SPOTLIGHT ON

Wedding venues in Bury St Edmunds and North Suffolk

RAVENWOOD HALL, IP30 9JA

01359 270 345 | www.ravenwoodhall.co.uk

Set in secluded grounds near Bury St Edmunds, there’s a choice of varied spaces at this countryside venue, whether you’re looking for old world charm or contemporary chic. Parts of the hall date back to the days of Henry VIII and the main building offers a traditional feel with original features including exposed beams and open fireplaces. There are three rooms licensed for ceremonies, including the atmospheric Tudor Rose Room which can host up to 70 people for your ‘I dos’ and 50 seated guests for the reception.

Step outside and discover the contemporary-style pavilion, complete with a marquee area for dancing, private restrooms and a bar. A light and airy space with its own gardens and private lawn, it’s ideal for a relaxed summer wedding. You can tie the knot here with up to 130 loved ones, enjoy al fresco drinks afterwards and continue the celebrations inside with a seated wedding breakfast and evening reception for up to 200 family and friends.

With nearly seven acres of grounds there’s no shortage of great photo opportunities and plenty of space for marquee receptions for as many as 500 people. You could even have a fireworks display to wow your guests.

07862 383 049 | www.upthorpewood.co.uk

On the hunt for something different for your big day? Look no further, Upthorpe Wood is the perfect setting for free-spirited couples who like to think outside the box. This intimate woodland venue is licensed for weddings inside and out and is available on a dry-hire basis so you’re free to make it your own for a truly one-of-a-kind celebration. You can tie the knot under the Cartlodge or in the Woodland Barn, both look magical lit with twinkling fairylights and are perfect for dining and the evening entertainment. Ceremonies can also take place outside in the beautiful woodland glade and with the garden and woodland reception areas, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are lots of secret spots for your guests to discover too as they wander through.

We love… the seriously cute woodland cabin, perfect for newlyweds on their wedding night.

THE ATHENAEUM, IP33 1LU

01284 758 380 | www.athenaeumbse.co.uk

More than just a wedding venue, this beautiful Grade I listed building has long been at the centre of life in Bury St Edmunds. Originally a grand private home, it has played host to society balls, readings, and lectures by such literary giants as Charles Dickens and William Thackeray. Located in the heart of the historic town, the elegant, Georgian, chandeliered ballroom is an ideal setting for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The ornate space boasts a grand, high ceiling, balcony and sweeping staircase, perfect for that fairytale entrance. A magical backdrop for those all-important photographs, it can host up to 150 guests for the reception and 250 for the evening celebration. There are three other charming ceremony rooms as well, including the first-floor Lounge and Reading Room, which can also be used for more intimate receptions and the entertainment.

Sophie Cass Photography

ONE OF THE LARGEST WEDDING SHOWS TO BE HELD IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND

SUNDAY 9TH OCTOBER | 11AM TO 4PM MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, SURREY

• Free entry • Win a luxury honeymoon • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Bridal fashion shows • Entertainment • Refreshments • Covid-19 secure

Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a fabulous to have a chance to win a fabulous spa break worth £250 courtesy of

Hosted at Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0SL Pre-register at countyweddingevents.com/registration

Follow us on /CountyWeddingEvents @CountyWedEvent @countyweddingevents

Hosted at

ONE OF THE LARGEST WEDDING SHOWS TO BE HELD IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND

SUNDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER, 2022 ASCOT RACECOURSE, BERKSHIRE

• Free entry • Win a luxury honeymoon • Huge number of wedding specialists including venues • Bridal fashion shows • Entertainment • Refreshments • Covid-19 secure

Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a fabulous to have a chance to win a fabulous spa break worth £250 courtesy of

Hosted at Ascot Racecourse, High Street Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7JX

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

SWAN TIPIS, IP29 4QA

07767 213 186 | www.swantipis.co.uk

Celebrate your big day under the big Suffolk skies. Swan Tipis are spacious and airy with all the furnishings and floorings you need for a wedding to remember. During the summer the sides of both single and double tipis can be raised to make the most of the stunning views and create a relaxed, outdoorsy feel. Based behind the traditional, thatched Swan Inn Lawshall, near Bury St Edmunds, couples enjoy exclusive use of the whole of the back of the pub, a large decking area and all the grounds. What’s more, the tipis come with the option of an entrance porch and double doors, which makes it even more unique. With one and a half acres of grounds overlooking unspoilt countryside, you can choose where to set up. The tipis are linked to a large deck area with walkways so a wide range of catering options are available, from buffets and barbecues to more formal dining. There’s an outdoor, wood-fired pizza oven too – great for the evening guests. Although you can’t legally get married here yet, celebrant-led and personalised ceremonies with up to 120 people can be held outside the tipis, accessed through a raised side, framing the magical moment. If the weather’s bad they can be held under canvas and for intimate weddings with up to 15 loved ones, there’s also a private room available.

Psst… an application for a ceremony licence is in the pipeline, so watch this space!

ST ANDREW’S CASTLE, IP33 3PH

01284 774 774 | www.sacccltd.co.uk

Be prepared to be wowed as you make your way down the sweeping driveway to catch your first glimpse of this magical ceremony venue. With its impressive towers and turrets, the 19th-century Grade II* listed castle is a magical place to say ‘I do’ and provides the perfect backdrop for standout wedding photos. Step inside to discover the striking entranceway with original tiled flooring, vaulted ceiling, pointed arch doorways, magnificent fireplace and staircase. The stunning ceremony rooms provide the ideal setting for intimate weddings and there’s a picturesque, landscaped garden too. With colourful flowers, manicured lawns and wooden benches, it’s an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of Bury St Edmunds town centre nearby. There’s a choice of two ground-floor rooms where you can tie the knot. The rich oak-panelled Library can host up to 50 guests, while The Edmund, with its Jacobean-style ceiling, can accommodate up to 35 people.

Matthew Biggin FGPT, Professional Toastmaster & Master of Ceremonies and the Author of the new book, e Bride Whisperer’s Guide to Unveiling Your Magical Wedding.

ere is a long build up to organising a wedding and when the big day arrives, you will have earned the right to relax and enjoy it with your guests. It will be my role to ensure that you can do just that.

“I want you to imagine for a moment, your wedding as a glitzy movie. e two of you, as newlyweds, are of course, the leading lady and the leading man, the bridal party are the supporting cast and your guests are the extras. e venue sta and other wedding suppliers are the crew. You are the stars of the show and you should expect to be treated as such.”

Excerpt from e Bride Whisperer’s Guide To Unveiling Your Magical Wedding

Contact me anytime to discuss how I can help to make your day truly magical. Call: 07925 188728 or email: bridewhisperer@theuktoastmaster.co.uk WWW.THEUKTOASTMASTER.CO.UK