Crown Plaza Marlow, Wedding Venue Review
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Crown Plaza Marlow Hotel
Fieldhouse Lane
Marlow
Buckhamshire
SL7 1GJ
All wedding venue reviews are completely independent by Brian Parkes LSWPP, a specialist wedding photographer covering Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
The Crowne Plaza Marlow is a modern wedding venue with modern decor. It has a very different feel to the typical manor house venue and while some couples will love this others may not. Personally I'm a huge fan, the exterior has some gorgeous architectural features which can be exploited and the interior is light, bright, uncluttered and spacious, making it very easy to achieve great lighting. This is a great choice of wedding for any weather, sunshine or rain.
To the front of the hotel there is a wonderful contemporary water fountain which makes an amazing backdrop, particularly if your prepared to allow me to spend a little time rigging up lighting. (see picture above).
Wider shots of the front of the hotel with the couple in the foreground can be very eye catching here. Entering the hotel you find a large and airy reception which could easily provide enough space for your group photographs should you have wet weather on your wedding day.
Continuing through the hotel you will see lots of modern art and a Red sofa that just cries out to be used! The hotel rooms are large and spacious for your preparation shots with a lovely soft directional light coming in through several large windows.
The wedding service is often held in a large conservatory which looks out onto the lawn backing onto the lake. This is a lovely bright and airy space with no shortage of light. Another great room from a wedding photographers perspective.
The lawn at the rear of the hotel is pleasant and surrounded on two sides by tree's and vegetation which makes a good backdrop. The rear of the lawn backs on to a pretty lake with a fountain. To the side of the hotel a large spiral staircase allows an aerial shot of all guests from above.
The room used for your wedding breakfast is large, airy and light. Even though there is less natural light coming into this room the dimensions and decor make it almost perfect for lighting by simply bouncing a hotshoe mounted flash off the ceiling making reportage and informal photography a breeze. A balcony off the room looks over the lawn and is an ideal haven for your guests who smoke to pop out for 5 minutes without having to be too far away from the main event.
If I haven't made this clear already let me spell it out. I love this wedding venue! It's one of my all time favourite wedding venues because it suits my style perfectly and the size, decor and minimalist style ensures that good weather or bad, there is somewhere great to shoot.
Highly recommended.