Pennard House is the kind of venue that makes you feel like you’ve taken over a wealthy relative’s sprawling Somerset estate for the weekend — and you never want to leave. A stunning Georgian manor near Shepton Mallet, set amongst rolling hills and cider apple orchards, with ivy-clad walls, hidden walled gardens and a 14th century village church literally at the bottom of the garden. It’s been in the same family for over 200 years, and it shows — in the warmth, the flexibility and the feeling that your wedding here is genuinely yours to own.
This isn’t a rigid, formal venue. Pennard suits the couples who want grandeur without stuffiness, elegance without a rulebook. The kind of wedding where guests kick off their heels and stay for days — because with up to three nights of exclusive hire and 13 beautifully styled bedrooms, why would you leave?
For this styled shoot, the theme was Japan’s enchanting Sakura season — that fleeting, breathtaking moment each spring when the cherry blossoms are at their most glorious. Delicate nods to the season ran throughout the day: soft pink blooms in the florals, elegant Japanese fan favours, and a beautifully intricate cake that paid tribute to the blossom in the most stunning way. The bridal gown — soft, romantic and utterly dreamy — felt perfectly at home against Pennard’s orchards in full bloom.
The bridal suite at Pennard House is everything a getting-ready space should be. Grand four-poster bed, gorgeous natural light, and enough room for the whole bridal party to gather without anyone feeling crowded. The kind of morning where the champagne appears early and the nerves disappear shortly after.
Pennard House Wedding Ceremony
The ceremony took place in the 14th century village church at the bottom of the garden — one of Pennard House’s most extraordinary features and one of the most romantic ceremony settings I’ve ever photographed. Ancient stone walls, a short walk from the house through the gardens, and the kind of atmosphere that makes the whole room hold its breath. For couples who want a traditional church ceremony without sacrificing the relaxed country house feeling, Pennard House resolves that perfectly.
Beautiful Backdrops
After the ceremony, guests gathered on the sun-drenched lawns for cocktails and canapés before moving into the 18th century Coach House for the wedding breakfast. Tables adorned with pink florals, delicate paper cranes and Japanese-inspired tableware — the Sakura theme carried beautifully through every detail. The Coach House seats up to 120 guests and transforms effortlessly from elegant dining room to the ultimate party space as the evening unfolds.
Celebrations In The Coach House
The cake was a work of art — intricate blossom detailing that could have been lifted straight from a Japanese porcelain piece. The kind of cake that makes guests stop mid-conversation just to look at it.
Get Inspired by Blossom at Pennard House
Then came the portraits, and Pennard House at golden hour is something genuinely special. The cider apple orchards, the wildflower meadows, the secluded walled gardens — every corner offers something different and every corner is beautiful. As the light filtered through the blossom-laden branches, the whole setting became completely magical. This is the kind of venue where golden hour portraits photograph themselves.
As the sun set, the Coach House came alive — fairy lights, a live band, and the kind of dancefloor energy that only happens when people are genuinely, completely happy. One of the many joys of Pennard House is that nobody has to leave. Guests drift between the dancing and the gardens, the evening stretches on at its own pace, and the whole weekend unfolds exactly as it should.
Based in Devon and photographing weddings across the South West — Somerset is just down the road and Pennard House is absolutely worth the drive.
So if you’re planning your wedding at Pennard House and want a photographer who loves this venue as much as you do, I’d love to hear from you.
