8 minute read
NEARLYWED NEWS
SUMMER STAYCATION
Monkey Island Estate located in Bray-on-Thames has unveiled a new Summer Shepherd’s Hideaway Experience. One of the estate’s hand-crafted shepherd’s huts has been transformed from a cosy winter cabin into a rustic summer suntrap furnished with contemporary countryside interiors to welcome groups of up to six guests for celebratory picnics and occasions.
The gourmet picnic hampers offer a mouth-watering menu of coronation chicken-curried drumsticks, poached salmon and potato salad, truffle sausage rolls and a selection of quintessentially British finger sandwiches. For dessert, there’s a millionaire’s shortbread, carrot cake, macaroons and traditional scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream plus half a bottle of Harrow & Hope Brut Reserve per person.
Guests can enjoy a game of croquet on the lawn or get back to nature with a stroll around the seven acres of manicured grounds home to a herb garden, four beehives and the estate’s resident hens. The island’s second-largest shepherd’s hut has also had a transformation and now offers a pop-up bar. There’s also the Monkey Bar inside the hotel for a creative cocktail, and classic British dishes served at The Monkey Brasserie. The Summer Shepherd’s Hideaway Experience can be booked as an add-on to an overnight stay at Monkey Island Estate and is also available to book for those not staying at the hotel. It caters for up to six guests at £100 per person with access to the Shepherd’s Hideaway for three hours (minimum spend £600). To book, visit www.monkeyislandestate.co.uk NEWS Nearlywed The latest news from around the counties
VIRTUAL PHOTOBOOTH EXPERIENCE
The Best Photobooths have won The Best Photobooth Experience in the United Kingdom award from LUXlife. The company has also launched The Best Virtual Booth Experience. To find out more, visit www.thebestphotobooths.co.uk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zuzeRbLDF8&t=1s NEW OUTDOOR VENUE
Following a £50million redevelopment, Newbury Racecourse has opened its bi-fold doors to a new outdoor venue. The al fresco setting allows ceremonies to take place in the new Parade Ring as well as in The Winners Enclosure and other areas. There’s a brand new Royal Box, on-site catering facilities, the option for a large marquee, car parking for more than 3,000 vehicles plus a complimentary room at The Lodge hotel. Couples can book with confidence with flexible terms and conditions and there’s currently up to 15% off wedding packages for 2021 and 2022.
To make an enquiry visit https://weddings.newburyracecourse.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 the website www.cherrytopweddings.com Newbury-based photographer Annabel Farley is celebrating becoming a finalist in a prestigious national wedding award. Annabel was selected in the Guides for Brides 2020 customer service awards in the photography category. Annabel tells us, “It’s been a very difficult year for everyone, but hospitality and the wedding industry has been hit extremely hard. Being nominated for this award and reaching the finals has certainly given me a lift at this time, and we’re hoping that we can now get back to doing what we do best.”
To see Annabel’s new website and to book her for your wedding, visit https://annabelfarleyphotography.co.uk
NEW OPENING
Renowned chef Adam Handling has opened The Loch & The Tyne, a restaurant and pub with rooms in the Old Windsor countryside. He intends to make this one of the most sustainable pubs in the UK, complete with luxury bedrooms for overnight stays.
The venue is in the ideal location for weddings, private events, and country getaways. Bespoke packages are on offer including the Gastronomic package which offers a two-night stay, lunch or dinner in both Adam’s flagship restaurant, The Frog in Covent Garden and also The Loch & The Tyne, as well as a private chauffeur to take guests to and from each location.
Adam has named two of his chefs as co-chef proprietors. Steven Kerr, group executive chef, and Jonny McNeil, head chef at Adam Handling Chelsea, will be taking the reins, using this new site as an opportunity to showcase their skills.
To find out more and to book, visit www.lochandtyne.com
Something special for your wedding...
Capturing, enhancing and creating the mood, Music can make any special event memorable.
Wedding Songs has been established for 25 years, and has provided exceptional Singers and Musicians for over 2000 weddings throughout the UK.
You can engage professional soloists with elegance and beautiful voices from the world of Opera, Concert and West End Musical Theatre, also Professional Musicians, whether Ensembles, or Solo Instrumentalists who play with Classical, Jazz and West End Orchestras
Such as a Stylish Pianist ~ Beautiful Harpist ~ Majestic Organist ~ Elegant String Players ~ Young, vibrant Choir Trumpet Fanfare ~ Sassy Function Band ~ Wind, Brass or Jazz Ensemble ~ or even a Caribbean Harpist!
Whether a village church, castle, barn or special hotel, Wedding Songs works individually with you. Enhancing your chosen venue and occasion whether small or large, Adapting to your style, personalities and circumstances, Creating a distinctive wedding ceremony just for You.
We understand that each wedding service, ceremony and day is unique and aim to capture your mood, reflecting this through music… Imagine a heartfelt rendition of a chosen song whilst walking down the aisle, beautifully sung, accompanied by talented musicians, immediately setting the scene at your own wedding.
Wedding Songs can also help you choose poems and readings and help you theme and plan all music throughout your day, creating a very special and distinctive occasion for everyone...
Your wedding day is such a special day in your life. The songs and music that you choose will live in your own memory and that of your guests forever. Don’t you deserve the best?
Catherine Françoise is a professional opera and West End singer who would love to help you make your own wedding ceremony personal, unique and very special.
For a professional, personal and distinctive service, contact Catherine for advice and a FREE demonstration CD
DATE FIOR YOUR DIARY!
Don’t miss the Highclere Gin In The Garden event at the Chequers Hotel in Newbury on 9th July 2021. A night of good food, gin and live music is promised with tickets priced at just £29.95 which includes a two-course meal at The Smoke House Bar & Grill.
To book, visit https://chequershotelnewbury.co.uk/events-offers MULTI-MILLION-POUND TRANSFORMATION!
De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor has unveiled the results of its top-to-toe refurbishment on its Georgian mansion house, The White House, home to 26 bedrooms and six events spaces including The Hastings room, The Roxburghe and The Remenham. These stylish areas are ideal for weddings, family celebrations, private dining, and banqueting, and the entire mansion house can be booked for exclusive use.
The renovation also included the transformation of its 26 bedrooms, including 10 suites, marrying contemporary design with original features. Offering picturesque views across the estate, each suite blends a heritage colour palette of muted green, taupe, and cream with tan accents throughout. The White House suites feature walk-in showers, roll-top baths, fluffy robes and slippers, retro-style Roberts radios and smart televisions.
Darren McGhee, venue director at De Vere Beaumont Estate, said, “We’re very excited to reveal the results of the refurbishment when we reopen our doors in May. It has breathed new life into The White House while celebrating its British heritage and offering the latest luxuries with 21st-century design and state-of-the-art facilities. We have created a property that caters perfectly for our guests and we are thrilled with the results.”
To book, visit www.devere.co.uk/beaumont-estate
MICRO WEDDING PACKAGE Shirley Crehan from wedding and event hire company Serenilly has teamed up with Scott from Lunar Photography to offer a fantastic Combo Deal perfect for couples planning a micro wedding. Two talented suppliers cover the venue decor and photography coverage all for just £750. This includes: • Up to 30 vertical drop chair sashes • Two ivory canopy wisteria or pale blossom indoor trees • Four 4-foot blossom trees in ivory or pale pink • Photographic coverage for 2.5 hours (to cover the ceremony, group photos and couple portraits). To find out more, visit https://serenlilly.co.uk and www.lunar-photogarphy.co.uk *Only available for weddings taking place in 2021.
