9 minute read
SWEET DREAMS
www.laurenowensphotography.co.uk THEMED VENUES
Tie the knot in a venue with accommodation
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GILESTON MANOR, CF62 4HX
07794 611 105 | www.gilestonmanor.co.uk
Gileston Manor Estate is a five-star wedding venue located in the awardwinning village of Gileston in the Vale of Glamorgan. Tucked away off the beaten track and set in nine acres of lovingly kept gardens and grounds, the property boasts sweeping front lawns and breathtaking panoramic sea views.
The Georgian Grade II* listed manor house has recently been renovated and includes an elegant wedding room on the first floor, complete with original panelling, mirrors and crystal chandeliers. The house also boasts eight exquisite guest suites, all individually themed and styled, including the bridal suite which was designed by David Emanuel. An additional 24 guest bedrooms can be found in the courtyard which is just a few steps away at the end of the evening.
Celebrate in style
The estate houses the pretty church of St Giles, which is perfect for couples planning a religious ceremony.
Civil Ceremonies can be hosted in a variety of settings, including the gardens and neutrally decorated Lotus Marquee, which has sparkling chandeliers, views of the Jurassic Coast and can comfortably seat 140 dinner guests for the wedding breakfast with room for more in the evening.
We love...
The views and on-site accommodation.
PENCOED HOUSE ESTATE, CF5 6JR
02921 678 090 | www.pencoedhouseestate.co.uk
Pencoed House Estate is a gorgeous venue that dates back to 979AD. Once home to ministers of the church, the King of Glamorgan and King Arthur and Queen Guinevere, the property is nestled at the end of a tree-lined driveway and is surrounded by 36 acres of grounds, wellgroomed lawns, flowers and ancient woodland.
Celebrate in style
The stately Old Hall is made from original stone walls and boasts a striking vaulted ceiling, wooden beams, a roaring log fire and room for 120 friends and family.
Adjacent to the Old Hall is the self-contained Woodland Bar which serves as the ideal setting for post-wedding drinks.
There are two outdoor ceremony spaces available which can both accommodate up to 40 nearest and dearest.
www.itpie.co.uk www.itpie.co.uk
We love...
Lovebirds will receive a complimentary wine tasting session, staff to manage guest parking, carefully selected caterers and the help of a wedding coordinator.
TALL JOHN’S WEDDINGS, LD3 7PX
01239 821 143 | www.talljohns.wedding
The manor house at Tall John’s Weddings is situated within acres of exquisite grounds with mature trees and breathtaking views across the valley. The working walled garden is the ideal place to take photographs with a rose bower, a double swing hanging from a beech tree and a silver birch bower.
There is also a restored Welsh barn available for weddings which looks across the Black Mountains with an enchanting courtyard and a wooden gazebo that can be decorated with flowers and covered in Perspex if the weather is unkind. Inside are electric points, underfloor heating, insulation, hard floors and a catering area.
Included in the venue hire is two nights in the Honeysuckle Cottage, which sleeps eight people on a self-catering basis, and the couple will be able to spend the wedding night in The Coachmans. The house is also available for up to 23 guests on a staffed basis, with breakfast included.
Celebrate in style
Intimate services of 20 nearest and dearest can be held in the Drawing Room of the manor house, or the split-level Granary, with its canopied beams and light stone floor, can accommodate 80-110.
Large celebrations are held in the barn, which is licensed for up to 160 guests.
The fabulous wooden gazebo in the garden means couples can also enjoy an open-air ceremony on the natural grassed stage.
You’ve found ‘the one’ and now it’s time to discover your dream venue. Hidden seductively o-road yet situated just a stone’s throw from the historic Penarth Pier, Holm House is a luxury boutique hotel that dates back to 1926. It has an elegant and sophisticated interior, an impressive exterior and oers magnificent water views across the Bristol Channel. The venue will be exclusively yours for the day, allowing you and your guests to take full advantage. Holm House boasts several stylish reception spaces, 12 individually designed bedrooms, picturesque manicured gardens and an award-winning spa.
Holm House is also an approved venue for civil wedding ceremonies with the Vale of Glamorgan registrar’s office. We cater to ceremonies of all sizes, with our most intimate space seating 12 of your closest friends and family. Our lounge with its homely relaxing feel and stunning feature fire place sets the perfect scene for a romantic ceremony, and is ideal for ceremonies for up to 40 guests. For ceremonies of up to 85 guests, our restaurant with spectacular views of our flourishing gardens and romantic seaside setting creates the perfect backdrop for the beautiful couple to say ‘I DO’.
