12 minute read
SPOTLIGHT ON
www.morlove.co.uk Spotlight on...BRISTOL
Tie the knot in a local hotspot
BERWICK LODGE
0117 958 1590 | www.berwicklodge.co.uk
Berwick Lodge is an imposing red-brick Victorian manor house first glimpsed from the end of a tree- and lantern-lined driveway. Set in 18 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland with views reaching to Wales, it boasts features such as a walkway to Aphrodite’s Dome, ornate fountains, an orchard and a summer house, all of which make wonderful photographic backdrops.
The interior has everything you’d expect from a lodge such as open fires and wood panelling, but with an East-meets-West twist on the design. Sumptuous over-sized sofas and crystal chandeliers bring a luxurious feel to the place, while retaining a relaxed and welcoming ambience. A sweeping staircase leads to 14 beautiful bedrooms, all individually designed and named after ancient civilisations of the Anatolian period.
Summeria is a beautifully light room upstairs in the converted stable block, The Mews, with skylights and views of the countryside. An original stained-glass doorway leads you to this room in the eaves that can hold up to 50 nearest and dearest for your ceremony. Alternatively, Mesopotamia, also in the Mews, is suitable for larger gatherings, hosting up to 90. It boasts large windows, pillars to decorate and access to a patio area with beautiful views.
The dining room, known as Hattusa, can host wedding breakfasts for 20 to 90 guests and up to 150 for the evening bash. The architectural style and elegant crystal chandeliers create a welcoming and intimate atmosphere.
Elopement weddings just for the two of you are also available here and are held in the pretty summer house complete with veranda and lined with lavender. You’ll be treated to a complimentary menu and wine tasting evening and most packages include a suite for your wedding night.
AVON GORGE HOTEL BY HOTEL DU VIN
0117 906 4650 | www.hotelduvin.com/locations/bristol-avon-gorge
The historical Avon Gorge Hotel boasts panoramic views of Clifton Suspension Bridge and the surrounding area from its iconic terrace. Just a stone’s throw from the boutiques of Clifton Village, the hotel offers all the classic features you’d expect, alongside contemporary touches in a new meeting and events suite located in the former spa pump rooms. The hotel has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years, bringing alive all the original features such as stained-glass windows and mosaic flooring, alongside modern design and state-of-the-art equipment. Plus, guests are able to enjoy the new-look bedrooms, as well as the Lounge Bar and Goram & Vincent Restaurant.
Aquam Bibe is a self-contained events space with two adjoining rooms. It has its own external access via a sweeping marble staircase, with sparkling chandeliers and stained-glass windows. It also features its own lobby, breakout area, private bar, restrooms, built-in sound system and access to a private terrace. It can be split into two smaller spaces, which are separated by a partial wall, or opened up into one large space. Hugely versatile, it can accommodate 100 loved ones for the ceremony, between 64 and 144 for the wedding breakfast, and 120 to 300 for the evening do.
When you book your wedding at The Avon Gorge Hotel you’ll be given your own dedicated wedding coordinator, you’ll be able to plan your wine list with a sommelier and you can sample your menu. Exclusive-use packages are also available, which includes all 78 bedrooms.
HOTEL DU VIN & BISTRO BRISTOL
0117 925 5577 | www.hotelduvin.com/locations/bristol-city-centre
Located in the old quarter of the city, close to the waterfront. With 40 bedrooms including several double-height loft suites, an award-winning Bistro, and four event spaces, the hotel offers a sophisticated yet relaxed venue focusing on great food and drink. The hotel features 18th-century architecture combined with chic contemporary loft-living style bedrooms full of eye-catching detail and a warm, inviting ambience.
