Manor by the Lake Wedding Venue Guide

Manor by the Lake Wedding Venue Guide

Manor by the Lake is the kind of wedding venue that gives those fairytale, castle vibes. The main house is full of character and the grounds are huge and all landscaped beautifully. Cheltenham wedding venue now, and every single one has had such a beautiful atmosphere to it. Can we talk about the stunning yew tree lined entrance your guests make up to the manor – I mean!

Maybe it’s the grand staircase, the insanely pretty gardens and lake, or the fact the whole venue feels like stepping into a period drama without being stuffy or over the top. Whatever it is, I’m obsessed with photographing here. How lucky am I it’s super close to where I live.

As a Cotswolds wedding photographer, I’ve picked up a few insider tips that’ll help you make the most of your wedding day at Manor by the Lake and create a day that feels calm, fun and completely you.

About Manor by the Lake

Manor by the Lake has such a unique feel to it compared to a lot of manor house venues in the Cotswolds. It’s grand and impressive without feeling intimidating, and there’s so much character throughout the entire venue. Think dramatic staircase, huge windows, ornate ceilings, and one of the prettiest gardens I’ve ever photographed.

The venue itself sits within seven acres of gardens and woodland, so there’s loads of variety when it comes to portraits. One minute you’re in front of this gorgeous manor house, the next you’re standing beneath giant trees with the dreamiest soft light filtering through.

One of my favourite things about Manor by the Lake is how versatile it is. You can lean fully into the luxury manor house aesthetic or soften it with a relaxed garden party vibe depending on your styling.

And because it’s right in Cheltenham, it’s super accessible for guests travelling in from different parts of the UK without sacrificing that secluded countryside feel. It’s literally a 10 minutes drive off the motorway so really easy to get to and there’s hotels nearby for guests to stay though you can fit quite a few people in the manor house itself.

Manor by the Lake Ceremony and Reception Spaces

One of the reasons I love photographing weddings here is because every part of the venue feels intentionally designed for weddings. There’s loads of flow between spaces, which means your day naturally moves without guests feeling stuck in one room all day.

Every area has a completely different atmosphere too, which keeps your gallery feeling really varied and dynamic.

Here are some of my favourite spaces around the venue and why they photograph so beautifully.

The Bridal Preparation Suite

The prep spaces at Manor by the Lake are honestly gorgeous and there’s several spaces you could choose. Big windows, loads of natural light, elegant interiors, everything you could want for those wedding morning moments. My personal favourite isn’t actually the honeymoon suite, but the bedroom downstairs with the white panelling and sage green walls. It’s absolutely gorgeous, flooded with natural light and it overlooks the gardens (which your guests won’t be in until after ceremony).

The suites feel luxurious without being overly dark or heavy, which is SUCH a win from a photography perspective. Skin tones stay clean and natural, and there’s enough room for everyone to spread out without things feeling chaotic.

One thing I particularly love is how many little pockets there are for photos. You can do emotional gift exchanges, final dress moments, bridal portraits and candid interactions all within the same space, or in neighbouring rooms, without being seen by guests.

There’s also the Manor Rock Bar downstairs which is a great space for groom prep with gorgeous green leather sofas and a bar, or there’s several bedrooms you could use for bridal prep aside from the main honeymoon suite if you wanted to.

The Outdoor Ceremony Space

If the weather behaves itself, having an outdoor ceremony here is honestly magic.

The gardens at Manor by the Lake are stunning in the summer months and the ceremony setup feels so romantic surrounded by greenery. The natural light here is beautiful, which means your ceremony photos feel bright, airy and timeless.

Outdoor ceremonies also create such a relaxed atmosphere for guests. Everyone settles into the gardens straight afterwards for drinks and confetti, and the whole day flows so naturally from one part into the next. You’re also right around the corner from the manor arches for confetti photos.

Plus, from a photographer perspective, outdoor ceremonies give me loads more freedom to move discreetly without blocking guests views or getting trapped in awkward corners. You can also get an incredible perspective of the outdoor ceremony from the honeymoon suite balcony. So you’d better believe if you book a second photographer as part of your package, I’ll be asking them to get your walk down the aisle photo from there!

Maximillian Room

This is hands-down my FAVOURITE place for a wedding reception at Manor by the Lake, it also doubles as a gorgeous plan B for your wedding ceremony if the weather isn’t on your side.

This room has gorgeous woodwork and feels really elegant but has gorgeous views of the gardens from two perspectives and it’s got loads of natural light. I love it when couples have long tables set up in here banquet style, it looks absolutely gorgeous and celebrates the castle like vibe of the Manor by the Lake.

