Langrish House

Posted on November 18th, 2009

Archived in Country Weddings, Wedding Venues, Weddings further afield

A Wedding at Langrish House

Wedding venues love to claim they’re “unique” but I usually raise a cynical eyebrow when I hear it. If you feel the same way, let me justify my view that Langrish House is worthy of holding the title of a “unique” wedding venue.

Candle-lit Vaults

The venue is owned and run by the Talbot-Ponsonby family, which I think makes a massive difference in general attention to detail. It also features a “vault” under the house, which was used to hold prisoners during the English Civil War. The vault has a spooky feel to it, especially when lit by candlelight. My imagination took me down the haunted route (who knows?), but I’m not setting the best picture here! Add some wine and nice food, and the spooky-ness will soon warm to an intimate and cosy atmosphere.

In a way, I was actually sad when it didn’t rain on the day, because the vaults use became redundant; as everyone spilt outside to enjoy the sun. Rarely will you find a venue with such an interesting “if it rains” option.

Langrish House

The house itself a relatively small country hotel, with a highly rated restaurant attached (2 AA Rosettes) . It successfully hits the sweet spot between being homely and being in a hotel. More precisely, you don’t feel like you’re intruding into someone’s private life nor do you feel like a processed name on a list. The history of the house and the Talbot-Ponsonby family are referred to throughout, with the occasional historical artefact and newspaper cutting.

Outside you’ll soon make friends with the numerous chickens running around the spacious grounds. The hotel staff “de-chicken” the front lawn to make sure it’s wedding friendly. What exactly this involves, I never asked – however chicken is on the menu!…

If you venture beyond this front lawn area, you’ll have to watch your step, as from time to time your feet may encounter a chicken “surprise”.

The Talbot Room

Weddings are held within the Talbot Room, which can easily be divided in two, depending on the size of your wedding. The larger section contains a balcony overlooking the lower level. This type of height is always useful from a photography perspective. And from a party perspective it also serves a role – as the all important bar area.

An All-Weather Venue

There’s no way of covering it up : rain is never welcome at a wedding. However, should inclement weather strike, I would definitely want to be photographing a wedding at Langrish house. The photographic potential of the interior would warm the mood. It’s the type of place where it would be nice to sit and enjoy some wine, whilst the rain soaks the unlucky chickens outside!