Silverlinings Midlands Wedding Guide - Autumn 2020

Autumn 2020 | silverlinings.co.uk

THE BIG BOOM IN

GUIDE

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EARR I B O O NG S W H E YOUR K AND AT N YOU TE W A P P O E DDI NG R N D I I N TM E N T ! NG

WEDDING RING OFFER

CONTACT US TODAY TO BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT STEFFANS JEWELLERS 2-6 ABINGTON SQUARE NORTHAMPTON NN1 4AA

01604 622090

DIAMONDS@STEFFANS.CO.UK

STEFFANS JEWELLERS 5 THE SQUARE MARKET HARBOROUGH LE16 7PA

01858 432633

MARKETHARBOROUGH@STEFFANS.CO.UK

WHEN YOU PURCHASE BOTH WEDDING RINGS FROM US YOU WILL RECEIVE:

£100 GIFT CARD TO SPEND IN-STORE COMPLIMENTARY ENGRAVING COMPLIMENTARY ENGAGEMENT RING CLEANING FREE BESPOKE DESIGN SERVICE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT THE DIAMOND LOUNGE ON 01604 622090 In order for a customer to receive the £100.00 gift card, to use against any item, the customer must buy both wedding rings from Steffans jewellers. If only one ring is purchased the customer is still entitled to the other parts of the offer providing they purchse a Brown & Newirth ring. If both customers buy Brown & Newirth rings, then both will receive the TLC booklet.

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Autumn 2020 | silverlinings.co.uk

Call Emma on 07732 285617 or email hello@silverlinings.co.uk www.silverlinings.co.uk

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Welcome

Wow, what a difference 3 months makes. Since our last magazine came out in January, we have all experienced the huge effect COVID-19 has had and will continue to have on our lives.

We have seen weddings postponed and cancelled, but also heard wonderful stories of couples making the most of their ‘would be wedding day’ with virtual weddings using Zoom to have a blessing involving their friends and family, to couples getting dressed up and reading their vows to each other with their children or fur-babies as witnesses. Whatever you’ve decided to do, it’s a day that should be marked with joy, not sorrow.

in this issue...

REGULARS 6 Information on wedding fairs

20 Questions to ask your wedding venue

8 What you need to do & when

21 Northamptonshire approved wedding venues

18 Ask the experts

44 Mood boards

FEATURES

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For those newly engaged, you may find that your wedding planning takes on a different feel to how you imagined. More couples are moving away from the traditional wedding day to a day that reflects your personalities in a bigger way.

Smaller guest numbers allow for budgets to be spent in different ways and on the elements which really matter to you.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for in our magazine, head over to www.silverlinings.co.uk and check out our Wedding Directory for a comprehensive list of local wedding professionals. You’ll also find wonderfully inspiring blogs and practical planning downloads.

Planning your wedding is a huge task but using all of the resources available - magazines, websites, blogs, wedding fairs - will make the process easier and fun!

Cover photo credits: Venue: Waterside Campus, Northampton University northampton.ac.uk Photography: Sarah Vivienne Photography sarahvivienne.co.uk Bridal: Stunning Bridal stunningbridal.co.uk Hair: John Newman Hairdressing johnnewmanhairdressing.co.uk Makeup: Liza Smith Makeup lizasmithmakeup.co.uk Suit: Suitors Menswear suitors.co.uk Jewellery: Steffans steffans.co.uk Bouquet: Moonflower Florist moonflowerflorist.co.uk Models: Jade Lyon & Raj Khepar (our real life couple)

THE BIG BOOM IN SMALL WEDDINGS

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CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS FOR ALL

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PLANNING A FESTIVAL WEDDING

36 72

A GROOM’S DAY

CONTACT US Editor Emma Tuckley hello@silverlinings.co.uk Art Director Chris Bunt - Desine adcopy@silverlinings.co.uk

CAN YOU STILL GET MARRIED ABROAD?

KEEP IN TOUCH... silverliningsweddingfairs silverlinings_wedding_guide wedding_fairs The views of the contributors in the Silverlinings Wedding Guide are not necessarily those shared by the publisher. The contributor acknowledges that material submitted may be published in any publication, website, or social media produced or managed by High Times Weddings Ltd. The contributor agrees not to submit material where they do not own the copyright or where they have not obtained all necessary permissions from the rightful owners.

The contributor confirms all necessary model releases have been obtained from persons appearing in any image.

REAL WEDDINGS 48 Cheryl & Lucy Barton Hall

66 Tracey & Darrin Highgate House

54 Carley & Chris Weston Favell / Great Houghton silverlinings.co.uk

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Are you looking for a day to remember? Are you looking for something special to make your hen day amazing?

Would you like an......

Spend a couple of hours as part of your hen day, painting one of these designs, or one of your own. You will have a beautiful keepsake.

You don't need to be artistic as I will guide you through each step.

Grab a drink, be prepared to release your inner Van Gogh, and go home with your very own masterpiece.

All the materials and equipment are provided.

You choose your venue. Parties can take place in pubs, clubs or private venue, including your own home!

From ÂŁ25 per person, 10% o! a party of 12.

"Well my Ăžrst go at acrylic painting I really enjoyed it!"

"My friends didn't think I did it!"

You don't just need to be a hen to enjoy an arty party!

To book contact Fiona on: 07824 602787 Facebook: @craftycreationsltd Email: Fiona.demarcopayne@craftycreationsltd.co.uk

FAIRS 2020/21

WINTER WEDDING FAIR HANGAR ONE SUNDAY 22ND NOVEMBER Sywell Aerodrome, Northampton, NN6 0BN

KETTERING PARK HOTEL WEDDING FAIR SUNDAY 7TH FEBRUARY Kettering Parkway, Kettering, NN15 6XT

NORTHAMPTON MARRIOTT WEDDING FAIR SUNDAY 10TH JANUARY Eagle Drive, Northampton, NN4 7HW

THE BIG NORTHAMPTON WEDDING SHOW SUNDAY 21ST FEBRUARY Waterside Campus, Northampton University, Northampton, NN1 5PH

TOWCESTER RACECOURSE WEDDING FAIR SUNDAY 17TH JANUARY London Rd, Towcester, NN12 6LB

HIGHGATE HOUSE COUNTRY WEDDING FAIR SUNDAY 7TH MARCH Grooms Lane, Creaton, Northampton, NN6 8NN

All fairs are open from 11am - 3pm (unless stated otherwise) Free Admission (unless stated otherwise)

Due to the on-going restrictions until the end of September on public events, including wedding fairs, we will keep you as informed as we can on our website. For the latest updates on your local Wedding Fairs, go to our website silverlinings.co.uk/wedding-fairs/

Want to Exhibit?

Contact us at hello@silverlinings.co.uk or 07732 285617

Awards

SILVERLININGS IS THE PROUD MEDIA PARTNER OF

The Four Counties Wedding Awards is now open for 2020. In its 6th year the awards reward and recognise the hard working wedding industry professionals that make couples wedding dreams come true.

Covering Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and now Northants with 26 categories.

The Wedding Industry Xmas & Gala Party, held in November, is the biggest Wedding Industry networking event in the 5 counties.

250 wedding professionals attend from entrants to those who choose to party with industry friends and family. The winners, highly commended and ones to watch receive their trophies and certificates whilst enjoying some great food and entertainment.

The Awards were founded by Tracy Butterfield, Director for the National Association of Wedding Professionals UK and Wedding Industry Expert. A champion of the hard working members of the industry, she reveals her motivation for the event; “After years of working in the industry alongside some amazing individuals, I decided it was time that people were recognised and rewarded where they matter most; in their own county.�

WATCH THIS SPAC FOR 2020E WINNERS

CREDITS: Photographer - Nicola Casey Photography Venue - Woodland Manor Hotel, Clapham, Beds 8

With an impressive panel of award winning judges and the support of sponsors Chimney Formal Menswear, Affinity Weddings, Concept Event Solutions, Woodland Manor Hotel and of course, Silverlinings.

