DREAM A LITTLE DREAM

A LITTLE Dreamdream THEMED VENUES

Fairytale-inspired wedding venues

RACKLEY’S CHILTERN HILLS, CADMORE END, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

This charming wedding barn has a long history dating back more than 300 years. It has been fully restored, now benefitting from underfloor heating and air conditioning throughout, and natural light floods the airy space, especially in the glass conservatory that showcases sweeping views of the Chilterns and leads out on to the sun-filled York Terrace with ample seating where guests can enjoy a cocktail reception at sunset.

The seven acres of rolling grounds provide ample opportunity for garden games. A fantastic photo opportunity in the courtyard is the illuminated millstones water feature and this area also houses a colourful, manicured garden. The wildflower meadow with pathways winding down to the fields below, where nature thrives, also provides a picturesque backdrop and there’s also a pergola lit up with fairylights.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in the main barn where oak beams are draped with fairylights, creating a romantic ambience for a rustic-inspired wedding. Smaller ceremonies of up to 60 loved ones can enjoy the Upstairs Gallery and micro wedding ceremonies of up to 20 guests are best suited to the Meeting Room. There’s also an outdoor option on the York Terrace for an intimate gathering of just eight people.

When a wedding is booked, the couple gets the option of a complimentary food tasting and also a luxury goodie bag. There’s ample car parking on-site for 62 cars with an allocated registrar and disabled parking plus a ground floor disabled toilet with baby change facilities and highchairs available on request.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01494 412 515, https://rackleys.co.uk www.facebook.com/RackleysChilternHills

♥ We love...that the bridal party have exclusive use of the Bridal Room with en suite facilities for the entire day.

CHICHELEY HALL, MILTON KEYNES, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

This Grade 1 listed Georgian country house is surrounded by 80 acres of parkland, including a lake and formal gardens. An avenue of lime trees leads to the house past an octagonal Grade II listed dovecote.

The interior was lovingly restored in 2007. The original front door opens to reveal the Grand Hall which boasts a double-height ceiling where an original painting is showcased alongside many original features. The main focal point of this light-filled space is the marble columns and oak staircase.

Ceremonies for up to 80 guests take place in the Grand Hall within the main house or in Wolfson 1 that’s situated within the Wolfson Centre for a minimum of 60 and a maximum of 100. There’s also the option of an outdoor ceremony in the Formal Garden. Receptions take place in the Grand Hall or Wolfson 1 and these areas also host the wedding breakfast with guests seated at round tables.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01234 230 396, www.chicheleyhall.co.uk www.facebook.com/chicheleyhallhotel

♥ We love...the menu tasting as part of the package, the Honeymoon Suite available on the night of the wedding that includes breakfast and the private room available for the bridal party to get ready on the morning of the wedding.

COWORTH PARK, ASCOT, BERKSHIRE

Nestled in 240 acres of picturesque Berkshire parkland, this 70-bedroom luxury country house hotel features the delights of Ascot and nearby Windsor on its doorstep and is just a 40-minute drive from London. It’s a haven of tranquillity set in idyllic grounds, allowing guests to reconnect with nature. The dramatic landscape offers a magical touch, especially during the winter months. During this season, wedding guests can enjoy a scenic walk around the hotel grounds and the cosy brasserie-style restaurant, The Barn, with its roaring fire. Alternatively, guests can dine in the hotel’s Michelin-star offering, Restaurant Coworth Park.

For a pre-wedding pampering session, The Spa at Coworth Park hosts bespoke treatments by ishga, Aromatherapy Associates and Carol Joy. Guests can enjoy the beautiful indoor swimming pool with a floor-toceiling glass wall overlooking the spa’s sun terrace.

Coworth Park’s new standalone private cottage, North Lodge, is available to book and is ideal for wedding guests in groups or families. Featuring three spacious bedrooms, a lobby, dining room, kitchen, private outdoor dining area and garden, there’s a private chef and butler available on request. It’s the latest addition to the hotel’s 22 suites and is the second private standalone cottage, joining the grade II listed Dower House.

