West Horsley Place Wedding Photographer – Kimberley & Andrew
It was the hottest weekend of the summer when I headed down to West Horsley Place in Surrey to photograph Kimberley and Andrew’s wedding on 1 August 2026. It was my first time photographing a wedding at this beautiful venue, but as I work throughout the UK, arriving somewhere new is all part of the job. I rather enjoy it – fresh surroundings give me fresh eyes and new opportunities to create something individual.
Kimberley and Andrew wanted a relaxed, informal celebration centred on friends and family. No elaborate schedule or endless formal photographs: just a few family groups, some portraits and the story of the day captured naturally. As a West Horsley Place Wedding Photographer, it was a lovely setting for exactly that kind of wedding.
[IMAGE 1 – West Horsley Place exterior]
A relaxed summer wedding at West Horsley Place
There’s something rather special about arriving at West Horsley Place. The house, its rooms and the grounds have so much character that it feels familiar almost immediately. In fact, I had an extra reason to be excited: I’m a fan of the BBC comedy Ghosts, and I hadn’t quite appreciated before arriving that West Horsley Place is the real-life location used as Button House.
It was a lovely surprise to recognise parts of the building from the programme. The venue confirms that Ghosts was filmed almost exclusively at West Horsley Place, with rooms in the manor house and parts of the gardens appearing in the series.
But this wasn’t a day about television or history. Kimberley and Andrew had chosen the venue because it provided a beautiful setting for a celebration with the people closest to them. Their approach was refreshingly simple: enjoy the day, spend time with everyone and let things happen.
That suited my relaxed, informal style of photography perfectly.
Getting ready at West Horsley Place
There are plenty of rooms within the house, which meant Kimberley and Andrew could get ready at opposite ends of the building.
Kimberley had a large bridal room with enormous windows, plenty of space and gorgeous natural light. It’s exactly the sort of room I enjoy photographing in. There’s room for everyone to get ready comfortably, and the light does much of the work without needing complicated lighting setups.
There were lovely moments with friends during the preparations, including the excitement of seeing the dress and those final checks in front of the mirror. These little interactions are often just as important as the big moments. They help tell the story of the people around the couple, not just the couple themselves.
Andrew was getting ready at the other end of the house. Having separate preparation spaces within the same venue makes the morning straightforward, and it gives me the opportunity to photograph both sides of the story without everyone having to travel between locations.
The ceremony in the Stone Hall
The ceremony took place at 1pm in the Stone Hall, a beautiful, light-filled room on the ground floor. It was simply decorated with flowers, allowing the character of the room to speak for itself.
The Stone Hall is one of the distinctive spaces at West Horsley Place. Its flagstone floor and elegant proportions give it a wonderful sense of history, but the light keeps it feeling bright and welcoming.
Guests began arriving and settling into their places before Andrew took his position for the ceremony.
Kimberley walked down the aisle with her dad, and Andrew’s expression as he saw her was one of those lovely moments that makes photographing a wedding so rewarding. Nothing needed directing. It was simply a genuine reaction between two people.
The ceremony was followed by the walk back out together, with everyone ready to congratulate them and get the celebrations properly under way.
Drinks on the lawn and time with family and friends
With a 1pm ceremony, there was plenty of the afternoon ahead. The drinks reception gave everyone time to catch up, enjoy the sunshine and make the most of the gardens.
It was incredibly hot, so the day had a real summer feel. Champagne was being served, guests were chatting and laughing, and there was no sense of needing to rush from one part of the celebration to the next.
One of the things I particularly liked about Kimberley and Andrew’s plans was how little they wanted to interrupt the social side of the day. They had asked for a few family photographs and some portraits, but otherwise wanted to spend time with their guests.
That’s often when the best documentary photographs happen. People relax, conversations develop and you start to see the relationships that make the wedding personal.
Wedding photography locations at West Horsley Place
West Horsley Place is a wonderful venue for photography because there is so much variety within the house and grounds. You can move between very different settings without having to leave the estate.
The manor house and its beautiful interiors
Inside the house, the large Georgian windows bring in lovely natural light. The Library and Drawing Room are particularly attractive for portraits, while the wide staircase and the many interesting corners and architectural details provide plenty of opportunities for something a little different.
The house has an historic feel, but it doesn’t feel like a museum. The rooms are spacious and welcoming, and I found it a really interesting setting to photograph. There is character everywhere, without the surroundings overwhelming the people in the photographs.
The gardens and orchard
Outside, the formal gardens, orchard and open countryside give you a completely different feel. The gardens offer space for family photographs and relaxed portraits, while the orchard is particularly lovely when the light begins to soften later in the day.
The view across the grounds also makes the venue feel wonderfully open. There’s plenty to explore, and you certainly won’t run out of interesting places to photograph.
For couples who like natural photographs rather than a long, formal portrait session, having this much variety is a real advantage. A short walk through the grounds can provide several different backdrops while still leaving you plenty of time with your guests.
The wedding breakfast and speeches
After drinks and time in the gardens, everyone came together for the wedding breakfast in the Stone Hall. It was lovely to see the room being prepared and then filled with guests ready to enjoy the next part of the celebration.
Kimberley and Andrew arrived for the meal, and the afternoon moved naturally into the speeches. I always enjoy this part of a wedding because there’s so much more going on than the person holding the microphone. The reactions around the tables, the laughter and the occasional emotional moment all deserve attention.
