Where to hold your wedding reception, and maybe even you’re the wedding ceremony itself, is often THE most important decision among many important decisions when planning your wedding. Even more then choosing the right personalised wedding invitations! Unless your parents have a large flat field with oudles of parking, you’re likely to need to look for a wedding venue. Ideally they need to be close to the church, after all you don’t want the guests travelling miles between the church and the reception venue. Or you may choose to have the wedding ceremony at the same venue as the wedding reception.
Holding the
wedding ceremony at the same venue as the wedding reception is becoming an ever
more popular choice. You don’t need to worry about being limited to the
location near the church where you or your parents live and you can then choose
a venue you really love. And this is why so many wedding venues now have
licenses to allow marriages to take place on site.
But then you
have a HUGE choice, which can only make the decision even harder. You need to
review everything, from the food they serve, the way the area will be decorated,
right down to the accommodation close by for those guests traveling a long way
to attend your wedding. It’s often like looking for a new house. You sometimes
just have to get that ‘feeling’ for the right choice and also have a good
relationship with the wedding organiser.
So we
thought we’d do some reviewing ourselves of Cotswold wedding venues with the
help of the engaged couples who order luxury wedding stationery from us here at
The Letterpress. However, with the Cotswolds being such a popular destination
for weddings, it was hard to pick between the many excellent venues. So we
thought we’d pick those that you wouldn’t normally associate with the
Cotswolds. Although we couldn’t help throw in few barns and traditional honey
coloured classics.
Sezincote Weddings near Moreton-in-Marsh
Sezincote claims to be the only authentically Mughal Palace in northern Europe, and the house was built in the Indian style in 1805 and was the inspiration for the Brighton Pavilion. It only holds 6 weddings a year, but it is truly a wonder to behold and sure to be a wedding to be remembered by all who attend for the rest of their lives. And if you’re not getting married but fancy a look around, the house and gardens are open to viewing most of the year.
Chavenage Weddings
near Tetbury
A very individual house with a number of rooms you can hire, but none of them are huge. Chavenage aim to create a relaxed atmosphere of a family house, where you can escape into the peaceful surroundings of a Cotswold manor, virtually unchanged for 400 years. And to add to the mystique Poldark has recently been filmed there!
Dormy House
Weddings near Broadway
A more traditional Cotswolds choice, and a real treasure at that. Dormy House is a visual treat with many different places to eat, plus you can stay there as well. Great for wedding guests travelling from afar. Plus there’s a Spa on site to keep you all nice and relaxed in preparation for the big day. And with Broadway on it’s doorstep it’s a fabulous place to stay and enjoy the Cotswolds time and time again.
Kingscote
Barn Weddings near Nailsworth
Kingscote Barn has been the winner of The Wedding Industry Award for ‘Best
Wedding Venue in the South West’
for three years running, and aims to be impeccably maintained to be the perfect
place to celebrate your marriage. You would get exclusive use of the barn on
the day which would be a real treat. The views are amazing plus you feel as if
you’re in your own secluded spot within a very special area. There are also
cottages onsite for those wedding guests traveling.
Great Tythe Barn Weddings in
Tetbury
Keeping with the theme of wedding barns is The Great Tythe Barn and it really is great! It’s huge, but can also feel small and individual at the same time. A wonderful drive makes you feel really special as you arrive. And with a B&B and holiday cottages on site there’s room for everyone. Marriage ceremonies can also be conducted on site making it a one stop shop for everyone plus with it being on the edge of Tetbury it makes you feel as though you’re in the countryside but Tetbury’s facilities are just a short walk.
Eastnor Castle Weddings near Ledbury
So we’re onto Castles – what could make you feel
any more like a princess! Eastnor Castle is a dramatic, fairytale castle situated in 5,000 acres of rolling, wooded Herefordshire countryside. Although a fabulously large estate they can also arrange intimate of weddings, plus have held some very unique themed weddings and also lavish weddings for well known UK celebrities. Grand doesn’t quite cover it, and the day doesn’t have to end there, you and your guests can even stay the night.
Clearwell Castle Weddings in Clearwell
With it’s magnificent 75ft ballroom for wedding ceremonies Clearwell Castle will feel extra special as you also get excusive use of the castle and its glorious and extensive grounds. You and your wedding guests can also stay onsite to make the perfect ending to your perfect day. It was also winner of Wedding Ideas Magazine ‘Best Wedding Venue’ in 2010 and 2012.
The
Kings Head Weddings in Cirencester
Newly refurbished and sat in the heart of Cirencester, the capital of the Cotswolds, The Kings Head is sure to impress even the most fussy of Aunts at your wedding. Offering casual contemporary and very comfortable décor your wedding reception will ooze style. As it’s a hotel with spa there’s plenty of accommodation for both the wedding couple and your guests. It’s also a stone’s throw away from the magnificent Cirencester church where you can have a wedding to impress even royalty.
Matara
Weddings near Tetbury
Truly unique, Matara offer engaged
couples a wedding venue where they can bring their own creativity and style
allowing them to create a relaxed, friendly and memorable wedding. The Matara Centre provides a very special setting with its cloistered courtyard – perfect for an outdoor ceremony and wedding receptions.
World Inspired Tents
Not exactly a wedding venue as those above, but a fabulous and unique alternative to a marquee which we couldn’t not fail to mention. World Inspired Tents are a family run business, just like us at The Letterpress of Cirencester, and cover the Cotswolds and beyond. They specialise in the hire of beautiful and extraordinary Nordic tipis for weddings. But don’t think small or individual tents they can be huge and interconnect to make one truly amazing space. Plus when decorate inside will be sure to take your breath away.
It has been a joy to research this latest blog and see some truly wonderful venues which are right on our doorstep here in the wonderful Cotswolds. Each one very much unique in their own special way. You can get a good feel for a place and make sure it will come within your wedding budget researching online, but there’s no alternative to seeing them in the flesh.
So, when you’ve found the wedding venue of your dreams, make sure you set the style and tone of your day right for your guests and get your luxury wedding stationery and invitations from The Letter Press of Cirencester!