Mellerstain House is a beautiful 18th century house situated by Gordon, near Kelso in Berwickshire about 45 minutes from Edinburgh and is one of my favourite wedding venues for photography. [Mellerstain website here]
The house itself is enormous and very grand with a gravel drive, fountain and steps to the front, with plenty of parking and set within wooded grounds making it very tranquil. To the left of the main building are converted self catering cottages and there are also rooms available inside all decorated in original period style. It is at the rear of the house however that shows it off to it’s best. The award winning gardens are set out in multi levels with open paved areas, lawns, pillars, ornate walls, statues and well tended plants that make a splendid place to hold a drinks reception or to view the ornamental lake through oaks and beeches and spot wildlife such as the local roe deer.
Your wedding ceremony can be held in the bright and colourful Music Room with wooden floor, Steinway Piano, original features and views to the terraced gardens accommodating up to 80 guests. Alternatively you can have your ceremony outdoors on the Rose Terrace by the gardens designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with views to the Cheviot Hills and ornamental lake.
For the reception, drinks and canapés are served in either the Robert Adam designed Oval Hall or on the Rose Terrace where guests will enjoy taking a turn around the gardens and enjoying the beautiful views of the house. The grounds make a wonderful setting for photographs with plenty of great features that make for some really terrific photography opportunities. The inside of the house also works really well for photographs and group shots can be taken inside or out with the front steps making an ideal spot for a group shot of all your guests.
The wedding breakfast takes place in the Music Room which is bright and colourful in the summer and warm and cosy when candle lit in the winter.There is a choice of recommended caterers who will work from the in house kitchen and my own experiences of the food have been excellent as is the service.
During the evening guests make their way to the lower level next to the access to the Rose Terrace and Gardens, to the more intimate and atmospheric Vaulted Dining Room where a band or DJ can provide modern and/or traditional music for dancing. There is a bar available in the reception hall with creative mood lighting and access to the terrace. There is also a sitting room next to the dancing where guests can take a break and catch their breath before the next Ceilidh dance.
Service on the day is slick with professional and friendly staff that know the house well. Opting for Mellerstain’s preferred wedding planner Lindsey Hunter (website here) is to be recommended as you’ll find her a godsend on the day. My favourite wedding planner to work with, Lindsay is not only great at her job but a calming influence on the day.
Accommodation is available both in the house and in nearby cottages. There is a two and a three bedroom cottage next to the house and the West Lodge has a twin and double bedroom. The Bridal Suites in the main house feature four poster beds and bathrooms with plenty of space and views to the gardens, bright and airy in summer and cosy in the winter. Click here for details of the cottages and here for details of the Bridal Suites
Mellerstain House is a friendly wedding venue which has an intimate feel despite it’s grand scale and is one of my favourite wedding locations. But then I may be biased as the gardens and house make for a great location for photography and results in a great wedding album. A photographer couldn’t ask for more. The house will provide a classic and classy location for your wedding that will wow your guests and provide a historic and grand backdrop to your wedding day.
See Mellerstain House’s location in Google Maps by clicking here.
Mellerstain House
Gordon
Berwickshire
TD3 6LG
01753 410225
All photographs have been taken by Paul Raeburn at real weddings over the last few years. Please use the links at the top of the page or click here to visit my main website and find out more about my photography.
Beautiful Mellerstain. Amazingly shot. Nice
What an adorable place and a beautiful wedding ceremony.
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