16 minute read
VENUE GUIDE
Spaces that transform Spaces that transform Spaces that transform Celebrate your Future where Past Meets Present
Our event spaces at the British Museum easily transform into a flexible suite of facilities for any event. Centrally located, we host everything from all-day conferences, product launches and film screenings to elegant receptions and dinners. Our event spaces at the British Museum easily transform into a flexible suite of facilities for any event. Centrally located, we host everything from all-day conferences, product launches and film Our event spaces at the British Museum easily transform into a flexible suite of facilities for any event. Centrally located, we host everything from all-day conferences, product launches and film screenings to elegant receptions and dinners. Our wedding event spaces at the British Museum create a memorable backdrop for your special day. Centrally located, our Galleries and Great Court transform into elegant receptions and dinners with With packages starting from £55 per person, contact us now to find out how we can turn your next event into your best event. screenings to elegant receptions and dinners. With packages starting from £55 per person, contact us now to find out how we can turn your With packages starting from £55 per person, contact us now to find out how we can turn your next event into your best event. your friends and family. Our team can help to organize your wedding with everything from favours and catering to music and To transform your next event, contact us on +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or venuehire@britishmuseum.org next event into your best event. To transform your next event, contact us on +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or To transform your next event, contact us on +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or venuehire@britishmuseum.org lighting so you can relax and celebrate the brand new start of your lives together under our iconic ‘glass sky’. venuehire@britishmuseum.org Find out more how we can transform your special day by contacting us on +44 (0)20 7323 8136 or venuehire@britishmuseum.org
Chapel Barn Estate
•SUFFOLK• stay.wildernessreserve.com
Wilderness Reserve’s latest addition, Chapel Barn Estate, is a masterclass in laid-back luxury. Based around an original 15th-century farmstead, this exclusiveuse wedding venue is set amid the best of English nature in the heart of Su olk: rolling wild-flower meadows, woodland and a beautiful lake. The collection of one-o period properties accommodate up to 90 overnight guests, and Chapel Barn itself is the place to say I do. In true Wilderness style, you’ll find fabulous outdoor activities. Facilities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a cinema, spa and hot tubs. For the wedding night, there’s a hopelessly romantic one-bed shack on a private island accessed only by rope bridge.
BOURTON HALL A simply magical new venue – also see our shoot, p16
CHAPEL BARN ESTATE Stunning and secluded Su olk with every luxury you can imagine
Bourton Hall
•WARWICKSHIRE• bourton-hall.co.uk
This is the newest addition to the established Country House Weddings collection. A slice of Tuscany in the heart of Warwickshire, it hosted its first wedding this November after an extensive refurb. The Italianate mansion is set in 12 acres of colourful gardens and houses a stunning former Catholic chapel. Inside the main house, there’s an impressive sweeping staircase, banqueting hall and 20 bedrooms for your guests. Plus, you’ll find a Gate House Lodge for the night before. Marry outside under the Portico, a super-romantic setting ideal for those craving a destination wedding. Fittingly, for a venue in Arden country, the Lady Bourton Honeymoon Suite has a dressing area with doors on to a balcony of almost Shakespearean splendour where you can drink in the views of the Leam valley and Draycote Water.
THE WALLED GARDEN AT COWDRAY A wonderfully atmospheric space for romantic outdoor parties
Holmewood Hall
CAMBRIDGESHIRE holmewood-hall.co.uk
Looking for a venue to hold a grand ceremony? Recently opened and lovingly restored to its former glory, this Tudor-style mansion (conveniently placed for guests from both London and across the Midlands) is fast becoming a go-to for glamorous couples, and we can see why. The decadent
Gold Room is breathtaking, with a 50-foot aisle and 18-carat gold-leaf ceiling. The
Banqueting Hall is a superb space for your wedding breakfast and your guests will want to check out The Vault for a late-night tipple. In summer months, you can marry outside at The Bandstand looking out over rustic parkland. The property sleeps 40 across beautiful accommodation, including the bridal suite with four-poster bed and statement chandelier. Hiring out this spectacular venue ensures you will host an unforgettable celebration.
The Walled Garden at Cowdray
SUSSEX walledgardencowdray
An exciting new addition for the Cowdray Events Team, this Tudor Walled Garden sits adjacent to the dramatic Cowdray Ruins (a spectacular backdrop for wedding pics). Think Alice in Wonderland for the setting – you’re even given the rusty key to unlock the original heavy oak door. You and your guests can celebrate in this colourful and historic outdoor space, enjoying the delicious scents filling the air from the garden’s plentiful herbs and lush fruit trees. The venue has just installed a state-of-the-art live streaming facility for your ceremony, so all your loved ones can watch from anywhere in the world.
HOLMEWOOD HALL A beautiful Country House Weddings addition in the heart of Cambridgeshire
The Natural History Museum
LONDON nhm.ac.uk
For the first time, we’re excited to share that couples can tie the knot in an intimate ceremony at this iconic London landmark. For a limited time, a small wedding (or civil ceremony) can be conducted in one of the 12 licensed rooms. Each space is sure to impress your guests. Take the magnificent Hintze
Hall with its iconic Victorian architecture, or the Earth Hall with giant globe sculpture and six-metre dinosaur fossil. There are also a number of smaller galleries, such as Earth’s
Treasury or Images of Nature, for those looking to host a more cosy a air. It’s destined to be an unforgettable day and has to be one of the most impressive backdrops for any wedding album.
THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM Splendour and unforgettable photos await in this wonderful landmark
THE KIMPTON CLOCKTOWER HOTEL City-centre style with cool rooms and the north-west's biggest ballroom
The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel
MANCHESTER kimptonclocktowerhotel.com
This new opening from Kimpton Hotels o ers something truly special in the heart of Manchester. Housed in a magnificent landmark building (once an insurance company HQ), the Grade II-listed building is a thing of beauty, and also a short walk from Piccadilly Station. Inside, it’s been artfully designed and o ers 270 loft-style bedrooms (including 11 suites) that make use of the building's lofty ceilings. They also pay homage to Manchester’s music scene, with some housing vinyls of its most iconic bands. Your guests can enjoy Kimpton signature treats – think in-room yoga and complimentary ‘tuck boxes’. But beyond the wildly cool vibe, this houses some serious period splendour, not least the fabulous entrance hall and the biggest hotel ballroom in the north west.
Hales Hall & The Great Barn
NORFOLK haleshall.com
This glorious medieval estate is home to buttercup meadows, moated walled gardens and sculpted topiary. It’s the epitome of romance, with a great choice of stunning outdoor ceremony options. At the heart of the estate is the magnificent Tudor barn, comfortably seating 200 guests and beautifully adapted to host great parties. Luxury accommodation includes a converted stable block and the lovingly restored Hales Hall with 40-foot kitchen that is ideal for a gathering of friends and family. The Gatehouse is a charming nest for the newlyweds and will encourage you to stay on for a minimoon. Hales Hall is perfect for intimate weddings or large parties and o ers a three-day signature wedding package that is ideal for spending quality time with loved ones. There’s also the option to host a luxurious midweek wedding here. Whichever you choose, the dedicated team go above and beyond to make anything possible.
HOTEL ENDSLEIGH An enchanting pastoral setting in Devon with lots of stylish hotel touches
HALES HALL & THE GREAT BARN The perfect retreat for a glamorous weekend or midweek wedding party
Hotel Endsleigh
DEVON thepolizzicollection.com
If you’re looking for a quintessentially English backdrop, look no further than the unbelievably romantic Hotel Endsleigh in Dartmoor, Devon. Part of the Polizzi Collection (and sister to the much-loved Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall),
Hotel Endsleigh is set in 100 acres of enchanting woodland, with follies and grottos designed by Humphrey Repton.
The fairytale gardens o er cascading lawns looking over the River Tamar. You’ll also find a Parterre garden, a little shell house and fabulous rose aisle. The hotel has colourful interiors with 19 individually designed bedrooms for your guests.
The Hayloft is ideal for newlyweds and has a private entrance from the cobbled stableyard, bright floral wallpaper as you enter, a sumptuous bedroom, cosy sitting room and a large bathroom with a roll-top bath. Trust us, you will never want to leave!
Night at the MUSEUM
The British Museum makes an impressive and iconic location for your special day
The British Museum has been welcoming visitors since 1753 when Sir Hans Sloane donated his collection and created the first public Museum. With objects that span centuries and celebrates culture and history, this worldrenowned and much-loved venue is now finally available to provide a picturesque and iconic backdrop to your special day.
Whether you hold your event in the Great Court restaurant, featuring the beautiful white stone and glass ceiling, or in one of the galleries, your wedding guests will celebrate with you while enjoying the history of the building and its unique and notable objects.
Your guests will arrive through the main entrance via the Colonnade and up the stone steps into the Front Hall and Great Court, where Event Stewards will direct them to the main event space where wait sta greet them with either Champagne or prosecco upon their arrival.
Each hire includes permissions for wedding photos in the Great Court, Front Hall, Colonnade steps and Great Court Restaurant, and of course in your event space. The British Museum has a number of options for any budget and can work with you to create a truly memorable occasion.
These spaces will be an amazing and memorable addition to your special day. There is a team of expert event planners who can help you plan everything from start to finish, from creating bespoke menus, identifying unique wedding party gifts and theming to tastings and liaising with a large network of suppliers. Their extensive events experience will help to ensure your wedding has personal and unique touches that you and your guests will remember.
Add-ons include privately guided tours, wedding favours for your guests, replica sculptures and artwork for decoration, bespoke table centerpieces and much more.
Relax and celebrate the brand new start of your lives together under the musuem’s iconic ‘glass sky’.
Set the
SCENE
Head to the Lake District for a wedding venue that has it all
Storrs Hall is a beautiful and unique destination – arguably one of the most spectacular in the Lake District, if not the whole of the UK.
