Buckinghamshire is made for big moments. Its rolling hills, verdant lanes and garden glades speak of a slower and simpler time where the majesty of nature oversaw life events through celebrations, festivals and dates that are etched into the fabric of families in this county. In the modern age, its proximity to the global powerhouse of the country’s capital means that visitors from all around the world can now also witness its beautiful attractions and make this area part of their own story too.
With connections making the journey from London in around an hour, Buckinghamshire has long been a favourite choice for couples who want their wedding to have the perfect backdrop that provides elegance, style and all the necessary practical applications that make the day magical.
Our guide to wedding venues in Buckinghamshire takes one through a collection of the very finest for consideration.
Hedsor House
High above the Thames Valley in over 100 acres of incredible woodland, Grade II-listed gardens and parkland is the imperious Hedsor House. There are almost 1000 years of history here that take in a journey across medieval times, Tudor Manors, 20th-century racing driver owners and even a Cold War communications centre.
This is a Taplow landmark that offers an unrivalled and sweeping view over the river and hills that will have your guests enraptured throughout the day and evening. The Centre Hall with domed Italianate construction is definitely the pick for the ceremony, with height and light in abundance to welcome anything up to 250 guests. Their recently remodelled Ballroom also provides the perfect accompanying space for a wedding breakfast with an open and blank canvas feeling that can be suitably themed by your chosen team for the big day. Importantly, choosing Hedsor Hall as your wedding venue provides exclusivity across the whole estate for the event, meaning you can stage the photos and key parts of the programming through every part of this fantastic location. With 11 guest bedrooms and a suitably dramatic Bridal Suite, the wedding party is certain to be looked after in marvellous style from start to finish.
The Dairy at Waddesdon Estate
This charming venue was originally built as a functioning dairy building in the 19th Century as part of the wider set in landscaped gardens above its very own lake. In the late 1990s, a sympathetic restoration reimagined the interior fabric to convert The Dairy into an event space quite unlike any other in the area.
With exclusive hire, there are several rooms that can be repurposed for weddings to accommodate a full-day schedule. The vaulted ceilings of the West Hall hold two large open fireplaces with a lovely country manor theme, and the space connects directly to the Terrace & Lakeside Pavilions, which make great reception drinks and sunset spots throughout the wedding. Up to 150 guests can easily be welcomed with an on-site license for civil ceremonies, meaning that the whole day can be planned around the venue. A separate courtyard also offers marquee capability that can boost guest numbers to around 250. Overall, there is a fantastic flow about The Dairy that will hold any happy couple enthralled from the prep space of the Buttery through to their Wintergarden first dance and on to the four-poster extravagance of the Bridal suite.
Dorney Court
If one is searching for period heritage in a wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, then Dorney Court is difficult to match. As a Grade I-listed Tudor Manor House, it has almost 600 years of history within its walls that chart a fascinating architectural evolution from mediaeval times to the present day. It also presents such a striking view that it has recently been used in many movies and TV productions that range from Bridgerton to James Bond.
The main house offers gabled roofs with huge timber framing, stone floors and exposed brickwork that any wedding day design team will be incredibly happy to have as their foundation for the day. St James the Less, an on-site 12th-century church adjacent to the main space, is often the preferred option for ceremonies for obvious reasons, but there are plenty of options on the grounds too. The Coach House barn and the landscaped Courtyard allow for a wonderful freedom of movement between guests and the wedding party, with a rather more intimate capacity of 120 for weddings imposed here. A two-bedroomed Gale Cottage is included with exclusive hire that makes great use of the surroundings for a breathtaking bridal preparation area.
Cliveden House
The chalk cliffs above the River Thames on the Buckinghamshire and Berkshire border certainly offer dramatic scenery and remarkable views. When combined with the stunning Cliveden Estates that dances across 376 acres of woodlands, lawns and formal parterre gardens, one is presented with a wedding location that stands among the country’s most impressive. As a National Trust property, there is an unrivalled stewardship and maintenance element to Cliveden House that ensures the finest details are paid the highest attention.
Ornate ceilings and wood panelling align perfectly with the artisan plasterwork and classical motifs throughout the venue, with grand staircases that are built for the memories that wedding photography creates. The French Dining Room can be staged for a close-knit and intimate ceremony or wedding breakfast if required, but it is the Great Hall here that provides the most elegant backdrop for around 120 guests. In the spring and summer months, the wide and south-facing terrace that overlooks the gardens and the Thames beyond delivers a refined yet lively atmosphere of cocktails and dancing that can easily move the party outdoors long into the evening. With 47 rooms, 15 suites and even Wellness & Spa facilities, every guest will leave suitably refreshed and wowed from one of the most memorable days in their social calendar.
The boundless good energy and positive atmosphere that a wedding day brings demands a space that holds and calmly guides the guests throughout the day. Each of these options within Buckinghamshire understands how important that brief is, and they deliver on backdrops, scenery and facilities in style. Every single one invites you in and makes a real statement of intent for what may be the greatest day of your lives.
