Paxton House: 10 Reasons To Choose This Scottish Wedding Venue

Paxton House was given to the nation in 1988, and amongst other things is one of the most beautiful country wedding venues in Scotland.

You can have your ceremony in the stunning Picture Gallery, which houses treasures from the National Galleries of Scotland, or outside on the beautiful front lawn with views over the River Tweed.

And then your reception can take place either inside the mansion, or in the Paxton Marquee located in the landscaped gardens.

There are so many options that you can really create a day which is genuinely unique.

Let’s take a closer look at what a Paxton House wedding would be like.

Paxton House Location

Paxton House is located 5 miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed, right on the border of Scotland and England.

Due to the relaxed laws in Scotland, wedding venues in the Scottish Borders are very popular with couples in Northern England.

Edinburgh is the closest Scottish city at 60 miles, with a journey time of approximately 75 minutes.

And because the estate is open to the public, there is ample onsite parking and good access for large coaches.

Paxton House Setting

If you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the big cities and are looking for something more relaxed, then Paxton House may be the wedding venue for you.

It’s surrounded by a large acreage made up of 18th century landscaped gardens, beautiful woodland, and of course the River Tweed.

Tranquil is the best word to describe the atmosphere.

And although this place is open to the public, the areas you will be using will be cordoned off providing a reasonable level of privacy.

It is without question a lovely place for a wedding.

Paxton House

Designed by John Adam and completed in 1763, Paxton House is one of the finest examples of neo-Palladian architecture in Scotland.

It combines traditional grandeur and bohemian chic, and really is a wonderful place just to go and visit.

When it comes to your wedding, there are a series of fabulous reception rooms which can be used for every aspect of your day.

In addition to this you will find a Boat House which is ideal for ceremonies in the summer, and a Hayloft Gallery for a more rustic reception in the winter.

It’s a surprisingly versatile place with lots of locations and themes, which you can mix and match to create exactly what you want.

Paxton House Accommodation

There are some accommodation options at Paxton House.

Firstly you have the Caravan Park, occupying a secluded location within the historic walled garden, and suitable for 15 caravans.

Then there’s the modern Garden Apartment, on the ground floor of the regency wing, and sleeping a maximum of 2 people.

Finally you have the recently refurbished South Lodge, situated at the entrance to the estate, and again sleeping a maximum of 2 people.

For more comprehensive accommodation Berwick-upon-Tweed is less than 10 minutes away, and offers a range of hotels and B&Bs.

Paxton House Ceremony

Probably the most popular choice for ceremonies at Paxton House is the magnificent Picture Gallery.

Combining sumptuous marble and ornate plasterwork, it’s the perfect room for creating a real sense of occasion.

In addition to being able to seat 150 guests, it also has a Steinway grand piano which you can make use of.

For more intimate ceremonies the Drawing Room or the Library can be used.

Or for something truly unique, the Boat House (40 guest maximum) on the banks of the River Tweed.

A number of couples also choose to get married outdoors on the manicured lawns.

Paxton House Reception

The Picture Gallery can also be used for your dinner reception.

And with a capacity for 150 seated guests, it will be large enough for most weddings.

For a more intimate setting, the Dining Room which can seat up to 40 guests is every bit as spectacular.

Or if you would rather have something more rustic, the Hayloft Gallery (80 guest maximum) provides a converted barn type atmosphere.

Perhaps the most popular choice is the Paxton Marquee, with its capacity for 200 guests.

Located within the beautiful gardens, it has fantastic views of both the River Tweed and the Union Chain Bridge.

Paxton House Catering

If you have your dinner reception inside Paxton House, then they will handle the catering internally.

Menus can be found on their website.

However if you have your dinner reception in the Paxton Marquee, then you can choose an outside caterer.

It’s always worth selecting someone who has worked at the venue before, so that they are used to navigating the place.

A catering tent is also included in the price.

Paxton House Grounds

There are 80 acres of beautiful woodland and riverside scenery to enjoy at Paxton House.

With most of the gardens having been originally landscaped in the 18th century by Robert Robinson.

Take a gentle stroll along the river banks, and try to spot the many different species of bird and deer.

There’s even a lovely pond, and the plants have been deliberately selected so that there are flowers in every season.

When it comes to your wedding photographs, scenic backdrops can be found around every corner.

In fact it’s a bit of a photographers paradise.

Paxton House Unique Feature

Because Paxton House has its own Boat House, it is possible for the Bridal Party to arrive by boat.

This would of course only be if you were having your ceremony on the banks of the river.

However it would be a fantastic way to make a unique entrance, and would also produce some incredible photographs.

There’s also a tractor and trailer, which could be used to transport your guests to and from the Boat House.

Paxton House Wedding Prices

For accurate Paxton House wedding prices, you should contact the venue directly.

Their wedding packages can be tailored to meet your specific needs.

However to give you an approximate Paxton House wedding cost:

• Paxton House (ceremony & reception), price £4,750.
• Paxton Marquee (ceremony & reception), price £3,800.
• Wedding Breakfast, prices from £40 per person.

The prices above are for a summer weekend.

Winter and midweek weddings could cost less.

Paxton House Conclusion

So those are my 10 reasons you should consider Paxton House as your wedding venue.

Of course everybody has different tastes and opinions.

However if you are looking for a beautiful country house, surrounded by stunning gardens, with numerous options for your ceremony and reception, and the River Tweed right on your doorstep; then Paxton House just might be the place for you.

Whilst you are here, you should take a look at some of the other wedding venues in Scotland, featured on White Rose.

You can also find Paxton House’s website here.

Good luck with your wedding planning.