Weddings take place in a choice of four event spaces inside the mansion house and outside in the grounds where the wildflower meadow and sunken gardens provide a beautiful backdrop.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01344 838 160, www.dorchestercollection.com/en/ascot/coworth-park www.facebook.com/DC.Luxuryhotels

♥ We love...that the wedding package includes a three-course set menu, glass of champagne and a half bottle of wine per person, plus wedding night accommodation for the newlyweds.

HENLEY GREENLANDS, OXFORDSHIRE

The impressive approach to this venue is along a private drive leading through part of the 30 acres running alongside the River Thames. The beautiful white Grade II listed building with a portico entrance takes centre stage in the heart of these grounds decorated with wisteria and magnolia. The rolling lawns, flower-filled sunken and secret gardens and the riverside terrace all command a waterside backdrop.

The elegant interior consists of sweeping staircases, decorative pillars, elegant panelling and magnificent architecture. Each reception room within the main house offers something individual which adds to the inspirational interiors. There are 100 double en suite bedrooms in total with reduced rates offered for wedding guests. The happy couple will receive a complimentary overnight stay, a bottle of champagne and a basket of fruit.

Ceremonies take place in the Garden Common Room revealing unique hand-painted décor or the River House for up to 120 guests, and more intimate gatherings of up to 60 loved ones are best suited to the Blue Room.

Receptions take place in The Heyworth restaurant which opens on to the terrace and overlooks the main lawn cascading down to the river. This stylish space has room for up to 120 guests seated for a wedding breakfast and the evening reception can take place here. There’s also the option of erecting a marquee down on the riverbank.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01491 418 810, www.hospitalityuor.co.uk/venues/henley/weddings-at-henley

♥ We love...the two wedding packages for the high and low season that include, but are not limited to, full use of the grounds for photographs, one drink per person on arrival, one glass of champagne per person to toast and a three-course wedding breakfast.

Photography of the exterior of Missenden Abbey courtesy of www.richardpuncheonphotography.com MISSENDEN ABBEY, GREAT MISSENDEN, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

This exclusive-use, 12th-century period venue has been lovingly transformed with a contemporary feel. The main house boasts exquisite architectural detail with unique stained-glass windows and a decorative staircase.

Outside, the beautifully maintained gardens set in 10 acres of picturesque grounds are home to a summerhouse, a fish pond and 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 for up to 100 guests. Larger parties of an additional 30 guests can enjoy the use of the Library creating further space. A drinks reception can be held in the picturesque grounds and the wedding breakfast can be hosted in the adjoining dining rooms with vaulted ceilings for up to 115 guests. Another option is the seasonal marquee with a starlit canopy accommodating up to 150 people.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01494 866 811, https://missendenabbey.co.uk www.facebook.com/MissendenAbbey

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

THE MILL HOUSE HOTEL & RESTAURANT, SWALLOWFIELD, BERKSHIRE

This privately-owned, family-run fine country hotel is home to beautifully landscaped gardens and views stretching across to the River Loddon. The Georgian house nestled in the grounds has enjoyed a careful restoration keeping the tall ceilings and spacious reception rooms and offering a home away from home feel with all of the comfortable bedrooms providing en suite facilities.

Exclusive-use weddings can be enjoyed with ceremonies taking place in The Garden Room for up to 100 guests and the Cottage Suite for an intimate 50 loved ones. Both enjoy patio doors leading to the garden and stunning vistas. There’s also the option of getting married outside under the Cedar Pavilion.

The wedding breakfast can be enjoyed in the permanent marquee for up to 120 loved ones seated and up to 200 guests can be hosted at the reception. There’s air conditioning and heating available for weddings in all seasons and during the winter, log fireplaces and cosy corners inside the hotel provide a romantic ambience.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01189 883 124, www.themillhousehotel.co.uk www.facebook.com/Themillhousehotel1

♥ We love...the selection of wedding packages and bespoke options available. The Winter Wedding packages offer excellent value for money and in December, the house and marquee are fully decorated for Christmas with trees, garlands and lights.