Once again, the informal atmosphere made a difference. Nobody seemed to be worrying about what they should be doing for the camera. They were simply enjoying the company and the occasion.
Golden-hour portraits in the orchard
One of the advantages of a summer wedding is the opportunity to take a few photographs later in the day when the light becomes softer.
At West Horsley Place, the orchard and gardens are particularly lovely in the evening. The sun sets towards the rear of the estate, creating the possibility of beautiful warm light for portraits.
We took a little time for photographs as the evening light developed. I love this part of a wedding day because it doesn’t need to become a big production. A short wander together, a chance to take everything in and a few photographs in the right light can be more than enough.
Evening celebrations and the first dance
As the day moved into the evening, the celebrations continued. The light was still lovely outside, and guests were making the most of the gardens before the evening party.
Then it was time for the first dance. Kimberley and Andrew’s informal approach carried through the whole day, and the evening was a chance to enjoy the celebration with everyone around them.
It was a lovely way to finish the story: a day that had been all about friends, family, conversation and enjoying being together.
Tips for getting married at West Horsley Place
Having photographed my first wedding at West Horsley Place, these are a few things I’d suggest considering if you’re planning your own celebration there.
Make the most of the different spaces
The manor house, gardens, orchard and barn offer very different settings. Think about how you want the day to flow and which spaces you would most like to use for the ceremony, drinks, meal and evening celebrations. The venue offers different combinations, so discuss the options with its wedding team.
Use the natural light inside
The large Georgian windows are a real asset for photography. The Library, Drawing Room and other interior spaces can provide beautiful natural light for portraits, even if you don’t want to spend much time outside.
Leave time for the orchard and gardens
The grounds are a big part of the appeal. If outdoor photographs are important to you, allow a little time to enjoy them rather than trying to squeeze every photograph into the drinks reception.
Think about golden hour
The evening light in the orchard can be particularly beautiful. Check the sunset time for your wedding date and talk to your photographer about when you might be able to step outside. You don’t need a long portrait session – a short window at the right time can be lovely.
Don’t overfill the schedule
This is probably my biggest piece of advice. Couples sometimes feel they need to organise activities throughout the day so that guests won’t get bored. In reality, most people are delighted to have time to chat, enjoy a drink and catch up with friends and family.
Build some breathing space into your timetable. Let the day find its own rhythm. You’ll have a much more relaxed experience, and it gives your photographer the opportunity to capture all those natural interactions.
Have an indoor option if the weather changes
West Horsley Place has a range of attractive interior spaces, so a shower doesn’t mean the photographs have to stop. The rooms offer plenty of character and natural light, giving you alternatives to the gardens and orchard.
For current wedding information and the venue’s options, visit the official West Horsley Place weddings page.
My approach to wedding photography at West Horsley Place
I photograph weddings in a relaxed and informal way. I don’t want couples spending their day constantly being moved around for photographs, or feeling that they need to perform for the camera.
Some family photographs and a few portraits are important to many couples, and I’m very happy to organise those. But the rest of the day should be about enjoying the wedding. I work quietly in the background, looking for the genuine moments, expressions and connections that make each celebration unique.
West Horsley Place was a lovely venue to work in. The building has a historic feel without being intimidating, the rooms are spacious and full of light, and the gardens and orchard give you so much choice outside. There was plenty of space to work in my unobtrusive style and create a varied set of photographs.
After delivering the photographs, I received this lovely message:
“Thank you so much Andrew!!! These have been such a joy to look through!”
It’s always a pleasure to hear that the photographs bring the day back to life for the couple.
Frequently asked questions about weddings at West Horsley Place
Where is West Horsley Place?
West Horsley Place is in West Horsley, Surrey, on Epsom Road, between Guildford and Leatherhead. The postcode is KT24 6AN.
Can you get married at West Horsley Place?
Yes. The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies and offers wedding settings including the Manor House, barn and walled garden. Check the venue’s current wedding information for the available options and arrangements.
Is West Horsley Place the house from BBC Ghosts?
Yes. West Horsley Place is the real-life location used as Button House in the BBC comedy Ghosts. The venue confirms that filming took place almost exclusively at the property, using rooms in the manor house and parts of the gardens.
Where are the best places for wedding photographs at West Horsley Place?
There are lots of possibilities, including the Stone Hall, Library, Drawing Room, staircase, formal gardens, orchard and open fields. The best choices depend on the light, the weather and the kind of photographs you prefer.
What happens if it rains at a West Horsley Place wedding?
There are attractive interior rooms with natural light and plenty of character, so there are alternatives to outdoor photographs. Discuss your wet-weather arrangements with the venue and photographer when planning your day.
Do you photograph weddings outside Surrey?
Yes. I’m based in the North West of England and photograph weddings throughout the UK and Europe. I’m always happy to travel for a wedding that suits my relaxed, informal approach.
Getting married at West Horsley Place?
Kimberley and Andrew’s wedding was a brilliant example of how lovely an informal celebration can be. A beautiful historic house, gorgeous summer light, plenty of time with friends and family, and no need to turn the day into a series of staged photographs.
If you’re planning your wedding at West Horsley Place or another venue in Surrey and want natural, relaxed photographs that tell the story of your day, I’d love to hear from you.
Take a look at Andrew Billington Photography and get in touch about your wedding. Tell me what you’re planning, what matters to you and what sort of photographs you’d love to look back on.