Our beautiful, light and airy restaurant boasts floor to ceiling bi-folding windows, immersing you and your guests into the overlooking cliff tops, flourishing gardens and the seaside breeze delivering an authentic al fresco dining experience. Our distinguished One AA Rosette Restaurant can accommodate up to 85 guests for the wedding breakfast and 100 guests for your evening celebration. Impress your guests with delicious food using the finest ingredients and where possible local and sustainable produce. As part of booking your wedding with us you will both enjoy a complimentary tasting to ensure you have the perfect menu for your special day. Our 4 star hotel with 12 cosy, boutique rooms provides a comfortable retreat for you and your guests and our award winning spa will leave you all feeling refreshed, relaxed and ready to celebrate.
GRAND ESCAPES
Following (far too) many lockdowns and ever-changing restrictions, I hadn’t been able to travel to South Wales for more than a year; so when the Vale Resort in Hensol invited me to come visit, I jumped at the chance. My fiancé, Dave, and I adore South Wales and were really excited to see the area and explore the hotel.
LET THE LOVE BE-GIN Dave and I started our stay in true style with a gin tour at Hensol Castle, located just outside of Cardiff, in the heart of the beautiful Vale of Glamorgan countryside. I had heard about the new distillery located in the cellars of the 17th-century castle and was excited to see it for myself. I’m ashamed to admit – much to my colleagues’ disgust, that I don’t know much about gin but I was eager to learn more. The Guided Distillery Tour and Tasting lasted for an hour-and-a-half and our guide, Peter, was very knowledgeable and made the whole experience enjoyable and very informative. He showed us around the distillery, explained the history of the castle and (of course) the gin, and showed us the botanical room where we learned what ingredients are used to make the delicious drink. My favourite part was the tutored gin tasting, where I discovered that I love Strawberry Hensol Gin – a must try. This was followed by a relaxing drink (or two) at the bar. After the tour, we took a walk around the grounds and visited the 15-acre lake. Even in the strong winds, it was still beautiful and would make the perfect backdrop for wedding photos. We can’t wait to visit again and try the Gin School and make our very own bottle of gin!
REST AND RELAXATION After we walked around the Hensol Castle grounds, we made our way over to the Vale Resort. The Vale is a short walk away from the castle, and has an impressive exterior and gorgeous interior. The friendly receptionist answered all the questions we had with ease and a level of professionalism matching the high standard of the hotel and she made sure we settled in comfortably.
The space went beyond our expectations; with a super king-size bed, a TV, and grand windows that overlooked the grounds. Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we saw the en suite bathroom, boasting a walk-in shower, fluffy towels, complimentary toiletries, and my favourite, a luxurious bath. After a few hours’ rest, we decided to try out the hotel’s health club that we’d heard so much about. Boasting three squash courts, three tennis courts, a fitness studio, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, and a spa – we were spoilt for choice. We started with the 20-meter swimming pool, which was lovely and quiet. We were able to relax after the long drive in luxury – I didn’t want to get out. I couldn’t leave without testing out the sauna and steam and whirlpool bath. The bath was amazing, and I could have easily spent the day there. After a few hours, we made our way back to the room, where we relaxed in comfort until it was time for dinner.
TO DINE FOR Lounging around on our unbelievably comfortable bed, it was a struggle to drag ourselves out of the room for dinner, even though I couldn’t wait to taste the food I’d heard so much about. The delightful staff escorted us to our table where we were presented with the menu and our first course. We both opted for the vegan Brazilian black bean and sweet potato chilli. It was lovely, and Dave was still talking about it several days later. For the main, I chose the roasted Welsh pork fillet and Dave opted for the pan-seared sea bream. The meal was delicious, and it was the ideal size to fill me up but leave enough room for what I consider to be the main event: dessert! I finished with the hazelnut fudge brownie – I have a sweet tooth, so for me, this was perfect. It wasn’t too heavy, and I could have happily eaten more. The service was impeccable, and the staff went out of their way to ensure we were enjoying ourselves and had everything we needed.
After dinner, we wearily headed to our room, and I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
WHERE DOES THE TIME GO? We awoke after the best night’s sleep we’d had in a long time, feeling like royalty. We had breakfast in the main restaurant, where there was something to suit everyone, from pastries and cereal to a full-Welsh fry up. Everything was delicious, and there was so much food that I think I ate enough for two!
We were sad to be leaving after such a luxurious stay, having fallen in love with the Vale Resort and Hensol Castle. It’s safe to say we’re planning on visiting again soon!
BOOK IT: Hensol Castle, www.hensolcastle.com Vale Resort, www.valeresort.com
