VENUES Country House

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 15 May 2008

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Shendish Manor is a grand historical manor house set in 160 acres of beautiful parkland and gardens in the pretty countryside outside Apsley in Hertfordshire. The hotel boasts 18 luxurious suites within the main house with a further 52 bedrooms in the beautifully extended property.

The country house-style hotel provides an elegant setting for weddings and receptions. Offering a variety of wedding packages, small intimate wedding parties are accommodated in the Dickinson Room while larger ceremonies are held in the fairytale gazebo within the Dutch Gardens or the stunning new Orangery. After the ceremony, a sumptuous wedding breakfast takes place in the elegant Longman dining room, which has a capacity of 350.

At the end of the day’s events, retire for your first night as husband and wife in the stunning bridal suite with its four-poster bed and far-reaching views over the countryside.
Your guests will also enjoy staying in the new hotel wing, which retains a Victorian feel in the décor and furnishings.

Shendish Manor is very close to the village of Kings Langley, which has three churches, while nearby Hemel Hempstead has a total of 34 churches of different denominations.
Rooms at the manor cost from £140 per night including breakfast, based on two people sharing a double/twin room. For more information, call 01442 232220.

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VENUE To The Manor Born

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 08 May 2008

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Set in lush Suffolk parkland, WoodHall Manor has been lovingly restored to provide couples with a magnificent wedding venue. Dating back to 1566, the Manor offers a unique setting to hold your wedding ceremony and reception all in one place.

Couples will have exclusive use of the Manor to enjoy a thoroughly luxurious wedding weekend. For a stunning backdrop for your photos, exchange your vows in either the beautiful Dovecote, Walled Garden, Grand Dining room or in a marquee in the immaculate grounds.

The banqueting suite seats 120 and can be transformed from wedding breakfast to evening meal for a formal sit-down dinner or relaxed buffet. The adjoining Long bar even has its own DJ area, stage and lit disco dance floor ready for you and your guests to dance the night away.

You or your fiancé can stay at the Manor the night before the wedding to soak up the sumptuous surroundings. With 12 rooms furnished to the highest standards, the Manor oozes romance with roll-top and Jacuzzi baths, spectacular views and plasma screen TVs.

On the big day, WoodHall Manor will accommodate your every whim, from celebrity chefs, butlers and maids to fireworks and entertainment – their team of wedding concierges will help create your dream day.

To book a private tour of the house, grounds, spa and function rooms, call 01394 411288 or email info@WoodHallmanor.co.uk.

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VENUES Chef's Apprentice

Amanda Hinton - Fri 02 May 2008

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Apprentice girls Claire, Lucinda, Helene, Sara, Lindi and the two Jennifers were seen heading to Eckington Manor Cookery School as their reward for being the winning team in the week’s task. So why not get together with the girls and follow in their footsteps for a hen night a la chef?

Set in the heart of the Worcestershire countryside, the cookery school is located on a 260 acre working farm on the banks of the River Avon, near Pershore. The Apprentice girls were given a tour of the farm, visiting Eckington’s own herd of Highland cattle (to learn how the cookery school rears its own beef) before heading to the orchard (to collect fruit for the crumble they were about to make). Then they donned their aprons and took up their stations in Eckington’s state-of-the-art cookery school that’s housed in a converted Dutch barn on the farm. Once cooking was complete, they sat down for a fun supper together around the dining table in the 700 year old hall house, eating the food they had prepared, as they relived the challenges and successes of their latest Apprentice task.

Want to spend your hen night learning how to cook with your own girlfriends?

Check the upcoming schedule of courses at Eckington Manor Cookery School at www.eckintongmanor.co.uk for themes such as “On the Farm”, “Summer Desserts”, “Fish & Shellfish”, “Easy Entertaining”, “Asparagus” and “Italian”. Perfect for sophisticated hens, you'll be on the road to being a domestic goddess. Prices start at £195.

©PR Photos

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VENUES Let It Snow!

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 01 May 2008

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If you’re looking for guaranteed snow on your wedding day but can’t afford to fly to Lapland, why not head to Leeds instead…

The real snow ski slope at SNO!zone near Leeds is the ultimate white winter wonderland and the only wedding venue in the UK where you can be sure of pristine white snow on your big day.

SNO!zone in Castleford near Leeds has launched the UK’s only wedding package guaranteed to offer brides-to-be a real white wedding. Perfect for couples hoping for a really unique wedding day, SNO!zone can cater for wedding parties of up to 270 guests in the alpine-themed SNO!bar overlooking the snow slope or in the suite of private function rooms. You could even have a delicate bouquet of pretty snowdrops and ivy to tie the winter theme together. As an extra treat, after the wedding, your guests can try their hand at skiing, snowboarding and even tobogganing on the 170m long snow slope.

