NEARLYWED NEWS

NEWS Nearlywed

All the latest from around Surrey

The Talbot, a landmark building in the picturesque village of Ripley, has won Top Venue in Surrey 2020 at the Wedding Dates Awards. The winners were chosen based on reviews from previous brides and grooms.

The property has many period features from its 500-year-old history, as well as the benefi ts of an extensive refurbishment. There are 43 modern bedrooms alongside a restaurant that overlooks the terrace and a cosy bar with traditional log fi res. The surrounding area of Ripley is charming and is host to many landmark events such as Ripley Bonfi re and the farmer’s market. Ripley is conveniently located between Heathrow and Gatwick and is just 30 minutes from Central London. There are free parking facilities on-site, and a restaurant, with an ornate copper roof and stylish bookcases with homely artefacts that provide a 21st-century country house feel.

Visit www.thetalbotripley.com for more information.

ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS

Woodhaven Space, a new wedding venue in Horsell, was designed and developed as an eco-friendly home “from scratch” as a blueprint for 21st-century living and a centre for wellbeing. Founder Nicky Yates and her family have several allergies - a driving infl uence for making Woodhaven a ‘healthy building’. As well as being the home for Nicky’s family, the space is also used for wellbeing events, hen parties and weddings.

Nicky tells us: “Woodhaven is an exclusive use peaceful and private space. Based in the heart of Surrey, just 25 minutes from London, it’s perfectly located to capture those idyllic photographs before you and your guests arrive for the wedding reception. This purpose-built, eco-smart venue has wellbeing and sustainability at its foundation. I researched healthy buildings while designing and selecting the exterior fabric and internal fi nishes to ensure every inch of the building has been meticulously planned to ensure it’s self-sustaining and effi cient. The house has a state-of-the-art air system that recycles the air every two hours to ensure the property stays at the same temperature. Woodhaven also has its own water fi ltration system, which is used to make on-site water.

“We have a number of different packages available to make your special day as memorable as possible, but we’re more than happy to create a bespoke package to suit your needs. Our dedicated in-house team will provide you with exceptional and professional event management every step of the way. There are seven rooms available, three on the subterranean level and four on the ground fl oor, including the dining/board room and the drawing room, which can be combined into one space for large celebrations. We do our best to cater to your needs, whether you’re looking for a celebrant, DJ or magician, we’re here to offer our expertise and help you spend your money wisely. We have a 4K screen and ceiling audio which can be used to incorporate guests who are unable to attend your special day in person. Each room also has a TV that can be used to display some of your favourite images or messages to guests.”

Head over to www.woodhaven.space to fi nd out more.

SWEET TREATS

Freezecakes is a new dessert experience brought to you by Surrey-based cheesecake company Pleesecakes. Freezecakes is the world’s fi rst scoopable frozen cheesecake served in a tub, perfect for summer weddings. Available for nationwide delivery, Freezecakes is made using Pleesecakes’ artisan cream cheese mix dressed up with biscuit crumbs, pockets of soft ganache, oozing caramel, chocolate shards, popcorn and fruit swirls. There are a variety of fl avours available, including butterscotch and caramel, chocolate and lemon and raspberry. It’s priced at £6.50 for an individual tub or £18.99 for the trio pack.

To fi nd out more, visit www.freezecake.com

CherryTop Weddings has developed a new Covid-secure interactive wedding entertainment experience that can be enjoyed by guests attending as well as friends and relatives watching remotely. (It’s also ideal for large celebrations when restrictions lift.) Everyone will receive a ‘Love Story’, which is a printed booklet personalised by the couple. It contains photographs of the newlyweds and activities chosen by them, including a quiz to fi nd out how much their guests know about them, wedding speech bingo, word searches, drawing challenges and much more.

Couples design their own Love Story booklet using CherryTop Weddings’ content management system. There’s a range of designs and colourways to choose from that suit all wedding themes, and couples choose their design for the front and back cover. The package includes a personalised pen with each booklet, a special souvenir of the day, and activities for children.

There are different packages available to suit each couple’s needs starting from £150. For more information call 01872 713 344 or visit www.cherrytopweddings.com

LORD AND LADY

Fans of the Netfl ix hit Bridgerton will be pleased to hear that you can tie the knot in the beautiful park where the high society elite promenaded around the serene Serpentine Lake and iconic bridge. Painshill in Surrey has been featured in fi lms and TV dramas over the years, and the 158-acre estate makes a beautiful backdrop for romantic ceremonies.

Couples can exchange their vows with up to 75 guests in the white Gothic temple, high on a hill overlooking the lake. Afterwards, the wedding party can move to the marquee and have exclusive use of the Amphitheatre lawn in front of the temple. A golf buggy and chauffeur will also be on hand to drive around the estate for photographs in some beautiful locations, including the romantic abbey ruins on the water’s edge, a sparkling crystal grotto and picturesque bridges.

For more information, visit www.painshill.co.uk

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY

Pro Bands, a music agency in Horley, Surrey, has launched two new bands called London Anthemic (www.instagram.com/londonanthemic) and Disco Anthemic (www.instagram.com/discoanthemic). The bands travel all over but are mainly based in the South East with band members from Surrey, London, Essex, Sussex, Kent and Berkshire.

Guy Hassell from Pro Bands tells us more about the company: “In 2015, we decided it was time to set up our own reputable and trustworthy agency that developed and delivers cutting-edge live bands. With more than a decade of experience in the music and entertainment industry, our team have performed in our very own party bands and have had the pleasure of gigging at some of the world’s most prestigious events for exclusive clients. We have a small but mighty collection of dynamic and talented bands. Every artist has extensive live gigging experience and is dedicated to delivering epic performances for our clients. Our acts have been hand-picked or developed by our in house team of experts to offer a variety of music choices to suit all tastes, occasions and budgets. Whether you’re looking for a great party band for a wedding, an energetic live performance for your corporate event or the ultimate covers band, Pro Bands have some of the best live bands available for hire.”

To fi nd out more, visit www.pro-bands.com

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

Launched in July 2020, The Little Pasta Company is a small meal kit delivery service founded by husband-and-wife team Daniel and Anouska. Last summer, Daniel took the opportunity to create a business focusing on his lifetime love of Italian food. Now, The Little Pasta Company is providing homes all over the country with fresh handmade pasta meal kits from their Surrey kitchen.

Since launching, they have seen fantastic growth and have already been reviewed and featured in several publications.

Fast forward to 2021, they continue to grow and are delighted to introduce their new mint green Citroen H van, which will be used to offer a private hire service for weddings, parties and events. Offering fresh pasta dishes and antipasti to enjoy, served straight from the food truck.

Check out www.thelittlepastacompany.co.uk for more information.