New Place Hotel, Southampton
I guess you have found this page as you may well be looking for a gorgeous Hampshire Grade I listed Manor House oozing with character and charm, which is why we love photographing weddings here. New Place Hotel is perfectly positioned for Southampton, Portsmouth, Winchester and Fareham, this unique hotel is set within 32 acres of peaceful woodland and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Beyond the ornate wrought-iron gates sits the centrepiece of the estate: a Grade I listed manor house, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and features an impressive art collection. A charming terrace overlooks the croquet lawn and cricket pitch, creating a magical setting to relax and unwind and a truly picture-perfect backdrop for weddings.
Nestled within delightful garden surroundings, the separate mews buildings provide all overnight accommodation, offering everything you’d expect from stylish, modern hotel rooms. An exceptional venue for weddings with capacity for 110 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast and 150 guests for the evening celebrations. There are 111 onsite bedrooms, plenty of room for guests so why not make a weekend of celebrations!
Wedding Photography Collections
All wedding collections include full coverage from prep to the evening, pre-wedding consultations, complimentary engagement photo sessions, beautiful luxury wedding albums, drone photography and interest free payment options over 12 months.
Full details of my wedding collections can be found here
What makes New Place Hotel a lovely wedding venue
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Historic charm and heritage elegance: The manor house is Grade I-listed and blends 17th-century interiors with early 20th-century architecture. The ornate wood-panelling, fireplaces and original features impart a sense of timeless grandeur perfect for a classic, elegant wedding.
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Beautiful setting and tranquil grounds: The hotel sits within 32 acres of landscaped gardens, woodland, lawns and terraces, giving couples and guests plenty of space for outdoor photos, strolls and relaxed moments.
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Flexible and intimate ceremony/reception spaces: There are a number of distinct rooms from the atmospheric wood-panelled “Bristol Room” to the airy Dining Room or the versatile Arden Suite catering for both intimate ceremonies and larger receptions.
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All-in-one convenience: Guests can stay on-site with accommodation in mews-style bedrooms close to the manor and enjoy conveniences such as leisure facilities (pool, gym, gardens), making it easy for families and friends to stay overnight without leaving the venue.
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Exclusivity and dedicated service: The venue promises only one wedding per day, giving couples privacy and the undivided attention of the staff. Their dedicated wedding team helps with planning, ensuring that your big day runs smoothly and feels personal.
Churches near New Place Hotel for your wedding ceremony
- Shedfield Church: This is the closest church, located within 800 metres (approx. 0.5 miles) of the hotel.
- Church of St Nicholas: This church is approximately 2.6 km (about 1.6 miles) away from the hotel.
- Saint Barnabas Church: This church is a 10-minute drive away.
- Hill Park Baptist Church: Located in Fareham, this church is approximately 4.3 miles away.
- Duncan Road Church: Located in Swanwick, this church is approximately 4.7 miles away.
How we photograph full day weddings at New Place Hotel
A full day of wedding photography at New Place Hotel usually begins with both bridal and groom preparations, catching the excitement, nerves, and candid moments as the day starts to unfold. We love documenting the small details, the wedding gown, shoes, flowers, perfume bottles and of course all the laughter between family and bridesmaids, along with those quiet, heartfelt moments that often become couples’ favourite images.
‘First Looks’ one of the most emotional parts of the day
One of the most meaningful parts of the morning at New Place is the first look between the bride and her father. It’s a moment filled with pure emotion, and it never fails to bring a tear to the eye. As New Place Hotel wedding photographers, we love this moment and photograph this exactly as it happens, natural, unposed and full of genuine feeling which is just priceless.
Ceremony Photography at New Place Hotel
The ceremony at New Place Hotel is always a joy to photograph. Whether you choose the elegant Bristol Room or the sunny outdoor pergola on the grounds, we focus on photographing the atmosphere as it unfolds, guests arriving, meaningful glances, nervous smiles, and that unforgettable moment when you see each other for the first time.
As candid wedding photographers, we blend into the background while documenting the real emotions and natural reactions that make your ceremony so personal and unique to you both.
Confetti & Group Photos in the Grounds
After the “I do’s”, it’s time for one of the happiest moments of the day your confetti walk! The beautiful entrance arch and driveway at New Place Hotel or the stunning gardens, create the perfect backdrop for this fun celebration. We photograph every burst of colour, laughter and movement. We always tell you to walk slowly and enjoy the fun! We also ask the guests to throw the confetti in the air rather than at you!!