Lisa Allan, SNO!zone’s brand manager, said: “We know that brides are seeking fun and quirky locations for their weddings and by becoming fully licensed for civil ceremonies we can offer a venue that their guests will never forget.”
SNO!zone’s wedding co-ordinator will take care of all the details to ensure a stress-free day including flowers, photography, wedding cars, DJ and catering - the onsite chef will provide a range of mouth-watering hot or cold buffets.

For more information about weddings at SNO!zone or to make an appointment call 01977 523 091 or visit SNO!zone.

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VENUES Tandoori Nights

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 24 Apr 2008

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Set in a stunning Grade II-listed building that was formerly the Central Westminster Library, the Cinnamon Club is a truly unique London wedding venue offering exceptional Indian cuisine in a grand backdrop.

From the moment you walk into this fabulous building, which still retains many original features and houses a large gallery of bookshelves, you are struck by its beauty and history. A short walk from some of London's most famous and prominent landmarks including Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye, the Old Westminster Library was converted into The Cinnamon Club in 2001.

Treat your guests to fabulous cocktails in the dazzling bar downstairs before enjoying the exquisite modern Indian cuisine in one of the three ornate dining rooms.

Choose from a mouth-watering seasonal menu for your wedding dinner, including Tandoori organic salmon with mustard and honey for starter and chicken korma and pilau rice for main from chef Vivek Singh, who has written two books, the Cinnamon Club Cookbook and the Cinnamon Club Seafood Cookbook – so you can even recreate your wedding dinner at home.

The main dining room is available for private hire and seats 130 for sit-down dinner or 250 for a stand-up reception. For smaller celebrations, the private dining room has a capacity for 60 guests, while the mezzanine dining room seats only 30 to ensure a truly intimate celebration.

The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday and wedding receptions can be held on these days and on Sundays at the management’s discretion.

The Cinnamon Club is also licensed to host civil weddings but couples are advised to liaise with Westminster City Council directly regarding availability.

For more information and prices, call 020 7222 2555 or email info@cinnamonclub.com.

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VENUES Boutique Harrogate

Amanda Hinton - Fri 18 Apr 2008

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For a first night retreat, head to Harrogate, a bustling spa town, oozing with character. With its huge bridal shows for the trade held twice a year, the town has a bit of a 'thing' for weddings and some fabulous hotels!

One of the latest additions to the hotel scene is the independently owned and run boutique hotel, the Balmoral Hotel Harrogate. It re-opened in September 2007 with 23-rooms in a restored Edwardian-Victorian building in a quiet, leafy street just a 10-minute walk from the town centre.

A luxurious, contemporary bolthole in the Yorkshire Dales, the hotel is as proud of its Victorian heritage as it is of Harrogate’s history as one of England’s premier spa towns. At the same time, it does that successful mix of the classic with hi-spec modern design. Dark-wood floors, plush velvet carpet, real fires and a blend of contemporary, classic and traditional furniture lends a warm and regal feel.

The ‘modern opulent’ guest rooms showcase individual Victorian architectural features such as feature fireplaces and polished floorboards along with statement rugs, four-poster beds, Louis V style armchairs and gilt-edged mirrors. The seductive bathrooms have black marble walls and slate floors while all the rooms come with latest LCD technology.

Go There: Room rates start from £210 for a Romantic Night Away which includes a bottle of champagne, flowers and breakfast.The offer is not available on Saturday nights.
Contact: Tel 01423 508208 Website balmoralhotel.co.uk

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VENUES Magnificent Mansion

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 17 Apr 2008

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STOKE PARK CLUB
For a touch of sophistication on your wedding day, why not celebrate your wedding with a lavish ceremony and reception at the plush Stoke Park Club in Buckinghamshire...The luxury five-star hotel is the perfect place to celebrate your wedding in the country.

Each of the 21 exquisitely decorated rooms has an opulent marble en-suite bathroom with heated floors, a cast iron bath and marble shower. Some of the rooms boast large balconies, where you can enjoy breakfast on the morning of your wedding, overlooking the stunning 350 acres of surrounding parkland.

Stoke Park Club is licensed to hold civil ceremonies in one of its three beautiful wedding suites, all of which are individually decorated with fine antiques and works of art, and offer breathtaking views across the historic gardens. Couples can also benefit from the expertise of the in-house wedding coordinator, who will help you decide on every aspect of your day, from booking your entertainment, photographer and florist, to helping you choose your wedding cake and wedding breakfast menu.