The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Awards Tracy also states her pride in the people and organisations involved; “I am proud to say past winners have announced huge increases in their business, some moving to larger premises and one even retweeted by Hollywood actor, Robert Downey Junior!

The 4CWA has become a real community with new business collaborations and opportunities and in such a swamped yet important industry, who doesn’t want that?!”

The Four Counties Wedding Awards also raise awareness and funds for the charity The Wedding Wishing Well Foundation, who organise weddings for life-limiting or terminally ill couples.

“ I am delighted to have raised over £3000.00, and so many of the suppliers have now become supporters of the charity.

Networking that makes a real difference”

YOU CAN ENTER THE AWARDS YOURSELF OR BE NOMINATED. WRITE A SUBMISSION AND SEND VIA THE ONLINE FORM ON THE WEBSITE 4COUNTIESWEDDINGAWARDS.CO.UK. Pay the £40 entry fee and you are Part Of It! You will receive an email by return with an e-badge to use in your social media, website and email signature. The judges look at your website, social media, your product or service, submission and testimonials. Couples who have used your services can send a testimonial on our website.

The 4CWA is not judged on testimonials alone, it’s about the quality not the quantity!

FOR MORE DETAILS AND TO KEEP UP TO DATE 4Counties WeddingAwards 4CWAwards

THE IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER: 2nd October Entries close 7th October Testimonials close 28th October Shortlisted announced 25th November Gala Presentation Evening * Dependant on Covid-19 legislation & guidelines

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Planning

WHAT TO DO & WHEN 12 MONTHS BEFORE...

10 MONTHS BEFORE...

Choose a wedding date

Order your wedding dress

Decide on a budget

Choose bridesmaids’ dresses

Open a planning book

Choose the music, hymns and readings for the ceremony

Make a list of guests and decide on numbers

Order wedding stationery

Book your church or registrar

Book entertainment

Book your reception venue/caterers

Choose and order your wedding cake

Send out “Save The Date” cards

Make an appointment with your chosen florist

Choose your Bridesmaids, Ushers and Best Man Start looking for The Dress!

Select a Toastmaster Decide on how you’re getting to the venues

Choose and book your photographer Choose and book your videographer Take out insurance cover

6 MONTHS BEFORE...

Start thinking about the honeymoon Book an engagement shoot Give Notice of Marriage

NOTES...

Purchase or hire menswear Order venue decoration/chair covers Select your wedding rings Book a make-up artist/hairdresser and arrange a trial Choose a Gift List Think about timings of the day Book transport Buy shoes, lingerie and accessories Attend initial fitting for your wedding dress.

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Planning

4 MONTHS BEFORE...

Send out your wedding invitations Check your passport expiry date Check if you will need visas or vaccinations for your honeymoon destination Choose attendants’ gifts Order favours

2 WEEKS BEFORE...

Start thinking about a seating plan Book your wedding night accommodation Make arrangements for Hen and Stag parties

Make a note of wedding gifts as they arrive

Arrange fittings for the menswear

Confirm the date and time of the rehearsal with the relevant people

Organise rehearsal with the relevant people

Arrange to change your name if appropriate

Choose your menu

Speak to all your suppliers to confirm details

Have a final meeting with your venue

Book dry cleaning for your dress

1 MONTH BEFORE...

Arrange a final fitting of your wedding dress Telephone guests who have not responded to your invitation Buy a wedding gift for each other Arrange for a final fitting for your bridesmaids, ushers and best man and arrange when to collect the outfits Confirm timings with the venue and all relevant suppliers Have a final meeting with your venue Create a list of important photos for the photographer

1 WEEK BEFORE...

Arrange to collect your wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses and the menswear Arrange for your order of service to be given to the minister Pack for your honeymoon or overnight bag Have all your beauty treatments Book the groom a hair cut Organise an emergency kit for on the day Drink plenty of water and have some early nights

...and relax and enjoy this time all your hard work is about to come to fruition! silverlinings.co.uk

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Long Furlong Farm Wedding Venue is perfectly placed in the heart of beautiful Northamptonshire countryside just outside of Daventry - 3-day exclusive hire of our blank canvas wedding barn - flexibility with supplier choices - bespoke packages using handpicked suppliers - licensed for ceremonies to take place outdoors overlooking the lake or within our spacious barn You will get the time and space to be able to create your day – your way

01327 223554 info@longfurlongfarmvenue.co.uk

longfurlongfarmvenue.co.uk

A STUNNING WEDDING VENUE FOR YOUR SPECIAL DAY

Set deep in the Northamptonshire countryside, overlooking stunning Nene Valley views, New Lodge Lawns is an intimate hilltop garden, providing an idyllic location for a picturesque marquee or tipi wedding. The venue is made up of beautifully manicured lawns, elegant water features, delicate streams with secluded areas including the charming pergola, forest, rockery, apple orchard, wishing well and thatched summer hut. Our boutique vineyard sits next door, with rows of rustic vines and outdoor entertaining areas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.NEWLODGELAWNS.CO.UK OR CALL US ON 07554 009 362 NEW LODGE LAWNS, NORTHAMPTON ROAD, EARLS BARTON, NORTHAMPTON NN6 0HF

Legal

PARTNERSHIP FOR ALL! On 31st December 2019 history was made and the final part in the jigsaw that has been Marriage and Civil Partnership law slipped into place as the first heterosexual couples contracted their Civil Partnership.

The reaction to the news that Civil Partnership is available to every couple who want to legalise their union irrespective of their gender has ranged from disinterest to joy. Some have thought it will be unpopular, some that it is unromantic and some others just can’t understand why it is necessary.

The institution of Marriage has been available to heterosexual couples in one form or another throughout history and throughout the world, and in its present form in this country with a division between civil and religious Marriage since 1837.

The landmark piece of legislation which allowed same sex couples the same protections and rights as married couples came into being on 5th December 2005, after a hard fought battle.

On March 13th 2013 the Same Sex Marriages Act came into being, allowing same sex couples to contract their legal union as a Marriage, and if they were already in a Civil Partnership they could convert that to a Marriage.

These laws have been very welcome but there was still a minority of heterosexual couples who

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

felt that they wanted a legal union based on equality. There is a myth that “Common Law Marriage” is as good as being married – it is not and can leave partners in a legal limbo usually at a very vulnerable time. Many couples felt unable to commit to a Marriage with its historical referencing of, amongst other traditions, the patriarchal ownership of the bride being given from the father to the husband. These couples felt excluded by the laws relating to Marriage and Civil Partnership as they stood and so they started to lobby for Civil Partnership for heterosexual couples.

Again it was a hard fought battle which was eventually won and the law was passed and the first couples contracted their partnership on 31st December 2019. Many of the couples who have been campaigning for years for this opportunity have gone to the Register Office to do the paperwork. A Civil Partnership is contracted in many similar ways to a Marriage, a notice of Civil Partnership has to be given by the couple at their local Register Office, and they then have to wait for 28 days before they can attend the Register Office or Approved Venue to sign the Civil Partnership Schedule along with two witnesses and a Civil Partnership Registrar.

There does not have to be a ceremony, and the Partnership is legal when all parties have signed the schedule – no words need to be spoken.

Legal

– and it is a wonderful thing that everyone can now contract a legal union in whatever form feels appropriate to them. In these present and uncertain times, to have the protection of a legally recognised union can only be a good thing offering the shelter of certainty in a worrying time.

As Independent Celebrants we have already been contacted by a couple who want to celebrate their Civil Partnership with a ceremony. A ceremony which will be based on equality, romance, family and fun, for them it is a modern, progressive and liberating choice.

The ceremony will be meaningful and joyful and we can begin creating new traditions!

By Nicola Le Couteur Bisson The Guild of Cornish Celebrants cornishcelebrants.co.uk

silverlinings.co.uk

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Call today to arrange a visit to our showroom

John & Amanda Sarrington invite you to visit them in Thrapston in order to view their fantastic 9 car fleet of Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Daimler & Mercedes Benz wedding cars which could whisk you off on your way of dreams. An appointment is necessary to allow them to give you their best attention.

