As an award-winning husband and wife team of wedding photographers based in Coventry, we bring a unique blend of creative artistry and technical expertise to every celebration we capture.
Our experience at Fort Henry, one of Rutland's most enchanting and exclusive wedding venues, has equipped us with the specialised knowledge required to perfectly document your special day in this historic setting.
We are more than just photographers; we are storytellers who understand the nuances of Fort Henry's Gothic architecture, the subtleties of its lakeside light, and the hidden gems within Exton Park. This allows us to create a timeless, elegant, and authentic visual narrative of your wedding day, positioning us as the premier choice for couples seeking a Fort Henry wedding photographer.
Why Choose SimplyGreatShots for Your Fort Henry Wedding?
Choosing a photographer for your Fort Henry wedding is a significant decision. You need a team that not only understands the venue's unique character but also has a proven track record of excellence. Here’s why we are the definitive choice for discerning couples:
- Award-Winning Expertise: Our collection of wedding photography awards is a testament to our commitment to quality, creativity, and professionalism. We bring this award-winning standard to every wedding, ensuring your images are nothing short of breathtaking.
- Unrivalled Venue Knowledge: We have invested the time to understand every facet of Fort Henry, from its construction in 1788 to its modern-day incarnation as a romantic wedding venue. We know the best locations for portraits, the optimal times for capturing the golden hour over the lake, and how to navigate the grounds of Exton Park to find those truly unique shots.
- Technical Mastery of Light and Location: The Gothic architecture and lakeside setting of Fort Henry present unique lighting challenges and opportunities. Our technical proficiency ensures we can masterfully handle any lighting situation, from the soft, diffused light within the folly to the bright, reflective light on the water, to produce consistently stunning images.
- A Personal, Collaborative Approach: As a husband and wife team, we understand the importance of personal connection. We work closely with you to understand your vision and ensure your wedding photography experience is as seamless and enjoyable as the day itself.
A Deeper Look at Fort Henry: A Photographer's Perspective
Fort Henry is a venue that rewards a photographer's understanding of its history and landscape. Built as a pleasure house for the Earl of Gainsborough, its purpose was to delight and entertain—a spirit we aim to capture in our photography.
The structure itself, a Gothic folly of Clipsham stone, provides a dramatic and romantic backdrop. Its pointed arches, intricate plasterwork, and symmetrical towers offer a wealth of compositional possibilities. We utilise these architectural elements to frame our subjects, creating images that are both classic and compelling.
The lakeside setting is, of course, one of Fort Henry's most defining features. The still waters of the lake, often adorned with water lilies, provide a serene and reflective surface that we use to create images of profound beauty and tranquility. Whether it's capturing the bride's reflection as she walks towards the ceremony or the couple embracing at the water's edge during sunset, we know how to make the most of this idyllic location.
Fort Henry Wedding Photography Packages
Our comprehensive wedding photography packages are specifically designed to capture every precious moment of your Fort Henry celebration. As award-winning specialists in this unique Gothic venue, we understand the distinctive requirements of photographing at this historic lakeside location.
What's Included in All Our Fort Henry Collections:
Two Professional Photographers (Monima and Carl) As a dedicated husband and wife team, we provide comprehensive coverage that captures your Fort Henry wedding from every angle. Our collaborative approach ensures no moment is missed, from intimate exchanges during your Gothic folly ceremony to grand celebrations across the Exton Park estate. (Subject to the Wedding package selected).
Pre-Wedding Consultation We offer a relaxed consultation to understand your vision and Fort Henry wedding plans. Meet with us in person or via Zoom so we can perfectly tailor our approach to your venue-specific needs and the unique opportunities this historic setting provides. (Subject to the Wedding package selected).
Full Day Coverage From bridal preparations through to your first dance, we document every chapter of your Fort Henry wedding story. Our experience at this venue means we know exactly when and where to capture the most stunning moments throughout your day. (Subject to the Wedding package selected).
Social Media-Ready Images Within 48 Hours To keep the excitement alive, we upload a selection of edited images to your private online gallery within 48 hours. These photos are perfect for sharing your Fort Henry wedding highlights on social media right away.
Complete Online Gallery Within Six Weeks Your full collection of beautifully edited images will be available online within six weeks. Friends and family can easily browse the gallery and order prints, frames, or digital downloads directly.
Full Gallery Download in Two Formats
- Social media-ready versions for easy sharing
- High-resolution files with full printing rights, ideal for creating prints, frames, or wall art
Drone Photography Included Enhance your gallery with stunning aerial shots of Fort Henry and the surrounding Exton Park estate, captured by our drone (weather and location permitting) to showcase the venue's magnificent setting.
