Fanhams Hall Wedding Brochure

Your big day.

Big and showy, small and intimate, weddings at Fanhams Hall are anything but ordinary. Hidden away in your own private slice of Hertfordshire countryside, it’s got it all: grand staircases, regal water fountains, a Jacobean mansion and a magical outdoor oasis.

WHERE TO SAY “I DO”

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LONG GALLERY Your big day is all about you. Turn heads with the most spectacular of entrances and walk down the aisle of our stately Jacobean gallery, located up a grand wooden staircase. Handcarved wood-panelled walls, high ceilings, original chandeliers and large, bright windows – which overlook the Downton Abbey-esque gardens – really give the ‘wow’ factor.

Once a place for celebration, always a place for celebration. This room has been used for entertaining guests for centuries. It’s where the well-to-do quaffed wine surrounded by rich oil paintings and where they took a genteel promenade up and down the gallery when the English weather took a turn. Now it’s our dedicated space for couples to take the next step in their journey together.

Space for 120 guests Impressive hand-carved oak panelling Jaw-dropping ornate high ceilings Sparkling Jacobean chandeliers

“We had an absolutely amazing day! The team looked after us so well and I honestly don’t think it could have gone any better. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your help leading up to our day, you really helped to put us at ease through the whole thing.”

- Mr and Mrs Cook

THE HERTFORD & WARE

Space for 130 guests Bright, modern, light interiors Panoramic views of our grounds Yours to make your own

The Hertford & Ware is for those who are looking for a slightly more modern touch to their wedding. Light and airy, this midcentury Japanese-inspired space will bring your dream wedding ceremony to life.

Panoramic views and natural light flood in and the neat lines of the wooden windows are like folds in intricate origami. The room is great for those with a vision – from giant pink blossom trees to glittering gold themes, we can be the blank canvas to your masterpiece. And if you’ve fallen head over heels for the Asian-inspired style of the room, take the after-party to the Lakeside Pavilion downstairs.

Available from April to September Space for 120 guests Magical gardens and ponds Japanese and Austrian tea houses

IN THE OPEN AIR Transform your wedding day into a literal fairy tale, and say ‘I do’ amidst the trees, bridges and blossoms of our magical grounds.

Pretend like it’s your own English manor and wed on the gazebo lawn and formal gardens, surrounded by clipped hedges and a trickling water fountain. For something a little different, jump into an ethereal wonderland in our Japanese gardens, crossing the bridge to lily ponds and our secret wooden tea houses.

EAT, DRINK & BE VERY MERRY

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Style, service, seasonal food - we’ve thought of everything.

Take a sip of your sparkling wine and drink in the moment, because our wedding breakfast will be the best breakfast you’ll ever eat.

Our brilliant team of top chefs are like foodie versions of wizards; simply tell them what you want and they’ll magic it up. From threecourse menus and sharing boards for your wedding breakfast, to barbecues and seasonal buffets in the evening, they can help you put your own twist on your feast.

And for the toast? We have endless lists of drinks options. English sparkling wine? Check. Your very own gin bar? Check. The best NoLo cocktails? Check. A happy couple?

Check. Check. Check. It’s our mission to fill your day with your favourite things.

NOW FOR THE PARTY

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THE GREAT HALL

Your big day deserves a big fanfare – and nothing compares to the Great Hall. Wood-beamed ceilings tower above, stone-framed windows let light stream in, and pristine tables are laid out for a good old party.

Sit at the top table like the royalty you are. Your wedding breakfast will be surrounded by intricate wood carvings, which includes the minstrel’s gallery, where musicians used to perform for gentry (today, it makes for the perfect spot for your photographer to capture the whole room). You can also cut the wedding cake placed in the alcove behind you, next to a grand, feature fireplace.

The space magically transforms into the band’s stage and a dance floor for your first foxtrot – eat your heart out Strictly! There’s also a black and white harlequin-tiled room at the back, which opens out to the garden when you need a breather.

Seats 120 guests Space for 200 standing evening guests Regal Jacobean features Grand feature fireplace for cake cutting Beautiful wooden minstrel gallery

Seats 130 guests Space for 200 standing evening guests Panoramic views of the gardens Private veranda overlooking the fountain lake

LAKESIDE PAVILION The Lakeside Pavilion is our best-kept secret.

Tranquil, bright and breezy, it feels almost like a zen getaway, with nothing but the sound of the fountain on the lake or an occasional duck disturbing the peace. There’s a private veranda outside, so that you and your guests can make the most of the sun when it shines.

Like the Japanese-style theme? Then why not have your ceremony at the Japanese Tea House, surrounded by the lily pond and the Shinkyo (Spirit Bridge) in the Japanese gardens. It’s a great photoshoot spot.

OUR GARDENS

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Magnificent fountains, finely-combed lawns, imposing woodlands, ethereal meadows, bright blossoms – trust us, the backdrop to your wedding will look spectacular.

STAY THE NIGHT

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OUR ROOMS Make the romance of the day last well into the evening and step over the threshold into one of our signature bedrooms. We recommend starting married life as you mean to go on in one of our signature rooms. With a wooden four-poster bed, a separate lounge, views over the grounds and enough room to swing a wedding dress, it really is the lap of luxury.

And don’t worry, there’s enough lavishness to go round. Your guests can make their happy, hiccupy way from the wedding celebrations to our 77 bedrooms and then join you for breakfast the next day.

