Everything was in one place too, so the smokers were literally outside the main reception area and would still be able to hear what was going on and wouldn’t make the place look empty if they all decided to go for a fag at the same time. The bar was also in the room too, so our guests wouldn’t have to go elsewhere to get a drink, and it was a hotel with plenty of rooms available, more rooms than guests, and I could stay the night before too, which was ideal. Me and my bridesmaids could get ready and the suite was like an apartment, with a bedroom, bathroom, two toilets, a living area and a dining room, even an outside area with a stream running through it; and it was traditionally decorated, what you would expect of a luxury hotel. I would keep drunken guests away from the stream, and definitely my mother after she has had a few.
As I mentioned it was a hotel. On the outside it looked like a small manor house or lodge, very pretty, but inside it was quite art deco style, very 1920s, and had some unusual furnishings. The hotel reception had a beautiful parquet staircase and a big open fireplace, and they also had a spa on site. The carpet was colourful and floral, very 1980s pub, and would hide a multitude of sins. Which was good, because you don’t want somewhere too posh that you are scared to have a good time just in case you spill a drink or drop some food. You literally wouldn’t see a stain if you dropped anything, the carpet was so patterned. It had character and an aged sort of smell to it that I had smelled somewhere before, just couldn’t figure out where.
It was funny because it was the last place we viewed as a wild card really, and the one that we loved the most. It’s like when I first met my future hubby for the first time. I knew that he was the one from the moment I first spent time with him and there was that instant attraction. I will never forget it. That’s how I feel about this venue. Hopefully it wouldn’t rain. It was very picturesque outside so good for photographs. They had a contingency plan in place, too, if it did rain. They even showed us some photos that had been taken on such occasion when it had pissed it down.
The staff were friendly and had a lot of experience with weddings there, so I knew I was in safe hands and could relax a bit at least. They said that they would help us too in any way they could and recommended a lot of other wedding suppliers for things like flowers and cake, so had been a godsend.
I will say too that my hubby to be wasn’t leaving everything down to me to sort out either, which I didn’t know if it was a good or a bad thing. Obviously he didn’t like the church, but nor did I, due to the memories it brought back, but he seemed to have an opinion on every other wedding venue we went to. But to be honest it all helped with the whole process. He was very practical when it came to things like that and it showed he cared. Like for example, one place was stunning but difficult to find, and quite remote. We had to take into account weather and also not everyone has a sat nav, especially the older generation. Hopefully it won’t snow in September, but you get my drift. The venue is easy to get to, no back roads or windy streets, so people would still be able to get there in such event. I know it might seem that a lot of the thinking involved with this venue was choosing what would be good for everyone else, but I did think it needed to be considered as we wanted our friends and family to be able to stay at the venue and not pay the earth, not pay too much for drinks, be able to park easily, not have to travel from one venue to the next because that’s a pain if you want to drink. Not have to travel too far too either.
All the input I got though was good because these were things that would never have entered my head. I liked the fact that I had an involved groom. To be honest, he was very organised, so much so that if there was a programme Don’t Tell the Groom, I would be on it as I am useless with stuff like this as I am so indecisive, and since we have started looking, even more so.
This venue suited both of us. Edward’s list of priorities were in a slightly different order from mine as he was interested in the size of the bar, what alcohol they stocked, what beer they had on tap and how many bar staff would be working. Need I say more. We were not doing a free bar as we didn’t want to be made bankrupt, but also price of drinks was something to consider too, as it was an expensive day not just for us, but for guests too.
The Guest Lists
Venue sorted, now comes the guest list; this is going to be fun. Who is worth a hundred pounds for the day, that is the question? Also, we have to pay for ourselves, which is a bit of a liberty I thought. Save the dates need to be written and sent out as soon as possible so guests
