Dodford Manor
wedding
photographer

Northamptonshire

Dodford Manor: Exclusive-Use Barn Wedding Venue in Northamptonshire

If you’re planning your dream wedding at Dodford Manor, you’ve found a venue as magical as the day you’re about to celebrate. Nestled in the rolling Northamptonshire countryside, Dodford Manor is an award-winning barn wedding venue that perfectly blends historic charm with modern elegance. With exclusive use, stunning views, and impeccable service, it’s no wonder this venue is a favourite among couples—and a dream location for wedding photographers like me.

Why Choose Dodford Manor?

Dodford Manor offers a truly unique wedding experience. Surrounded by 20 acres of breathtaking countryside, this Grade II listed barn wedding venue is yours and yours alone for the day. From the excitement of morning preparations in the Grain Store Bridal Beauty Booth to heartfelt vows in the historic Mortain Barn and unforgettable evening celebrations in the Oak Barn, every moment is tailored to you.

With flexible spaces that accommodate weddings of all sizes, Dodford Manor is perfect for everything from intimate gatherings to grand celebrations. Its blend of rustic charm and contemporary style makes it one of Northamptonshire’s most sought-after wedding venues.

  • Couple weds with group celebrating behind window.
  • A bride and groom walk hand in hand in an outdoor garden setting. The bride wears a white gown and holds a bouquet; the groom is in a light-colored suit. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • Girls playing cornhole in garden

Key Features of Dodford Manor

The Mortain Barn: A Historic Ceremony Space

The Mortain Barn, a beautifully restored 17th-century threshing barn, provides a stunning setting for your ceremony. With its exposed wooden beams, stone-flagged floors, and soft natural light, it’s both charming and elegant.

  • Capacity: Ideal for ceremonies with 30–40 guests or larger celebrations for up to 170.
  • Unique Features: Includes a mezzanine gallery for musicians or photographers, arrow-slit windows, and an indoor Plan B option for photos or drinks receptions.

The barn’s timeless beauty is enhanced by the Grain Store Bridal Beauty Booth, a luxurious preparation space where you can relax with your bridal party before the big moment. With an en-suite shower, large mirrors, and a private window overlooking the Mortain Barn, it’s the perfect way to start your day.

The Oak Barn: A Magical Reception Venue

Celebrate your first meal as a married couple in the stunning Oak Barn. This oak-framed space features floor-to-ceiling glass walls, showcasing panoramic views of the Northamptonshire countryside.

  • Capacity: Accommodates up to 170 for dining and up to 200 for evening celebrations.
  • Personalisation: Couples can add their own décor, from bespoke centrepieces to personalised lighting, creating a truly unique atmosphere.
  • Award-Winning Catering: Jenkinsons Catering offers menus to suit every style, from fine dining to relaxed BBQs.

The Dairy Barn Bar: Evening Festivities

As the day turns into night, the Dairy Barn Bar becomes the heart of your celebration. Serving a wide selection of drinks at local pub prices—including premium beers, fine wines, and non-alcoholic options—it’s the perfect place to toast your love and enjoy the party.

  • Bride walking down aisle with her father at wedding.
  • Smiling newlyweds embrace under wedding veil.
  • Child smiling widely on grassy lawn.
  • Young women laughing and dancing at a party.
  • Emotional wedding hug and tears of joy
  • Wedding celebration with sparklers at night

Dodford Manor: A Photographer’s Paradise

Dodford Manor is a dream venue for wedding photography. Its picturesque surroundings, historic barns, and elegant interiors provide endless opportunities to capture unique and timeless moments.

  • Golden Hour Portraits: The rolling fields and open skies create the perfect backdrop for romantic, sunlit photos.
  • Rustic Charm: The barn architecture, including stone walls and wooden beams, adds depth and character to every shot.
  • Seamless Layout: The flow between ceremony, reception, and evening spaces ensures no moment goes unnoticed.

