I stand opposite you for the big moment. It gives a flattering and dramatic result - compared to trying to shoot into the window where even pro cameras struggle with the angle of the light. The same thing would work in The Great Hall or the Ballroom too - it’s simply about the angle of the window light.
Comfy footwear please. The gardens involve a lot of walking - or at least it’ll seem that way if you’re wearing heels, and balancing bouquet and bubbles. So pop some comfy shoes in your bag to save your feet - and your sanity.
FAQs
No, travel is included. Kelmarsh Hall is a mere but very beautiful 20 minute cross-country commute for me!
I could easily argue the case for any season! The gardens are beautifully maintained year-round although, of course, there’s more colour and interest from spring to autumn. The Hall takes on a cosier feel in winter with roaring fires and if it’s too cold to be outside, the interior is no second place. My personal favourite time is late spring for the cow parsley, rhododendrons, and fulsome flower borders - but I’d definitely have FOMO about the walled garden dahlia display in the autumn! A tricky decision. May I suggest a pre-wedding shoot in one season and your wedding in another?!
The closest is St Denys’ church in Kelmarsh. It’s so close you can see the church spire across the field and from the fan garden! St Denys is part of the Naseby parish alongside several other churches in neighbouring villages. And whilst Kelmarsh is firmly in the countryside, it’s handily located on the A508 which runs from Northampton to Market Harborough (or is that Market Harborough to Northampton?!) and is easily accessible from the A14 too. So it’s a great location if you’re getting married slightly further afield in Northamptonshire, Rutland, or south Leicestershire.
The only limitation is time! The gardens and grounds at Kelmarsh Hall are vast so it can take a while just to get around. Which really just means we need to think carefully about which spots we choose for your family photos and portraits of the two of you. Oh, and there are a couple of rooms which are kept locked but I’ll liaise with the Kelmarsh team to make sure they’re opened for when we want to use them.
If I designed my ideal wet weather wedding venue, it would look very much like Kelmarsh Hall! While some venues feel cramped with everyone crowded inside or have limited indoor photo options, Kelmarsh is unique with multiple spacious reception rooms and numerous nooks for indoor portraits.
Find out what it’d be like to have me as your wedding photographer.
“We want to know more!”
Wahey! *crosses everything I’m free* Tell me about your plans so far and I’ll get back to you with my availability and next steps.
“We’re ready to book!”
Where would you like to go now?
Whoop! What fun! And a minefield too, perhaps? Try this series of revealing guides that take you through (almost) everything there is to consider from a photography point of view before you choose your wedding venue (and your photographer). Includes things venues would probably rather I didn’t tell you!
Still looking at venues?
Should I pick a photographer who’s recommended by my venue?
Should I pick a photographer who’s worked at my venue before?
How I capture unique photos at my regular wedding venues
What to look for in a wedding venue to get magical photos
Take a look at some of my editorial photoshoots at Kelmarsh Hall …
Want some more inspo?
Wow, you're keen!
Yes, you can have a light and airy look in the darker months. This spring/summer edit was created in the autumn! Includes a ceremony and intimate banquet-style dinner set-up in the Saloon and a large dinner set-up in the ballroom.
Pale and interesting
Red roses aren’t just for Valentine's Day. Check out this classically romantic burgundy and blush editorial to see how a bold red can be transformed into something pretty for any season. It’s a masterclass in creating layers and tactile texture.
Rouge Romance
This elegant earth-friendly shoot was inspired by Kelmarsh Hall's most famous owner, Nancy Lancaster. Expect large-scale refined but relaxed wedding styling ideas with an abundance of florals - all created as mindfully as possible.
Sustainable luxury
Dearest gentle reader, this delightful affair is the epitome of our era and features a splendid outdoor tableau and a wedding cake that would make even the Dowager Countess swoon. Be sure to notice the calligraphy on the flower ribbons - a detail sure to stir the heart of any discerning observer.
Bridgerton Blues
After a festive feel without the predictable glitz? This one’s for you! Think rich reds, deep greens, all the berries, tumbling ivy, classic candelabra, and bold but classic stationery. This look is a wonderful combination of tradition and nature.
Candle-lit and cosy
Psst! Did you know *this* about Kelmarsh Hall?
The gold dust jars in the Chinese Room were commandeered by Lord Admiral Nelson in 1740.
There are over a dozen rooms ‘below stairs’ – including a bake room, brushing room, and a wine cellar.
There's a deserted medieval village underneath the parkland in front of the church - which is now home to a pedigree herd of British White cattle.
The walled garden is home to over 100 varieties of dahlia – a spectacular sight for September weddings.
Kelmarsh’s most well-known resident – Nancy Lancaster – lived at Kelmarsh Hall twice. First, as Nancy Tree and later as Nancy Lancaster (after marrying her former landlord). Lady Whistledown would have a field day!
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