Cantley House Hotel Wedding Photography
Are you looking for a local Cantley House wedding photographer? I’m delighted to be invited to Cantley House’s wedding showcases, where I get to meet couples planning their big day. I’m based in nearby Bagshot, only 20 minutes from Cantley House.
The Venue
Cantley Hotel is a real hidden gem of a wedding venue, just on the edge of Wokingham, Berkshire. A privately owned Victorian country house hotel set in 50 acres of grounds. Approached down a long drive, this very English mansion oozes charm from a bygone era, it was once owned by the Marquis of Ormonde. Even more of a surprise is the 17th Century barn, called the Briar, that is part of the hotel. There are so many possibilities with this lovely wedding venue. The large lawn can accomodate a marquee if you’re having a huge wedding reception. Ceremonies can be held in the gazebo, in the Briar or in the Oak Room. Cantley house is a beautiful setting for your wonderful day, and a short walk down the drive takes you to the field – a gorgeous spot for some romantic couple photos. And there’s a woodfired pizza oven in the courtyard to cater for hungry evening guests.
Great Location
If you want to get married outside London, not far from the Berkshire countryside, this versatile venue could be perfect for your wedding day. A few minutes from the centre of Wokingham and close to the M4 and Reading, with it’s train station. It makes access really easy for friends and family. And Heathrow airport is only 40 minutes away, ideal for your international guests.
How many guests can I have?
The Briar can accommodate up to 100 guests for a Wedding Breakfast and up to 120 guests for an evening reception. If you’re opting for a more intimate micro wedding the Oak Room accommodates up to 40 guests. It’s definitely worth having a chat with the events team to see what they can do for you.
Hello!
I’m Mercedes and I’m a local wedding photographer. I’ve photographed lots of weddings at Cantley House in Berkshire and know the venue from a photographer’s point of view. This includes knowing where the light falls and the best place for your photos. And the different options the house and grounds give us for amazing portraits. If you are looking for relaxed, creative wedding photography, then look no further. I will provide you with lots of candid photographs that tell the story of your day. Your bride and groom portraits will be relaxed and stress-free. I won’t take you away for ages – this is your day and I know you want to be enjoying the party not spending the day “having photos”!
Get in touch with me for your Cantley House Hotel wedding photography.
Glowing review
Mercedes shot our wedding in May 2026 at Cantley House in Wokingham. We found her warm, enthusiastic and professional – before, during and after the event. Willing to go the extra mile on small details.
We’re delighted with the large set of beautiful images she’s given us! Thank you Mercedes!
Cantley Hotel Gallery
Helpful staff
The staff at Cantley House will help you to organise the day of your dreams. You put so much hard work into the planning of your wedding day and want everything to be perfect. Whether you choose to spend the whole day here, from getting ready to ceremony to wedding breakfast and evening party. Or if you have always wanted to get married in church there is plenty of choice locally.
On the day, the whole team ensures that everything runs smoothly. My experience is that everyone is helpful, nothing is too much to ask and it’s all done with a smile. You’re going to have an amazing day at Cantley House Hotel.
Formal Group Photos
My favourite place for wedding group photos is just outside the Oak Room. It’s a great background for some lovely photos, nice for confetti too. On a bright sunny day this area may not work, so to avoid everyone squinting at the camera you may prefer to opt for the garden greenery as a backdrop. And if it rains then inside the Oak Room works really well.
The ideal spot for a photo of you with all of your wedding guests is from up on the fire escape in the garden. But if the garden is too wet and boggy then I’ve also stood on a chair and photographed everyone on the patio in front of the Oak Room doors.
Is Cantley House dog friendly?
Yes absolutely! Your dogs are part of your family and are welcome to both attend and stay at Cantley House. There are a couple of caveats; you must clean up after your dog both inside and outside the hotel. Dogs cannot be left unattended in a room at any time. You could book a dog sitter, like Courts Cuddles to look after your doggo.
What if it rains on my wedding day at Cantley House?
I know it’s one of the most commonly asked questions. And I always recommend that couples looking round venues ask about a wet weather plan. But at Cantley you’ll be absolutely fine. To start with they have the beautiful Oak Room or the Briar Barn for your ceremony. Confetti can be done in the covered walk way by the fish pond. Group photos can be done in the Oak Room. For your couple photos there are lots of options, including the stairs, the upstairs hallway, the covered corridors and of course the Oak Room. And usually there’ll be a break in the weather if you want to go outside.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can I have at Cantley House?
The Briar can accommodate up to 100 guests for a wedding breakfast and up to 120 guests for an evening reception. If you’re planning something more intimate, the Oak Room holds up to 40 guests. It’s worth having a chat with the events team to see what they can do for your numbers.
Can I bring my dog to Cantley House?
Yes, absolutely. Your dog is welcome to attend and even stay at Cantley House. You’ll need to clean up after them both inside and outside the hotel, and they can’t be left unattended in a room at any time. Some couples book a dog sitter, like Court’s Cuddles, to look after their dog for the day.
What happens if it rains on my wedding day?
Cantley House copes brilliantly with bad weather. Your ceremony can move into the Oak Room or the Briar Barn, confetti can be done in the covered walkway by the fish pond, and group photos work really well in the Oak Room. For couple portraits there are plenty of covered options too, including the stairs, the upstairs hallway and the covered corridors, and there’s usually a break in the weather at some point if you want to head outside.
Is there a sound limit for the band or DJ?
There’s no sound limiter fitted on site, but Cantley House sits in a residential area, so bands and DJs are asked to keep to an 85 decibel limit out of consideration for the neighbours.
What time does the wedding need to finish?
The standard finish time is midnight, with the bar and music running until then. If you’d like to keep things going a little longer, the licence for the Briar can be extended to 1am for an additional fee. There’s also a residents’ bar on site, available to hotel residents for a period after the wedding finishes.
How much does wedding photography at Cantley House cost?
My wedding photography at Cantley House is £1,800 for 10 hours of coverage, and couples receive a minimum of 500 photos for a full day’s photography. The reality is that you’l receive many more. If you need less coverage than that, just get in touch and I’ll be happy to talk through the options with you.
How soon will I get my wedding photos?
You’ll get 10 to 20 sneak peeks within 72 hours of your wedding, so you’re not waiting long to relive the day. Your full gallery follows within 4 to 6 weeks, delivered through a private online gallery that you can download from and share with friends and family.
Recommended Suppliers at Cantley House
Over the years I’ve worked alongside some brilliant suppliers at Cantley House, and couples often ask who I’d recommend. Here are a few of my favourites.
DJ: David from Not Just DJ’s is almost always the DJ at Cantley House weddings.
Wedding Cars: Christopher’s Cars is the wedding car company most couples choose at Cantley House.
Hair and Makeup: I’ve worked with both Yasmine Aline Make Up Artist and Hair Design and Make Up by Michelle, and can highly recommend them both.
Cantley House Hotel Wedding Blogs
Click on the images to check out these blog links to see both real weddings and top tips
A Chilly March Wedding at Cantley House
A Rainy July Wedding at Cantley House Hotel
A few of My Couple Wedding Photos taken at Cantley House Hotel
Wedding Photography Style
My wedding photography style is natural and focuses on creating photos that tell your wedding story in an authentic and timeless way. I love capturing lots of wedding guest and couple reactions with candid photography. Whether that’s tears of laughter at the best man’s speech or tears of joy and nervousness when you first see each other. You will get all the shots that will help you to remember the moments of your special day. I can be with you on your wedding day from bridal preparation right through to your first dance and the party. And you can always order a wedding album afterwards.
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