Your West Midlands Wedding - Jun/Jul 2019 (Issue 62)

PLANETARIUM PROPOSALS Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum has launched its new 4K Planetarium, the only one of its kind in the West Midlands. It’s available for hire, meaning you can have a private, intimate dining experience ‘under the stars’. This is perfect for proposals, anniversaries or other romantic occasions. The in-house catering team can also provide a wide variety of delicious menus to cater to all tastes and dietary requirements. By booking the planetarium for your special occasion you are also helping to support Birmingham Museums, an educational charity. Check out birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/venue-hire NEW DINING Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester, set at the foot of the picturesque Malvern Hills, has opened a new restaurant, The Refectory Dining Room & Terrace, and added 15 new bedrooms as part of an ongoing investment programme by owner/ operator Hand Picked Hotels. The iconic Grade II listed abbey now offers a sumptuous yet relaxed restaurant with modern furnishings such as circular booths, textured walls, contemporary lighting, framed bespoke photographs from the local area and bi-fold doors opening onto a sun-trapped terrace. The new bedrooms have taken the hotel from 55 to 70 rooms, offering varying details such as feature fireplaces, stained-glass windows and roll top baths. Feature rooms Pugin and Ashlin are named after the architects involved in the design of the original abbey at the turn of the 16 th century and have access onto balconies overlooking the Malvern countryside, whilst eight new bedrooms in the old school house enjoy views out to the willow lake at the heart of the 26-acre estate. The renovation project also includes the overhaul of one the hotel’s largest function spaces, St Anne’s Hall, which has a bright and welcoming design scheme with warm wood panelling, soft feature lights and is now fully air- conditioned.   Other features and facilities at Stanbrook Abbey Hotel include George’s Bar which overlooks grazing sheep to the front of the hotel, The East Room for private functions and an extensive cellar with party rooms and games rooms. In addition, at the heart of the abbey sits the magnificent Callow Great Hall, the building’s original chapel and a 100ft bell tower which has breathtaking views at the top. Check out handpickedhotels.co.uk/ stanbrookabbey KEEP YOUR EYES PEELED... for the new renovations at Hawkstone Hall (hawkstonehall.co.uk ). The Shrewsbury-based luxurious hotel has recently been refurbished and is a stunning venue for wedding and events. The building and grounds are perfect for creating beautiful picture-perfect albums. WEEKDAY WEDDINGS Birmingham Museums has introduced a special offer for those looking to get married at some of its most popular heritage sites. Weekday Weddings will give couples a 25% discount on room hire at Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall and Soho House if you book a weekday wedding. Aston Hall is a magnificent 17 th -century red-brick mansion situated in a picturesque public park on the north side of Birmingham. It provides beautiful views and its famous Long Gallery is also a stunning backdrop to photos. Blakesley Hall is one of Birmingham’s finest timber-framed Tudor houses. With its beautiful interiors and outdoor spaces, it’s the perfect venue for intimate wedding celebrations. Walk beneath the wisteria-clad porch, admire the traditional orchard, and step back in time to enjoy your special day in a venue your guests are sure to remember. Soho House was the elegant home of the industrialist and entrepreneur Matthew Boulton. The house has been beautifully restored and reflects the fashions and tastes of the late Georgian period. Its historic and charming Lunar Room is a delightful setting for an intimate and romantic wedding. The 18 th -century town garden provides the ideal location for wedding photography and outdoor celebrations. Check out birminghammuseums.org.uk/venue-hire 10