NEARLYWED NEWS

MERCURE OXFORD HAWKWELL HOUSE HOTEL OPENS WASING PARK OPENS A NEW COVERED TERRACE

The Mercure Oxford Hawkwell House Hotel has recently opened with interiors inspired by the Oxford shirt and brogue. Formerly the birthplace of explorer, treasure hunter and polar medallist Francis Howard Bickerton, it occupies three buildings, including two 19th-century manor houses, and is set among three acres of private gardens situated on the edge of the city in an ideal place to enjoy a quintessentially British staycation. To book, visit https://all.accor.com/hotel/B6P4/index.en.shtml and to read all about weddings at the property, turn to page 23.

Scan to view video Exclusive-use Berkshire wedding venue Wasing Park has unveiled a new covered terrace with a floating stretch tent alongside the Grade II listed Castle Barn. Adorned with fairylights and home to an outdoor kitchen and firepit, the new area offers an alternative year-round al fresco dining option with enough room for a band or DJ. Events manager Lisa Buffery tells us how the addition of the uplighters, speakers, heaters and a firepit have made the covered terrace a versatile space for guests.

She says, “The new covered terrace will provide a more usable space that can be enjoyed all year round. The idea stemmed from the pandemic and has developed NEWS Nearlywed into a very special area for use by our wedding couples and corporate guests seating up to 50 people for lunch or dinner.” To book, visit www.wasing.co.uk and turn to page 17 to read more. The latest news from around the counties

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HEDSOR HOUSE LAUNCH WEDDING PACKAGES

Hedsor House located in Taplow, Buckinghamshire, is a Georgian mansion set in more than 100 acres of private parkland available for exclusive-use weddings. Three new Luxury Curated Wedding packages are now available for 2023. The Darcy Wedding and The Augusta Wedding packages are both designed for 70 guests while The 1776 Wedding package is best suited to 100 guests. The packages differ but all include use of the house and grounds, bridal suite and guest bedrooms plus a three-course wedding breakfast and a cake. For a full list of what’s included and to book, visit www.hedsor.com/packages-prices and turn to page 17 to read more. Designer Rosalind Norton, the creative talent behind online store www.littleideasstore.com makes paper bridal bouquets, designed as keepsakes to be cherished for a lifetime. Turn to page 13 to read more and to enjoy 10% off.

Countrywide Coaches offer luxurious and competitively priced coach hire onboard modern and pristine vehicles to transport guests from the ceremony to the reception. To book, visit www.countrywide-coaches.co.uk

COLETTE ASHBY CELEBRANT AWARD NOMINATION

Local celebrant Colette Ashby, a wedding, vow renewal and naming celebrant, has been nominated for the Rising Star Award in 2021 The Celebrant Industry Awards (TCIA) hosted by The Celebrant Directory. An industry first, these global awards are set to recognise those delivering excellence as nominated by fellow celebrant colleagues, industry suppliers, couples and families. Founder of TCIA and The Celebrant Directory, Jennifer Claire Constant tells us: “I’m so excited to finally launch these awards to shout about our fantastic celebrant community and recognise the talent we have.” To book, visit https:// coletteashby.com

ASCOT RACECOURSE LAUNCH WEDDING PACKAGES

World-renowned Ascot Racecourse has launched a series of traditional wedding packages for small weddings of up to 30 guests and large celebrations of up to 1,200 people. The size, variety and flexibility of the venue mean endless opportunities for bespoke weddings.

A sweeping walkway past the Victorian Bandstand guides guests to the Parade Ring, an atmospheric spot for welcome drinks in the summer. Inside, a variety of wedding suites with both contemporary and traditional décor can be easily transformed to provide classic layouts for dinner, cabaret and dancing, or more informal settings are available for buffets and lounge-style receptions.

Award-winning catering is offered by Events at Ascot’s hospitality partner, 1711 by Ascot. Whether it’s a sumptuous buffet, seated dinner, bowl food, outdoor barbecue or the popular chef’s station, couples can expect a bespoke culinary experience.

The three wedding packages are called Rose, Silk Orchid and Champagne Peony and each comes with an invitation for couples to return to the racecourse to celebrate their first anniversary at an Ascot Raceday. To find out more and to book, visit www.ascot.co.uk/weddings