Free colour brochure available on request. Covering Northamptonshire, Stamford, Peterborough, Huntingdon & Surrounding towns & villages.

For further information or to arrange a viewing kindly call John or Amanda Sarrington on 01832 735162 or 0778 777 0971

FAIRS Due to the on-going restrictions until the end of September on public events, including wedding fairs, we will keep you as informed as we can on our website.

For the latest updates on your local Wedding Fairs, go to our website silverlinings.co.uk/wedding-fairs Are you a wedding venue hosting your own open days & fairs?

Let us know & we can list your dates in the online Wedding Fair Diary - emma@silverlinings.co.uk

Contour collection

We supply shaped wedding rings for a perfect fit

Our boutique specialises in bridal jewellery & accessories.

We also have a wide range of wedding rings to suit your personal style.

Crystelle Belle 117 High Street, Rushden N10 0NZ

crystellebelleweddings.com

Visit us to see how we can help you

Handmade & lovingly crafted bespoke cakes, catering, cookies & chocolate creations for all.

De Gustibus Cakes DEGUSTIBUSCAKES.SQUARE.SITE

07909

698569

LISAMWEST@HOTMAIL.CO.UK

Ask the

TOP TIPS FROM WEDDING INDUSTRY BUSINESSES

CATERING: JAMES FROM BURNT LEMON CHEFS Your first meal as a married couple is one of the highlights of your wedding day so it’s important to get it spot on. Too many couples play it safe and stick to what they think wedding food should traditionally be, but these days your options are endless. It’s your day, your way - have whatever it is you think will make your meal that little bit extra special. You could go for an amazing smokey BBQ with huge chunks of wood-fired steak, incredible sharing platters that will look awesome on Instagram or food that you simply love to eat like a good curry or fish and chips. Whatever you want, we can create a menu that works for you and will leave your guests hungry for more.

BRIDESMAIDS: AMY FROM PRETTY INFINITY It can be stressful trying to find a dress to cater for the different body shapes and sizes and still make sure everyone is happy with your choice. Make a girly day of shopping and looking around to see what styles are about (also a great excuse to have a glass of champagne).

Mix and match dresses are a popular option for brides. From having a variety of colours to compliment each bridesmaid skin tone as well as incorporating colours from your theme or you can have all bridesmaids in the same colour but give them a choice of styles that fit with your vision as well as makes sure the bridesmaids are comfortable. This is an unforgettable experience for you and your bridesmaids so don’t stress, take your time and remember it’s your big day.

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Ask the expert

VENUE DECOR: RICHARD & AMY FROM SOMETHING BORROWED EVENT HIRE When working with our couples to style their wedding venue, we always start by looking at the key features of the venue and advise how best to use these characteristics to your advantage and to style your wedding in keeping with the venue, as much as possible.

Within the design process, it’s important to choose colours that work well together, but don’t be scared to use various shades and tones of these colours in your colour pallet.

This will create depth within the design and make it much more appealing to the eye.

FLOWERS: SARAH FROM ERRISMORE FLOWERS Choose your venue first, as this will influence the style and flowers to choose. Select arrangements that look like they are in harmony with the décor.

If a flower is not in season at the time of the wedding, consider something similar or go artificial. There are some fabulous high-end artificial flowers that can be included in a fresh flower bouquet to give the desired effect. Re-use your flowers elsewhere. Your bouquet can be placed on your top table, the bridesmaid’s flowers can sit in vases at your reception, pedestal displays can be moved after your ceremony.

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TOP 10 TO ASK A WEDDING VENUE TO ENSURE THERE ARE NO ‘SURPRISES’ FURTHER INTO YOUR WEDDING PLANNING! 1. How long will you provisionally hold a date for?

2. If the venue isn’t Exclusive Use, who else could be there on my wedding day?

3. Is there a sound limiter for the DJ, or restrictions on a band?

4. Are there any restrictions on decor?

5. Is VAT included in the prices quoted?

6. How much is the deposit to secure our date?

7. Will there be someone from the venue present on our day?

8. What is your cancellation policy?

9. What time does our evening reception need to finish?

10. What are the bar prices?

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Northamptonshire venues

VENUES A

C

ALTHORP HOUSE 01604 770107 | spencerofalthorp.com

THE COCK HOTEL 01908 567733 greenekinginns.co.uk/hotels/cock-hotel

ABINGTON PARK MUSEUM 01604 838110 | northampton.gov.uk

AVIATOR HOTEL 01604 642111 | aviatorhotel.co.uk AYNHOE PARK 01869 8106361 | AYNHOEPARK.CO.UK

B

CASTLE FARM GUEST HOUSE 01832 226200 | castlefarm-guesthouse.co.uk

COLD ASHBY GOLF CLUB 01604 740548 | coldashbygolfclub.com COLLINGTREE PARK GOLF CLUB 01604 700000 | collingtreeparkgolf.com THE ACACIA ROOMS AT CORBY MASONIC COMPLEX 01536 201535 | corbyweddingsandfunctions.co.uk

BARTON HALL HOTEL 01536 515505 | bartonhall.com

CORN MARKET HALL 01536 534279 | legacyleisureevents.co.uk

BEST WESTERN ROCKINGHAM FOREST HOTEL 0844 387 6278 | rockinghamforest.com

COURTEENHALL ESTATE 01604 864290 | courteenhall.co.uk

BLUEBELL WOODS ESTATE 01604 494547 | bluebellwoodsestate.co.uk

CRANFORD HALL 01536 330608 | cranfordhall.co.uk

BOAT INN 01604 862428 | boatinn.co.uk

CROCKWELL FARM 01327 361358 | crockwellfarm.co.uk

BOUGHTON HOUSE 01536 515731 | boughtonhouse.co.uk

CROWN HOTEL 01280 702210 | thecrownhotelbrackley.co.uk

BRACKLEY TOWN HALL 01280 702441 | brackleynorthants-tc.gov.uk BRAMPTON GRANGE 01604 844717 | bramptongrange.co.uk BRAMPTON HEATH GOLF CENTRE 01604 843939 | bramptonheathgolfcentre.co.uk BRIDGE HOTEL 01832 732128 | bridgehotelthrapston.com

DID WE MISS YOUR VENUE?

Email us to be added hello@silverlinings.co.uk silverlinings.co.uk

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Northamptonshire venues

D

H

DEENE PARK 01780 450278 | deenepark.com

HARROWDEN HALL 01933 677234 | harrowdenhall.com

DELAPRE ABBEY 01604 760817 | delapreabbey.org

HELLIDON LAKES GOLF & SPA HOTEL 01327 262550 | hellidonlakeshotel.co.uk

DELAPRE GOLF CENTRE 01604 764036 | delapregolfcentre.co.uk

HIGHGATE HOUSE 01604 505505 | sundialweddings.com/ highgatehouse

78 DERNGATE 01604 230166 | 78derngate.org.uk

DE VERE STAVERTON PARK 01327 302000 | devere.co.uk/staverton-estate DODFORD MANOR 01327 349761 | dodfordmanor-venue.co.uk DODMOOR HOUSE 0845 241 3511 | dodmoorhouse.co.uk DOVECOTE FARM 01536 742227 | dovecotefarm.co.uk

F

FALCON INN 01832 226254 | thefalcon-inn.co.uk FAWSLEY HALL HOTEL & SPA 01327 892000 | handpickedhotels.co.uk/fawsleyhall FRANKLIN’S GARDENS 01604 751543 | franklinsgardens.co.uk FURTHO MANOR FARM 01908 542139 | furthomanorfarm.co.uk

G

GRENDON LAKES 01933 665303 | grendonlakes.co.uk GROSVENOR HOTEL RUGBY 01788 535686 | grosvenorhotelrugby.co.uk