You can also stay the night before your nuptials. Some couples might relax and prep, others might let loose in the Karaoke Klub. And if you’ve got a special furry family member that wants to join the wedding? No problem! Our dog-friendly room will mean your pampered pooch has just as much of a good time as you.

“ It was the most perfect day, even more perfect than we could have dreamed of.

We are so happy!! ” - Mr and Mrs Gannon

RYAN & LAUREN THEIR STORY

Few people marry their childhood sweethearts, but that’s exactly what Ryan and Lauren did. Teenage dating turned into true romance, and after 10 years together, Ryan popped the question under New York’s big city lights. Here’s their Fanhams Hall story…

The happy couple: The location: The photographer: The outfit: The flowers: The styling:

Ryan and Lauren Killingback The Great Hall Victoria Mitchell Wed-to-be and bespoke tailor Tiger Lilly The Wedding Lounge

What did you love most about Fanhams Hall?

“The iconic British nature of the building, which was the perfect fit for the charming English wedding we had in mind.”

Tell us about the dress...

“The dress was an ivory A line with laced sleeves from Wed2be.“

Did you have a theme to bring your big day to life?

“There was no theme or particular style. We kept it elegant and classic, with lots of attention to detail which made it come to life.”

“The perfect fit for our quaint English wedding”

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What do you remember most about the day itself?

“Having our grandparents there was a very special moment for us both as they are both quite elderly. Outside of this, the beautiful setting on arrival and having our drinks reception out in the gardens during the sunset was spectacular.”

“On the day, it’s all about how special you want it to be”

Were there any surprises that made the big day more personal?

“Ryan bought me a Cartier watch which was such a wonderful surprise presented by my maid of honour on the morning of the wedding. And a special moment for us both was coming into the main dining room and seeing how beautifully the room was dressed.”

What are your top tips for wedding planning?

“Where do we start! Don’t leave anything to the last minute.

Never think that you are booking something too early. Always check out the reviews and if possible, go with a recommendation for suppliers. We were very lucky and the day was perfect without any mistakes, I think this was down to the quality of our suppliers.

Think about the smaller details early on in your planning instead of the big picture – make sure it’s what you want, not what your guests want. On the day, it’s all about how special you want it to be rather than what your guests think, keep this in mind throughout planning.

It helped us a lot to make the day perfect for us.”

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? Come and say hi

Time to start planning

The only way you’ll get a feel for the place, is if you come and see it yourself.

We can show you around and answer all your burning questions. Chat with our super friendly wedding team for as long as you need. We’re obsessed with weddings and would love to hear all your wonderful and wacky ideas.

Once you’ve booked your date, it’s all systems go. But don’t worry, we can guide you through the logistics. We can help you as much or as little as you like to make sure everything is perfect. Any time you want to pop in for a catch-up and a coffee, we’re here for you and can’t wait to be part of your day.

Save your special day

The tasty bit

If you think Fanhams Hall is ‘the one’, we can hold the date for your wedding so you have time to choose which rooms work best for you. Bring friends, family, your great aunt Mildred – whoever you want – and take another look around. You can even practise walking down the aisle in preparation for your pinch-me moment.

Yes, the food… the moment you’ve been waiting for. We’ll invite you to a menu tasting so you can try all our lip-smacking delights and start curating your perfect wedding feast.

Your together forever day Nerves… excitement… butterflies!

When the big day arrives, there will be a rainbow of emotions, but your event manager will be on hand to attend to every little detail. All you need to do is enjoy the moment.

GOOD TO KNOW Venue with a purpose

Where to find us

We are a B Corp and we’re super proud of it. It means we’re committed to finding ways we can do weddings better, to positively impact people and our planet.

We have the best of both worlds: rural beauty and great transport links. We link up to the M25, the A10 straight into central London and the M11. Located only 30 minutes from Stansted Airport, it’s a quick journey for any jet-set guests or for you to head on your honeymoon.

Born to boogie You can enjoy dancing the night away right up until midnight. After that, we’re afraid you turn into a pumpkin! Just joking… that would be weird. Instead, you and your party staying at the hotel can carry on the celebrations in the bar.

Fanhams Hall Fanhams Hall Road Ware Hertfordshire SG12 7PZ

Easy access

Once you have made a provisional booking for your marriage at Fanhams Hall, you will need to contact our local Registry Office.

Our facilities include a lift to any floor in the main house, one dedicated accessible bedroom, drop-off at the front of the hotel and disabled parking bays.

Recommended by us We have a lovely, friendly extended wedding family, made up of people who want to bring your dream to life. All our recommended suppliers are listed on our website, but you are welcome to bring in your own for decoration and special experiences.

Civil ceremonies

Hertford Registry Office County Hall Pegs Lane Hertford SG13 8DE 0300 123 4045

Have more questions?

01920 460 511 fanhamshallweddings@exclusive.co.uk

WITH THANKS TO...

Albert Palmer Photography Csaba Gyorfi Photography Chris Bradshaw Photography Expression Photography Ian Scott Photography Ioana Porav Photography James Fear Photography Jane Morgan Photography Kerri Anthony Photography Liam Gillan Photography Louie D Photography Matt Heath Photography Murley and Maples Photography Nikki’s Moments Photography Rafe Abrook Photography Victoria Mitchell Photography Zoe Cooper Photography