Highbury Hall

It’s great to be able to offer help and advice to couples planning their weddings. Your West Midlands Wedding Magazine features a hot topic each edition which I have been lucky enough to help with. I thought it would be good to share the advice on my blog. This question was asked by a bride who was looking for a particular venue for her  themed wedding.

I hope you find these useful, pop back because over the next couple of days for more hot topics.

Q. We’d love to theme our wedding around Broadway and West End musicals, and plan to have a big band and lots of dancing during the evening. What type of venue might suit our celebration?

This sounds like a really exciting theme, and one you have a lot of fun with. Opt for a venue that has plenty of character, perhaps an art deco building with dark wood furnishings. You might also want to choose somewhere with a long drive, so you can make a stylish entrance in a vintage Bentley.

My choices would be the historic Highbury Hall in Birmingham, (I am super excited as I have a civil partnership booked there in August) or Barcelo Walton Hall in Warwickshire. (Check out one of our real weddings at Walton Hall here.)

Walton Hall

If an art deco setting isn’t your thing, you could choose a more contemporary venue such as The Custard Factory in Birmingham. The Old Library is a fantastic space that can instantly be transformed with decor to match your theme.

Whatever you decide, just be sure it has space for a big band, a large dance floor and doesn’t have any sound restrictions.

I do love the Your West Midlands Wedding Magazine. It’s full of help and advice and I am super pleased when the people we work with are featured in it too. This month  Sara Moseley has one of her gorgeous weddings for you to take a peak at. If you want another little piece of inspiration, Sara and I had a lovely time working together on Sonia and Anthony’s wedding back in November. It’s worth checking  out for ideas and inspiration.

Until tomorrow, happy planning.

A few weeks ago my husband and I needed a little break and a complete rest for a few days, a place where you can totally relax and chill out. I will let you into our little secret of a fabulous retreat which we think of as home away from home. Exmoor House in Wheddon Cross Exmoor is just the most  fantastic place to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or not! and eat the most delicious home made and home-grown produce you will ever taste.

Exmoor House,  provides B&B and evening meal, is ran by a lovely couple called Rosi and Frank. They are an absolute delight and will really look after you. From hot drinks and homemade cakes on your arrival to tasty and well designed three course meals in the evening. It is super reasonable too.

We first went there about three years ago when we were recently engaged and my husband was taking part in a Half Iron Man competition. He booked us here and since then we have been back three or four times to recharge our batteries.

The area is beautiful for walking and cycling.

The house is really comfortable with only 5 rooms. They are all decorated individually full of Rosi’s thoughtful touches. Frank makes the best scones I have ever tasted and even made me some fresh to take home with his homemade jam. Oh did I mention his homemade chutney too. Picture a wet afternoon with us curled up on their sofa’s in a sitting room for guests with no television and no internet. Perfect peace! Eating superb cheese washed down with great red wine. Rosi really is a dab hand at buying in the most fab wine and I can highly recommend all of them!!

Rosi’s home grown herbs! No frozen quick food here!

In the lounge with comfy sofas is a library of books and maps and walks you can look at to plan your time there in Exmoor. You really do feel like very looked after. Rosi even does Reiki which I had a session of at my last visit.

The bedrooms are all very cosy with everything you need.

Exmoor House is recommended by The Guardian, 101 Holidays and Lonely Planet. They even have a Green Tourism Gold Award!!

What is also great if you want to hold your wedding reception somewhere a little more unusual and very homely  please consider this an an option. Frank will make you food to die for and you will have the run of the house. It is also a great place for a house party. I keep thinking how Christmas would be here!! Pure heaven. They can even provide champagne and flowers!!

Well off to ponder when we can go again.

Until next time, happy planning.

If you are looking for a city venue with style and panache then Fazeley Studios is just the place for you. From the outside you cannot tell what lies behind the great big blue doors that you see in the street. I was so surprised when I entered to find a fabulous old building, originally built over 150 years ago, that has been completely renovated into a beautiful chic and super stylish space. The grand central reception was formerly a Unitarian Chapel designed by George Ingall and opened in 1876. The oldest part of the building was constructed as a Unitarian Sunday school in 1865.

Imagine such a venue which is only 500 yards away from Selfridges! It is easy to get to and is in the heart of the artistic quarter. There are plenty of hotels nearby for your guests and yourselves for your wedding night.

As you walk in there is an amazing reception area that is light and spacious and decorated with stunning period architecture and lovely furnishings.