Once the excitement settles, we start the group photos as this is the best time to catch everyone before they wander off. It is best if you have a named person who gathers all those needed for the group photos and have them ready to jump into the frame as we work our way down the list. This way means we get through the group photos quickly and you are not left standing and waiting while someone goes off to find the missing person!! It also means you have time to mingle with your guests during reception before being called to your wedding breakfast. The reception at New Place Hotel is always full of energy. From guests chatting on the terrace to children playing on the lawns, we love documenting these candid, in-between moments that truly tell the story of your day.
Wedding Breakfast & Speeches
Just before you are called for your wedding breakfast, in the Arden Suite, it is good time to get the big group photo looking down from one of the windows, or getting a scenic drone photo of you with all your guests and the stately New Place Hotel in view. Once the guests are seated you will make your entrance to rapturous applause as the new ‘Mr & Mrs’ and then settle down to a delicious wedding breakfast.
Then for the speeches which are another highlight, offering a wonderful mix of humour, heartfelt words and genuine emotion. As wedding photographers, we watch for reactions, the laughter, the tears, and everything in between creating a gallery filled with your stories and your personalities.
Couple Portraits
After the wedding breakfast and while the room is being turned around for the evening events, it is a good time to get your couple portraits taken. The light is lovely and soft and the estate’s landscaped gardens, ornate architecture and magnificent entrance gate offer endless opportunities for natural, romantic images. This is also a time for just the two of you enjoying a few quiet moments together while we capture some beautiful relaxed portrait images.
Evening Celebrations & First Dance
As the sun sets over New Place, the atmosphere shifts into full celebration mode, the evening guests arrive and the excitement of cutting the cake and your first dance together await. Whether you have practiced this, taken lessons or are just going to have fun dancing together, we’ll be there to photograph all the emotion, the beautifully lit dance floor and all your guests cheering you on. Once the party starts, we stay to document the fun, the dancing, and those unforgettable late-night moves on the dance floor. If you are having sparklers we get ready outside for those and the ‘Wow’ night photo by the iconic entrance gates with the hotel in the background.
What Clients say about Myriame Lawley Photography
Highly recommend Myriame! We first met her at a wedding fayre and she stood out as being so kind, calm and attentive! Myriame is very responsive to questions and highly knowledgeable. We met with her before the wedding to have a little photoshoot to get comfortable with her and the camera, which was great for us as both very nervous and camera shy! On the day Myriame was absolutely amazing at keeping us calm and gently directing us to get the best photos. We felt very comfortable with her and she was very adaptable when we got a little overwhelmed towards the end. Myriame made sure we had some beautiful photos and managed to capture some lovely candid family moments also. These amazing photos we will treasure. Thank you Myriame x
Top Questions Couples ask when planning a wedding at New Place Hotel
Bridal couples considering New Place Hotel (a Hand Picked Hotel) typically inquire about
- its capacity for ceremonies and receptions,
- any options for exclusive use
- the availability of dates and wedding packages.
- Other questions focus on the wedding breakfast, evening food options and the bar prices
A short history of New Place Hotel
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The origins of New Place go back to a project started in 1904, when Mrs A. S. Franklyn commissioned Sir Edwin Lutyens to build a new house on the site, using the interior fittings of a 1623 mansion from Bristol that was being demolished.
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The 1623 mansion’s panelling, fireplaces, ceilings, staircase and inlaid woodwork were carefully dismantled, transported and re-installed in the new house, a fine example of early 17ᵗʰ-century craftsmanship preserved through time. newplacehotel.co.uk+1
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Completed around 1906 and furnished by 1908, New Place was then given to Mrs Franklyn’s son, Captain Henry Arden Franklyn, as a wedding gift, an apt beginning for a place now best known for weddings. newplacehotel.co.uk+1
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Over the decades its use changed: in the 1950s it became a boys’ preparatory school; later, after the school closed in 1978, it was converted into a conference centre, and gradually evolved into the hotel and wedding venue it is today. newplacehotel.co.uk+2legacy-hotels.co.uk+2
Other Venues Nearby
- Meon Valley Hotel & Country Club (Sandy Lane, Shedfield): Located very close to New Place, this venue offers versatile spaces suited for smaller gatherings, with scenic golf course views.
- Titchfield Barn (Titchfield): A rustic, intimate barn venue in the countryside that specializes in, bespoke weddings.
- Wickham Estate (Wickham): Situated near Shedfield, this venue offers a picturesque and intimate setting for wedding parties.