Your Herts & Beds Wedding - Feb/Mar 2020 (Issue 78)

ST MICHAEL’S MANOR HOTEL 01727 864 444 | stmichaelsmanor.com St Michael’s Manor Hotel is the perfect setting for any couple’s special day. Set within five acres of beautiful private English country gardens with a stunning lake, this country house hotel in St Albans is only 20 minutes from London by train. The location’s perfect as the venue’s close to the city centre, which was formerly the ancient city of Verulamium, and near the famous Abbey Cathedral. The original house dates back more than 500 years and was converted into a hotel in the early 1960s by the Newling Ward family. To this day the hotel remains privately owned and managed, which gives the hotel its distinctive appeal. With fabulous views over the garden and lake, the venue’s restaurant is perfectly suited for large functions, seating a maximum of 140 guests, with natural light and direct access to the terrace, lounge and bar. The Cedar Suite is an elegant room with a high- ceiling, a chandelier, natural daylight, air-conditioning and access to the lounge and bar for 30 guests to enjoy – perfect for smaller ceremonies and intimate wedding breakfasts. The oldest room in the house is The Oak Lounge with oak-panelled walls and an ornate high stucco ceiling dating back to 1585, when the house was built. The Oak lounge holds up to 14 guests for a civil ceremony and a wedding breakfast. A complimentary menu tasting is offered to the lovebirds when they book. PUTTERIDGE BURY 01582 489 069 | putteridgebury.co.uk Putteridge Bury is situated in picturesque parkland on the Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire border. The spectacular grounds were designed by Edwin L Lutyens, the foremost architect of the era and planted by one of the finest female Victorian gardeners in 1911, Gertrude Jekyll. The reflective pool, yew hedges and clock tower are an important feature of the 33-acre site. This Grade II listed manor house was built as a replica of Chequers, the country house of every Prime Minister since 1921. Captain Thomas Clutterbuck lived at Chequers in Buckinghamshire for nine years and was so fond of the property that he decided to pull down the old building that once stood here and recreate his much-loved home in its place. Fast forward a decade and in the roaring 20s, the house was owned by Sir Felix Cassel, a good friend of King George V and Queen Mary. Pheasant shoots and banquets were a regular occurrence and the oaktree opposite the clock tower is a fitting reminder of these times, planted by the king in 1926. The interior of Putteridge Bury is full of charm, with ornate staircases, stunning chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling bay windows and intricate wood panelling. Ceremonies take place in multiple spaces at this venue with different capacities including; Mountbatten Room (100 guests) Gentleman’s room (60), Dining room (50) and Ladies Room (60), each are perfect for the couples special day. Putteridge Bury has five special function rooms that can accommodate all aspects of the day to create a bespoke wedding to remember, with a capacity for 120 guests for the wedding breakfast and 160 for the reception. Couples that book this venue will receive a menu tasting to find the perfect food for them. cdouglasphoto.com catherinepound.com 20