Your North East Wedding - Jan/Feb 2020 (Issue 36)

HISTORICAL VENUES 21  DOXFORD HALL Doxford Hall is the classic country house hotel, with a 4 AA red star rating. Recently celebrating its 200th anniversary, its Georgian symmetry and style is exemplified in features such as a grand entrance way incorporating elegant stone columns, sash windows and a soft sandstone facade draped by ivy. To the front are formal gardens beyond a stone terrace, with classical stone features and wrought iron gateways. Beyond, discover pathways bordered by wildflowers and ancient trees, leading to the yew tree maze and a secret walled garden, with espaliered fruit trees. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to places to wed at Doxford. The Kennedy Suite is a classical ballroom, with glittering chandeliers, accommodating up to 200 guests for a fairy tale wedding, while the Flower Room, with a magnificent neoclassical feature window, is perfect for an intimate ceremony of up to 20. George Runciman, with its rich claret décor and stone fireplace is ideal for winter wedding ceremonies up to 120 guests, or choose the Northumberland Room, a beautiful period drawing room suited for up to 50. There’s also the Library, with its hand-carved bookshelves – or say ‘I do’ in the pagoda in the grounds, licensed for ceremonies of up to 24. Ceremony licence? Yes doxfordhall.com | 01665 589 700 HISTORY LESSON These wedding spaces certainly have some stories to tell EDNAM HOUSE This elegant stone Georgian mansion house, just over the Scottish border, combines the best of town and country. Its classical entrance hall is every bit a town house residence, yet to the rear its idyllic river and country views give it the air of a country estate. The rooms are classically ornate, with detailed wood carvings and plasterwork exemplary of its period, with a beautiful grand ballroom. Traditional décor, antique furnishings, ornate fireplaces and original artwork complement the heritage of the property, while sumptuous soft furnishing and open fires give a homely air. There are also 32 bedrooms and suites, individually styled with antique furniture and many with river views. Wed in the recently-refurbished Ballroom, with French doors onto the gardens. There’s also the Tweed Room, a beautiful airy space again with garden views, or the Teviot, a grand dining room with mahogany panelling and antique prints. You can even marry in a gazebo in the gardens, or head to the Secret Garden for a private intimate ceremony overlooking the River Tweed. Ceremony licence? Yes ednamhouse.com | 01573 224 168 erikatanithphotography.co.uk