SOUTH BUCKS AND SOUTH OXON Check out these magical venues MISSENDEN ABBEY, GREAT MISSENDEN, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE This exclusive-use, 12th-century medieval Abbey has been lovingly transformed into a wedding venue marrying history with a contemporary feel. The main house boasts exquisite architectural details including unique stained-glass windows and a decorative staircase. Outside, the beautifully maintained gardens set in 10 acres of picturesque grounds in the heart of the Chilterns are home to a summerhouse, a fish pond and a water feature plus a 500-year-old Cedar tree and the entire house and grounds are available exclusively for weddings. Ceremonies take place in the Garden Room where the bride and bridal party enter from the stunning staircase into the suite that can seat up to 100 guests. A drinks reception can be held outside in the picturesque grounds or, in the event of bad weather, inside the Garden Room, Bar or Library. The wedding breakfast can be hosted in the adjoining dining rooms with vaulted ceilings and stained-glass windows for up to 115 guests and a summer option is a seasonal marquee with a starlit canopy accommodating up to 150 people. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01494 866 811, https://missendenabbey.co.uk We love... that the bridal suite is complimentary on the night of the wedding. Spotlight on... WYCOMBE MUSEUM, HIGH WYCOMBE This local history museum located in Castle Hill House and Gardens is a hidden gem located in a calm oasis just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre where couples can tie the knot in one of five licensed spaces. The front garden features extensive grounds, perfect for an outdoor summer ceremony, that are overlooked by the entrance hall, spacious café lounge bar and ground-floor Chilterns Gallery. There are plenty of outdoor seating options outside, close to the main building, and many photogenic areas within the grounds for guests to explore. An informal canopy marquee makes a great cover from May to September which comes as a basic structure with attachable sides and two window walls revealing views of the grounds (additional marquees are also permitted.) The museum provides a unique backdrop with the galleries open during the wedding afternoon for guests to visit. The largest licensed ceremony room, The Old Stables, is located in the outbuilding, a brick and flint original stable building with a high-beamed ceiling and neutral internal décor. It can host up to 76 guests and leads out on to the pretty courtyard. Alternatively, The Chilterns Gallery, featuring sash windows, an original fireplace and tasteful decoration with art nouveau-inspired wallpaper and matching olive-coloured walls has a maximum capacity of up to 26 guests for intimate ceremonies. Receptions take place in The Old Stables and The Coach House which together create a great space for dining and evening receptions, both with hard floors for dancing. The Courtyard is the ideal area for a rustic pallet bar or mobile caterers to set up and the marquee in the front garden is also a great option for a reception. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01494 957 210, http://wycombemuseum.org.uk www.facebook.com/WycombeMuseum www.instagram.com/wycombemuseum We love... that for a full-day hire, the venue offers access the afternoon before to set up and prepare. Photography of the interior of Missenden Abbey courtesy of www.sianweatherheadphotography.com Photography of exterior courtesy of https://loveandlifestudio.co.uk Images of Wycombe Museum courtesy of www.shannonlawford.co.uk; https://danielatkinson.co.uk; Stylists, www.thebohoshack.net and www.hireheaven.co.uk 19 REGIONAL VENUES
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