It's rarer than you'd think to find such a strikingly elegant building, with private and peaceful lake frontage in the Lake District. Built in 1797 for a Yorkshire gentleman as an alternative to holidaying in the Swiss lakes, he chose the best location on Lake Windermere. The Grade II* listed building is wrapped in 17 acres of grounds, enjoying miles of views both north and south. His choice of location was equally appreciated by Tatler, who rated it one of the 101 Best Hotels in the World, 2022. The Sunday Times listed it as one of the Top 80 British Hotels, 2021 – and it’s still working its magic.
With three grand period rooms licenced for your ceremony, and three outside spaces, you’re spoilt for choice – whether it’s just the two of you, or with all your friends and family taking exclusive use.
Newly licenced in 2022, the Boathouse Terrace is a unique ‘just for two’ venue, where the unusually large terrace with hot-tub, seating area, firepit and lily pond border the lake, with spectacular views north up Windermere to the central mountains. The luxuries of the Boathouse interiors match the location for your wedding night. Requiring a key code for its private grounds, and private parking, it really is something special and very exclusive.
The Garden Pavilion, wrought in lacy ornate ironwork, is romantically pretty, and with the lake behind is a photogenic location for your vows. It’s also a top spot for sunset proposals.
Newly licenced for ceremonies in 2022 is the South Lawn, between the hotel terraces and the lakeshore, where woodland to either side ensures privacy. It’s overlooked by the restaurant, conservatory, and drawing room. Exclusive use maximum number of guests is 60-80, and you can speak to them about the possibility of a marquee on the south lawn.
Storrs has a very characterful bar – The Tower Bar, reclaimed from Blackpool Tower itself, a piece of high Victoriana in rich wood and stained glass, it adds another dimension to your celebrations. Menus are devised totally to your tastes by their head chef and team.
Storrs Hall is easily accessible, being 30 minutes from junction 36 of the M6, two miles south of Bowness on Windermere – home to Windermere Lake Cruises, who will provide a private lake tour directly from their jetty, for the entertainment of your guests. They also have extensive private parking, and eight VendElectric EV charging points, and helicopter landing is available on the south lawn.
For wedding enquiries, email weddings@storrshall.com or call 015394 47111 / storrshall.com
DESIGNER WEDDING DRESSES MADE TO MEASURE IN ITALY 81 Ebury Street London SW1 020 7901 9020 lesposedigio.com
Greece
IS THE WORD
Island Hop Your Way to Saying…I Do
WWhether you’re looking to plan your very own Mamma Mia! style wedding, simply want to escape a deux or celebrate with a small number of friends and family, look no further than the Greek Islands, scattered like gems across two clear seas. Each with their own vibe, views, charm, cuisine, jaw dropping sunsets and beaches… But where do you start trying to figure out where to go?
Well, top tip: don’t just limit yourself to one island. Island hopping is taking o is by far the best way to combine a dream wedding and honeymoon in one fell swoop and there really is something for everyone – big, small, budget or blow-out.
Numerous companies sell the Greek Island idyll but very few are specialists in co-ordinating a wedding, honeymoon, island hop combo, but Olympic Holidays can provide just that. Whether it’s a religious, civil, symbolic or same-sex wedding, their dedicated team can coordinate the lot.
Take Santorini for example, with its Instagram-worthy archetypal properties built into the cli s, instantly recognisable whitewashed facades, blue-domed churches and spectacular sunsets. It’s arguably one of the most romantic of all the Greek Islands and once the nuptials have taken place, is perfect to combine with an island hop over to Mykonos, Naxos or Paros. There’s also Rhodes, with its rich classical heritage and 300 days of sunshine a year, just a short hop from more intimate island gems such as Karpathos, Halki, Symi and Kos. These smaller islands provide the perfect escape for newlywed couples to start their lives together.
If you dream of a barefoot wedding with sand between your toes, The Princess Andriana on Rhodes provides just that. Sunset weddings don’t come much better than at the Santorini Gem with magnificent views of the Santorini Caldera, a large volcanic crater o the island’s coast or the Amada Colossus on Rhodes, overlooking one of the finest beaches. For charming chapel weddings, there's Rhodes’ very own St Sophia, perched high on a hill or Aghia Fotini at the Pyrgos restaurant on Santorini. Or for a truly traditional a air, St Pauls Chapel or the Kalithea Spa in Rhodes with its beautiful gardens, mosaic and marble floors won’t disappoint.
THE LOWDOWN
Olympic Holidays olympicholidays.com have an award-winning, dedicated wedding team to help you plan your big day.
RHODES & KOS A 14-night wedding and honeymoon Island Hop package starts from £8,216 per couple including the wedding and 7 nights on an AI basis at Princess Andriana Resort & Spa and 7 nights at Ikos Aria on an AI basis.
SANTORINI & MYKONOS A 15-night wedding and honeymoon Island Hop package starts from £8,910 per couple including the wedding at Santorini Gem, 8 nights at Cliff Side Suites on a B&B basis and 7 nights at the Myconian Ambassador Hotel & Thalassa Spa on a B&B basis. Prices above include flights, luggage, all transfers.
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HK LIVING
Dutch brand HKliving creates accessible collections with products inspired by traditional and useable designs with a modern look and feel. These pieces are both stylish and accessible. hkliving.com
