There almost aren’t words beautiful enough to describe Boughton House. It's a grand estate that's appeared in the Oscar-winning “Les Misérables”. So as you can imagine it boasts rich architecture and a glorious ambiance which feels very special. But being a family home, it's warm, relaxed, and intimate too.
A wedding at Boughton keeps me busier than the bees in the Boughton hive (that’s another Boughton house you need to visit!) because there’s a photo waiting to be taken at every corner. It gives me insatiable inspiration and I always leave feeling like there’s more to do. Which is great. Because it means every couple gets something different.
You can’t go wrong.
Unless you try to do too much.
Because even if you had two wedding days, there wouldn’t be time to take every possible photo.
But good news: If you choose natural in-the-moment wedding photos, the location will show throughout the day. Which means you can (literally) cover a lot of ground.
And there's a Brucey-bonus: You can get married outdoors under the covered Colonnade - handy for the British weather!
Searching for a magical wedding venue steeped in history?
Boughton House could be your dream come true.
Boughton house Wedding Photography
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Five reasons you’ll love Boughton House for your wedding photography
Boughton House and its grounds are incredible in every direction. (Even the bin store has something to offer - but I promise not to take you there!). Which means a beautiful background for every photo.
*That* staircase for pictures of the two of you. Talk about a statement piece! The light is lovely, the décor is dramatic (but also neutral - so you’ll still be the stars!), and there’s plenty of space for a big dress!
The Great Hall has opulent features - a painted ceiling, a grand fireplace, and imposing tapestries - which lend your photos a grandness that's usually the domain of church weddings.
The Colonnade - with its warm light, divine doors, and amazing architecture - is sheltered from the elements and ideal for wet weather portraits and group photos. The reflection of light off the warm brick will give a gorgeous destination-wedding feel to your photos. It’s called the ‘English Versailles’ for a reason!
The estate parkland and gardens have something of interest for pictures of the two of you - all year round. There's a rose garden, lavender maze, stone bridges, walled kitchen garden, waterways... The list goes on.
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Oops! In my rush to gush about Boughton House, I didn't tell you who I am. So, in case you're wondering...
Hi! I’m Sarah. Wedding photographer, coffee cake connoisseur, and lover of love.
I started working for Boughton House at the very start of their wedding journey when they commissioned me to create some photos for their website and wedding brochure. And I've been the sole recommended wedding photographer there ever since - which I'm hugely grateful for. Because I fall more in love with it each time I visit.
I enjoy working with the team – they’re professional but friendly and make work a pleasure. I’m inspired by all the potential photo locations, which means a wedding here never gets old. And they sell delicious ice-cream (I wholeheartedly recommend the coconut!). 100%, it’s one of my favourite locations for wedding photography.
I do Boughton's own photography too - which adds a good sprinkle of spice to my life. I've photographed all sorts of things for them, including portraits of The Duke of Buccleuch, catalogue photos of Van Dyck's and Gainsborough's, and promotional shots of exhibitions, restoration work, and even Christmas trees! But my favourite so far is 'Boughton through the seasons' - a Covid-era commision to photograph the changing gardens through the year.
Working at Boughton is a pleasure and a privilege. Every visit is magical; it never gets old.
My Experience at Boughton house
Sarah who?!
Charles Lister, Property Manager, Boughton House
"Sarah has worked at Boughton on many occasions including private family events for the owners. We are delighted to recommend her not only because we can trust her to show Boughton in the best light, but because she always captures something new for those being photographed. She is professional but not impersonal and it is always a joy to see the result of her work. As guardians of the House, we need to be confident that any photographer working with us has the same care as we do, and over the years, Sarah has earned that trust."
Kind words
Just imagine yourselves - and your photos - here…
The Boughton House Gallery
If you're having your wedding at Boughton House, you'll also get private VIP access to the gardens and grounds for your pre-wedding photoshoot. You'll walk away with camera-confidence and make things even more relaxed for your wedding day. And yay - more time at Boughton!
Nervous about being photographed?
My top five planning tips for wedding photography at Boughton House
Optimise portrait time. Capture more of Boughton by splitting your portrait photo time into two sessions. Maybe a 10 minute session on the staircase and Colonnade while your guests line up for confetti? And then 20 minutes after dinner when things are more relaxed to explore the gardens?
Go West. Group photos work well on the west side of the house. It’s close to hand for your drinks reception so you don't need to drag your guests very far - but it’s also spacious enough to avoid photo-bombers! The exact spot will depend on the light on the day but there’s no bad angle here.
Make the most. Boughton kindly allow you to have your pre-wedding photoshoot in the gardens. This is a great chance to not only get used to being in front of the camera, but also to make even more of the venue and have photos taken in places we might not have time to get to on your wedding day.
Stand by for confetti. Want to throw confetti? This process is super efficient and takes the least amount of time possible: Walk down the aisle, then head to the entrance hall for a post-ceremony breather. In the meantime, your guests go outside to The West Front via The Little Hall, taking confetti as they go, and line the pathway out of the door. When everyone’s outside, you walk out into a confetti storm. And, if you want, this is an ideal time to gather your guests on the steps for a photo of everyone… and then your drinks and canapes can flow.
Comfy footwear please. The grounds involve a lot of walking - or at least it’ll feel that way if you’re balancing heels, bouquet, and bubbles. So have a pair of comfy shoes to hand and your feet will thank you later.
FAQs
No, travel is included. Boughton House is a short but very beautiful 30-minute cross-country commute for me!
Any season! It's more a question of when they have availability as the house is privately owned and lived in. The gardens are always beautiful but, of course, there’s more colour and interest between spring and autumn. My personal favourite season is spring - earlier for lambs and daffodils, later for buttercups and wysteria. But the parkland views in the autumn... ohhhhh! I'm happy it's not my decision to make!
The closest is St Mary Magdalene church in Geddington which is a very short drive away; although anywhere in the Kettering-Corby-Thrapston triangle is in very easy reach. But being handily located close to the A14 and the A43, it's also well-placed for church weddings further afield in Northamptonshire, Rutland, and south Leicestershire.
Your biggest restriction is time! The Boughton estate is vast and it takes a while just to get around - so we'll carefully plan which areas we use for your family photos and portraits of the two of you to suit your day and timeline. And it's a family home, so there are some areas of the gardens and house which are private, and others that are exclusive to just you two.
It's your choice! A popular option at Boughton is for your guests to go straight into The Tapestry Suite or marquee - and just head back outside if the weather improves. When it's time for your couple shots, we can stay cosy inside with The Great Hall and staircase, or head for the shelter of the Colonnade. The latter is also great for group photos - as long as they're fairly small.
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
Psst! Did you know *this* about Boughton House?
Boughton is one of only a few ‘calendar houses’ in the UK - it has 365 windows, 52 chimneys, 12 entrances, and 7 courtyards. It’s an Elizabethan thing, so Google tells me.
You might have seen Boughton House without knowing it. Because it’s often used for films and TV. It’s most notable appearances were in Napoleon, Les Misérables, and The X Factor UK.
There are 72 miles of drives in the parkland.
The Grand Étang was created in the early 1700s as a reflection pool for the house - and used as an ice rink in the winter.
Edward, First Lord Montagu of Boughton, sponsored The Observance of 5th November Act 1605, which called for an annual celebration of the foiling of the Gunpowder Plot. So we have him to thank for the fun of bonfire night!
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