Your Yorkshire Wedding - Page number 10 - May/June 2021 (Issue 48)

MAKING AN ENTRANCE After a year of lockdowns and restrictions, Cartwright’s Wedding Cars is looking forward to getting back to what it does best: transporting couples on the happiest day of their lives. “Established in 1990 and based in Huddersfield, we have the North of England’s largest fleet of wedding cars,” owner Dick Cartwright tells us. “We have transport ranging from vintage-style cars to a Ferrari F430 Spider.” Couples can expect a fixed price, which includes a uniformed chauffeur, multiple journeys and the car dressed to suit your theme. The company will also provide a chilled bottle of bubbly so you can toast your marriage on the way to your reception. “As we only do one wedding a day, there’s no time pressure,” Dick says. “There’s plenty of opportunity to get all the photographs you’d like, and we can even stop off en route to the reception too.” Head to https://cartwrightscars.co.uk INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT CherryTop Weddings has developed a new COVID-secure interactive wedding entertainment experience that can be enjoyed by guests attending as well as friends and relatives watching remotely. It’s also ideal for larger celebrations when restrictions lift. Everyone will receive a Love Story, which is a printed booklet personalised by the couple. It contains photographs of the newlyweds and activities chosen by them, including a quiz to find out how much their guests know about them, wedding-speech bingo, word searches, drawing challenges and much more. Couples design their own Love Story booklet using CherryTop Weddings’ content management system. There’s a range of designs and colourways to choose from that suit all wedding themes and couples choose their design for the front and back cover. The package includes a personalised pen with each booklet, a special souvenir of the day, and activities for children. There are different packages available to suit each couple’s needs starting from £150. For more information call 01872 713 344 or visit  www.cherrytopweddings.com A grand affair We chat to Andrea Matthews, head of weddings and events at The Grand Lodge at Oaklands (www.oaklandsweddings.co.uk), ab out this stunning new setting in the heart of rural East Yorkshire… Tell us about The Grand Lodge at Oaklands... Built in 2020, The Grand Lodge replaces the tipis that once sat at Oaklands. Constructed using local timber, this unique lodge venue is a mix of rustic charm with luxury elements. Nestled within 200 acres of beautiful woodland, beside a picturesque lake, it’s in the most tranquil setting. How did the venue launch? Back in 2011, Mike and Linda, the owners, hired tipis and held their own wedding on the land, which we now know as Oaklands. Their guests were so impressed that they encouraged the newlyweds to turn Oaklands into a business. After building the outdoor ceremony area, sourcing their own tipis and preparing the space, the first wedding was conducted in 2015. In 2017 it was time to plan for the future; the owners decided to build The Grand Lodge, which would replace the tipis and offer year-round weddings. What’s your top tip for couples when choosing a wedding venue? Before you embark on your search, have a list in mind of what’s important to you. Most venues will have a website and social media pages – so do some research to see if it will tick some of your boxes. If yes, book an appointment. On your visit, try to imagine yourself and your guests there – do you get a good vibe from the place? The majority of couples will know instantly if it’s the one ! The perfect setting The West Park Hotel is a beautiful boutique hotel and venue overlooking the Harrogate Stray. Not only is it celebrating its seventh anniversary of opening, but it’s also the 11 th anniversary of its parent company, Provenance. During the first two lockdowns, the hotel undertook a complete refurbishment to its interiors, providing a new look for the bar, reception, 25 bedrooms and event space. What’s more, it introduced the gorgeous Garden Room, which features a showstopping living wall and a retractable roof. The third lockdown saw even more refurbishment, with the Courtyard and outdoor bar, lounge and dining room areas all getting a refresh. The hotel and wedding venue can welcome up to 80 guests in a private wedding space, while chefs, experienced service staff and a dedicated wedding coordinator will ensure every part of your special day is meticulously planned. Find out more at www.thewestparkhotel.com 10