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

HARLESTONE PARK 01604 845155 | harlestonepark.co.uk

HILTON NORTHAMPTON 01604 700666 | hilton.com HIND HOTEL 01933 222827 | thehind.co.uk HINWICK HOUSE 01244 571208 | hinwickhouse.com HOLDENBY HOUSE 01604 770074 | tholdenby.com HOLIDAY INN KETTERING/CORBY 01536 401020 | thicorby.com HOLIDAY INN NORTHAMPTON 01604 622777 | tholidayinn.com/northamptonuk HOLIDAY INN RUGBY 01788 824800 | thirugbyhotel.co.uk HOME FARM 07769 589459 | thomefarmevents.co.uk HOPPING HARE 01604 580090 | thoppinghare.com HOTHORPE HALL 01858 881500 | thothorpe.co.uk HUNSBURY HILL CENTRE 01604 702444 | thunsburyhillcentre.co.uk

Northamptonshire venues

K

KELMARSH HALL 01604 686543 | kelmarsh.com

NORTHAMPTON GUILDHALL 01604 838400 | northampton.gov.uk

KETTERING CONFERENCE CENTRE 01536 414414 | ketteringconference.co.uk

NORTHAMPTON MARRIOT HOTEL 01604 667604 | northamptonmarriott.co.uk

KETTERING PARK HOTEL 01536 416666 | ketteringparkhotel.co.uk KINGFISHER COUNTRY CLUB 01908 562332 | kingfishercountryclub.co.uk KNUSTON LODGE FARM 07766 003361 | knustonlodgefarm.com

L

LA ROCCA RESTAURANT 01933 278764 | laroccarestaurant.co.uk LAMPORT HALL 01604 686272 | lamporthall.co.uk LANGHAM HOTEL 01604 639917 | langham-hotel.co.uk

M

MEADOW SPIRES FARM 01295 768989 | meadowspiresfarm.com MERCURE DAVENTRY COURT HOTEL & SPA 01327 307000 | mercure.com

N

NARROW BOAT INN 01327 340536 | narrowboatatweedon.co.uk NORTHAMPTON COUNTY CRICKET CLUB 01604 514490 | nccc.co.uk

O

OVERSTONE PARK HOTEL 01604 647666 | overstonepark.com

P

PALM BEACH 07814 859423 | clubpalmbeach.co.uk PARK INN BY RADISSON NORTHAMPTON 01604 739988 | rezidorparkinn.com PLOUGH HOTEL 01604 230554 | the-plough-hotel.co.uk PLUM PARK 01327 811515 | plumpark.co.uk

Q

QUEEN’S HEAD INN 01780 784006 | queensheadnassington.co.uk QUINTON HOUSE 01604 752050 | quintonhouse.co.uk

R

RAVEN HOTEL 01536 202313 | theravenhotel.com RED LION HOTEL 01604 770223 | redlionthornby.co.uk

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Northamptonshire venues

R

ROCKINGHAM CASTLE 01536 770240 | rockinghamcastle.com ROYAL & DERNGATE 01604 624811 | royalandderngate.co.uk RUBY LOUNGE AT DIANA’S 01933 277344 | rubys.co.uk RUSHDEN HALL 01933 316216 | rushdentowncouncil.gov.uk

THE CHEQUERED SKIPPER 01832 273494 | chequeredskipper.co.uk THE CHURCH RESTAURANT 01604 603800 | thechurchrestaurant.com THE DECO 01604 622749 | stage-right.co.uk

RUSHTON HALL HOTEL & SPA 01536 713001 | rushtonhall.com

THE GRANARY AT FAWSLEY 01327 361730 | granary-weddings.com

S

THE SNOOTY FOX 01832 733434 | thesnootyfoxlowick.com

SARACENS HEAD 01604 770640 | thesaracensatbrington.co.uk SARACENS HEAD HOTEL 01327 350414 | oldenglishinns.co.uk SAXON HALL 01933 622087 | raunds-tc.gov.uk SEDGEBROOK HALL 01604 821666 | sedgebrookhall.co.uk SILVERSTONE CIRCUIT 0844 3750 740 | silverstone.co.uk SKYLARK FARM 01327 300471 | skylarkfarm.co.uk STOKE PARK PAVILIONS 01604 862329 | sweet-events.co.uk

THE RITZ BANQUETING & CONFERENCE SUITES 01536 763510 | ketteringritzcomplex.co.uk

THE STANWICK HOTEL 01933 622233 | thestanwickhotel.co.uk THE WORLDS END 01604 414521 | theworldsend.org TRAVEL PLAZA HOTEL 01536 764789 | travelplaza.co.uk

W

WALNUT TREE INN 01604 859551 | walnut-tree.co.uk WARWICK HOUSE 01926 815738 | warwickhouse.co.uk

SYWELL GRANGE 07732 285617 | sywellgrange.co.uk

WESTONE MANOR HOTEL 01604 739 955 | westonemanor.com

T

WICKSTEED PARK 01536 512475 | wicksteedpark.org

TALBOT HOTEL 01832 273621 | thetalbot-oundle.com

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THE BARN RESTAURANT 01327 349911 | thebarnrestaurant.net

The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

WHITTLEBURY PARK 01327 850040 | whittleburyweddings.co.uk

WINCHESTER HOUSE SCHOOL 01280 702483 | winchester-house.org

Planning

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Planning

THE BIG BOOM IN

PHOTO SHOOT CREDITS: VENUE: Waterside Campus, Northampton University northampton.ac.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: Sarah Vivienne Photography sarahvivienne.co.uk BRIDAL WEAR: Stunning Bridal stunningbridal.co.uk HAIR: John Newman Hairdressing johnnewmanhairdressing.co.uk MAKEUP: Liza Smith Makeup Lizasmithmakeup.co.uk SUIT: Suitors Menswear suitors.co.uk JEWELLERY: Steffans steffans.co.uk VENUE DECOR & FURNITURE: Something Borrowed Event Hire somethingborrowedeventhire.co.uk CATERING: Portfolio Events portfolioevents.com TABLE & BRIDE FLOWERS: Moonflower Florist moonflowerflorist.co.uk CAKES: Amelia Rose Cake Studio ameliarosecakestudio.co.uk STATIONERY: Urzanmyne urzanmyne.co.uk GLASSWARE & CROCKERY: Chipping Norton Event Hire chipping-norton-event-hire.co.uk LINEN: Northfields linenforhire.co.uk MODELS: Jade Lyon & Raj Khepar (our real life couple)

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Planning

of a small wedding?

T HE MIS-CONCEPT ION IS T HAT A SMALL WEDDING IS A MICRO OR ELOPEMENT WEDDING BUT T HE DEF INIT ION IS ANY CEREMONY AND/OR RECEPT ION WIT H LESS T HAN 50 GUESTS; BASICALLY, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR C LOSEST BUBBLES OF F RIENDS. Micro weddings are similar to a small wedding but will have less than 20 guests. Small and micro weddings tend to fall into the same bracket as both will have many elements of a larger wedding. Elopements, on the other hand, tend to have a secretive air about them, without many of the traditions or extensive planning. Of course, these are sweeping statements and not true for all elopement, micro and small weddings!

Small weddings are at the forefront of many couples’ minds given the current requirements to social distance at any event. The fewer the numbers, the easier it is for your venue to adequately accommodate social distancing.

But off the back of this, many couples are now favouring the idea of a more simple approach to their wedding.

FOR BUDG CONSCIOUET COUPLES S Small wedding s give them a reason to cu t back on num bers and not have the pressures from family to invi te relatives th ey haven’t seen or had contact with for years.

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Planning

FOR LESS BUDGET CONSCIOUS COUPLES, PAYING FOR LESS PEOPLE TO AT T END MEANS YOU CAN SPLASH OUT ON F INE DINING AND OPULENT VENUES, PLUS OPENS UP NON-T RADIT IONAL VENUES LIKE PUBS AND RESTAURANTS T HAT WOULD ORDINARILY BE TOO SMALL FOR LARGER WEDDINGS. And while not worrying about guest numbers pushing up the budget, small weddings can truly allow a couple’s individual personalities shine through in all the details.

