NEARLYWED NEWS

THE PERFECT SETTING

Found within award-winning landscaped gardens overlooking the Mendip Hills, the scenic setting of Batch Country House provides endless photo opportunities, with its ponds, waterfalls and fountains. The venue has just become even more idyllic with the team using lockdown as an opportunity to decorate the interiors and update the path leading to the building. “We believe a wedding should be a personal affair,” NEWS Nearlywed www.shutterbliss.co.uk says owner James. “This is why your reception will be the only one held on your date – so we can give you our All the latest from around the regions undivided attention.” That means this comfortable country house will be all yours. Extended over many years, the venue features a handcrafted oak bar, cosy lounge areas Picture perfectand ample space for couples to celebrate with their nearest and dearest. Visit www.batchcountryhouse.co.uk We adore the recently restored 18th-century water garden at Hamswell House. Planted with pretty water lilies that are waiting to burst into life, it makes an Insta-worthy big-day backdrop. Check out www.hamswellhouse.co.uk

EDITOR LOVES…

How stunning is this sunset shot at the idyllic St. Audries Park? Spanning more than 100 acres in the rolling Quantock Hills, the estate boasts an elevated position with fabulous coastal views, a deer park, lake and serene grounds. The building provides an impressive backdrop for weddings, with towers, turrets, huge stained-glass windows and its Victorianstyle Orangery. To find out more about tying the knot against this incredible backdrop, visit www.audries-park.co.uk

A PLACE TO REST YOUR HEAD

If you’re looking for a venue with something a bit different in terms of accommodation, then take a look at The Barn at Cott Farm in beautiful South Somerset. This country venue has a private campsite with luxury bell tents, which are furnished with king-sized beds that are made up for your arrival with Egyptian cotton bedding. Your guests can even pitch their own tents, campervans or caravans here too and enjoy a full English breakfast the following day. What’s more, the team have just built a shepherd’s hut toilet block for a wonderfully quirky touch. Visit www.cottfarmwedding.co.uk for more details.

Interactive entertainment

CherryTop Weddings has developed a new COVID-secure interactive wedding entertainment experience that can be enjoyed by guests attending as well as friends and relatives watching remotely. It’s also ideal for larger celebrations when restrictions lift. Everyone will receive a Love Story, which is a printed booklet personalised by the couple. It contains photographs of the newlyweds and activities chosen by them, including a quiz to find out how much their guests know about them, wedding-speech bingo, word searches, drawing challenges and much more.

Couples design their own Love Story booklet using CherryTop Weddings’ content management system. There’s a range of designs and colourways to choose from that suit all wedding themes and couples choose their design for the front and back cover. The package includes a personalised pen with each booklet, a special souvenir of the day, and activities for children.

There are different packages available to suit each couple’s needs starting from £150. For more information call 01872 713 344 or visit www.cherrytopweddings.com There’s a fabulous range of mother-of-the-bride outfits at Bellissimo Occasion Wear’s new home in Curry Rivel near Langport. “When the pandemic hit and we couldn’t open, we started thinking about selling online,” owner Caroline Kenshole tells us. “In the end, we decided this wasn’t right for our customers. It’s the experience you have in the shop with us that counts: feeling the quality of the material and experimenting with styles and colours.”

In October 2020, Caroline had the opportunity to open a boutique just down the road from her home – but she soon had to close again for another lockdown! “The wedding industry has taken a battering throughout the pandemic,” she says. “However, we’re so excited to be open again and helping our customers every step of the way in finding their dream outfit.” Book a stress-free appointment at www.bellissimo-occasionwear.com

AISLE BE BACK

We all have our fingers crossed that the COVID-19 roadmap continues as planned – particularly the team at Love Actually Weddings, who can’t wait to get back to organising wedding fayres. Emma and David have been hosting events in the region since 2008, and are soon to reach their 250-event milestone. “We would have been celebrating this last year,” David says. “But some things in life are worth waiting for. We’re so excited to welcome back our amazing suppliers, along with all the brides and grooms who will be itching to start planning their special day.” There are three events coming up in July…

❤ Tortworth Court 4th July ❤ Bath Racecourse 18th July ❤ The Royal Agricultural University 25th July

“Whether you’re walking down the aisle to get married or strolling down the aisle of one of our wedding fayres, it really can’t come soon enough,” Emma says. “It’s been a tough time for the wedding industry, so let’s hope we can hear those champagne corks popping soon.” For more information, head to www.loveactuallyweddings.co.uk and follow the company on Facebook.