You can just imagine your guests relaxing on the comfortable sofa’s and sipping cocktails at your drinks reception. The space is very calming and grand at the same time which I think lends itself to a relaxed atmosphere your guests will love.

If you look around you then you will notice the absolutely stunning pre-Raphaelite archways.

You can hold your civil wedding ceremony here as well as your reception. The Grand Gallery can accommodate up to 200 guests. Your wedding breakfast is then held in one of the spacious rooms that lead off from the reception area. The whole space is exclusively yours. There are on site caterers and bar facilities. They also allow corkage rates so if you do want to provide your own alcohol then you can.

Once you are married your drinks reception takes place in the reception area so that your wedding breakfast rooms are able to be set up and decorated exactly as you like. The flow of the building for guests is lovely, it is very relaxed but sophisticated. There is a spacious bar area too. Off the bar there is even a room that you can use for children. Pop some games in there and they can play till their hearts content.

The wedding breakfast rooms are spacious and  really are a blank canvas with character that you can add your own charm to. The venue also provide lighting which glows in various colours to help create the ambiance and add to your theme for the evening. There is plenty of space for staging, should you need it, and entertainment. Tara Newman who is in charge of the events is really lovely and very accommodating. Tara really does go above and beyond for the couples that get married here.

As the evening draws in if the weather permits then you can spill out side into the courtyard. I love this area when it is lit up at night. You can imagine how pretty it would look if you wanted to drape the topiary trees with crystal lights and place hurricane lamps around the area for romance and ambiance. Tara tells me that hog roasts here are a particular favourite with many couples.

I can highly recommend this venue and the team who work there. Check out the details on their website. There are sample menu’s too so you can get a flavour of the food on offer. Personally I fancy high tea with vintage china and decor to match. Enjoy browsing and if you do enquire please tell them The Wedding Genie sent you.

Until next time, happy planning.

The Beaumont Estate is one of the most exclusive wedding venues in Old Windsor. It has a stunning exterior which is absolutely ideal for photographs. Gorgeous lawns that your guests can stroll in whilst they sip Pimms and play garden games and a great team of people who will take care of your every need.

Helen, pictured right, the Special Events Manager, and Leighton Reid were a joy to work with and could not have been more help. I also had the opportunity to work with their resident toast master Peter Bland. Together they made the day outstanding.

There are various areas within the estate that you can hold your wedding. I had the pleasure of coordinating James and Caoimhe’s wedding which was held in the Chapel which has been restored to its former glory. For 40 years hidden beneath a suspended ceiling the original painted ceilings, stained glass windows and alter are all still in place and have been lovingly restored. You can see from the pictures below how beautiful it is. Your guests will be wowed by the atmosphere and at night when the lights go down and the dance floor is laid it turns into a fabulous evening party venue.

In the alcoves are seated areas which look great decorated with tea lights. A quiet area where you can sit and soak up the atmosphere. In the day they are barely visible but at night they look quite magical. The chapel can accommodate up to 120 guests.

In the summer drinks receptions can be held outside just in front of The White house. This is also a great area for photographs.

Check out the gorgeous grounds

There are plenty of rooms as you can imagine for your guests to stay in and if you want to make a weekend of it Windsor is a lovely place to explore.

In a couple of weeks we will be featuring the wedding of James and Caoimhe so you can see more of this lovely venue then. In the meantime if you do want to explore the possibility of holding your wedding here I am absolutely certain that Helen will take the greatest care of you.

Until next time, happy planning.

Following on from our series last week on how to find the perfect venue I thought it would be a great idea to show you a little jewel in the crown I recently found not ten minutes drive from The Wedding Genie offices. Alrewas Hayes is a charming grade II listed country venue set in gorgeous grounds, its very private and picturesque. The perfect place for intimate wedding receptions and its also licensed for civil wedding ceremonies.

Run by Toby and Bonnie Williams it really is a charming place to spend your wedding day. Alrewas Hayes is hired for exclusive use which means you won’t bump into any other wedding guests or indeed, anyone else at all except your own friends and family.

The building has been refurbished to a high standard and has a lovely ambiance when you walk inside. Toby and Bonny are happy to provide you with whatever you need to make your wedding day vision a reality. Check out the pictures below to see the lovely Hall/Gallery where you can start your married life.

The Gallery opens through french doors into the walled rose garden which is lovely and tranquil. Its an ideal place for romantic photographs and at night it can be romantically lit. Not only can you get married in a beautiful building but you can also spend your evening partying in the magnificent white marquee. There is no problem if the weather is bad, the entrance is completely covered. Check out the photographs below.

