I am so very lucky. As a Hertfordshire wedding photographer, I have the pleasure of visiting some truly beautiful wedding venues. Easily, one of the best is Essendon Country Club. The Essendon Country Club wedding venue is nestled in the heart of the Hertfordshire countryside, and it offers everything you could wish for. From sweeping landscapes to elegant spaces, and a calm, welcoming atmosphere that makes every wedding feel both luxurious and relaxed.
I have had the privilege of photographing two wonderful weddings there over the last 18 months or so. Each of the weddings, for Toni & Kaan and Hannah & Matt, was filled with warmth, laughter, and an effortless flow that made my job a joy from start to finish. So, if you are looking for a place that’s picture-perfect in every way, the Essendon Country Club wedding venue might be just the one.
First Impressions: A Hidden Gem In the Hertfordshire Countryside
From the moment you enter the driveway leading to the Essendon Country Club wedding venue, you know you are arriving somewhere special. The rolling hills, manicured greens, and the peaceful hum of the countryside immediately set the tone for what’s to come.
You have exclusive access to the main building, a stunning 16th-century barn that manages to blend rustic charm with modern elegance. Whilst this may seem like a hard balancing act, Essendon Country Club wedding venue absolutely nails it! It’s stylish without feeling stuffy and spacious, but cosy. Additionally, thanks to the beautiful oak-framed windows, it is full of natural light that makes it a dream to photograph.
As a wedding photographer, lighting is everything, and here, it’s perfect. The large windows and neutral tones inside the venue complement every wedding style, whether it is classic, romantic, or contemporary.
Plenty of Space and a Clever Layout
One thing that always makes a difference for both couples and photographers is how well a venue is laid out. The Essendon Country Club wedding venue is perfect.
Thanks to the unique two-level layout in the Great Barn, wedding couples and their guests can glide seamlessly from the ceremony space to the reception space.
The ceremony space is on the mezzanine floor of the Great Barn at Essendon. It overlooks the entire venue and offers plenty of space for guests to feel comfortable without losing intimacy. This is a great feature when you are trying to capture those emotional moments without feeling like you are intruding. The natural light pouring in gives every ceremony a soft, flattering glow that looks gorgeous in photos.
Moving into the dining and reception area below is a natural transition. The space is large enough to seat 130 guests in the day, and up to 300 for the more informal evening celebration. However, if you need to seat more than 130 guests for your wedding breakfast, Essendon Country Club wedding venue can arrange that too. They simply convert the ceremony space on the mezzanine floor into a dining room, whilst you are having your drinks reception and wedding photos done. You are then able to add an additional 50 guests to your wedding breakfast, fantastic!
Everything at Essendon Country Club wedding venue feels organised, well thought out, and easy. The flow between the spaces allows guests to mingle effortlessly and gives wedding photographers, like me, room to move around and catch candid moments from every angle.
Stunning Settings for your Wedding Photos
Now, naturally, as a wedding photographer, my favourite part of the Essendon Country Club wedding venue is the grounds. As soon as the ceremony and group photos are done, couples can hop into a golf buggy, driven by the incredibly friendly staff, and head out to explore the golf course for couple portraits.
This is such a brilliant feature. Not only does it make the experience fun for the happy couple, but there’s something quite exciting about zipping off in a buggy wearing your wedding attire! Likewise, it also gives us access to a huge variety of breathtaking backdrops.
There’s the bridge, for example, which has become one of my go-to spots. Surrounded by greenery and reflected in the still water, it creates a romantic, timeless look. Then there are the rolling fairways, mature trees, and wide, open views that make you feel like you’re in your own private countryside escape.
Every corner of the Essendon Country Club wedding venue offers something beautiful. Whether you want soft sunset portraits, fun group shots on the lawns, or intimate moments under the trees, it’s all right there, and it’s all easily accessible.
Friendly, Professional, Helpful Staff
Great staff can make or break a wedding. I can honestly say that the team at the Essendon Country Club wedding venue are absolutely fantastic.
Both Toni & Kaan and Hannah & Matt said the same thing: the staff were wonderful to work with. From the early planning stages to the smooth running of the day itself, the team was attentive, organised, and genuinely cared about making everything perfect.
