Your Bristol & Somerset Wedding - April/May 2020 (Issue 76)

Tom Burrows All the latest from around the regions NEWS Nearlywed HISTORIC LOVE The characterful Beckford’s Tower venue, which overlooks Bath, has been awarded £422,000 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to go towards a £2.5m project to repair, conserve, and open up more of the tower and its surroundings. Weddings won’t be affected until the summer of 2022 when it will close for several months and reopen in all its refurbished glory. Couples looking for a quirky and intimate venue will love this spectacular setting. Inside, there’s the eclectic Belvedere or the museum available for celebrations, while outside you’ll find 360-degree views of the city. Head to the website to find out more beckfordstower.org.uk redmaplephotography.com LET’S ELOPE The gorgeous Berwick Lodge wedding venue has recently updated its original Victorian summerhouse to provide the ultimate secret hideaway for small, elopement-style weddings with up to four people. Once used by the ladies of the house for afternoon tea, it features a fireplace, beautiful tiled floor and veranda leading to a walkway in the gardens. The aim is to create a relaxed and intimate experience to be remembered forever. Find out more at berwicklodge.co.uk LAST FLING BEFORE THE RING Big Cottages, the UK’s leading accommodation marketplace for large properties, has published a list of the top ten locations for hen and stag dos in the country – and our region has proven its credentials. Bristol is the most popular destination for stag parties, while Bath is the third most popular for hen parties, after being pipped to the post by Liverpool and Brighton. “We have thousands of guests heading to our properties every week for pre-wedding celebrations,” says Big Cottages CEO Matt Fox. “We were intrigued to find out which areas are most popular, and it’s no surprise it’s some of the most affordable cities in the UK.” Check out big-cottages.com YOUR ESSENTIALS 9