Couples spend a huge amount of time and money planning their wedding to the minutest detail but miss so much of the day, being pulled from one guest to another, from one photo to another. Being the ‘belle of the ball’ is usually a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many brides, but for many more it isn’t a comfortable thought. Small and micro weddings allow couples to celebrate their marriage without having the pressures of being in the spotlight.

Disadvantages - ok, there are always going to be disadvantages to everything! The biggest one for small and micro weddings is the family (usually) and friends who didn’t get an invite. So first and foremost, be sure this is the right decision for you. Social media can be a funny thing so be mindful when posting photos; help those offended by showing how private it was. Choosing a small venue can also help friends to realise it was impossible to invite all. But remember, it is your wedding and you cannot please everyone - just ensuring it’s what you want is the most important thing.

HERE ARE OUR TOP 10 WEDDING VENUES FOR SMALL AND INDIVIDUAL WEDDINGS: 1. Highgate House 2. Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa 3. The Studio at Cranford Hall 4. The Staging Post at Kilworth House Hotel 5. Dodmoor House 6. The Ark 7. The Walnut Tree Inn

Northamptonshire is blessed with an abundance of wedding venues ideally suited to small and intimate weddings, many of which offer perfectly put together packages to make your wedding planning easy and fun.

8. Sulgrave Manor 9. Prebendal Manor 10. Lamport Hall silverlinings.co.uk

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Planning

micro weddings T HE AVERAGE GUEST NUMBERS ARE NOW AT 80 100 SO T HE IDEA OF A MICRO WEDDING DOES F EEL INCREDIBLY SMALL. IF YOU’ VE NEVER EXPERIENCED A MICRO WEDDING T HEN IT CAN BE HARD TO GET YOUR HEAD AROUND HOW MUCH F UN AND PERSONAL T HEY ARE.

Micro weddings can be a day, a weekend, or even a week of celebrations. If you’re not catering for hoards of guests, the budget can be used to spend quality time with your nearest and dearest, giving you all an experience like no other.

Micro weddings don’t have any hard or fast rules about them - in fact they are largely about throwing the rule book out! Traditions we are all used to seeing at weddings don’t necessarily happen, with couples choosing to spend their budget on the elements that matter most to them.

This could be renting a luxurious manor house with plenty of accommodation for all, or bringing in a top class chef to lay on an extravagant wedding breakfast.

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Planning

YOU’ LL ONLY HAVE A HANDF UL OF INVIT ES TO SEND, SO SPLASH OUT ON OPULENT OR QUIRKY STAT IONERY.

How’s this for a plan - you and your guests arrive at your venue on Friday and enjoy a lavish BBQ but remembering you need an early night! Wake up together the following morning to a hearty breakfast with your family and friends, all sitting around the table talking about the exciting day ahead. Make your vows in front of those people who matter to you most, then enjoy a champagne fuelled afternoon playing games, taking a walk through our beautiful countryside, or just relax with your family with no pressure to be anywhere or do anything.

Finish the day with a sumptuous dining experience with your own personal chef and waiting staff, catered for you at your venue. The following day is all about chilling - exploring the land around you, lazing in the garden - before returning home and to normality after a glorious weekend celebrating.

IF YOU’ RE MAKING A WEEKEND OF IT, MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A PHOTOGRAPHER AND VIDEOGRAPHER ON HAND TO DOCUMENT T HE WHOLE WEEKEND SO YOU DON’ T MISS CAPT URING ALL T HE MEMORABLE MOMENTS.

Think hand painted, vellum, ribbon, wax seals and calligraphy. Add personalised designer biscuits to the package. Or go for quirky invites on tea towels or make a jigsaw puzzle. If your micro wedding is a little more secret then have an invite that can only be viewed with 3D glasses.

With just a handful of guests you can push the boat out and give the whole wedding party an experience: - Bring in a sommelier for wine pairing along with your a la carte menu -H ave a treasure hunt with proper treasure to find -U se a silhouette artist to capture your guest’s profiles -F or the film buffs, create an outdoor experience with oversized bean bags and cushions, popcorn and slush puppies - complete with an usherette to top up the treats!

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Planning

small weddings WIT H C LOSER TO 50 GUESTS, A SMALL WEDDING IS A ‘ HAPPY COMPROMISE’ BET WEEN A MICRO WEDDING AND A LARGER WEDDING.

Couples opting for a small wedding will usually want to keep many of the traditions of a larger wedding, with their own personal twist. But with more guests than a micro wedding there is some requirement to keep to an order of the day so guests know what they need to do and when.

So how can you make your small wedding different?

Being able to pick different venues means you can really think outside the box when it comes to choosing a venue with a smaller capacity. What about a boat? Or a famous harbour side? High up in a treehouse? A Napoleonic fort?

Or even subterranean lake? With a small number of guests there really is no limit to the type of wedding venue open to you. Be mindful that some venues will swallow up a small wedding, so consider how your decor could make the venue feel more intimate by lowering ceilings using drapes and lighting or adding soft furnishings to create ‘quiet areas’ which also soak up echos. Some venues may not be able to accommodate exclusive use, so you could have the general public as bystanders to your wedding celebration.

When it comes to your ceremony, who said everyone has to be seated? A legal ceremony or a celebrant-led blessing can be as short as 10 minutes, so even the laziest among us can stand up for that amount of time! Or have everyone seated but place the chairs around you, forming a circle of love. A celebrant-led blessing also opens up many more venues for you to declare your love for each other, which is the reason you are all together.

REMEMB ER

The legal p art can be d one anytime bef ore or after a ceremony. I would alwa ys recommend doing it bef orehand so when yo u have your blessing you know y ou are also joined togeth legally er.

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Planning

e to However you decid cro mi or all make your sm al gic ma ely iqu un wedding a is about int po y ke e th e, experienc spend time keeping it small to to spend es, on with your loved rtant to po im is at money on wh d to wedding you, and not be tie suit traditions that don’t . ies lit na your perso

IT’ S EASIER TO CAT ER FOR F EWER GUESTS TOO. GIVE YOUR GUESTS MORE F REEDOM TO EAT WHEN T HEY CHOOSE BY USING FOOD T RUC KS, ALLOWING GUESTS TO GRAB SOME ART ISAN PIZ ZA OR SEAFOOD PAELLA T HROUGHOUT T HE AFT ERNOON AND INTO T HE EVENING. Do you need a bar when you can load up barrels and crates with ice and beers?

Don’t forget to have someone around to replenish and clear away as you go nothing worse than having to come back the following day to clear up!

The guest list for a small wedding is more likely to be family and friends who you know well, so adapt your wedding to what you all love doing.

If you’re not into dancing, consider finishing the wedding after your wedding breakfast, allowing you to make the most of a luxurious hotel for the evening. If you love music, splurge on different types of music and bands throughout the day - a mini music festival! If drinking is your thing, have a mixologist to be on hand to create bespoke cocktails, or have a selection of single malt whiskeys for the connoisseurs.

Little touches that become too costly or time consuming with lots of guests become more doable with small numbers. Use photos of your guests to create your seating plan and their place card. Individual menu cards for each place, personalised to their menu choice. Make your own scent and have this infused into candles for the tables and a favour. Offer around Cuban cigars later in the evening to enjoy with a vintage port.

Give your guests a hangover kit, perfect for the following morning!

And if your venue allows for it, get everyone back the following day for the ultimate hangover cure - a big English breakfast fry-up. It’s also a good opportunity to eat up more of the cake leftover from the day before!