As a wedding photographer, it is imperative to work closely with venue staff to coordinate timings, find the best photo opportunities, and make sure we’re keeping everything on schedule. The staff at the Essendon Country Club wedding venue made this effortless. They were always smiling, professional, and one step ahead.
It is those little touches that really stand out. Whether it is making sure drinks are ready for guests during photos, keeping the buggy at hand for a quick trip to the long bridge, or ensuring the wedding breakfast starts on time, they handle it all to perfection.
Toni & Kaan’s Wedding: Romantic and Colourful
Toni and Kaan’s special day at the Essendon Country Club wedding venue was one of those that just felt full of love and joy. Their ceremony was filled with lots of smiles, laughter, and bubbles!
Afterwards, we took advantage of the gorgeous golf course for their couple photos, hopping in the buggy and heading straight to that iconic bridge. The light that day was just perfect; soft and golden, with a gentle breeze rippling across the water. The resulting photos are some of my favourites from the recent wedding season, natural, relaxed, and full of genuine emotion. However, thanks to Kaan’s heritage, we also had an outfit change. This added colour and another dimension to the final wedding album. Brilliant!
Back inside, the dining room looked stunning. The layout gave plenty of space for tables, a dance floor (later in the day), and all those little details that make a wedding day so personal to each couple. Toni and Kaan’s family and friends filled the room with laughter, speeches, and some seriously good dancing as the evening went on.
Hannah & Matt’s Wedding: Contemporary and Relaxed
Hannah and Matt’s wedding day was another incredible celebration at the Essendon Country Club wedding venue. Their more contemporary day was the perfect blend of love and fun, with every detail beautifully thought out.
Their ceremony was held at St. Paul’s church in St Albans. The flowers at the church had stunning pink gerberas that complemented Hannah’s pink wedding shoes perfectly! There was music, laughter and fabulous opportunities for a whole host of wedding album photographs.
Once we arrived at Essendon Country Club, we gathered the groups together for Hannah and Matt’s traditional wedding photos, before we whisked off, courtesy of the golf buggy, to get some lovely portraits created. Naturally, we took advantage of the stunning bridge location; however, thanks to Essendon having such a vast landscape to choose from, we used a variety of scenery to create lasting memories. No two weddings are ever the same, and the versatility at the Essendon Country Club wedding venue ensures this is also true of the photography.
Later, during the reception, the energy was fantastic. The cutting of the cake took place on the stairs to the mezzanine, so everybody had a great view of this special moment. Hannah, Matt and their guests brought their best moves to the dance floor, and the party went on late into the night.
Why Essendon Country Club Wedding Venue Stands Out
From a photographer’s point of view, Essendon Country Club wedding venue is a dream to work in. The lighting is gorgeous, the settings are varied and romantic, and the staff go out of their way to help you capture the perfect shots. But more importantly, it’s a place that my couples have genuinely loved. I believe that shines through in every photo.
Each time I have been there, I’ve seen how relaxed everyone feels. The setting encourages you to slow down, take in the moment, and really enjoy the day. And, of course, the more relaxed a bride and groom and their guests are, the better the photographs. In addition to this, whether it’s a sunny summer wedding or a cosy autumn celebration, Essendon Country Club wedding venue adapts beautifully to the season.
My Last Bit of Advice
If you are currently planning your wedding and looking for a venue that combines stunning scenery, excellent service, and a flawless layout, I can’t recommend the Essendon Country Club wedding venue enough.
As someone who has had the honour of capturing multiple weddings there, I can confidently say it is one of the best wedding venues in Hertfordshire. From the golf course and the bridge to the bright ceremony spaces and the elegant dining area, every detail contributes to an unforgettable experience.
When your wedding day runs smoothly, your guests are happy, and your photos look incredible, that’s when you know you’ve chosen the right place. So, if you’re dreaming of a countryside wedding that’s equal parts beautiful and relaxed, Essendon Country Club wedding venue might just be your perfect match.
If you are looking for a professional Hertfordshire wedding photographer, with vast experience of wedding venues within the county and beyond, why not drop me a line? We can have a chat about your wedding vision and plan something special together.
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