Beyond the Main House: Shuttleworth's Swiss Garden Wedding Venue

In my last blog, I shared why Shuttleworth is one of my favourite wedding venues in Bedfordshire. Today, I thought I'd dive into what I consider to be one of Shuttleworth's most magical spaces – the Swiss Garden. I know 'magical' is overused when it comes to anything wedding related, but there really is no better way of describing these gardens - they're magical!

The Swiss Garden Fairytale

The nine-acre Swiss Gardens at Shuttleworth feel like stepping into another world – a restored Regency Garden in the 'Alpine' style that stands apart from any typical English country garden. It's up there as one of the best wedding venues in Bedfordshire.

The beautiful bridges, romantic archways and meandering paths are perfect for those quiet moments when you sneak away for five minutes of just-the-two-of-you time. I find these spaces create the perfect backdrop for genuine connection and beautiful moments to unfold naturally, which, let's face it, leads to much better wedding photos than asking you to pose awkwardly and say "cheese"!

The Swiss Garden at Shuttleworth has two licensed ceremony spaces:

The Swiss Cottage

Taking centre stage in the gardens with beautiful views is the Swiss Cottage. Perched atop a small hill, the cottage's design and setting is straight out of a fairytale. With its beautiful Alpine-inspired aesthetics it's suitable for weddings for up to 70 guests (20 guests inside and 50 guests standing outside).

The Grotto & Fernery

Opening the beautiful stained glass door of the Grotto & Fernery takes you through an amazing cave-like tunnel inside which opens up into a spectacular space with a domed glass roof and planting pockets filled with lush ferns. It's a real 'wow factor' location for your 'I dos'. The Grotto & Fernery can host ceremonies inside for up to 17 guests standing.

Craig & Molly chose to have their ceremony in the Grotto and Fernery, and their confetti toss to a backdrop of the Swiss Cottage, making great use of both spaces

A Photographer’s Take on Shuttleworth’s Swiss Gardens

From my perspective behind the camera, the Shuttleworth Swiss Gardens are a dream to be in. The manicured gardens, unique structures, and ponds offer plenty of textures and backgrounds that work really well in your wedding photographs. I love it when couples allocate a bit of extra time for portraits at Shuttleworth, as we can explore different areas of the gardens and take advantage of all its hidden gems:

There are lots of ornamental bridges that cross the garden's ponds which create perfect frames for portraits. Whether we're capturing that classic "reflection in the water" or a more playful interaction as you lean over the railings together, these bridges are perfect if you're looking for romantic and creative wedding photos.

One of my favourite spots in the garden is the Indian Kiosk with its coloured glass panel that creates lovely light for photographs. Even on grey days, this structure brings warmth and colour to your images. It's also a good shelter for portraits if there's a passing shower!

Sometimes, the most natural photographs come from simply walking together in beautiful surroundings. The garden's winding paths, framed by mature trees and gorgeous plants, create perfect opportunities for those candid moments – a whispered comment, a spontaneous laugh, or simply the way you look at each other when you think no one's watching.

Weather-Proof Beauty

Bedfordshire weather being what it is, I've photographed garden weddings at Shuttleworth in everything from blazing sunshine to pouring rain – and actually loved both extremes.

On sunny days, the large trees provide plenty of "open shade" which gives that perfect soft light us photographers love because it's so flattering without harsh shadows. For hot summer weddings, these shaded areas also give welcome relief for your wedding guests.

When rain appears (and let's be honest, it's always a possibility), the Swiss Garden offers numerous covered areas – the Swiss Cottage itself, the Indian Kiosk, and various garden structures provide shelter while still allowing for outdoor-feeling portraits. I've photographed a wedding here in pouring rain that resulted in some of my favourite images, with the covered areas creating intimate moments even during the downpour.

The Best Season for a Wedding at Shuttleworth Swiss Gardens

Each season offers something special, but the consistent thread is the timeless quality these surroundings lend to your photographs.

No matter when you choose to marry at Shuttleworth, your images will have that natural, timeless quality that won't look dated when you're celebrating your wedding anniversary decades from now. 

In spring, the Swiss garden becomes a paradise full of spring blooms. Summer continues the burst of colour and allows for beautiful golden hour photographs with a backdrop of Shuttleworth House and parklands. 

In autumn, the Swiss garden bursts into a canvas of warm oranges and reds before falling away in late autumn and winter to reveal stunning views of the house and parkland.

Pre-Wedding Sessions at the Swiss Gardens

Many of my couples opt for a pre-wedding shoot at Shuttleworth, which I recommend if you're planning to marry here. It's lovely to walk the gardens together, discussing your wedding plans while getting comfortable in front of my camera.

These sessions not only result in beautiful, relaxed images you can use for your wedding website or stationery, but they also help us discover your favourite spots and plan how we'll use the garden on your wedding day. Plus, there's nothing like experiencing a space together before the big day to help you envision exactly how everything will unfold.

Getting married at Shuttleworth Swiss Gardens? I capture authentic, unscripted moments with a calm vibe and natural edits. Click here to check my availability or arrange a chat!