Here, you have the choice of three locations for your vows. Lombard can accommodate 72 loved ones for a ceremony. The room benefits from high-vaulted ceilings, floods of natural daylight and its own private roof terrace. Christie’s Library and Janneau Bar can host up to 36 for the “I dos.” It boasts exposed brickwork and rustic wooden beams, lots of comfortable seating and its own private bar. Finally, there’s space in Le Pin for 24 nearest and dearest to witness your vows. Bursting with character, it’s elaborately hand-painted in the style of Gustav Klimt.
The three aforementioned spaces can also host your wedding breakfast with 72, 44 and 40 guests respectively. Christie’s Library and Janneau Bar can also host the evening event for 80 loved ones and when combined the Lombard, Library and Le Pin can host 120. A further option for an intimate post-vow meal is Lanson, which can seat 12.
Exclusive use of the hotel is available and gives you full run of the venue, including the Bistro, Sugar Barn and all 40 bedrooms. A complimentary tasting is also offered.
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BEST WESTERN
HenburyLodge Hotel
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Henbury Lodge is an attractive Georgian mansion, Grade II listed building with beautiful gardens. The hotel has 22 bedrooms, 12 rooms in the main house and 10 rooms in the coach house.
A restaurant, lounge, bar, and a garden room (under construction) which would be the perfect setting for small weddings. We are using a marquee while the garden room is being built. We are a family-run hotel and aim to offer a tailor-made personal service, working with you to ensure that every detail of your special day is catered for.
A Marquee Wedding in the garden will also have the exclusive use of the main house and will need to take the 12 bedrooms of the main house for the wedding guests as part of the wedding package. The additional 10 bedrooms of the coach house will be available if needed.
For smaller weddings being held in the hotel restaurant, if there is an evening disco, then the package will also need to include the 12 bedrooms in the main house.
STATION ROAD, BRISTOL, BS10 7QQ 0117 950 2615 | info@henburyhotel.com
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THORNBURY CASTLE
01454 281 182 | www.thornburycastle.co.uk
Thornbury Castle, the honeymoon destination of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is steeped in history inside and out. From the original walls and mounting steps where the former King would have once stood, to the feature oriel windows and 500-year-old chimneys, there’s always something to revel in for the history fan. Every room allows you to step back in time and each bedchamber includes individual Tudor features such as four-poster beds and stone walls. In fact, the venue boasts the largest four-poster bed in an English hotel! The grounds too are beautifully historical and thanks to the hard-working gardening team are some of the best-preserved Tudor gardens in England.
There’s an impressive choice of locations when it comes to your ceremony. The most intimate of which is The Library suitable for 14 guests. It features wood-panelled walls and an oriel window. The Lounge is slightly larger and can host 24, and the largest of the indoor spaces is The Tudor Hall, which can accommodate 75 loved ones. It features stone walls, original fireplace, an oriel window plus additional adjacent rooms.
If you prefer to tie the knot al fresco, The Summerhouse can hold 14 nearest and dearest and is a charming feature of the rose garden. The Goodly Gardens are suitable for guest lists of up to 75 people and include some of the oldest Tudor gardens in England all surrounded by stone walls.
The Barons Sitting Room is suitable for receptions for up to 20 loved ones, with original beams, an ornamental fireplace and one long feature table. The Chancellors Lounge is a private space for guests to enjoy throughout the day with views of the front lawn and inside courtyard. Adjacent rooms, The Tudor Hall and Boyling House can together host 75 day and 120 evening guests. The former acts as the wedding breakfast area, following which you’ll adjourn into the Boyling House with reception room and private bar.
The venue offers a complimentary tasting with the Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour packages, as well as a complimentary bed and breakfast stay in one of the deluxe bedchambers for your anniversary.
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BRUNEL’S SS GREAT BRITAIN
0117 926 0680 | www.ssgreatbritain.org
Also check out...
