Oakwood House wedding photographer, Maidstone
I photograph a dozen or more weddings a year at Oakwood House in Maidstone, from micro-weddings in The Study to full ceremonies in the Kentish Suite, and the brick arch outside the Garden Room is my favourite spot for couple portraits.
The brick arch: my favourite spot
Just outside the Garden Room is a brick and stone arch looking out over the gardens. It’s my favourite place at Oakwood House for couple portraits. The arch frames the two of you naturally, the greenery behind keeps the background soft and clean, and the photos feel intimate rather than posed. I usually save the arch until last, once your guests have left for the wedding breakfast venue, so the two of you get some quiet time together before joining them. Most of the couple portraits on this page were taken there.
The ceremony rooms
- The Garden Room is naturally bright and airy, perfect for clean, vibrant photos.
- The Study has a warm, classic feel with rich textures, and holds about 15 guests, ideal for an intimate ceremony.
- The Kentish Suite is the largest, with room for around 80 guests, and gives space for wide shots of everyone as well as candid moments around the room.
Photography tips for Oakwood House
- Couple portraits: once your guests have headed off to the wedding breakfast venue, a few quiet minutes at the brick arch gives you some of the most loved photos of the day.
- Group photos and confetti: the lawns in front of the house have room for everyone, with the building as a backdrop.
- Before the ceremony: the large windows give soft, flattering light for portraits while you wait.
- Rainy days: the covered area outside the Garden Room keeps you dry while still giving outdoor photos, and the grand staircase is perfect for the bridal party.
- Autumn weddings: the trees around the grounds turn gold and orange, and a shower of confetti in the brick arch makes a lovely finishing shot.
- Short ceremony slots: I keep group photos quick and organised so there’s still time for portraits before you head to your reception.
Your wedding at Oakwood House
My twilight package suits a ceremony at Oakwood House followed by a meal or evening party elsewhere, and my full-day package covers everything from preparation to the first dance. Both include printing, and every wedding is shot on two cameras, including a 100-megapixel medium format camera. You can see more from these weddings in my favourite Oakwood House captures from 2025.
Google reviews
What couples say
“His demeanour and calm nature was excellent when getting the group photos and he wasn’t intrusive when capturing the ceremony and more relaxed moments.”
“He managed to get some very excited guests into position for some fantastic group shots.”
“On the day, Chris arrived early to prepare and talked us through everything, step by step as the day progressed. He put us both at ease, which helped settle our nerves…”
“Despite there being severe delays beyond the control of all involved, Chris completely rearranged his day to make sure he could capture ours.”
“Chris really got to know us as we worked out what we wanted our wedding to be like. He understood exactly what we wanted - a relaxed vibe!”
“He was very discreet but there for every single special moment! We were blown away by the pictures we received from Chris!”
Questions people ask
Have you photographed weddings at Oakwood House?
Yes, a dozen or more every year. Every photo on this page is from weddings I’ve photographed at Oakwood House, from micro-weddings with a handful of guests to full ceremonies followed by a reception at another venue.
Where are the best photo spots at Oakwood House?
My favourite is the brick arch outside the Garden Room. It frames the couple beautifully and looks out over the gardens, which makes it perfect for close, intimate portraits. I usually save it until last, after your guests have left for the reception, so it’s just the two of you. The lawns in front of the house work well for group photos and confetti, and the large windows inside give soft light for portraits before and after the ceremony.
Which ceremony room is best for photos?
Each one has its own character. The Garden Room is bright and airy, The Study is warm and cosy with room for about 15 guests, and the Kentish Suite holds around 80 and gives space for wide shots of everyone together as well as candid moments around the room.
What if it rains?
Oakwood House copes well with rain. There’s a covered area outside the Garden Room, so we can still take portraits outdoors with the gardens behind you while staying dry, Inside, the grand staircase beneath the large portrait painting is a beautiful spot for bridal party photos, and the big windows give soft, flattering light too.
Which package suits an Oakwood House wedding?
Many Oakwood House ceremonies are followed by a meal or party elsewhere, which suits my twilight package at £697 including VAT. If you’d like the whole day covered, from preparation through to the evening at your reception venue, the full-day package is £997 including VAT.
How far is Oakwood House from you?
Oakwood House is in Maidstone, which is where I’m based, so it’s just a few minutes away.
Venue guides
Other venues I've photographed
More real weddings from venues across Kent and Essex.
Getting married at Oakwood House?
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