8 minute read
Hotels
Hotels Hotel Hospitality
www.marcliffe.com
Chosen the most stunning and spectacular hotel venue around? Excellent! Next up, be prepared for all eyes to be on the centrepiece of your reception – the wedding breakfast, prepared by the in-house catering team…
One post-pandemic trend that seems to be here to stay is that of treating your guests like royalty, reminding them how much you love and appreciate them – and often couples choose to reflect this through their food. Some are even cutting guest lists but keeping the same budget so they can really splurge on a dining experience to remember. We’re talking tantalising tasting menus, sommeliers on-site… The works!
Only Privately Owned 5 Star Hotel in Aberdeen
Your Perfect Day at The Marcliffe Hotel and Spa
11 acres of beautiful surroundings for stunning photographs and gardens for Drinks Reception (weather permitting)
Only 1 wedding per day
Please call to request a brochure. t: 01224 861000 e: enquiries@marcliffe.com www.marcliffe.com North Deeside Road, Pitfodels, Aberdeen AB15 9YA
Even if you’re not too much of a foodie, though, it’s still worth thinking carefully about because if the meal isn’t good, your wedding will be memorable for all the wrong reasons! Lucky for you, the northeast’s incredible hotels come with some of the most impressive dining offerings around.
The Marcliffe Hotel, for example, like many others, prides itself on innovative creations that showcase some of Scotland’s finest produce, much of it sourced locally from longstanding suppliers. Meanwhile, Meldrum House Hotel boasts the expertise of executive chef Alan Clarke who honed his skills at The Three Chimneys in Skye, helping the iconic eatery retain its three AA Rosettes. Over at Banchory Lodge, you’ll find the funky Fox Box, which can be booked free of charge for cocktails or champagne – perfect for making a statement alongside your canapes during an al fresco drinks reception.
A historic building originally dating back to the early 1900’s, the beautifully romantic Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel combines luxurious history with a stunning city centre location and incredible hospitality.
Our dedicated weddings team will take care of your every need, helping you choose from our specially designed wedding collections and locations for your ceremony and reception.
With events spaces ranging from the charmingly intimate to our grand ballroom with a capacity of up to 280 wedding guests.
Explore our various bedroom and suite types along with our brand-new onsite Signature Spa, a beautiful bar and restaurant – Chop Grill & Bar and dedicated whisky bar, Freedom an’ Whisky. • Grand ballroom with 280-person capacity • Areas perfect for intimate weddings • On-site Signature Spa • Dedicated Wedding Planner • Catering provided by our fabulous on-site restaurant, CHOP Grill & Bar • Accommodation packages available • 218 beautifully appointed bedrooms and suites
Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa | St. Andrew Street | Aberdeen | AB25 1AD www.sandmansignature.co.uk | 01224 945555 | eventsales_aberdeen@sandmanhotels.co.uk
www.deesidephoto.co.uk
AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE for your PERFECT DAY
The Palace Hotel is a popular, long-established venue in North East Aberdeenshire, offering full wedding packages and atmospheric spaces to suit all budgets and any size of ceremony or reception. With 64 contemporary rooms/suites, a host of complimentary extras, a private garden and location near the coast, the Palace Hotel is the ultimate wedding venue.
01779 474821 www.palacehotel.co.uk jean@palacehotel.co.uk
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Decisions, decisions…
First things first, you’ll certainly want to do your homework on the hotel’s chef and catering team before you book. If you’re after a fine dining experience, check for any awards or accolades. If sustainability is important to you, how focused are they on sourcing local produce? And if you’re going for something quirky, check the hotel’s social channels for anything particularly innovative the chef has created.
Many hotels will offer a tasting session as standard, or as an add-on, so definitely ask when you can get this booked in. Also ask how many can attend – is it just for the to-be-weds or could your parents join, too?
What to ask
Always visit prospective hotels armed with a whole load of questions, from details on curfews to accommodation options to whether or not fireworks are allowed… So, make sure you add your food queries to the list too.
www.byrhea.co.uk
Here are some suggestions to get you started:
• How many guests can the team comfortably cater for? • What are your speciality dishes, especially when it comes to serving many people at the same time? • Can a range of dietary requirements be accommodated? • What about a children’s’ menu? • Is there anything innovative you can offer to make our wedding foodie experience unique? • What's the catering team’s experience with the menus on offer? • What would you recommend for an evening buffet? • Who will be in charge of the catering on the wedding day?
www.byrhea.co.uk
Let’s talk budget
Make sure to ask about cost, too. Often hotels absorb the price of a meal within a ‘cost per head’ package for each guest, which can also include the likes of a toast drink and perhaps canapes or an evening buffet.
This means you’re likely to have to supply a final head count at some point to ensure the hotel can source enough food for everyone and ensure that nothing ends up going to waste. Make sure to ask when this is due and, at the same time, question how much of a deposit you’ll be expected to pay. Take note of when this (and the final payment) will be due.
www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/copthorneaberdeen www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/copthorneaberdeen
Some budget-trimming tips
Taking advantage of a hotel with a highly recommended chef and/or catering team doesn’t have to break the bank…
• Make the hotel team aware of your budget and your dream menu so they can try their best to tick both boxes.
• Much of the cost will depend on your menu and the ingredients needed. But remember that a skilled chef can make even the simplest of foods taste amazing.
And it goes without saying that lavishly presented food will scream luxury and make a great impression on your guests. • Consider keeping it casual with a buffet-style dinner as opposed to a sit-down meal. This will reduce the number of waiting staff needed and help keep those purse strings tight. Buffetstyle can still be fancy, special and quirky – and comes with the bonus that you and your guests can pick what you like in the amounts you like. One thing to note, though – perhaps not the most practical option if you have a lot of older people celebrating with you. • How about cutting the cake before dinner? The hotel can then plate it up to serve with tea or coffee at the end of your meal. Often guests are so full that desserts go half eaten anyway, so this will cut costs without impacting the overall hospitality experience.
www.trumphotels.com/macleod-house
www.trumphotels.com/macleod-house
www.elitephotographics.co.uk
www.deesidephoto.co.uk
© Andrea Wiseman Photography Make your wedding day a day to remember at the Ban-Car Hotel
Set in the rural countryside of Aberdeenshire, Ban-Car is a family run country hotel on the main Peterhead to Fraserburgh road. Catering for all sizes, and types of weddings, we have a wide range of services and years of experience.
www.ban-carhotel.co.uk t 01346 532578 e tina@ban-carhotel.co.uk LONMAY - FRASERBURGH
www.jonathanaddie.com
Overall, though, with inspiring and creative chefs heading hotel catering teams throughout the northeast, you’re unlikely to have much to worry about! Remember they’re experts who do this daily, so do take heed of their valuable advice. And don’t be afraid to share your suggestions, no matter how off the wall you think they sound. There are very few limitations when it comes to creating your perfect hotel wedding breakfast! ♥
A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN
The perfect choice for your special day
Photography courtesy of: aberdeenphoto.com, Angus Porteous, archibaldphotography.co.uk, billbaillie.com, calumriddell.com, Carolo Paloni, danirosephotography.com, Deeside Photographics, janiebarclay.com, Jonathan Addie, Rubislaw Studio