Your wedding dinner will take place in one of the Club’s lavish banqueting halls, offering a seasonally varied and locally sourced menu that could include dishes such as crab, avocado and tiger prawns with crème fraîche and pink grapefruit dressing. While for the main course, you and your guests could enjoy roast fillet of beef with truffle oil, spinach, leeks and vine tomatoes, horseradish potato cakes and red wine sauce.

After the meal and dancing, the Club can arrange for a fabulous fireworks display to take place in the garden – the perfect way to end your wedding day.

A Club Room costs £285 per night on a room only basis. Call 01753 717171 or email sales@stokeparkclub.com or visit Stoke Park Club for information on booking your wedding.

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VENUES Country Wedding

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 10 Apr 2008

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Holne Chase in Dartmoor is situated in a truly magical setting, ideal for an unforgettable wedding. The hotel, encircled by the River Dart, is set in 70 acres of beautiful secluded grounds, offering both peace and privacy.

There are 16 beautifully furnished double en-suite rooms, each with its own antiques, including one magnificent four-poster room for the bride and groom.

The AA 2 Rosette award-winning restaurant seats up to 75 people and offers the best local seasonal produce. And, if you want an eco-friendly wedding, the restaurant boasts the lowest food miles travelled in Devon.

The hotel will arrange for you to meet with the Manager and Head Chef to discuss your menu and all your requirements for the day. Prices for the wedding breakfast start from £35.50 per person.

To keep your guests entertained, the hotel offers croquet on the lawn, fishing, archery and clay shooting, riding and even falconry. While for those looking for something a bit more relaxing, can enjoy a choice of beauty treatments, with special packages available for the bride and groom.

Holne Chase is near the M4 and M5 and is a three-hour drive from London. If you’re expecting overseas guests, the hotel is situated a 30-minute drive from Exeter and Plymouth airports – and close to the major railway stations of Newton Abbot and Exeter.

Licensed for civil ceremonies, commitment and naming ceremonies, Holne Chase is available for £300 for exclusive use during the ceremony.

The rate for exclusive use of the hotel for a Friday and Saturday night is £6,000 including VAT.

For more details check out Holne Chase or call 01364 631471.

NEXT THURSDAY... Stoke Park Club 

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VENUES Beautiful Bath

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 03 Apr 2008

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What could be more magical than a wedding ceremony around the famous Great Bath (right), with its steaming waters and Roman artefacts? Civil ceremonies take place most days at 8.30am as the Baths are then open to the public. Many couples then choose to follow their romantic ceremony with an elegant wedding breakfast in the Georgian Pump Room (left) with its magnificent chandeliers.

Or if you prefer to start a bit later, more intimate ceremonies held in the Kingston Room or Drawing Room in the historic Pump Rooms can take place at any time during the day with the opportunity to have photographs taken around the Roman Baths as well.

The stunning Georgian Assembly Rooms are also available for civil ceremonies. Couple can choose between The Octagon, Tea Room or Ball Room or spend their whole day moving seamlessly from one room to another for ceremony, drinks and reception.

The Guildhall is another lovely Georgian building in the centre of Bath with different sized rooms for your ceremony, the largest of which can hold up to 360 people.

The Assembly Rooms and Pump Rooms and Guildhall are all licensed for weddings and civil ceremonies can take place any day of the week between 8am and 5pm.

For prices and availability, visit Bath Heritage Hospitality.

© Bath Tourism Plus and Roman Baths Museum

NEXT THURSDAY... Holne Chase in Dartmoor

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VENUES Secret Garden

Cheryl I'Anson - Thu 27 Mar 2008

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Like something out of a children’s book, the Walled Garden at Cowdray is a magical, memorable place to hold your wedding reception.

Through an ancient oak door, surrounded by restored Tudor walls in a setting of beautifully kept gardens of lavender and roses, the Walled Garden is the ideal spot for lazy late afternoon aperitifs, while a marquee can be erected on the lawn for a formal sit-down dinner. With a capacity of up to 330 for a seated reception, the Walled Garden is perfect for a big celebration – and if you are expecting royalty to drop by on their way to the famous Cowdray polo lawns, there is even a helipad for them to land their helicopters on.

For smaller celebrations, the Courtyard Room, seats 80, and the Castle Room has a capacity of 130 for formal dinners. Both of these magnificent rooms feature restored Georgian stonework and are perfect if you’re looking for an elegant reception with a touch of rustic Old English charm. Couples may bring their own caterers in for receptions or the Walled Garden will happily provide recommendations of suppliers they have worked with in the past. They are also able to recommend local accommodation for guests staying close by.

The cost of hiring the entire space for weddings, including the garden and two rooms is £4,000. For more information call 01730 816881

NEXT THURSDAY... Roman Baths in Bath

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