Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 82)

SHEEPDROVE 01488 674 747 | sheepdrove.com The long private drive across the Lambourn downs to Sheepdrove allows the bustle of day to day life to slip away and the sheer beauty of the venue to be fully appreciated. Surrounded by fields and woodlands, with spectacular views across the rolling downland, Sheepdrove offers intriguing outdoor spaces over four-square miles and with unrivalled exclusivity. Picture-perfect opportunities include, an aromatic physic garden, stunning lake with boathouse, ancient woodlands and miles of rolling pasture. An architecturally inspiring sustainable venue, with impeccable green credentials being fully carbon neutral through environmentally friendly energy such as wind and solar power. Driven by a passion for nature and the estate is rich in wildlife as nature has returned to balance after farming organically since 2004. Couples can tie the knot in the Oak Room with its soaring walls and vaulted ceilings it’s a magnificent and versatile room. It has a production gallery, excellent acoustics and benefits from natural daylight hosting up to 150 guests. The Beech Room, on the first floor has magnificent views of the courtyard and physic garden and can hold 50 loved ones. Post-vows, couple can use the galleried dining room with floor- to-ceiling natural daylight it’s centred around a spectacular spiral staircase which encloses the bread oven. Doors open to the tree- lined courtyard or the physic garden. It seat up to140 guests using both the lower and upper dining room which offers superb views across the countryside. There’s an additional four rooms which are all different and can be used for a multitude of uses such as a dressing room or games room etc; the most quirky space is the rook’s nest situated in the circular tower atop the building furnished with sheepskin bean bags. When tying the knot here, couples benefit from two-day use included in the wedding pricing. A day to set up before the wedding and the big day itself. There’s also a free bottle of prosecco in the stunning lakeside boathouse accommodation for the wedding night. cotswoldpictures.co.uk cotswoldpictures.co.uk DE VERE WOKEFIELD ESTATE 0118 933 4000 | devere.co.uk/wokefield-estate/ A sweeping drive, a stunning lake, picturesque gardens and an elegant Victorian mansion house set the tone at this leading wedding venue. The estate is set within 250 acres of Berkshire’s finest countryside and lends itself perfectly for beautiful photographs. The grand columns of the mansion make for a stately entrance, whether that’s by car or even helicopter. The house is elegant, grand and has many traditional features still in place such as chandeliers and period fireplaces. Over in Wokefield Place, also on the estate, you’ll find the Wokefield Suite; a large, modern room begging to be decorated in your chosen themes and colours. Natural light is in abundance in both buildings as are the spectacular views. Cermony options include: the Wedding Gazebo accommodates six (under the gazebo) but this is on the lawns so unlimited number for guests to look on and watch. The grandest space, the Terrace Suite, hosts 300 and benefits from natural daylight and its own terrace area overlooking the back lawns and lake. Once a chapel, the Lincoln Suite (120) is bathed in natural daylight with windows down each side of the room. With direct access onto the lawns of the mansion, this room is ideal for ceremonies and receptions alike. For more intimate weddings, these smaller spaces are popular: Palmer (60) features stunning lake views and a beautiful chandelier, much like Palmer, the Old Lounge (60) is the perfect choice for smaller gatherings. The room has plenty of natural daylight, views of the back lawns and a traditional fireplace. The Mortimer Suite (60) decorated in its neutral tones has wonderful views across the grounds. With its wood-panelling and floor-to-ceiling windows, it’s a wonderful room for an intimate family wedding. A complete blank canvas Wokefield Suite can seat up to 280 for a ceremony and 350 for a wedding breakfast. This room can really be transformed into whatever your vision may be with its versatile colour palette and accessibility. Located in Wokefield Place, this is ideal for those couples who prefer a more modern approach to their wedding. Post vows, the following suites host a dancefloor and DJ and guests respectively, Terrace Suite 260, Lincoln Suite 90, Palmer Suite 60, Old Lounge Suite 60, Wokefield Suite 300. When saying I do to this venue couples benefit from a first anniversary stay! 24