Bonny will even set you a little boat bobbing on the water filled with candles in the evening.

A beautifully lit white dance floor is part of the package along with a fantastic lighting rig.

If your immediate wedding party want to stay over there is a new wing with contemporary, newly refurbished bedrooms along with a gorgeous bridal suite. The suite is a great size for you and your bridesmaids to get ready in too. Food is provided by the recommended caterers from Alreway Hayes at various prices and for various tastes.

I hope you have fun finding your perfect venue, if you have any venues that you want to recommend why not let me know and we can pass them on. Remember if you need help sourcing a venue our special offer is still running until the end of January, 20% discount off all our services. Call or contact us for a chat, we are always delighted to hear from you.

Until next time, happy planning.

So far we have covered how to search for the venue and what to ask and think about before you decide if its right for you.

Before making the final decision here are a few questions you must ask before you sign the contract.

• Will there be more than one wedding on the day? If so how do the venue manage this?
• Are there any restrictions on entertainment, such as allowing chocolate fountains, fireworks, confetti or candles?
• What time will the evening end and what time is last orders at the bar?
• If exclusive use is offered confirm the start and end times.
• Is there an additional charge if your guest list should fall below the minimum numbers?
• Is there wheel chair access for disabled guests?
• Are there are any structural upgrades or decorating being planned? If so when are they being done? and what are they?
• Are there any restrictions on where you can take photographs?
• Finally check and read through the paperwork and contract before signing anything.
• Check the cancellation policy.

Checking the details will ensure you have the perfect venue without hidden costs or surprises. Most of all you must feel comfortable and have a good relationship with the venue staff. One last word of advice, if you are not fully satisfied or your instincts tell you that something is wrong walk away.

I hope this gives you some insight into choosing your perfect venue. If you do need help you can always use our venue sourcing service. Call or contact us to see what we can offer.

Until next time, happy planning.

As a guide here are some things to be sure to look for and enquire about before making your final choice.

Look around and Ask Questions

• Walk around the venue and get a feel for the atmosphere. Most brides I have spoken to feel really comfortable and at home in a venue as soon as they walk inside. You and your new husband will be spending the very first hours of being married here with the most important people in your life so it should definitely be a place you feel comfortable in.
• Is everywhere clean and well kept?
• Does the decor fit with your theme? Contemporary modern furniture may not be acceptable if your vision is classic and traditional.
• The venue staff should be professional but friendly and approachable. You need to feel they will look after you as well as your guests.
• If your guests are likely to be staying at the venue ask to be shown the bedrooms to check their suitability.
• Will they offer a group discount you can pass on to your guests? If so how long will they hold the rooms before they need to be booked?
• Check to see if they have a dedicated wedding coordinator on the day. Many venues use events coordinators to help book the wedding but often they do not work at the weekends.
• Check out the gardens and facilities on offer if your wedding is going to take place over a weekend. Your guests may want to make use of the facilities and you need to know if they have to be booked prior to their arrival.
• Is there enough parking for your guests? If not ask where the nearest car park is.

Think about Your Budget

What packages can the venue offer? Will they be flexible? For instance, to reduce costs you may want to serve your wedding cake as a sweet instead of paying for desert. Will they allow this?  If so will they charge you for cutting the cake and serving it? Is there the possibility of bringing your own wine? If so what is the corkage price? If you are planning to stay at the venue do they offer a bridal suite within the package? This can be quite an expense and if you can negotiate this to be included its quite a saving. During this credit crunch period  you may very well get a good deal, but you have to ask.

Here are few more things to ask and think about regarding what is offered

• What exactly is covered within each package?
• Check if wine is included within the package, can you upgrade to different wines if you want to?
• Can you use your own caterers?
• Is there an extra hire fee for the ceremony room?
• Is it extra to hire a cake stand? Cake knife or the board and easel for the table plan? Or are they included?
• If you get married mid week ask for the charges, they should be lower. Its a thought if you really love the venue but can’t afford the weekend costs.
• Are there any flowers or decorations within the package?
• Is the price quoted with VAT?
• When do they need a deposit and when is the final payment? – Make sure it comes in line with your savings if you need to add to them for the venue costs.

Phew its a lot to consider, but not so fast. There are a few more important issues to cover before you have all the information you need to make your final choice. Come back and visit on Friday for the final blog on Choosing the “Perfect Venue”.

Until then, happy planning.

