Wedding Venue Review: Marks Hall
A rural setting full of wonder and charm both inside and out
Marks Hall is a venue I personally love. Set within hundreds of acres of landscaped gardens and parkland, it offers a beautiful mix of countryside charm and historic character. While the Coach House barn presents a few considerations from a photography point of view, the outdoor spaces more than make up for it and are a huge part of what makes this venue so special.
In this review, I’ll share my experience photographing weddings at Marks Hall, focusing on how the day typically flows and what couples can expect from a practical, real-world perspective.
Ceremony Spaces
Ceremonies at Marks Hall can take place either outdoors or inside the Coach House barn.
Outdoor ceremonies are available during the warmer months and are a real highlight. The gazebo structure where the couple stand is partially open, which makes it incredibly versatile. From a photography point of view, this allows for movement from front to back and side to side, capturing a wide range of angles without being disruptive. Natural light is abundant, and the surrounding gardens are immaculately kept, with colourful flowers providing a beautiful backdrop in season. The space also scales well; it feels just as intimate with a smaller guest list as it does with a larger one.
Indoor ceremonies take place in the Coach House barn. While this setting is full of character, with exposed brick and beams, it does have limited natural light. This creates a different, more atmospheric look to the images compared to an outdoor ceremony, which is worth bearing in mind when choosing between the two options.
Couple Portraits
The grounds at Marks Hall are a dream for portraits. If you’d prefer to stay close to your guests, the courtyard is beautifully landscaped and works perfectly for a short portrait session without going too far.
That said, I would always recommend allowing extra time if you can to explore more of the estate. With access to a large lake and bridge, wooded areas, open parkland and winding pathways, there’s an incredible amount of variety available. Couples are transported around the grounds by golf buggy, so you can make the most of the scenery without worrying about walking long distances.
The Evening Reception
The Coach House barn is used for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations. It’s a large, traditional barn with lots of character, and fairy lights add a lovely warmth as the evening draws in. Once the tables are moved back, there’s plenty of room for a live band, busy dancefloor and a great party atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Marks Hall really shines when couples are able to make use of the outdoor spaces. From a photography perspective, this is where the venue comes into its own, offering light, space, variety and privacy for portraits.
In the event of rain, if you’re required to stay inside the barn for longer periods, photography becomes more contained. There’s less variety in backdrops, and it’s harder to step away from guests for portraits. That said, if there’s even a small break in the weather later in the day, I will always recommend taking the opportunity to step outside. This is not a game changer, just something to consider and expect as a Plan B in the event of bad weather.
Marks Hall is a venue I would always encourage couples to visit in person. The combination of the Coach House and the exceptional grounds creates a relaxed, countryside setting with plenty of flexibility.
If you’re considering Marks Hall for your wedding and would like to see how a real day can look here, you can view a full wedding gallery on the blog.
If you’d like to chat about photography plans for your own wedding, you’re very welcome to get in touch- 01206 632200.
Written by Eleth Mageehan
First Written: 1st December 2017, Last Updated: 23rd January 2026
This wedding was full of fun and laughter - you are sure to find great ideas and inspiration for your wedding. An outdoor, autumnal wedding with the evening reception in the barn.