Travel Included Within 50 Miles We're based in the West Midlands and include travel to Fort Henry at no extra charge. For this prestigious Rutland venue, there are no additional travel or accommodation costs.
Secure the Experts for Your Fort Henry Wedding
Your wedding at Fort Henry will be a day of unforgettable moments. Entrust the capture of these moments to the photographers who know the venue best. As your dedicated Fort Henry wedding photographers, we will create a legacy of images that you will treasure for a lifetime.
Contact us today to check our availability and to start planning your Fort Henry wedding photography experience.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Henry Wedding Photography
- What makes Fort Henry a challenging venue to photograph?
The main challenges are the variable lighting conditions, from the low light inside the folly to the bright, open spaces around the lake. Our technical expertise and professional equipment allow us to handle these challenges with ease, ensuring beautiful images in any situation.
- How do you use the grounds of Exton Park in your photography? We love to explore the wider Exton Park estate with our couples. The parkland, woodlands, and other historic structures provide a variety of backdrops for stunning portraits. We will work with you to choose locations that reflect your personality and style.
- Who is the best wedding photographer for Fort Henry?
As award-winning photographers with specific Fort Henry experience we believe SimplyGreatShots Photography are.
- How much does Fort Henry wedding photography cost?
We offer various wedding packages to cater for all. We see photography as an investment that you can look back on, long after the memories of your wedding day have faded. Fort Henry truly is a spectacular wedding venue and having photographers that know the venue ensures you get the best possible images of your special day.
- What are the best photo locations at Fort Henry?
We love to photograph couples and their wedding guests any where close to Fort Henry's Gothic architecture, the picturesque lake and mature woodlands.
- How do you handle the lighting inside Fort Henry's Gothic folly?
Where possible we use as much natural light as there is available. We then have a range of different options for lighting including on and off camera flash. We come prepared with a range of different soft boxes to provide soft difused light and continuous light panels also have their place depending upon the specific photography scenario.
- What's the best time of day for Fort Henry wedding photos?
There are seasonal differences to this question. Ultimately you want to try and avoid the harsh sunlight that you would often associate with mid-day to around 2:00pm in the afternoon of a summer time. The golden hour can always provide favourable lighting conditions so depending upon what time of year you plan to get married, we would advise that the ceremony be scheduled around the lighting, especially if the majority of your wedding photographs will be taken outdoor.
- Can you photograph both the ceremony at Fort Henry and reception elsewhere?
Absolutely, one of our wedding couples did exactly this, see our blog on Charlotte & Lauries wedding, where the ceremony was at Fort Henry, but the reception was held elsewhere.
- How do you use the lake and water lilies in wedding photos?
Wedding couples and reflections go hand in hand and is something we always look to capture where there is water. Using either hand held camera's or drones we look at opportunities to capture images that incorporate reflections whenever we can. The water lilies at Fort Henry can sometimes prevent this due to how close the edge of the lake they grow, however they still add a touch of magic to the background of any photograph.
- What happens if it rains on our Fort Henry wedding day?
Prior to the wedding we would recommend speaking with the venues Wedding Coordinator as it may be possible to relocate the ceremony / reception to an indoor space or covered marquee. It is however not the end of the world if it does rain on your wedding day and in some cultures is seen as a symbol of good luck. With clear umbrella's for the happy couple and their guests you can still capture magical images. As award winning photographers we carry white umbrellas and lighting to enable us to maximise the potential for great images, in fact some of our favourite images of all time have been when it is raining.
- What should couples know about getting married at Fort Henry?
Fort Henry is licensed for Civil Ceremony's and has seating for up to 50 guests. The wedding party has exclusive access to the grounds around Fort Henry for their wedding photographs.
- How many guests can Fort Henry accommodate for photos?
There is seating within Fort Henry for up to 50 guests.
- What's unique about Fort Henry compared to other wedding venues?
The Gothic architecture is unique to this historic venue. The ornamental lake with it's water lilies just adds to the magic of this truly one of a kind exclusive venue.
- Can you photograph throughout Exton Park estate during our Fort Henry wedding?
This would depend upon which reception options were booked with the Exton Park.
- What's the history behind Fort Henry and how does it affect photography?
We cover the history behind Fort Henry further down towards the bottom of this page.
- How far in advance should we book our Fort Henry wedding photographer?
We recommend booking your Fort Henry wedding photographer at least 12-18 months in advance. It's not unusual for SimplyGreatShots Photography to have certain dates booked up 2 years in advance, so the sooner the better to secure your date.
- Do you offer engagement sessions at Fort Henry?
Absolutely, engagement sessions enable you get comfortable with us and the camera in a zero-pressure environment. By your wedding day, we'll be old friends, and your photos will look completely natural.
