LET IT SNOW

www.matthewclaytonphotography.co.uk Let it snow Magical venues for a winter wedding

BESSINGHAM MANOR, BESSINGHAM

07970 073 315 | www.weddings.bessinghammanor.uk

Cosy up at this beautiful Victorian manor house. Perfect for a winter wedding, the exclusive-use, Norfolk venue oozes character and style. With tall chimneys, Dutch gables and ornate, detailed red brickwork, there’s a wealth of standout features inside and out. Decorated in subtle Farrow and Ball colours, the interiors are adorned with cornicing, dado and picture rails, gorgeous light fittings and stained glass windows, creating a wonderfully romantic and inviting atmosphere.

Set in four-and-a-half acres of grounds, there’s a vast garden at the back with mature trees and a small woodland area, open parkland beyond, and a large patio too. Your very own home away from home, you and your guests won’t need to leave the house if you don’t want to. There are working fireplaces in the study and kitchen and, as it’s mainly a dry-hire venue, you can decorate it how you like. Think garlands draped around the bannisters of the sweeping staircase or a Christmas tree in the main entrance.

Tie the knot in the south-facing drawing room; light and bright with two sets of bay windows, chandeliers and a marble fireplace, it can host up to 100 ceremony guests and 80 for the wedding breakfast. For more intimate ‘I dos’ the cosy study is ideal. When the weather’s fine you can exchange vows outside in the gardens, sign the register in the study and celebrate afterwards with a marquee or tipi reception for up to 200 loved ones and invite more for the evening celebration. We love… the old brick and flint tower, once part of the entrance to the manor, it’s a great backdrop for just-wed photos.

www.perfectposephotography.co.uk www.perfectposephotography.co.uk

THE OLD RECTORY HOTEL, CROSTWICK

01603 738 513 | www.oldrectorycrostwick.com

This country house hotel offers a traditional, homely feel in a picturesque rural location. Nestled in the little-known hamlet of Crostwick, it’s surrounded by countryside and beautiful landscaped gardens, offering a wealth of great photo opportunities. The original building, The Rectory itself, is privately owned and dates back to the mid-19th century and provides a beautiful frontage to the site.

The hotel has a welcoming reception area, lounge, bar, two function rooms and 16 en-suite bedrooms. Purpose-built for weddings, the Conservatory Restaurant is an impressive octagonal room with a high vaulted ceiling and views of the gardens. The dimmed candelabra and fairylights in the winter create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. Licensed for ceremonies it can host 110 seated guests and 150 for an informal reception. The Victoriana Suite offers a more intimate setting for weddings with up to 60 loved ones and has a low beamed ceiling and adjoining lounge. We love… the tree outside reception twinkling with thousands of fairylights; perfect for magical winter wedding photos.

HINTLESHAM HALL, IPSWICH

01473 652 334 | www.hintleshamhall.co.uk

Wind your way down the tree-lined drive to discover this historic gem. Surrounded by peaceful mature gardens, the outside of the hall has a Georgian frontage and an elegant Tudor feature at the back.

You can tie the knot in a choice of distinctive rooms including the Georgian-style Salon, which can host up to 100 guests and boasts an impressive chandelier and ornate gold-leaf ceiling. For more intimate ceremonies, The Justice on the ground-floor overlooking the back lawns has a charm all of its own or The Parlour is another lovely room, full of character with a classic fireplace, it’s licensed for ceremonies for up to 50 guests.

There are three beautiful function rooms including The Salon which, combined with the adjacent Parlour, is big enough to host up to 135 family and friends, as well as three lounges to relax in and at the end of the night staying guests can retire to the luxuriously furnished bedrooms, all individually designed and many with original timber beams.

HEACHAM MANOR HOTEL AND THE PAVILION AT HEACHAM MANOR

01485 536 030 | www.heacham-manor.co.uk

This versatile venue is a year-round winner. The interior of the Grade II listed Elizabethan manor house is charming and classically luxurious, typical of a period property. Now an English Country House Hotel it boasts a large bright conservatory with diamanté globe chandeliers, stunning views, a bar and drawing room with open fireplaces, a terrace overlooking the parkland and a cosy snug. Located close to the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton on the North Norfolk coast, a winding driveway leads to the charming building, surrounded by manicured gardens, complete with picturesque duck pond. You can marry in the Conservatory and host a reception for up to 100 seated guests afterwards or, for more intimate weddings, the cosy Drawing Room is ideal.

The purpose-built Pavilion is a new addition, providing a modern setting for your celebrations, complete with a private enclosed garden. Light and airy with neutral décor and luxury furnishings, it overlooks the 18-hole golf course. With a number of spacious function rooms and bar areas, the Dove Suite can accommodate up to 150 guests.

The hotel has 52 bedrooms, including a sumptuous suite in the manor house itself, and there are a further 32 bedrooms in the adjacent cottages, as well as seven brand new ones in The Pavilion, so there’s plenty of space for guests wanting to stay over. We love… the period features in the grounds, including an ancient arbour wall and historic Mulberry tree.

HADLEIGH TOWN HALL & GUILDHALL COMPLEX

01473 822 544 | www.hadleightownhall.co.uk

If you’re looking for a big-day backdrop with bags of atmosphere and historic features, this landmark venue ticks all the boxes. Hadleigh Town Hall and Guildhall Complex is one of the finest Medieval buildings in East Anglia. Set in the heart of the quaint market town, opposite the churchyard, it provides a picture-perfect scene. The Grade I listed building offers a number of magnificent rooms for weddings, three of which are licensed for ceremonies. Whether it’s a cosy intimate space you’re after or an impressive hall, there’s something to suit a whole host of big-day needs. Take your pick from The Grand Hall, Dining Room, Old Town Hall, Guildroom or Council Chamber; there’s a secluded garden area too for those all-important just-wed photos. We love… the charming room that was once the Town Hall, on the first floor of the Medieval Guildhall. Full of character with original beams galore and leaded windows, you can host a reception here for up to 120 people.