SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH & WEST GLOS

Spotlight on... REGIONAL VENUES SOUTH AND WEST GLOUCESTERSHIRE

We reveal where to wed in these pretty parts of the region

ELMORE COURT, ELMORE

This exclusive-use wedding venue nestled in a private rural location is home to a Grade II listed country house and the magnificent Gillyflower ballroom. Recent developments have seen the appointment of a newly trained team and the first calves, lovingly named Wild One, Willow, Wren and Walter, have been born to the rewilding longhorn herd with seven more due shortly. Plans for treehouses to be built on the grounds mean that woodland weddings, treehouse stays and rewilding retreats will be available in early 2023. Couples who have previously married at the venue will be able to return for anniversary stays in these romantic retreats.

Ceremonies take place in a variety of areas in the main house including in the hall. Dinner and dancing are enjoyed in The Gillyflower, a romantic space located in a separate building that can be styled to suit any wedding theme. It’s draped in fairylights and home to a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01452 720 293, www.elmorecourt.com

♥ We love... the themed events and wedding fairs that owner Anselm Guise and the team regularly host.

THE SPEECH HOUSE HOTEL, COLEFORD

This former 17th-century hunting lodge is set in the heart of the idyllic Royal Forest of Dean and combines period charm with modern hotel and purpose-built wedding venue facilities. The manicured garden area provides a much-photographed stag statue and the hotel borders the 15-acre Speech House field that can be hired for outdoor games at celebrations held during the summer months.

The Edwin Tauber Suite overlooking the Speech House field and the ancient woodland beyond is a picture-perfect setting for a party. The large bi-fold doors open out on to a covered terrace that leads to the hotel garden and beyond. This spacious and light purpose-built function suite has a bar and reception area offering plenty of space for up to 150 guests seated at dinner and dancing for up to 200 people. The ceremony can take place outdoors under the sheltered terrace with guests looking on while the suite can be laid out traditionally for the wedding breakfast with everyone seated at round tables or, for a more contemporary feel, long rustic banquet tables can be positioned in this flexible space.

Alternatively, the historic Verderers’ Court provides a traditional setting for any celebration for between 50 and 70 guests. It’s steeped in history, from the hand-carved chairs to the open fireplace and beamed ceiling. The Carolean Room, named after the era of King Charles II, is ideal for smaller parties of up to 25 guests. This charming room is situated in the main part of the hotel and is decorated in a traditional country house style.

The Orangery is a light and airy garden room available to hire exclusively for post-wedding drinks and canapés or as an extra space for the wedding party. It opens out on to a pretty garden and can be hired alongside the Edwin Tauber Suite, Verderers’ Court or The Carolean Room.

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Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01594 822 607, https://thespeechhouse.co.uk

DE VERE COTSWOLD WATER PARK, SOUTH CERNEY

This contemporary hotel is built on a nature reserve surrounded by 152 lakes that make up the Cotswold Water Park. It’s home to 328 stylish bedrooms and elegant suites that are equipped with a lounge area, king-size beds and lakeside terraces boasting picturesque views.

Ceremonies take place in a choice of seven contemporary lakeside spaces. The property is ideal for an elopement wedding or a grand affair with 500 loved ones. The wedding breakfast and reception takes place in a choice of elegant function suites and the outdoor terrace offering uninterrupted views is ideal for summer soirées.

The hotel operates 24 hours, perfect for a nightcap in the bar or a midnight feast from The Pantry, an area in reception loaded with snacks and ice cream served from a pink and white-striped trike (that can be hired for weddings.)

The De Vere hotel group has announced a partnership with British publishing house Bloomsbury to launch a new book club that will mean guests can enjoy during their stay. A choice of four titles will be refreshed on a bi-monthly basis to include a variety of recent launches, topical reads, and modern classics.

The first selection includes Greenwich Park by author Katherine Faulkner; Sunday Times bestseller A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, Somebody I Used to Know, a powerful memoir by Wendy Mitchell and In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder, by Professor Jane Monckton-Smith.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01285 864 000, www.devere.co.uk/cotswold-water-park-hotel ♥ We love... the Starling Suite with lakeside views through the floor-to-ceiling windows that are best suited to micro weddings.

Turn to page 49 to see our exclusive shoot showcased at sister property De Vere Tortworth Court.

A MINI-MOON OPTION

The Hudnalls Hideout in St Briavels is a luxurious adults-only treehouse situated in a two-acre private wood in the Wye Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty boasting a large deck, accessed from the bi-fold doors, wrapped around two oak trees plus outdoor seating, sun loungers and a hammock. The trendy interior has been designed in partnership with MADE.COM with a cosy cabin-in-the-woods-inspired feel and is home to some of their most popular design pieces combined with upcycled items. A suspended fireplace creates a romantic ambience in the Scandinavian-inspired lounge and there’s also underfloor heating for warmth all year round. The loft-style mezzanine bedroom features a king-size bed plus there’s an outdoor bathtub for two.

This stylish hideaway at home has been beautifully crafted, prompting visitors to connect with the outdoors and switch off. It’s open all year and offers a minimum stay of three nights, the perfect escape for couples planning a mini-moon in the region. They’ll have exclusive use of the woodland site plus access to a wildflower meadow, ideal for picnics. Breakfast hampers, takeaways and cakes can be pre-ordered from the local village shop and deli, The Pantry, that will be delivered on arrival. There’s a traditional firepit and a wood-fired oven and a private chef can also be hired.

Ceremony licence? No Contact: 07986 168 148, https://hudnallshideout.co.uk ♥ We love... the local artisan food and drink producers, ginmaking experiences, delis and food festivals to tempt visitors, along with some local restaurants featuring award-winning chefs.

Joshua Tucker Photography