If you have a larger wedding party though, this wedding venue do also have the Ballroom which has soft neutral tones throughout the space. Your styling really gets to shine here whether you’re planning something colourful and modern or classic and understated.

And when the evening reception starts? The Ballroom comes alive. The atmosphere always feels incredible once the dance floor fills up.

NEWS JUST IN: The Manor by the Lake have also recently added a new space which is gorgeous for smaller weddings called the Garden Lounge. This space is an intimate area with floor to ceiling glass which overlooks the gardens. This would be perfect for a smaller wedding breakfast or cocktail hour indoors if you’re looking for something more modern.

Why do I love photographing weddings at Manor by the Lake?

Honestly? This venue is a photographer’s dream.

There’s variety everywhere. You’ve got elegant interiors, stunning arches at the front, beautiful gardens, hidden woodland paths and loads of natural light throughout the manor.

From a photography perspective, it gives couples such a varied gallery without needing to leave the venue at all. We can create editorial-looking portraits, capture relaxed candid moments in the gardens and have a beautiful backdrop of the arches for confetti and family photos all within the same location.

The flow of the venue also makes wedding days feel really calm. Guests naturally spread throughout the grounds, there’s plenty of space for cocktail hour, and it never feels cramped or rushed.

And because there are so many indoor and outdoor options, it works beautifully in basically every season.

What type of couple should consider getting married at Manor by the Lake?

If you love elegant weddings but still want your day to feel relaxed and personal, this venue is SUCH a good fit.

Manor by the Lake is perfect for couples who want that luxury manor house aesthetic without things feeling too formal. They also regularly offer special deals so it can work for a lot of different budgets. It works beautifully for modern weddings if you use spaces like the outdoor ceremony area and Garden Lounge, but equally suits romantic weddings too which are looking for lots of history and character to a space.

It’s especially ideal if wedding photography is important to you because there are honestly endless backdrop options throughout the venue.

This place absolutely shines during spring and summer weddings when guests can fully enjoy the gardens and outdoor spaces, but the interiors are cosy enough that autumn and winter weddings still feel incredibly atmospheric and there’s lots of natural light in the indoor spaces within the manor house.

Any insider tips for Manor by the Lake?

Firstly, build in more portrait time than you think you’ll need if these images are important to you. Not because portraits take ages, but because there are SO many gorgeous locations around the venue that it’s worth giving yourselves flexibility to properly enjoy them without rushing.

Secondly, if you’re planning an outdoor ceremony, have a backup plan you genuinely love too. Manor by the Lake has the stunning Maximilian room, so even if the British weather does its thing, your day will still look stunning.

And finally, make time for evening portraits. The manor looks so beautiful once the light softens and the venue starts glowing inside. Even ten minutes outside after dinner can completely transform your gallery. Just take a look at these from a couple of weddings I’ve photographed over golden hour.

Manor by the Lake wedding cost

Wedding pricing at Manor by the Lake varies depending on season, guest numbers and whether you’re planning a weekday or weekend wedding. It also can we greatly impacted by whether you’re booking quite far out in advance, or same year (where you can get some good deals).

Typically, couples should expect a mid tier wedding budget here, possibly higher for peak summer weekends. So, as a ballpark you’d be looking at £8,000 + but you’d need to visit the venue to discuss details of your planned wedding to get a formal estimate.

The venue offers exclusive use, luxurious accommodation, gorgeous grounds and multiple ceremony options which all contribute to the overall experience.

Accommodation is also available on-site, making it ideal if you want to keep everyone together for the full wedding weekend experience.

For the most accurate and up-to-date pricing, it’s always best to contact the venue directly.

Manor by the Lake Venue – at a glance

Here’s what you need to know about getting married at Manor by the Lake.

• Location: Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
• Address: Hatherley Lane, Cheltenham, GL51 6PN
• Capacity: Up to 300 guests
• Venue spaces: Ballroom, gardens, ceremony/ reception room, outdoor ceremony space, bridal suite, groom suite
• Accommodation on site: Yes
• In house catering: Yes

Meet your Manor by the Lake wedding photographer

If you’re planning a wedding at Manor by the Lake and want wedding photos that feel natural, emotional and full of personality, I’m your girl.

I’m all about documenting the real moments as they happen, while also helping you create portraits that feel relaxed and effortless rather than stiff or awkward.

It’s never too early to get in touch, so hit that contact button and let’s chat all things wedding.

Wedding Suppliers for Annabel and Bradley’s Wedding

Wedding Venue: Manor by the Lake

Manor by the Lake Wedding Photographer: Grace Dove Photography

Videographer – Lauren Simpkin Films
Florist – Flowers by Kirsty
Cake – The Willow Tree Bakery
Make up – Makeup By Tish
Hair – Karen Amelia Hair