Taunton Wedding in a Private Hire Big House ~ Connie & Joe
Summer Garden Party Wedding in Taunton
If you’re dreaming of a relaxed wedding day with space to celebrate all weekend long, hiring a large house for your wedding could be the perfect choice. Also referred to as ‘dry hire’, these venues give you the space to host your wedding without providing the services. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a huge celebration, there’s something truly special about celebrating in a beautiful home-from-home surrounded by your favourite people. Connie and Joe chose just that, a stunning private house near Taunton in Somerset, for their summer garden party wedding.
Taunton Wedding Photographer
Bridal prep is always one of my favourite parts of the day and Connie’s was no exception. Connie’s bridal party had stayed the night before and her bridesmaids had decorated her room with giant balloons which created a fun backdrop for those getting ready photos. There were giggles all round as she popped a confetti canon and covered the whole room with glitter! The outdoor gazebo was such a pretty setting as Connie and Joe said their vows as family and friends looked on, taking shelter in the shade from the summer heatwave. Top tip: If you’re looking for a party house for your wedding, check out the spots available for the ceremony. An intimate wooded area or pretty gazebo are ideal backdrops for your ceremony photos.
Natural wedding photography in Somerset
The afternoon had a real summer garden party feel. Guests lounged around on the grass enjoying the chilled welcome drinks. One of the highlights was the selection of lawn games the couple had hired, including giant Ker-Plunk, which were a great opportunity for candid photos of everyone having fun and enjoying the day. Connie and Joe booked a magician to entertain their guests during the meal and, of course, I captured all the reactions to the speeches on camera! A stroll around the grounds in the early evening gave Connie and Joe some couple time and a chance to capture some relaxed couple photos. Golden hour is always my favourite time for those romantic couple portraits. Guests partied on into the evening and there was even a bouquet toss with some very enthusiastic female guests!
Hiring this big house for their wedding meant that Connie and Joe created their ideal wedding with their own relaxed, garden party vibe. Check out my hints and tips below if you’re considering a dry hire venue for your big day!
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Hints and tips for choosing a dry hire big house wedding venue
- If you’re planning on having a legal ceremony you’ll need to check that the venue is licensed for weddings. If it’s not, then it’s not a deal-breaker. You can have a celebrant wedding and do the ‘legal bit’ on a different day.
- Check what’s included and what’s not. Some properties offer tables, chairs and crockery whilst others don’t. Be clear on what’s provided so you know what you’ll need to hire in.
- Consider the size of the dining space. Is the venue big enough to seat all of your guests for a meal? If not, what are the options for having a marquee in the grounds?
- One of the benefits of a private hire party house is that you can often bring your own alcohol. You’ll still need to find out about corkage charges and consider who’s going to run the bar.
- Book suppliers with private venue experience who are used to working at weddings that aren’t being run by an in-house team. Those of us with years in the wedding industry are flexible and great at problem solving on the day!
- If you love the idea of a dry hire wedding venue but this all sounds like a lot of work, consider hiring a wedding planner. They offer different packages from full planning to on-the-day coordination.
Somerset wedding photographer
If you’re planning a wedding in Somerset and looking for a photographer who captures natural, candid moments, I’d love to hear from you! Whether you’re getting married in a private hire party house like Connie & Joe, or planning a more traditional wedding, I’ll document your day in a relaxed and storytelling way. Get in touch to check availability and chat about your plans. I can’t wait to capture your Somerset wedding!