BY EMMA T UC KLEY WEDDING PLANNER & EDITOR silverlinings.co.uk

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Event Hire Venue Styling Marquee Hire Event Management www.sbeh.co.uk info@sbeh.co.uk

The groom

THE SHOOT WAS DESIGNED AND REALISED BY A FANTASTIC TEAM OF SUPPLIERS: CONCEPT AND STYLING: Something Borrowed Event Hire somethingborrowedeventhire.co.uk CONCEPT, CAKE AND BISCUIT FAVOURS: Cherry Tree Cakerie cherrytreecakerie.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: Lucy Noble Photography lucynoble.com VENUE & BENTLEY: Merriscourt Barns merriscourt.com FLOWERS: Wild Rose Florist wildroseflorist.co.uk STATIONERY: Papermill Calligraphy via Facebook CHAIRS: Event Solutions South eventsolutionssouth.net TABLE LINEN: Northfields Linen linenforhire.co.uk MODEL: James Ashton MENSWEAR: model’s own

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The groom

S TYL ED PH OTO SH OOT A T M ERRISCOURT BARNS

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The groom

YOU WON’T FAIL TO NOTICE THAT THIS SHOOT IS PURPOSELY CENTERED AROUND THE

with every aspect of the groom’s day documented, from that nervous wait for his partner at the end of the aisle through to the after-dinner speech. In an industry where brides are very much positioned at the forefront, the purpose of the shoot was to highlight that grooms need inspiration too and are also very much invested in making their wedding day as special as it can be.

Nestled within 500 acres of glorious Cotswold countryside, Merriscourt Barns was the perfect rustic setting for this beautiful foliage-filled styled shoot.

The venue’s three interlinking barns, each one different in design, served as the perfect backdrop for a romantic and luxurious summer wedding with a modern touch.

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Real weddings

The venue’s three interlinking barns, each one different in design, served as the perfect backdrop for a romantic and luxurious summer wedding with a modern touch.

Starting in The Stone Barn with its impressive high ceiling and thick stone walls, the ceremony set-up is awash with an abundance of soft candlelight, lush foliage and white florals, keeping the colour scheme simple yet elegant.

Oversized white balloons line the aisle, bringing in a touch of contemporary styling to the proceedings, and lead your attention to the breathtaking floral arch at the top of the aisle, which serves as a stunning backdrop for the impending exchange of vows.

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The groom WITHIN THE GREEN, PICTURE-LINED WALLS OF THE GALLERY,

relaxes with a cocktail whilst The White Barn is set up for the wedding breakfast, where we opted for something a little less traditional.

An elevated sweetheart top table sits beneath the floral arch with a full length table below showered with flickering candles, twinkling glass, flowers and foliage coupled with natural hessian coloured tablecloths and dark wood cross-back chairs to create a luxe rustic focal point.

The florals were a key part of this shoot with a view to bringing the outside in with elegant pieces in a subtle green and white colour palette to compliment the natural, light surroundings of Merriscourt. The bold floral arch, table centre displays, delicate seasonal groom’s bouquet and an on-trend dried flower buttonhole tie the shoot together effortlessly.

Echoing the floral theme, the wedding stationery is a delicate display of botanical line drawings paired with tones of greens and white to compliment the floral designs.

The stationery suite incorporates vellum, wax seals and hand-written calligraphy to bring that elegant and romantic feel to every aspect of the wedding styling and beautiful wedding signage adds a modern touch with a simple white and black colour scheme.

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

The groom Meanwhile the modern three-tiered wedding cake echoes the botanical drawings with hand-painted illustrations coupled with delicate handmade wafer paper flowers contrasted against the deep green of the bottom tier. Matching hand-painted biscuits add to the final detail.

Our groom wears two casually styled looks in this shoot: a royal blue slimline suit as well as a charcoal grey ensemble finished with a dried-flower buttonhole to tie in with the rustic nature of the styling.

Our groom also carries his own loosely tied bouquet of white roses and seasonal flowers tied elegantly with a satin ribbon.

The use of a single white balloon as a prop also gives the portrait images some interest and personality, which is after all, what your wedding should be: personal to you.

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Award Winning Florist

We pride ourselves on our customer service and our bespoke style!

an Bespoke doesn’t means expensive - it me! you to unique

FLORISTRY WORKSHOPS POST BOX HIRE

01933 274293 / 07592088518 errismoreflowers@btinternet.com www.errismoreflowers.co.uk

Multi award winning Amelia Rose Cake Studio is Northamptonshire’s leading wedding cake designer, specialising in elegant design, flawless finish & providing the ‘wow factor’ for your big day.

ameliarosecakestudio.co.uk  

Mood boards

afistfullofbolts.com

carriekingphotography.com

persenen.ru

czinvitations.com

lauramoll.net

kirasteinfotografie.de

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thepolkadotpapershop.com

Real Mood weddings boards

emmylowephoto.com

laurafoote.com

amykatesnaps

amykatesnaps

Etsy - WhimsyDesignPaperie

laurafoote.com

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Mood boards

sophieepton.com

jobradbury.co.uk

featherandstonephoto.com

sophieepton.com weddingforward.com

jobradbury.co.uk

alliumfloraldesign.com

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purpletree.ca

Mood boards Real Mood weddings Boards

westlundphotography.com

laurafoote.com

westlundphotography.com

theganeys.com

westlundphotography.com

josevillaphoto.com

smdphotography.co.uk

jordanweiland.com

lovetothecorephoto.com

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Real weddings

TOP TIPS Choose wedding speakers that will entertain a room.

Mups’ chief bridesmaid did her wedding speech to Disney songs; people still talk about them being the best speeches they have ever heard.

Lucy and Cheryl (Mups) 30TH AUGUST 2019

WHO THEY USED: CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE: Barton Hall bartonhall.com PHOTOGRAPHY: Latzo Photo latzo.co.uk VIDEOGRAPHY: Confetti Wedding Videos confetti-wedding-videos.co.uk BRIDES’ DRESSES: Icon Bridal iconbridal.co.uk HAIR: Scott Warren from Luke Williams LHD lukewilliamslhd.co.uk BRIDESMAIDS DRESSES: Asos asos.com BRIDAL MAKEUP: Joanna Holmes-Branaghan @jhbmakeupartist SUITS: Marks & Spencers marksandspencer.com FLOWERS: Magnolia The Florist magnoliaflorist.co.uk DONUT WALL: Krispy Kreme krispykreme.co.uk ENTERTAINMENT: The Secret Spitfires thesecretspitfires.co.uk 48

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Real weddings

Our wedding venue wish list: Central location, close to home Accommodation for us and guests Able to cater for bad weather, if rainy, enough space inside to spend the whole day Good food Ceremony & reception in the same venue Reasonably priced bar Good sized open room for Wedding Breakfast and band Capacity for up to 180 guests We chose Barton Hall as it was close to home and also somewhere central as we had friends from all over coming. The Orangery is just a beautiful place to have a ceremony, set in the grounds of the hall, and was a key feature for making this our venue.

A lot of beautiful rooms, I think 28 in all, with full English breakfast included at a very good rate, special discount given and we filled it. There are also a lot of good hotels within a ten minute taxi ride which gave guests good options in terms to help keep transport costs down.

Becky was the main lady at Barton Hall; from start to finish and she is an absolute gem. Negotiated the price with all the food, drink etc to ensure we got what we wanted. There are set packages but she tweaked the things we needed. They facilitated us with a couple of different canapes which weren’t on their usual list, i.e. mini yorkies and beef.

We had a taster session to sample which main course and dessert we’d go for which proved very important as it made us change from what we initially thought we’d have.

We had the ceremony at 1.30pm to allow people to eat before arriving.

We then started the speeches and wedding breakfast at 3.45pm so there wasn’t too much of a lull between the ceremony and eating as we found the photo sessions sometimes really drag at weddings. As we finished the ceremony we provided pimms, prosecco, bottled lager or soft drinks for the guests and opted for canapes to fill the hunger pangs before the wedding breakfast. We dropped the starter and went just for main, roast beef and yorkies, and vanilla cheesecake for dessert. For us, canapes plus 3 courses is just too filling…..along with the alcohol!

Barton Hall provided a Toastmaster and although Mups was very sceptical, he was monumentally important on the day and received a lot of compliments; we loved him!

He ensured everything ran on time, and got people in the right places which is sometimes a challenge after a few drinks. He had come to visit us a week before to learn a little about us so it felt more personal on the day and although we would never have asked for this, we would both definitely recommend him to others.

