I recently went to scout out a Somerset wedding venue: Elmhay Park, near Frome. It's set on the Orchardleigh Estate, home to a lake with an island church and even a golf course. So let's take a look round...

5. Elmhay. Orchardleigh. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography

First up is Elmhay Village, a suite of lodges and cottages for guests, set around a fine courtyard (below).

Courtyard at Elmhay Village, Orchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyCourtyard at Elmhay Village, Orchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove

The wedding venue itself (Elmhay Park) is in a fine walled garden, dominated by the light-filled Orangery (below).

11.Elmhay. Orchardleigh. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography

Ceremonies can take place in the Italian Garden (below) with a covered space that is open to the outside.

Elmhay. Orchardleigh. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography

Having done a comprehensive recce of the place, I can say with confidence that there are a number of perfect locations for photographing groups of wedding guests, as well as signature shots of the bride and groom.

If you're looking for a wedding photographer for your wedding at Elmhay Park, do please get in touch. Feel free to send me an email, and I will let you have full details of my Elmhay wedding photography packages.

Hidden away a couple of miles north of Frome is Orchardleigh Estate, with an amazing array of facilities including a church on an island, a helipad, a golf course and the stunning Orchardleigh House, built in the 1850's, and now used as a wedding venue for hire. 

Orchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House and gardens Orchardleigh House, Frome, viewed from the south east. Picture by Beata Cosgrove Photography

The main house is hidden away, well off the main road, so you could easily drive past without even realising it's there at all. But when you get in and go down the long winding driveway across the estate (now converted into a golf course) you realise you're in very grand surroundings indeed. The driveway brings you to the north of the house, with its pointed towers being reminiscent of the Scotch Baronial architectural style. The whole house is available for the use of wedding guests, with indoor banqueting for up to 160. 

Orchardleigh House, wedding venue, Frome. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography Main approach to Orchardleigh House from the north. Picture by Beata Cosgrove Photography

Standing on the terrace on the south side of the house, you look down over elegant, carefully manicured lawns and towards the lake. You can just make it the lake in the photo below - it's just beyond the cows! If you have to look hard to see it, well that just gives you some idea of the scale of the place!

7.Orchardleigh House view. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography

View towards Orchardleigh Lake, showing the balustrade, a favourite romantic spot for wedding shots of the bride and groom. Picture by Beata Cosgrove Photography

Tucked away behind a clump of trees over on the right, is St Mary's Church, and although you can't really tell from the pictures, the church is actually on its very own island, as you can see here from Google maps. Lots of people dream of being whisked off to a romantic island for their wedding - well, who knew, you can do it right here in Somerset!

Church. Orchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography

The Church of St Mary, on a little island on the Orchardleigh Lake. Picture by Beata Cosgrove Photography

All in all, Orchardleigh is a stunning, romantic location for a truly memorable wedding, and if you're interested, you can browse more of my photographs of Orchardleigh here.
 

Orchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyOrchardleigh House. Wedding venue. Beata Cosgrove Photography

Orchardleigh House, wedding venue in Somerset. Image by Beata Cosgrove Photography

Elegant Garden Weddings at the Temple of Minerva in Bath – A Hidden Gem Within the Botanical Gardens

I'd like to share some images from a few lovely weddings I photographed at the Temple of Minerva, located in Bath's Royal Victoria Park—one of the city's beautiful Heritage Park venues.
 

Wedding day. Temple of Minerva. The Royal Crescent. Bath. Beata Cosgrove Photography

Enjoying a moment together on their wedding day at the Botanical Gardens in Bath.
 

Wedding photos. Temple of Minerva. Botanical Gardens. Beata Cosgrove PhotographyBath wedding venue. Best wedding photography. Somerset

Military Wedding at the Temple of Minerva in Bath – A Beautiful Blend of Tradition and Romance
 

Summer wedding. Temple of Minerva & Botanical Gardens.Beata Cosgrove Photographywww.beatacosgrovephotography.com

The bride's father and sons clearly felt it was time to get started!

Summer wedding. Temple of Minerva & Botanical Gardens.Beata Cosgrove Photographywww.beatacosgrovephotography.com                                     Here's the happy couple after ceremony, in the ever-colourful Botanical Gardens. 

Whether you're planning an intimate celebration or a larger wedding day, please do get in touch to enquire about my availability and wedding photography packages. You can also read another blog post about wedding photography in Royal Victoria Park, explore my weddings gallery, or browse my collection of wedding venues in the Bath area.