SOUTH BUCKS AND SOUTH OXON

Check out these magical venues

MISSENDEN ABBEY, GREAT MISSENDEN, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

This exclusive-use, 12th-century medieval Abbey has been lovingly transformed into a wedding venue marrying history with a contemporary feel. The main house boasts exquisite architectural details including unique stained-glass windows and a decorative staircase.

Outside, the beautifully maintained gardens set in 10 acres of picturesque grounds in the heart of the Chilterns are home to a summerhouse, a fish pond and a water feature plus a 500-year-old Cedar tree and the entire house and grounds are available exclusively for weddings.

Ceremonies take place in the Garden Room where the bride and bridal party enter from the stunning staircase into the suite that can seat up to 100 guests. A drinks reception can be held outside in the picturesque grounds or, in the event of bad weather, inside the Garden Room, Bar or Library. The wedding breakfast can be hosted in the adjoining dining rooms with vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows for up to 115 guests and a summer option is a seasonal marquee with a starlit canopy accommodating up to 150 people.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 01494 866 811, https://missendenabbey.co.uk

We love... that the bridal suite is complimentary on the night of the wedding.

WYCOMBE MUSEUM, HIGH WYCOMBE

This local history museum located in Castle Hill House and Gardens is a hidden gem located in a calm oasis just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre where couples can tie the knot in one of five licensed spaces. The front garden features extensive grounds, perfect for an outdoor summer ceremony, that are overlooked by the entrance hall, spacious café lounge bar and ground-floor Chilterns Gallery. There are plenty of outdoor seating options outside, close to the main building, and many photogenic areas within the grounds for guests to explore. An informal canopy marquee makes a great cover from May to September which comes as a basic structure with attachable sides and two window walls revealing views of the grounds (additional marquees are also permitted.)

The museum provides a unique backdrop with the galleries open during the wedding afternoon for guests to visit. The largest licensed ceremony room, The Old Stables, is located in the outbuilding, a brick and flint original stable building with a high-beamed ceiling and neutral internal décor. It can host up to 76 guests and leads out on to the pretty courtyard.

Alternatively, The Chilterns Gallery, featuring sash windows, an original fireplace and tasteful decoration with art nouveau-inspired wallpaper and matching olive-coloured walls has a maximum capacity of up to 26 guests for intimate ceremonies.

Receptions take place in The Old Stables and The Coach House which together create a great space for dining and evening receptions, both with hard floors for dancing. The Courtyard is the ideal area for a rustic pallet bar or mobile caterers to set up and the marquee in the front garden is also a great option for a reception.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 01494 957 210, http://wycombemuseum.org.uk www.facebook.com/WycombeMuseum www.instagram.com/wycombemuseum

We love... that for a full-day hire, the venue offers access the afternoon before to set up and prepare.

MACDONALD BERYSTEDE HOTEL & SPA, ASCOT

This four-star manor house is in the style of a French château nestled in secluded grounds and woodland. The traditional interior showcases a sweeping oak staircase, perfect for big-day photographs, and romantic open fireplaces. Highlights are the award-winning restaurant, rooftop terrace and the state-of-the-art thermal spa with six spa treatment rooms, an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, rock and infra-red saunas and an 18-metre swimming pool.

The fairytale-inspired venue is home to a range of stylish function rooms for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and reception including the Windsor & Eton Suite. The Elizabeth Suite is offered as a room to get ready in as part of the Imperial and Majestic wedding packages and other features, depending on which package is booked, include a red carpet arrival, a personalised table plan, place cards and menu cards, an LED dancefloor plus the opportunity for the newlyweds to return for dinner and an overnight stay on their first anniversary.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01344 623 311 www.macdonald-hotels/berystede www.instagram.com/macdonaldhotelsandresorts

We love... that there’s a team of specialist wedding coordinators available to take care of every part of the planning and private viewings of the venue can be booked.

DENHAM GROVE HOTEL, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

This modern hotel is tucked away in the rural village of Denham, overlooking 48 acres of idyllic parkland surrounding Denham Grove and the Colne Valley. The pretty grounds offer the perfect backdrop for a summer drinks reception and breathtaking wedding photos. Inside, it’s furnished in a chic contemporary style, with dining pods that are perfect for a pre-wedding dinner, and a terrace.

A creative and quirky space, the hotel provides something for everyone, from the comfortable refurbished bedrooms to the stylish bar lounge, on-site gymnasium, swimming pool with Jacuzzi and a sauna. Ceremonies and receptions take place in the Durdent Suite and the

Princess Suite for up to 180 guests, and in the Chalfont Suite for up to 100 loved ones. The Pavillion, a pretty pergola located on the Grounds, is an intimate ceremony choice for up to eight people.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 01895 833 338, www.denhamgrove.com

We love... that with certain wedding packages, the happy couple get a bridal suite on the night of their wedding and if they book the 10 bedrooms located in the courtyard, the team can look at hosting an exclusive pre or post-wedding barbecue or social event.