As a Northamptonshire wedding photographer, my goal is to capture the joy, love, and laughter that make your day unforgettable. Dodford Manor’s variety of settings allows me to create a gallery of images that tells the full story of your celebration—from quiet, intimate moments to lively dance floor fun.

Portfolio
  • A newlywed couple shares a kiss by a wooden fence in a countryside setting. The bride holds a bouquet and wears a long, flowing dress with a veil. The groom wears a suit. Black and white photo. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A young girl wearing a green dress, white top, and white shoes walks down the aisle in a stone-walled venue, holding a bouquet of flowers. Guests, dressed in formal attire, are seated on either side, watching her with smiles. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A joyful couple on their wedding day stands close together, reflecting on a glass wall. The bride, in a bridal gown and veil, holds the lapel of the groom's blue suit as they smile lovingly at each other. The background features a stone wall, grass, and vibrant greenery. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A man in a pink shirt speaks into a microphone while a bride in a white wedding dress and veil dabs her eyes with a tissue. They are at a reception with various drinks and candles on the table, and other guests are visible in the background. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A bride, smiling and holding a bouquet, walks down the aisle with a man in a plaid suit in a rustic indoor setting. Guests watch from wooden chairs, and the atmosphere is warm and joyful. The background features stone walls and a loft area. The image is in black and white. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A man wearing a tie poses playfully with two round objects held to his chest, viewed through a circular frame. He smiles at the camera, while another person is partially visible in the background. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.

Weddings of All Sizes at Dodford Manor

Intimate and Micro Weddings

For couples planning smaller celebrations, Dodford Manor offers a warm and inviting atmosphere.

  • Capacity: Host a ceremony and reception for 30–40 guests or opt for a micro wedding with 20 guests or fewer.
  • Benefits: Enjoy more time with loved ones, personalise every detail, and create a relaxed, low-key experience.

Grand Celebrations

Dodford Manor is equally suited to larger weddings, with space for up to 170 guests for your ceremony and meal, and up to 200 for evening celebrations. Its flexible layout ensures even the biggest celebrations feel intimate and personal.

  • A woman with wavy hair looks at herself in the mirror while having her makeup done. She is wearing a sweatshirt that reads "DOG MUM." The scene is indoors, with a reflection of her face visible in the mirror. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A person in a wedding dress with a veil stands facing a person wearing a blue plaid suit and a floral tie. The person in the suit has glasses, is smiling, and is holding a small bouquet. They are standing in front of a rustic stone wall with a dark wooden door. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A black and white photo of two men at a table. An older man on the left, wearing a shirt and tie, is smiling and looking toward the younger man on the right, who is also smiling. The younger man is closer to the camera and slightly out of focus. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A bride and groom embrace on a country road at sunset. The bride's flowing white dress and veil are prominent, while the groom is in a dark suit. Sheep graze in the grassy field to the right, and dramatic clouds fill the sky. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A man in a suit playfully kisses a glass window while a child inside mirrors his action. The scene takes place in a rustic venue with wooden beams and flowers in the foreground. Other people are blurred in the background. The image is in black and white. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A couple in wedding attire holds hands while walking through a lavender garden in front of a brick wall and rustic buildings. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.

Customisable Drinks with No Corkage

Dodford Manor’s no corkage policy allows couples to personalise their drinks service, offering three flexible options:

  1. Bring Your Own Drinks: The venue will chill, mix, and serve your drinks at no extra cost.
  2. Dodford Manor Cellar: Choose from a selection of wines and spirits at wholesale prices, with the option to sample before the big day.
  3. Drinks Packages: Pre-arranged packages include everything from reception drinks to toasts, ensuring seamless service throughout the day.

Evening drinks are served at the Dairy Barn Bar, where guests can enjoy a variety of beverages at affordable prices.