We thought we would give you a helping hand with some of our top tips and advice. We will be running three blogs this week on all aspects of choosing and deciding on the perfect venue. First of all check out the advice below:-

The Ceremony – Church Vs Civil

If you are having a church ceremony you need to look at venues that are no more than 30 minutes drive away. You may consider providing transport for your guests if you fall in love with a venue that is just a bit too far for comfort. You don’t want your guests getting lost or stuck in traffic. Civil Ceremonies are very popular now and many venues are licensed to marry you, but check if they have a licence before you go and view. To help you find which venues are authorised to marry you, try The Direct Gov website you can search by post code and it will show you venues listed in your area.

Style of Venue and Surroundings

What style of venue do you want? Make the sure the venue matches the style or theme you have in your mind. Before you spend time looking at venues you can narrow the task down by thinking about what type of venue you actually want and what your budget will allow. Here a few types of venue to think about:-

• Hotels – these are great if you want an inclusive package. Generally most things are provided and they usually offer various packages to suit your budget and needs.
• Marquee Weddings – You can seriously put your stamp on your wedding in a marquee. They are a plain canvas for you to do as you wish. A word of caution though, do not go for this type of venue if you are not prepared to spend a lot of time researching and organising. Its much tougher arranging for services such as caterers, hiring toilets, decorating the marquee, you may even have to hire the tables and chairs etc. Make sure you have the time or hire a wedding planner to help you out.
• Stately Homes or Historic Properties – These are great for exclusive use. You and your guests have the run of the venue for the whole day and night. Most of them can accommodate small or large weddings. You would not have to worry about bumping into another bride, you can be guaranteed private use.
• Local halls or Social Clubs – These are very popular if you are on a strict budget. Often you can decorate how you like and really transform the room.

Where to look for venues?

Finding venues on the internet is very easy these days. There are many wedding planning sites available that categorise venues per area and style.  Try sites such as Hitched.co.uk You can also purchase  local wedding magazines, they often focus on local venues and their information is a great starting point. Ask you friends and family about venues they know about, you may have already been to a friends wedding at a venue you fell in love with.

Here are a few more things to consider when deciding on the type of venue

• Your budget – how much do you have for room hire?
• How many guests will be at your wedding? – can the venue accommodate them for your day and evening reception?Often numbers are restricted for the ceremony.
• Do you want your guests to stay over? do the venue have enough rooms to accommodate them?
• Check out the surrounding areas if you want to make a weekend of it. Its lovely if your guests can have something to do the night before or on the day before the ceremony if your service is to be held a little later.
• Food – Do you want to cater yourself? check if the venue allows this.

Shortlist to three venues and then make appointments to see them. Do check first that they are available on your wedding date before you go and see them.

Now we have given you some idea of where to start looking for a venue and what type, our next blog will cover questions to ask when viewing and how to make the right decisions. Finding the perfect venue is time consuming but very worthwhile. You need to feel comfortable with the surroundings and the staff, and of course be clear on what they are offering you. If you want help just give us a call or email us and we will get to work right away on finding the perfect venue for you.

So until Wednesday when we cover this aspect, happy planning.

Homewood Park Hotel is just outside Bath and set in gorgeous gardens with views over the beautiful Limpley Stoke Valley. When I turned into the driveway of Homewood Park the sun was shining and the hotel looked like one those gorgeous, terribly english, country houses you see on  postcards. Mark & Zoe spent a long time choosing their venue. Part of the reason that they chose this one in particular was the feeling they got when they were shown around, and how at home they both felt in the surroundings. It is really important to feel comfortable with the staff at the venue. You will be spending one of the most important days of your life with them, and at considerable expense. You should feel welcome and be happy with the service and facilities they offer. Take  time to find the perfect venue  and it will pay dividends on the day.

For couples who want the feel of a country house but still want a contemporary stylish feel, this venue is perfect. The food is to die for and the staff could not be more accommodating. Mark & Zoe chose to hire the venue for exclusive use which meant that their guests could luxuriate in the surroundings on the morning of the wedding. The atmosphere is very relaxing and quite informal. The location is also great for guests who would like to make a weekend of it.

I had a fantastic time, everyone worked as a team and the whole day was perfection. Nothing was too much trouble and the service was impeccable. Thank you to Denis the Hotel Manager, Nikki, Sarah and the rest of the team, it was a pleasure working with you.

If you want help choosing your venue, or to check our availability for On The Day Coordination call or contact us. Even if you have question you want an answer to we are delighted to help.  If you have a venue you would like to recommend why not share it with us.

Until next time, happy planning.