- How do you coordinate with other vendors at Fort Henry?
We always arrive at wedding venues early to allow us sufficient time to speak with the wedding co-ordinator and any other vendors to work out timings, or anything else we should be aware of. This ensures we are fully abreast of timings for key events throughout your wedding day.
- Why choose SimplyGreatShots over other Fort Henry photographers?
We are award-winning photographers, with professional qualifications. We work seamlessly as a husband-wife team, and proven venue expertise.
- What awards have you won for photography?
We have been members of professional photography bodies for many years, entering into competition photography for many of those years and have won many awards. We were also recently awarded 2025- Best Wedding Photographer by Business Awards UK
- Do you have references from other Fort Henry couples?
Yes, see our Testimonials section below.
- What makes your Fort Henry photography style unique?
We provide timeless portraits, candid shots, detailed shots, humorous shots and aerial photography, our unique style is that we do all this. See our wedding gallery for examples.
- Do you photograph other venues near Fort Henry?
We provide wedding photography throughout the UK, please see our Wedding Venues page for more information.
Fort Henry - The History of the Wedding Venue
The History of Fort Henry in Oakham: From 18th Century Folly to Magical Wedding Venue
Tucked away in the heart of Rutland near Oakham, Fort Henry is one of England’s most picturesque hidden gems. This Gothic lakeside folly, rich in history and natural beauty, has become an increasingly popular wedding venue in Oakham, blending timeless elegance with rustic charm. But how did this historic structure evolve from a noble’s retreat into a romantic setting for modern-day weddings?
Origins of Fort Henry: A Gothic Folly Built for Pleasure
Fort Henry was commissioned between 1785 and 1788 by Henry, the 6th Earl of Gainsborough, as a private "pleasure house" within Exton Park, the estate near Oakham. The Earl wanted a dramatic, whimsical retreat beside a man-made lake for hosting parties and water-based entertainment.
Designed by William Legg of Stamford, a renowned local architect, Fort Henry features striking Gothic Revival architecture with pointed arches, decorative plasterwork, and symmetrical towers. The building was constructed using local Clipsham stone, making it both regionally significant and architecturally striking.
Originally known as the Pond House, it was the scene of elaborate boating parties, where mock naval battles were staged for the Earl’s guests. The structure was later dubbed Fort Henry, likely in tribute to the Earl himself.
Fort Henry Through the Centuries
Over the centuries, Fort Henry remained an enchanting but private feature within Exton Park’s historic landscape. It was nestled beside a serene ornamental lake, complete with a dam, cascade, and thoughtfully landscaped parkland.
Despite some natural wear and the loss of nearby structures like the Bark Temple (which collapsed in the 1990s), Fort Henry has remained remarkably well-preserved, thanks to conservation efforts and its solid construction.
Fort Henry’s Transformation into a Wedding Venue
In 2014, Fort Henry was officially licensed for civil weddings and partnerships, transforming it from a historic folly into one of Rutland’s most unique and romantic wedding venues.
Today, it offers couples an exclusive and atmospheric setting for intimate wedding ceremonies. With its lakeside location, Gothic features, and connection to English aristocratic heritage, Fort Henry delivers a magical experience that blends history with romance.
The venue is ideal for:
- Small, private ceremonies
- Outdoor wedding photography
- Marquee receptions nearby within Exton Park
- Elegant tea parties and birthday celebrations
Why Choose Fort Henry as a Wedding Venue in Oakham?
If you're searching for a wedding venue in Oakham or Rutland, Fort Henry offers:
- A storybook setting steeped in history
- Secluded surroundings for privacy and tranquillity
- Unforgettable photo opportunities by the water and woodland
- A chance to marry in a place once graced by 18th-century nobility
Fort Henry in Oakham isn’t just a wedding venue—it’s a piece of history brought to life with romance, charm, and character. Whether you're planning an elegant micro-wedding or an unforgettable celebration in nature, Fort Henry provides the perfect backdrop for your special day.
Testimonials
"Thank you both sooooo much for everything that you did for both of us, all our guests and family.
You both went above an beyond to make our day as amazing as it was, the pictures are fantastic and the videos of our ceremony, speeches and first dance means I get to relive our wedding day whenever I want to and to me that is utterly priceless (Laurie loves it too because it makes him happy seeing how happy I am with everything) And you both gave that to us.
I cannot recommend you both enough. I will share this post and I will continue to share your posts and if anyone asks me for a videographer or photographer duo I know who I will be recommending. SimplyGreatShots Photography
Keep doing what you're doing because you're doing it right!!" - Charlotte & Laurie
Fort Henry, Oakham. LE15 7SN