Ellenborough Park wedding photography is full of that “five-star country house” feeling – grand stone backdrops, gorgeous gardens, and a wedding day that flows beautifully because everything can happen in one place.
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If you want a relaxed, elegant wedding where you can get ready on-site, marry in the Old Chapel or outside by the Stone Gazebo, and celebrate in style with up to around 120 guests for the wedding breakfast, Ellenborough Park is a brilliant choice, especially if you love a venue that photographs beautifully in every season.
Key facts: Ellenborough Park weddings
Location: Cheltenham, Cotswolds
Vibe: five-star country house, historic stone, lawns + gardens
Ceremony options: Old Chapel, Stone Gazebo, outdoor lawns (and intimate rooms for smaller ceremonies)
Guest numbers: around 120 for wedding breakfast; reception capacity often listed up to 150
Accommodation: over 60 bedrooms on-site (great for prep + staying put)
Best photo energy: post-ceremony courtyard + golden hour on the grounds
Why it’s stress-free: you can truly do the whole day in one location
We’re Marta May Photography – also known as The Mays (Marta + Artur), and our style is DOCU-ART: real documentary moments, plus cinematic portraits when the light is perfect. You might recognise us from TWIA – we won as “The Mays”, and we’re now TWIA judges. We have photographed a few weddings at Ellenborough Park in the past, here’s one of them:
Real weddings at Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham
What we like about Ellenborough Park wedding photography is that it can be stunning, original, relaxed and fun. One of the great advantages of this venue (not all venues have it!) is the fact that you can get ready there and just walk to the ceremony room to get married. No need to hire another hotel and travel from there. This means less stress and we love this fact!
What we like about Ellenborough Park wedding photography
Stress-free getting ready
We love the fact that you can get ready at the venue, literally next to the ceremony room. This really helps to reduce the morning stress.
Ceremony options
One of the reasons Ellenborough Park feels so effortless is that you’ve got proper ceremony choices. The Old Chapel is bright, spacious, and full of character (amazing for real reactions), and if you’re dreaming of fresh air vows, the Stone Gazebo and lawns give you that classic Cotswolds outdoor ceremony look – elegant but relaxed.
Chilled wedding days
Once the ceremony bit is over you only want to chill, chat with your family & friends and be happy and Ellenborough Park gives you just that!
Wedding breakfast
Wedding breakfast at Ellenborough Park (the “this feels like a movie” part)
Ellenborough Park has the kind of space that makes a wedding breakfast feel like an occasion, not just “the meal bit”. The main De La Bere space is built for celebrations, with room for a full wedding breakfast and an evening party vibe without everything feeling squeezed in.
From a photography point of view, this is where your story deepens: speeches, quiet hand squeezes, big belly laughs, and that moment when someone starts a toast and the whole room shifts into “oh no… I’m going to cry.” The best part is you’re still together, guests aren’t scattered, and the atmosphere builds naturally through the day.
Beautiful backdrops
There is so much we can achieve at this venue photography-wise and that’s why we love it so much! We would love to come back and photograph more weddings at Ellenborough Park.
Ellenborough Park wedding photography FAQs
Can you get married at Ellenborough Park (civil ceremony)?
Yes, Ellenborough Park is licensed for civil ceremonies, and the venue is listed by the local registration service as licensed for ceremonies (they mention options from smaller groups up to larger numbers).
What’s the guest capacity at Ellenborough Park weddings?
Ellenborough Park lists key wedding spaces (like the De La Bere Suite and Old Chapel) for up to 120 guests. Some directories list higher evening capacities, so it’s worth confirming your exact layout with the venue.
What ceremony spaces are there at Ellenborough Park?
The venue highlights the Old Chapel and the Stone Gazebo (licensed) as headline ceremony options, plus smaller, characterful rooms like The Elizabethan and The Royalist for intimate weddings.
Can we do an outdoor ceremony at Ellenborough Park?
Yes, the Stone Gazebo is specifically described as licensed for civil ceremonies, and the venue markets outdoor weddings as an option.
Is Ellenborough Park exclusive use?
Yes, the venue promotes exclusive use as an option (meaning you can hire the whole house/grounds), which is ideal if you want complete privacy.
How many bedrooms are on site? Can we get ready there?
Yes, getting ready on-site is one of the big perks here. The venue lists 62 bedrooms available.
Is there a wedding co-ordinator / on-the-day team?
Yes, Ellenborough Park describes a dedicated weddings team (including their Weddings Executive) supporting couples from enquiry through to the big day.
Can we have a church ceremony and then come back to Ellenborough Park for the reception?
Yes, lots of couples do exactly that (church ceremony nearby, then reception at Ellenborough Park). Just build in travel time and a relaxed “arrival moment” for guests.
Is Ellenborough Park dog-friendly? Can our dog be part of the day?
The hotel is dog-friendly for stays (dogs must be arranged in advance and there’s a nightly fee). For wedding-day involvement (ceremony/reception spaces), ask the venue what they allow for your plan.
Is there enough parking for guests?
Yes, the venue’s accessibility info lists 141 parking spaces across the grounds, including accessible spaces.
Do we have to use in-house catering?
Ellenborough Park lists in-house catering as part of their wedding offering. If you’re hoping for something specific (street food, cultural menus, external caterer), it’s best to ask what they’ll approve.
What’s the best time for portraits at Ellenborough Park?
Two tiny pockets work brilliantly: 10 minutes just after the ceremony (while guests are in full “YESSS!” mode) and 10 minutes around golden hour on the grounds, you get the cinematic glow without disappearing for ages.
What if it rains?
This venue is brilliant in bad weather: you’ve got atmosphere indoors (chapel + stone + character rooms), plus covered areas and doorways for quick, cosy “we’re still doing this!” portraits. Rain usually makes it feel even more romantic.
Get in touch with us
If you’re planning your wedding at Ellenborough Park and you want photos that feel elegant, fun and beautifully real, we’d love to hear your story. This venue is pure joy to photograph – the Old Chapel, the stone gazebo, the gardens, and that “weekend away” atmosphere that makes everything feel extra special.
We’re Marta May Photography – also known as The Mays (Marta + Artur). Our DOCU-ART style is all about honest documentary moments (the giggles, the happy tears, the chaos) mixed with relaxed, cinematic portraits that still feel like you. You might recognise us from TWIA – we won as The Mays in 2023, and we’re now TWIA judges, so you’re in calm, experienced hands.
If you’d like to check availability, send us your date and a few details – we’d love to create your Ellenborough Park wedding photography story.
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