If you want a wedding venue that looks like it’s been airlifted straight out of the South of France but is actually sat in the Northumberland countryside, Le Petit Chateau is the one. French-inspired, full of quirky detail, and properly fun. Louise and Neil got married here and threw one of the best parties I’ve ever had the pleasure of photographing, so grab a brew and let me show you around.
Why Louise and Neil brought their wedding back up north
Louise and Neil are northerners through and through, but like a lot of my couples they’d ended up living down in London. When it came to the wedding, they did what plenty of sensible people do and brought the whole party back up north. You get more for your money, far more outdoor space, and honestly, anyone still trotting out the “it’s grim up north” line clearly hasn’t been to a wedding like this one.
Le Petit Chateau sits near Otterburn, about forty-five minutes from Newcastle, surrounded by open countryside. The kind of place where your guests turn up, clock the pink exterior and the gardens, and immediately know they’re in for a good day.
Getting ready: bridal and groom prep
The morning is one of my favourite parts to photograph, because it’s where the nerves and the excitement and the daft jokes all live. Louise got ready in a Pronovias dress from Dotty Bridal with shoes by Harriet Wilde, and the moment her dad saw her is one I’ll keep coming back to. That’s the stuff. No posing, no direction from me, just a real reaction I happened to be stood in the right place for.
The ceremony in the chapel
Le Petit Chateau’s ceremony room is a proper showpiece, all marble fireplace and chandelier, the sort of room that does half the work for you. The first kiss, the look on Neil’s face, Louise’s dad watching on, it all happened in this gorgeous light-filled space. My job here is to be invisible and let it unfold, and that’s exactly what I did.
Drinks and that famous pink exterior
Then everyone spilled outside for the drinks reception and some group shots with the chateau’s pink frontage as the backdrop. It’s hard to beat as a setting for the group shots, and it gives the whole gallery that “are we actually abroad?” feel. I also got a lovely frame of Louise’s emerald ring while I was at it, because the details matter too.
Couple portraits in the gardens
Now, Louise and Neil wanted to be back with their guests as fast as possible, which is music to my ears. The gardens here give me loads of variety in a small space, so we got their couple photos done quickly and got them straight back to the party where they wanted to be. That’s always the deal with me. A few minutes of your time, then off you go to enjoy your day.
It’s Friday, I’m in love
This was a Friday wedding, and they leaned right into it with a neon sign reading “it’s friday I’m in love.” The wedding breakfast was beautifully set, the speeches landed brilliantly, and the reactions around the room during the speeches gave me some of my favourite frames of the whole day. You can always tell a good speech by the faces of the people listening.
The Plectrums and the best dance floor I’ve shot
And then the party. Oh, the party. Louise and Neil booked The Plectrums, a band who’d come all the way down from Scotland, and they did not let up. Add a saxophone player into the mix and you’ve got a dance floor that genuinely did not stop. I’ve photographed a lot of weddings, and this is right up there with the best dance floors I’ve ever stood on. First dance, cake cut, and then hours of pure joy. Exactly the kind of wedding I live for.
Thinking about your own Le Petit Chateau wedding?
If you’ve made it this far and you’re imagining your own day here, you’ve got good taste. Le Petit Chateau suits couples who want colour, fun and a proper knees-up over anything stiff or formal. That’s my favourite kind of couple and my favourite kind of day. If that’s you, get in touch and let’s talk about it.
Le Petit Chateau weddings: your questions answered
Where is Le Petit Chateau? It’s near Otterburn in Northumberland, in the North East of England, surrounded by open countryside. It’s roughly forty-five minutes from Newcastle upon Tyne.
How many guests can Le Petit Chateau hold? The venue caters for anywhere from around 30 to 160 daytime guests, with room for more in the evening, so it works just as well for a smaller, more intimate day as it does for a big celebration.
Is Le Petit Chateau dog-friendly? It is, both the grounds and the accommodation, so your four-legged best mate doesn’t have to sit this one out. If you’ve read anything else on my site, you’ll know that’s the way to my heart.
Can guests stay over? Yes. There are boutique bedrooms on site, including a honeymoon suite, so you and your guests can roll straight from the dance floor to bed. Worth asking the venue about room availability early, as they go quickly.
Do you travel to Northumberland for weddings? I do, and often. I’m based near Wetherby in North Yorkshire, but Le Petit Chateau and the wider North East are very much within my patch. No drama, no enormous travel fee.
When should I book my photographer for Le Petit Chateau? The good dates here go fast, so once your date is confirmed it’s worth locking your photographer in. If you’re planning a wedding at Le Petit Chateau, drop me a message and let’s have a chat.
The suppliers
As always, here’s the team who made Louise and Neil’s day happen, with links to their Instagram so you can give them a follow.
Venue @lepetitchateauweddings Photographer @hannahbrookephoto Make up @bladeandblush Dress @pronovias from @dottybridal Suit @suitsupply Shoes @harrietwildeshoes Earrings @laceandfavour Florist @bees_and_butterflies1 Neon lights @cocoluminaireprophire Band @theplectrums
Get in touch
If you love my relaxed, fun, documentary style and you’d like me as your Northumberland wedding photographer, contact me. I’d love to hear all about your day, especially if it’s at Le Petit Chateau.
Email: hannah@hannahbrookephotography.co.uk Tel: 07779 271447
