DORSET WEDDING VENUE
ST GILES HOUSE
Editorial Photography for Weddings
DORSET
THE PERFECT SETTING FOR COUPLES DREAMING OF A ROMANTIC, REFINED CELEBRATION AT St Giles House
St Giles House is one of those places that just has everything. Tucked away in the Dorset countryside, it’s a beautiful historic estate with loads of character, it does feel grand and formal. It’s a wedding after all! But, there’s something relaxed and quirky about the place which is probably why I always love coming back.
I’ve photographed weddings here in all sorts of weather and at different times of year, and it always feels just lovely. The team are brilliant too, always friendly, helpful and genuinely invested in making the day run smoothly. It’s a pretty special place to get married.
From a photography point of view, St Giles House is such a lovely place to work. There’s beautiful, soft light inside the house, which is perfect for those quieter moments in the morning and throughout the day. The special St Giles Blue wall paper makes for a really unique backdrop – as well as the occasional wonky off beat door frames, stunning stair case and sparkly disco ball.
Outside, there’s loads of space to explore, so portraits can feel really natural. A little wander around the gardens and parkland is often all you need to get some lovely, relaxed photographs.
And then, once the evening gets going, the whole place changes. People abandon the reception spaces and head downstairs in to the cave rave.
It’s got all the history and character you’d hope for, but it still feels relaxed and easy to photograph, which is a pretty great combination.
THE INFO
By day, St Giles House is all historic elegance and sweeping parkland views, and by night it transforms effortlessly into an unforgettable setting for an incredible celebration.
LOCATION
Wimborne St Giles, Dorset, BH21 5NA – 01725 517214
MY HIGHLIGHTS
I LOVE ST GILES HOUSE
When it comes to standout wedding venues in Dorset, St Giles House is right at the very top of the list.
So you can imagine how happy I am whenever a couple gets in touch to tell me they’re planning their wedding there and would love me to capture it for them.
A BIT ABOUT IT
THE HISTORY
St Giles House is one of those venues that quietly takes your breath away. Tucked away in the Dorset countryside near Wimborne St Giles, this extraordinary house has been home to the Ashley-Cooper family since the 17th century and is the ancestral seat of the Earls of Shaftesbury.
With its origins dating back to 1651, the house has seen centuries of British history unfold within its walls. After an extensive and loving restoration in the early 2000s, St Giles House has been brought back to life in a way that honours its heritage while making it feel warm, welcoming and wonderfully intimate.
The result is a place that offers not just grandeur and elegance, but a real sense of story. When you celebrate here, you are stepping into generations of history, and that depth gives the whole weekend a feeling that is both meaningful and completely unforgettable.
CHURCH WEDDING?
If you’re dreaming of a church ceremony, you’re in luck. Right on the edge of the estate sits the beautiful St Giles Church, just a short stroll from the house itself. It’s as picturesque as they come, surrounded by ancient trees and steeped in the same centuries of history as the house next door. Walking from the church back to St Giles House feels pretty special too, confetti floating through the Dorset air as everyone makes their way to the party.
And if a church ceremony isn’t your thing, you can absolutely keep everything at the house. The grand rooms inside lend themselves perfectly to civil ceremonies, with towering ceilings, huge windows and that slightly wild, romantic feel that makes St Giles so unique. I’ve photographed ceremonies here that have felt intimate and emotional one minute, then completely electric the next once the music kicks in and everyone realises the celebrations have officially begun.
THE RECEPTION
When it comes to the reception, St Giles House really comes into its own. The terrace out the back of the house is an absolute dream, with sweeping views across the parkland and those perfectly imperfect gardens that feel both grand and completely relaxed at the same time.
Guests spill out onto the stone steps with drinks in hand, sunlight bouncing off the honey-coloured walls, and suddenly it feels less like a formal reception and more like the best house party you’ve ever been invited to. There’s space for champagne towers, garden games, acoustic sets, or just long, lazy conversations while the Dorset countryside rolls out behind you.
It’s the kind of setting that naturally slows everything down in the best possible way. You can breathe it in, wander through the gardens for a few quiet portraits, then head back to the terrace where the laughter’s getting louder and the party is just warming up.
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