When you're planning a wedding, finding the right venue can make a huge difference to how your day feels. If you're hoping for a relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy time with your favourite people without feeling rushed or overly formal, Cambridge and the surrounding countryside are home to some incredible wedding venues!
As a Cambridge wedding photographer and videographer, I've worked with couples who just want to enjoy their day without spending hours posing for photos. My hybrid wedding photo and video package is designed around exactly that. I capture real moments as they happen, allowing you to stay present while still receiving beautiful photos and video memories that tell the full story of your day.
If you're looking for the best wedding venues in Cambridge for relaxed weddings, then keep on reading!
4 of the Best Wedding Venues in Cambridge
- Swynford Manor
- Holmewood Hall
- Bassmead Manor Barns
- The Old Bridge Hotel
Swynford Manor
Set amongst the beautiful countryside between Cambridge and Newmarket, Swynford Manor is one of those wedding venues in Cambridge that manages to feel both luxurious and welcoming at the same time.
The exclusive-use manor gives couples complete privacy throughout their wedding day, creating a relaxed environment where everyone can settle in and enjoy the celebration. Whether you're planning an outdoor ceremony in the gardens or an indoor ceremony in The Study, the venue offers plenty of flexibility!
One of the reasons couples love Swynford Manor is the flow of the day. The gardens provide a fantastic space for drinks, canapés and socialising.
For photography and videography, this creates endless opportunities for natural moments rather than staged shots.
The stylish Garden Room provides a bright and modern reception space, while the luxurious preparation suite and thirteen onsite bedrooms mean there's no need to rush between locations.
From a photography and videography perspective, Swynford Manor offers a perfect mix of architecture, clean interiors and beautiful outdoor spaces. It suits my relaxed approach perfectly because couples can spend more time enjoying their wedding and less time worrying about logistics!
Holmewood Hall
If you're looking for a wedding venue in Cambridge that offers history and stunning grounds, Holmewood Hall is difficult to beat.
This impressive Tudor Gothic mansion sits within ten acres of parkland and offers complete exclusivity for your wedding day. It never feels intimidating. Instead, it creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere that allows couples to fully relax!
One of the standout features is the variety of ceremony locations available. During warmer months, couples can marry beneath the Bandstand surrounded by greenery, while the Gold Room provides an indoor option complete with a dramatic aisle and fireplace.
The grounds at Holmewood Hall are particularly popular with couples because there are so many opportunities for beautiful photos without having to travel anywhere.
The lakeside views, gardens and historic architecture all provide incredible backdrops while still allowing plenty of time for guests and celebrations.
As someone who specialises in capturing genuine moments, I love venues like Holmewood Hall because everything is conveniently located in one place. Guests naturally move between the ceremony, drinks reception and evening celebrations, creating lots of opportunities for real storytelling through both photography and film.
The accommodation and dedicated wedding coordination team also help keep stress levels low, allowing couples to focus on what matters most!
Bassmead Manor Barns
For couples dreaming of a relaxed countryside wedding near Cambridge with plenty of character, Bassmead Manor Barns is one of the most popular wedding venues.
Located on the Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire border, Bassmead perfectly balances rustic with modern style.
The restored Rickety Barn provides a stunning setting for ceremonies, with exposed oak beams and wrought iron chandeliers creating a timeless atmosphere.
During summer, couples can also choose the Thatched Bower, an outdoor ceremony space overlooking woodland.
What many couples love about this wedding venue in Cambridge is how naturally it encourages guests to relax and enjoy themselves.
After the ceremony, everyone can get together in the Moat Barn and gardens for drinks before moving into the light-filled Bridge Barn for the wedding breakfast.
For photography and videography, the venue is packed with opportunities. The moat, gardens, barns and surrounding countryside all provide beautiful backdrops. It allows me to work in a documentary wedding photography style, capturing real moments as they happen rather than constantly directing people.
The evening atmosphere at Bassmead is particularly special. With options such as wood-fired pizzas, street food and outdoor social spaces, the celebrations feel informal and fun, which always leads to some of the best photo and video footage!
The Old Bridge Hotel
Not every couple wants a large country house or barn wedding. For those looking for something more intimate and laid-back, The Old Bridge Hotel offers a wonderful alternative!
Situated on the banks of the River Great Ouse in Huntingdon, this beautifully restored eighteenth-century townhouse combines history with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
One of the biggest advantages of this wedding venue in Cambridge is its versatility. Couples can host their entire wedding day in one location, from the ceremony through to the evening celebrations, making everything feel seamless and stress-free.
The riverside setting provides a peaceful backdrop for photos and video, while the gardens create lovely spaces for guests to chat during drinks receptions.
Inside, the exposed brickwork, large windows and character-filled rooms provide plenty of visual interest without feeling overly traditional.
For smaller weddings especially, The Old Bridge Hotel creates a warm and intimate environment where couples can spend quality time with their guests. These are often the weddings where the most genuine moments happen naturally, which aligns perfectly with my approach to photography and videography!
Book Your Right Cambridge Wedding Photography
The best wedding venues in Cambridge for relaxed weddings are ultimately the ones that feels most like you. As a wedding photographer and videographer in Cambridgeshire, my goal is to help couples feel completely at ease in front of the camera. Many of my couples tell me they're camera-shy or nervous about being photographed, but my approach is simple. I blend into the day and create natural photos and films that reflect what your wedding actually felt like.
If you're planning a wedding at Swynford Manor, Holmewood Hall, Bassmead Manor Barns, The Old Bridge Hotel, or another beautiful venue in Cambridge and the surrounding areas, I'd love to hear more about your plans and show you how my hybrid photo and video package can help capture every part of your day in a relaxed and natural way.
Get in touch with me today and let’s discuss your wedding photos in Cambridgeshire!
