Spotlight on... BRISTOL

Tie the knot in a local hotspot

ARNOS VALE

0117 971 9117 | www.arnosvale.org.uk/weddings

Right in the heart of Bristol, Arnos Vale is the ideal location if you’re looking for something a little bit different. You have the opportunity to mix and match three characterful locations for your ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening revelries.

Nestled among the trees you’ll find woodland wedding venue, the Underwood Centre. Its large oak beams and rustic tin roof complement the surroundings beautifully. Fairylights hang from the canopy to provide a twinkle to your ceremony and wooden benches offer informal seating for your guests. After the “I dos,” make your way to the rustic drinks shed for a celebratory glass of bubbly followed by toasting marshmallows around the firepit.

For an informal feast, think afternoon tea, picnic hampers, sharing platters, barbecue or hog roast. Picnic benches can also be ordered to provide extra seating for your drinks reception or woodland dining. Here, the venue can accommodate up to 80 guests (60 seated and a further 20 standing). Furry friends are also welcome!

The Spielman Centre, designed by Charles Underwood in 1839 is a Victorian building, constructed using the finest materials of its day, The attached Atrium cafe brings a modern twist and an extra space for you to utilise during the evening celebrations. Make a grand entrance as you ascend the stone steps, through the large wooden doors into the elegant interior where 90 loved ones await with magnificent leaded windows allowing natural light to flood the room. Meanwhile, the natural décor offers a blank canvas for you to create the day of your dreams. Here, you can indulge in a hearty buffet, afternoon tea or informal sharing feast. But if you prefer a more formal dining arrangement there’s space for a sitdown meal for up to 70 nearest and dearest. A band or DJ fits perfectly in the Spielman Centre, which can host 140 for your evening reception. Finally, the Anglican Chapel, complete with original Victorian features is the centrepiece of the venue collection. Ornate floor tiles guide you into the vast space with elegant curved windows and marble wall plaques offering a classic yet stylish atmosphere. Following the vows, make your way outside for a drinks reception while the venue team transform the space for your wedding breakfast. Choose from preferred caterers for delicious seasonal menus. The Anglican Chapel is licensed for up to 100 guests and can accommodate the same for your wedding breakfast. You can also combine it with the Underwood Centre or Spielman Centre for your evening reception to create a bespoke wedding day.

Berwick Lodge

0117 450 7605 | www.berwicklodge.co.uk

The interior of Berwick Lodge has everything you’d expect from a lodge: open fires, wood panelling and original stone fireplaces. However, it also features a subtle Turkish twist. Sumptuous, over-sized sofas and crystal chandeliers bring a luxurious feel to the place, while allowing it to retain a relaxed and welcoming ambience. A sweeping staircase leads to 14 beautiful bedrooms, all individually designed and named after ancient civilizations of the Anatolian period.

Set in 18 acres of glorious gardens and woodland, Berwick boasts views reaching across to Wales. Features such as a walkway to Aphrodite’s Dome, ornate fountains, a peaceful orchard and a summer house make it a wonderful backdrop for those all-important photos.

The venue caters for any type of wedding from the intimate elopement for two, to grand exclusive parties for 150. Mesopotamia is a light room in the converted stable block, the Mews. It can host civil ceremonies for up to 100 guests. This ground-floor space is home to sparkling chandeliers, pillars to decorate and large 180-degree windows offering views of the woodland and open countryside beyond.

Summeria is the smaller upstairs room in the eves of the Mews, holding up to 30 nearest and dearest for the “I dos.” Its skylights offer countryside views and the stained-glass window door is a real feature.

For those with a larger guest list looking to wed in the great outdoors, the venue offers three scenic locations among the gardens – Aphrodite’s Dome, The Fountain and The Archway.

The dining room, Hattusa, can host wedding breakfasts for up to 100 guests and up to 150 for an evening do. It’s bright and airy thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the gardens. Characterful features include an old London bar, original fireplace and an ornate pulpit ideal for speeches. The original wooden flooring makes for the perfect dancefloor and the cosy lounge was made for enjoying the quieter moments.

LEIGH COURT 01275 373 393 | www.leighcourt.co.uk

The Leigh Court Estate has a rich history as a religious sanctuary, a family home, and hospital and has been conquered by, gifted to and used as a safe haven by Kings for thousands of years. Shielded from the hustle and bustle of the city by Leigh Woods, the beautiful Leigh Court was designed by architect Thomas Hopper in 1814. You may recognise it more recently from various TV productions including Poldark and Bridgerton. The design of this graceful Grade II listed mansion combines elegant Palladian architecture with opulent Greek revival interiors and lavish 19th-century décor. The first room you’ll see at Leigh Court is the light and airy Outer Hall, which has an unusual domed ceiling encircled by eight marble pillars.

You can choose to hold your ceremony in any of the five tastefully decorated rooms, depending on the size and style of your wedding, or in a marquee on the extensive lawns. All of the stunning ground-floor rooms are licensed for wedding ceremonies. The fairytale staircase, 40 skylights and working pipe organ in the Great Hall (120 ceremony guests) makes it a popular choice, but the blush-coloured Morning Room (65 ceremony guests) and exquisite golden Tapestry Room (65 ceremony guests) are also favoured by couples looking for an intimate location. Meanwhile, the Library and Salon (65 ceremony guests) are perfect if you’re hoping for a ceremony room that opens directly onto the lawns. decor and styling for couples who want their day to be as special and unique as they are

When it comes to receptions, you’re spoilt for choice, as they can be hosted in one or all of the ground-floor rooms including the Tapestry Room (56 seated dining guests), the Library (109 seated dining guests), the Salon (56 seated dining guests), the Outer Hall, the Morning Room (56 seated dining guests), and the bar and lounge. When the weather is too good to stay indoors, guests can spill out onto the lawns directly from the Library and Salon. The venue also has a stretch tent located on the lawn, which you’re welcome to use. Overall, Leigh Court can hold up to 400 for the evening reception if you choose to hire a marquee.

