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

HOLMEWOOD HALL 01487 829 555 | holmewood-hall.co.uk Holmewood Hall is a stunning 18 th -century Tudor-style mansion that has the wow factor. The South-West aspect of the house is beautifully symmetrical with perfectly maintained ivy and a balcony set in between the two sides of the house, which is the perfect height for photographers to get the best images of guests outside. The house is set in 10 acres of manicured grounds within the Cambridgeshire countryside, with a lake and a fountain. The hall offers croquet and garden games on the lawn while everyone can enjoy the outside terrace bar. For al fresco weddings, the premises offers ceremonies in the bandstand with a stunning gold carpet aisle. The venue has a beautiful inside ceremony room called The Gold Room (77 guests), which has chandeliers and a spectacular 18-carat gold lead-ceiling. There’s a wonderful wooden staircase, which is nearly as old as the house! Another ceremony space is The Bandstand (77 loved ones.) There are 16 luxurious bedrooms, including the bridal suite, on-site at the venue which are exclusively reserved for guests. Couples will have the use of the manor house where dinner is served in the dining room, with a maximum capacity of 80 guests, and the party carries on in the Vault Bar, which is the old main kitchen of the house, for 120 guests. Evening receptions take place in the old main kitchen, where the ovens are a feature in this room – couples can party with all of the history around them! To relax there’s the beautiful, informal Library and Champagne bar where couples can sit back in the snug sofas and chairs. After booking the venue, the lovebirds will receive a personal wedding manager included within the package who will guides and assists with plans. Dinner dates are held throughout the year, which allows couples to attend an evening at the house and try the food and service that the building offers. DOWN HALL HOTEL & SPA 01279 731 441 | downhall.co.uk Nestled in 110 acres of woodland, parkland and meticulously landscaped gardens is this grand Italian mansion. The grounds are full of picturesque spots, including a large water fountain sitting across from a quirky folly, as well as charles garden, which is an exclusive spot designed with al fresco celebrations in mind. There’s also the new terrace with its outdoor gin bar – the perfect place to while away a summer’s evening. Dating back to 1322, the ivy-clad façade and stunning colonnades contain grand historical interiors, ornate ceilings and fireplaces alongside contemporary luxuries. The whole of Down Hall Hotel & Spa is licensed for ceremonies for up to 180 loved ones but most couples opt to say their vows in the newly refurbished Oxford Suite. Seamlessly blending modern and traditional features, the room has plenty of natural daylight, pretty vistas and neutral décor to complement any wedding theme. Couples will love the long aisle for a grand entrance. For those who prefer the great outdoors, the wedding gazebo is tucked away behind a hedged wall with the mansion as a backdrop. After the formalities, couples have the choice of several reception rooms for gatherings of up to 250 people. The largest is the Bridgeman Suite with its twinkling chandeliers. The Oxford Suite can also host receptions; adjacent to the West Wing Lounge it can be opened up allowing guests to make use of the whole space. All couples will receive a free menu tasting, the services of a toastmaster and wedding-night accommodation in the master suite. The hotel can also hold pre-wedding dinners for guests who are travelling down the night before. elizabethyoungphotography.co.uk elizabethyoungphotography.co.uk lavenhamphotographic.co.uk HISTORIC VENUES 23