  • A woman in a blue dress and a man in a suit joyfully swing a smiling child between them as they walk on a stone path. Several other people are in the background near a rustic building with stone walls and a slate roof, all appearing happy and engaged. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A black and white photo capturing a joyful moment at a gathering. Two women are embracing in the foreground, surrounded by smiling and laughing people holding drinks. The background shows a rustic venue with stone walls and a high ceiling. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A bride in a white dress, holding a bouquet and escorted by an older man, walks down the aisle of a rustic indoor venue. Guests seated on both sides smile and look on. The groom, dressed in blue, bows his head near the aisle. The space has stone walls and wooden beams. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A bride in a white dress and veil hugs a woman holding a glass of wine, while people in formal attire converse in the background at an outdoor gathering. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • Two people in formal attire are dancing playfully. The man holds a glass of wine, and the woman is sticking out her tongue while holding his hand. A brick building and greenery are visible in the background. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.
  • A lively scene at a wedding reception, with a bald man and a young girl dancing energetically in the center. They are surrounded by other guests, who are also dancing and mingling. The venue has wooden beams and festive lighting, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.

Is this the Northamptonshire Wedding Venue for you?

Before deciding and booking your wedding day at this venue, why not book a visit with them? Have a good look around inside and out, speak to staff, and get to know the place. I bet you will fall in love with it just like I have! Dodford Manor even holds it’s own open evenings a number of times a year, and again I would highly recommend popping by to one.

I have had the privilege of photographing numerous weddings at this venue. Below, you’ll find a collection of weddings I’ve captured at Dodford Manor.

Karlie & Ollie

Kim & Sam

Maria & Shane

I have plenty more wedding blogs from Dodford Manor to share and will keep you updated with new posts!

Contact Me
  • An aerial view of a large countryside estate surrounded by fields and greenery. The estate includes several brick buildings with red roofs, a circular driveway, and a few parked cars. Various trees and a dirt road are visible in the landscape. Image by Documentary Wedding Photographer Lewis Bishop Photography.

Nearby Accommodation for Guests

Dodford Manor partners with nearby hotels, including Staverton Park Hotel and The Mercure Hotel, to offer exclusive booking rates for wedding guests. Located just 5–10 minutes from the venue, these 3* and 4* hotels ensure comfort and convenience, with up to 20 rooms reserved per wedding.

Key Facts About Dodford Manor

  • Location: Northamptonshire countryside, close to the M1 and A5.
  • Capacity: 30–170 guests for the ceremony and meal, 200 for evening celebrations.
  • Spaces: Mortain Barn, Oak Barn, Dairy Barn Bar, Grain Store Bridal Beauty Booth.
  • Catering: Bespoke menus from Jenkinsons Catering.
  • Accommodation: Partner hotels within a 10-minute drive.
  • Special Features: Exclusive use, no corkage, and stunning countryside views.

FAQs About Dodford Manor

1. Can couples bring their own drinks?
Yes, Dodford Manor allows couples to supply their own drinks for the day.

2. Is the venue wheelchair accessible?
Yes, Dodford Manor is fully accessible for all guests.

3. Are pets allowed?
Yes, couples are welcome to include pets in their celebrations.

4. How far is Dodford Manor from major transport links?
The venue is conveniently located near the M1, A5, and Northampton train station.

5. What accommodation options are available for guests?
Dodford Manor works with local hotels to provide exclusive booking rates for guests.

Conclusion

Dodford Manor is a truly magical wedding venue that offers the perfect blend of charm, flexibility, and exclusivity. Its stunning barns, breathtaking scenery, and warm atmosphere make it the ideal choice for couples looking to create unforgettable memories.

For couples planning their Dodford Manor wedding, choosing a photographer who understands the venue’s unique charm can make all the difference. Get in touch today to learn more about how I can help capture every moment of your special day.

Prices & Packages

Dodford Manor’s Contact Details

Phone: 01327 349761

Email: enquiries@dodfordmanor-venue.co.uk

Web: www.dodfordmanor-venue.co.uk

From the Blog

Some real moments, kind words and cool images from recent weddings…