Our exquisite Orangery is beautifully decorated in the 18th century style and has huge windows with views of the gardens and doors that lead straight onto a private terrace. The lounge spaces can be used to relax or for dancing, and when the evening is over all 28 bedrooms are yours for your guests to stay overnight. Get in touch and discuss your wedding dreams in detail with our experienced Wedding Team.

We have always had a passion for weddings and planning weddings. The look on the couples faces when they have the wedding of their dreams is priceless and helping them to reach their vision is very rewarding for us. We enjoy getting to know you and finding out your likes and dislikes so we can help you to have the special day you deserve. We can help you with full planning or managing the day only. We offer a free, no obligation initial consultation so we can get to know each other and see what we can plan together.

WWW.WEDDINGREGENCY.COM

07557 www.rusticrentals.co.uk

Clevedon Hall, set in the heart of North Somerset, is located a mere 15 minutes from Bristol. A lavish mansion house, its varied event spaces offer the ultimate flexibility and choice for your special day. With delicious menus and five-star accommodation, the team excel in bringing wedding dreams to life.

The extensive grounds are filled with photo opportunities, from the lake and bridge to beautiful meadow or wilderness walk, all overlooked by Hebe’s fountain. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to get a deer to pose for a photo! The venue is also just a couple of minutes away from Clevedon Pier and the sea, offering a dramatic backdrop for some sunset pictures.

There are a number of different options available for your ceremony. The Library can accommodate up to 100 loved ones for the “I dos.” There’s a wealth of original architectural details here, which have been lovingly restored and offer a lavish backdrop to suit the occasion. It can also host 124 for a wedding breakfast based on a traditional top table and round tables or 130 based on long, banquet style tables.

The Great Hall can play host to 140 ceremony guests. It offers an amazing entrance with a balcony walk down to the aisle, framed by stained-glass windows.

The Orangery can accommodate up to 150 nearest and dearest for a ceremony. The interior is light, with windows overlooking the main building and gardens. If you want to bring the outside in, this is the perfect space for you! There’s room here for 130 seated dining guests at round tables or for 150 based on a t-shape layout with round tables on either side.

Dame Rosa Burden can host 70 loved ones for a the “I dos.” The big bay windows overlook the grounds and directly onto the lake. With its stunning architecture, it’s definitely the room for your big entrance. It can seat 50 nearest and dearest at round tables for your wedding breakfast.

Finally for al fresco vows, the Gazebo offers a licensed ceremony option with space for 150 guests. Overlooking the lake and lawn, it’s the ultimate romantic setting surrounded by wild flowers.

WE THE CURIOUS

0117 915 8000 | www.wethecurious.org/venue-hire/weddings

We The Curious is a one-of-a-kind venue, ideal if you’re looking for somewhere extraordinary that you and your guests will never forget. There are three distinctive and quirky spaces to combine as you wish from ceremony to celebrations and the team are on hand to ensure you have a truly memorable experience.

Get married in Bristol’s iconic Planetarium for a completely one-off ceremony. Your guests will marvel at the dome, lit up with glittering stars and spectacular images of space. Walk down the aisle and say your vows beneath an endless star field, creating the most romantic of wedding experiences. The space can host 97 loved ones.

The Annexe is a bright, contemporary room on the top floor. Floorto-ceiling windows mean it’s is flooded with natural night and you’ll have direct access to the sunlit terrace, which provides space for drinks, canapés, musicians and the all-important wedding photos. Here you can welcome 120 loved ones to your ceremony, 100 for the wedding breakfast and 150 for the evening bash.

Also located on the top floor is the Rosalind Franklin Room, a spectacular and versatile spot, it’s complete with private bar area and terraces overlooking Bristol’s Harbourside. You’ll find it ideal for a classic or modern wedding breakfast with stunning historical views and ample space to celebrate. It can accommodate 300 guests for the wedding breakfast and 480 for the evening revelries together with the Annexe.

What’s more, you’re welcome to let your guests loose on the exhibition floors with exclusive access to We The Curious after hours. Why not choose some tasty treats from the menu and host your pre-dinner drinks here? You can also wow loved ones with a 2D or 3D planetarium show exploring the universe.

Due to a fire, We The Curious is currently closed but the team are working hard to reopen and hope to be taking wedding bookings again from May 2024. Stay up to date at www.wethecurious.org/news/reopening-update

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Arnos Vale Cemetery

Arnos Vale Cemetery

BATH ROAD, BRISTOL BS4 3EW

Step into 45 acres of magical woodland in the heart of Bristol

Step into 45 acres of magical woodland in the heart of Bristol

Step into 45 acres of magical woodland in the heart of Bristol

Mix and match our three unique venues for your ceremony, wedding breakfast or evening celebrations

Step into 45 acres of magical woodland in the heart of Bristol.

Mix and match our three unique venues for your ceremony, wedding breakfast or evening celebrations

Mix and match our three unique venues for your ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening celebrations.

Mix and match our three unique venues for your ceremony, wedding breakfast or evening celebrations

For more information and to book an appointment to view our venues, please scan the QR code

To arrange an appointment to view our venues please email bookings@arnosvale.org.uk

To arrange an appointment to view our venues please email bookings@arnosvale.org.uk

To arrange an appointment to view our venues please email bookings@arnosvale.org.uk www.arnosvale.org.uk/weddings www.arnosvale.org.uk/weddings www.arnosvale.org.uk/weddings www.arnosvale.org.uk/weddings