Orange Grove weddings
A mansion house in landscaped gardens just outside Southampton, and practically on my doorstep. One of my favourite local venues for a wedding that feels a bit grand without being stuffy.
Why I love it here
Orange Grove has that proper country house feel, landscaped gardens and plenty of corners to wander off to, but at a size where you can actually talk to everyone. With room for around seventy at dinner, it suits couples who want a real celebration without a cast of thousands.
Ceremonies can happen outside in the gardens when the weather plays along, and confetti is allowed, which is always a good sign in my book. And because it's just down the road from me, I'm never the one stuck in traffic on the M27.
Make time for the gardens
Even ten minutes wandering the grounds after the ceremony gives you photos that feel like you, rather than a photoshoot. Bring a drink.
Have a rain plan
British summers being what they are, we'll pick an indoor spot for portraits in advance, so rain is a shrug rather than a crisis.
Get ready on site
With rooms at the hotel, getting ready there means no dashing between locations, and more time for the bits in between.