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Real weddings

We opted for a Donut Wall instead of the traditional cake as again so many weddings have a beautiful cake and not many eat it as people are full of alcohol and food. The donut board was ordered directly through Krispy Kreme and it arrived well before the day, plus it was personalised.

They then delivered the donuts fresh on the day to Barton Hall and Becky arranged it with catering staff to set it all up so we didn’t have to worry about it.

We wanted clean, unfussy, with a hint of vintage. We wanted people to be able to see each other and not have to peer around table centrepieces.

We didn’t want to spend loads of money on table items when people often don’t notice the finer details which actually cost a lot of money. The Orangery was perfect as it didn’t need much decorating. As referred to above, Becky is a golden nugget for Barton Hall. She oversaw it all from start to finish and was by our sides during the day.

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Excellent housekeeping, catering and bar staff - a great team.

With Latzo Photo, well, what can we say - husband of Mups’ bridesmaid, godfather to our youngest. A self-taught photographer with an amazing portfolio. He has achieved so much and he captures moments you’re unaware of. He is artistic, kind, friendly, inconspicuous on the day. We didn’t want formal, we didn’t want loads of traditional family and friend shots, we wanted pictures to capture the day. He really is one of the best and we were very grateful to have him.

Scott Warren specialises in wedding hair and makeup, and is the partner of Luke Williams who owns a salon in Thrapston, Luke Williams LHD; Luke is our regular hairdresser. They were both guests at the wedding too so there was no doubt he’d do our hair. He also did the bridesmaids, family and friends too, all assisted by Luke.

A last minute decision for us to go with a wedding videographer, but my word we are so glad we did. We realised we wouldn’t get to see our daughters walk down the aisle before us and we wanted to see it all.

We found Ian from Confetti Wedding Videos, and as we didn’t want him there to capture us getting ready, he started when guests arrived and went through to the first dance. We get to hear all the speeches and see it all over again which photos can’t do. He produced a 10 minute video of highlights which was good to share with others who probably wouldn’t have quite the same enthusiasm to sit through the 2hr version! He only charged £800 but it is some of the best money we spent and would recommend people to consider this option alongside a photographer.

To be honest, we were rubbish with wedding dress preparation. We honestly both believed we would get one from a high street store as many have a bridal range.

We didn’t want anything too fussy, nor did we want to spend a fortune. We found nothing and it took us ages to find a day without kids and no work to actually go to a proper bridal shop. We went to a highly rated one locally, which was a bit of an eye opener and very educational!! I realised I could wear styles I always thought wouldn’t suit and this opened up many more style options to me.

We also learnt that dresses are ordered months in advance and then needed time to be altered….. we had less than 2 months to go.

After a bit of research we found Icon Bridal.

Fortunately when we went, we both found some dresses we liked and we both had a favourite.

We revisited separately, along with one of our bridesmaids who helped us decide. I was glad when my chief bridesmaid picked the one I preferred…there were a few tears so that sealed it. I actually picked a display one so it was easier timewise. They organised the cleaning of it and found a seamstress to make the alterations in time. A lovely shop, helpful down to earth staff, would recommend. silverlinings.co.uk

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Bespoke Wedding Photography

By Raj K & Jade Lyon

@RajandJadeWeddings

www.RajandJadeWeddings.com

£100

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FOR ALL 2021 WEDDING BOOKINGS.

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Two Photographers Award winning for the + photo booth price of one services www.boomweddings.co.uk info@boombooth.biz 07860 890081 01536 510570

Real weddings

22ND JUNE 2019

MEMORABLE MOMENTS The mome nt we said “I Do” and excha nging vowe ls was the most perfe ct memo ry of our wedd ing day and havin g our famil y and friend s all aroun d us to witne ss that specia l mome nt in our life.

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It meant so much to us to have the wedding ceremony at St Peter’s Church as Chris’s mum and dad also got married there, so it was almost like tradition to carry another lovely memory on at this venue.

Real weddings

The reception venue we thought would be perfect being on a large cricket ground and lots of outdoor space for everyone to reflect on the day and enjoy the lovely weather and also having a playground there so even little ones could enjoy themselves.

Our caterer, The Wood Oven, was amazing and the food tasted fabulous. We wanted to have something a little different and as it was summer we decided on pizza, pasta and salad to keep it nice and light.

We then thought it would be great to keep in with the cool, summer idea and have ice cream with lots of cool flavours - Ice Cream Parlour did a great job making sure everyone was enjoying everything.

WHO THEY USED: CHURCH: St Peter’s Church, Weston Favell Village VENUE: Great Houghton Village Hall greathoughton.org.uk PHOTOGRAPHY: Raj & Jade Weddings rajandjadeweddings.com CATERING: The Wood Oven wood-oven.co.uk ICE CREAM: Ice Cream Parlour icecreamparlourbilling.co.uk WEDDING DRESS & BRIDESMAIDS: Wed2be wed2b.co.uk HAIR: Rockabelles rockabelles.com MAKEUP: Liberty Beauty Lounge via Facebook MENSWEAR: Hugo Boss boss.com ENTERTAINMENT: California Disco californiadisco.com

The themes and colour schemes we decided on was because Chris knows I’m a sucker for Disney films! I thought I would add a little touch to it with my all time favourite Disney film Beauty and the Beast. We decided on keeping the colours fresh and light as we also wanted it to be naturally themed with lots of dusky pink and white colours and making it look a little like a fairy tale theme with ivy garlands around the tables and around the hall and decora-tions, giving it that natural feel. silverlinings.co.uk

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Real weddings Our photographers Jade and Raj are two completely amazing people that did a fantastic job on capturing every important moment of our big day. Jade, being my cousin, and Raj made us feel very comfortable on the day with the photography being done right from the morning - Jade was with us girlies getting ready, and Raj was with Chris and the boys - through to the very end of our amazing day.

My wedding dress was chosen by me and my mum at Wed2Be. When we saw it we both thought it looked so different and really stood out with its subtle details, without being too much, and the way the back of it flowed beautifully. I knew it was the one and when I tried it on it looked and felt perfect. My bridesmaid dresses were also from Wed2Be and one of a kind as they all matched my wedding dress which made them special to me. They all flowed elegantly in a lovely soft pink colour.

My bridal hair was done by Emma from Rockabelles’s - she did a stunning job on my wedding hair and my bridesmaids hair; she made us all look very elegant with our amazing styles. Our makeup was done by Ana from Liberty Beauty Lounge and we used my own Chanel makeup. Ana did a fantastic job and made us all look stunning for the big day.

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Real weddings

The flowers were handmade Avalanche roses which made it very special to us and they were made by our family friends who worked very hard on my beautiful bouquet and my bridesmaid’s posies.

We had our wedding cake made by a member of my family who did a fantastic job getting all 4 tiers with two different cake layers for something unique. We had two layers of fruit cake and two layers of lemon Madeira which everyone enjoyed.

We had a stunning Jaguar take us to the wedding and reception; it meant a lot to us that it was Chris’s brother’s car who loaned it to us to travel everywhere on our big day.

Our DJ was Andy from California Disco who was super and did a fantastic job of getting the songs spot on.

We wanted specific songs for when we were getting welcomed in as the new Bride and Groom, right to our first dance of the evening. The variety of songs were amazing and had everyone up and dancing (with a few drinks or two!) and enjoying the festivities from the day through to the evening.

Read their full story on our blog page...