THE ORANGERY AT GOLDNEY HOUSE
0117 428 4000 | www.bristol.ac.uk/venues
Set in the city’s historic dockyard, the SS Great Britain cuts a striking image in Bristol’s harbour. Ceremonies can be held on the Promenade Deck or al fresco in the rustic Riggers’ Yard, with memorable reception spaces in the First Class Dining Saloon and Hayward Saloon, both steeped in history. Nestled within romantic walled gardens, the enchanting Orangery at Goldney House is a timelessly elegant venue overlooking the city, providing an oasis of calm away from the everyday buzz of Bristol. With a Georgian folly, a shell grotto and ornate water feature, guests can enjoy the serenity of this beautiful space.
A fairytale ending
Experience all that Orchardleigh’s Three Day Wedding package has to offer
Taken straight from a fairytale, Orchardleigh’s grand 19th-century Victorian stately home and surrounding 500 acres of stunning grounds provide a truly enchanting setting for your wedding day.
The venue’s fabulous Three Day Wedding experience is what makes Orchardleigh really stand out from the crowd. Not only does it include everything you need for a truly spectacular day, it also offers the wonderful opportunity to extend your celebrations across three days – with accommodation on the estate for up to 18 guests the night before and a romantic stay at the estates Palladium Boathouse on the night after your wedding day.
DAY ONE: THE NIGHT BEFORE
Arriving from 4pm, you will be given your keys to two luxury lodges at either ends of the estate, with plenty of space between you should you choose to stay apart the night before your wedding.
Orchardleigh Castle: Have you ever dreamt of waking up in your own private castle? Sleeping up to 12 guests, Orchardleigh Castle offers the perfect place to stay the night before your big day. Relax and unwind in the beautiful surroundings and soak up the tranquil and picturesque scenery from the luxury hot tub within your own private garden. On the morning of your wedding, there’s no better place to get ready than the large, bright and airy kitchen and dining area. Orchardleigh Castle offers beautiful grounds for those special photographs before you leave to say ‘I do.
Murtry Lodge: Located at the opposite end of the estate to Orchardleigh Castle, the lodge offers two bedrooms both with en suite bathrooms, sleeping up to six guests. The lodge has is own private garden, fully fitted kitchen and comfortable lounge so you have all you need to unwind the evening before your wedding day.
Whether you choose to begin the celebrations separately or together on the day before your wedding, there are so many options at Orchardleigh – from a round of Golf of the estate’s 18 hole premier golf course, to a delicious meal with all of your friends and family at The Peacock Restaurant or perhaps a night of pampering in your private lodge and unwinding in the hot tub!
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DAY 2: YOUR WEDDING DAY
Waking in your private accommodation on the estate, you can spend the morning getting ready at your leisure and capturing those all important morning preparation photographs. When its time to leave to say ‘I do’, you can travel in one of Orchardleigh’s fleet of wedding transportation – from the Bentley Continental GTC to the Longranger Helicopter. You can choose a church wedding at one of the three churches in the Parish or a ceremony in one of the venue’s inside or outside spaces. Following your nuptials, reception drinks and canapés will be served outside on the terrace or inside in The Great Hall; giving you the chance to enjoy time together with your families and friends.
Your wedding breakfast will be served in the elegant Ballroom boasting far-reaching views across the estate and Somerset countryside. Orchardleigh’s selection of six menus will ensure a delicious meal that everyone will love and that will complement your day perfectly.
Celebrate into the night however you choose – perhaps a band or a disco, fireworks and a casino. You are free to use and enjoy Orchardleigh House as if it were your own home. What’s more, the lovely folk at Orchardleigh will keep your party going until you say stop!
With 41 of bedrooms to offer, there will be plenty of room for you and your guests to stay in the main house and additional accommodation available should it be required.
DAY 3: THE NIGHT AFTER
Spend the evening after your wedding relaxing together in the estate’s luxury palladium boathouse. Offering complete seclusion on the edge of a 35-acre lake, you can be truly alone to enjoy your first day of married life! Complete with its own private terrace and hot tub, there is no finer place to reflect on your special day with a glass of bubbles or two!