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www.srurwinweddings.com steve@srurwinweddings.com | 07793 459404

Luminex Wedding Photography www.luminexphotography.com Nick Callaghan - 07713 064070

Planning

PLANNING A

PHOTO SHOOT CREDITS: VENUE: Stone Sidings stonesidingevents.com PHOTOGRAPHY: Purple Rose Photography purplerosephotography.co.uk BRIDAL WEAR: Lisa Lyons Bridal lisalyons.co.uk MAKEUP: Yvonne Aucott Makeup Artist yvonneaucott.co.uk GLITTER BOOTH: Glamavan glamavan.com STATIONERY: Lorna Boyer Design lornaboyerdesign.co.uk BOUQUET: Florae Foray floraeforay.co.uk FLOWER CROWN: Luna and Wild lunaandwild.com CAKE: Oh My Cakery ohmycakery.co.uk CATERING: The Cheese Plate thecheeseplate.co.uk PROP HIRE: Rose and Dandy roseandandy.co.uk PHOTO BOOTH: The Pixie Booth thepixiebooth.com BOUNCY CASTLES: Wacky Bouncers wackybouncers.co.uk MODEL: Alice

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weddings are such exciting events, which reflect the couple getting married. we really wanted to inspire couple’s to think about incorporating fun and the outdoors into their wedding planning.

Stone Siding Events field provided the perfect venue. A blank canvas venue which couples can hire and set up exactly how they want, with views onto the Northamptonshire country-side. With the venue in mind, we decided a festival theme would be perfect, making use of the farm’s hay stacks as tables and chairs (the venue is owned and run by a local farmer couple). We wanted to embrace ways couples could create their own simple and personal decorations so we incorporated brightly coloured ribbons and pom poms to decorate the venue.

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Planning

Lorner Boyer Design provided the stationery, embracing the colourful theme and even included name cards on lanyards for guests to wear at the wedding, helping them get around any festival security.

Couples are often thinking of different ways to feed their guests outside of the main meal, so The Cheese Plate came on board to showcase their offerings.

As well as cheese for snacks they are able to offer the option of a cheese wedding cake for those who love cheese.

To complement their offering accessories from Rose and Dandy were used to decorate the cheese table.

photo Booths are an ever popular choice at weddings giving guests and couples hours of entertainment. For this outdoor venue we used the Pixie Booth. this is a quirky mobile booth which can literally be driven onto site and set up outdoors, perfect for an outdoor festival themed wedding. all the vendors at the shoot were intrigued by Pixie.

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Planning

Embracing current festival trends Toni came with her Glitter Booth, ready to add glitter to our model for the evening partying. Her glitter bar itself is eye catching with lots of different options for guests to choose from.

The glitter used is biodegradable meaning you don’t need to worry about any impact on the environment.

Lisa Lyons Bridal provided our bridalwear for the day, thinking of the outdoor setting she provided two piece outfit. The flowing skirt was perfect for an outdoor festival themed wedding, catching the breeze but also easy for our bride to move around in. The lace top was full of details, with it’s semi open back which would help to keep the bride cool on her wedding day and adds an unusual detail to the bridal wear.

Our hair and makeup team worked together to create a festival inspired look, creating a relaxed hairstyle and bright make-up look teamed with a flower crown from Luna and Wild. The combination created a pretty look for our bride.

Our brides bouquet was a piece of art in itself, full of details and colour Florae Foray really embraced the fun and vibrant feel for the shoot. The more you looked at it, the more variety of flowers you found in it.

Oh My Cakery always create bright and fun cakes, and she did not disappoint. Incorporating balloons and paper fans into her design to create a fun and wacky design. The more you looked at it the more you found which is exactly how a wedding cake should be.

Incorporating the fun side of a festival wedding Wacky Bouncers arrived with two bouncy castles - a white wedding bouncy castle and a red and white helter skelter. I can see both adults and children enjoying these at a wedding, proving hours of entertainment.

Our model certainly couldn’t wait to get on them.

By Emma Purple Rose Photography purplerosephotography.co.uk silverlinings.co.uk

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It’s your day, your way...

H

ere at Burnt Lemon Chefs we understand that getting married is about so much more than just one special day. Your wedding is a celebration of your story as a couple – a day to share with your loved ones and a time to honour the joy of new beginnings.

When it comes to cooking for the big day we keep our values simple. Great food with flexibility, that’s the key.

We’ll work in partnership with you to create an incredible and unique dining experience that you and your guests will remember for years to come. We will cook your chosen menu beforehand for you to try to ensure everything is perfect.

So, whether it’s a fine dining feast, a rustic BBQ with sizzling steaks over hot coals or a sharing platter for everyone to dive in and help themselves, we’ve got you covered.

burntlemonchefs.co.uk/home/weddings

Packages start at just £45 per head

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Originating from a small family business in 1984, Portfolio Events is now one of the leading local event caterers. We work regularly with a number of prestigious venues and have extensive experience working in marquees. We are also just as happy to cater for a private dinner party or celebration in the comfort of your own home.

GREAT BRITISH FOOD Whether you’re planning a wedding, an intimate dinner party or a sophisticated ball for hundreds, Portfolio Events Catering can offer a solution based on over 20 years of wedding and event experience.

We can offer solutions for every budget, ranging from the simplicity of delivered canapés to a full scale banquet. Superb food choices with a repertoire of dishes both contemporary and traditional, along with an excellent service guarantee that Portfolio Events will create a menu that is tailor made for your special occasion, providing you with hassle free entertaining.

01604 215606 or 01223 955401 | team@portfolioevents.com | portfolioevents.com

Real weddings

TOP TIP Don’t panic, it will be alright on the day – go with the Flow !

And take two minutes to sit back and take it all in

Darrin & Tracey 66

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Real weddings We were recommended Highgate House, so we went to view it. The Baronial Hall is a stunning wood panelled room, rich in charm and character, offering beautiful views over the front lawns; it was perfect and exactly what we wanted. Plus it wouldn’t take too much to decorate, so one less headache!

As Darrin is a photographer, it was an easy choice to make because Helen from Live By The Lens is a ‘photographers photographer’; adaptable, people centric, fully aware of what’s around her, goes the extra mile, and simply takes great pictures that will last a generation.

Bonsoire was recommended by a friend who has a wedding business. So Tracey went along and as she had an idea of style, she tried two dresses on and the third was a perfect fit. No pressure from the business owner and a quality service provided to a more discerning person.

We wanted a chilled, smart country day out feel for the wedding, so the gentlemen wore tailored handmade country tweed jackets and waistcoats, with a flash of royal blue, and the bridesmaids were given the colour choice of blue and asked to choose their own style of dresses so that they felt relaxed on the day. Two bridesmaids chose the same style and dress, Willow, my daughter wore a sky blue. silverlinings.co.uk

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Real weddings

We chose Perkins Florist for the flowers - it was the easiest choice in the world! We gave them the colour scheme and an idea of flowers; Tracey wanted to keep it simple and have ‘the no fuss’ approach. Perkins knew the church, the venue and us, as a couple, so they ticked every box.

Fay from Fays Bakes was a young lady stepping out into the big baking world and hadn’t made a wedding cake before. Having agreed the budget and willing to take the risk, we couldn’t have made the better decision if we had tried. Fay not only went the extra mile, delivered on the day and made the wedding cake so fashionable and exceeded all expectations, it was a sensation in its own right.

She made two cakes; a standard traditional fruit wedding cake for the Groom, which was devoured within a week of the wedding and a two tier, modern sponge cake with two different flavours with the all of pomp and ceremony of the royal garden show in its display of festooned delight of colour and floral arrangements along with the festive fruits of the season.

The two flavours were chocolate orange & Victoria Sponge, to the delight of all deserving palate. Fay had the foresight to combine it with the flowers from the floral arrangements of Perkins.

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The Silverlinings Wedding Guide

Real weddings

Lisa and Dave from Classic Carriages are long time friends of ours, and gave us the car as a wedding present; we couldn’t have asked for anything better.

A special mention has to be to Vicky from Vix Caricatures for the amazing illustration she did.

It gave a different perspective of having all the dinner guests illustrated in a unique way of capturing our special day.

An amazing moment was the Spitfire who flew over the Highgate House. As we do charity work for the Royal British Legion, everyone thought we had organised it, but we didn’t. It was a complete ‘flukey flyby’ but one that made all service personnel and veterans smile and very fitting for our special day. However, it was a nightmare for the photographer, who had just set up all the people for a group shot and everyone turned away!

MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT WW2 veteran Martin Calvert, our guest and witness to our marriage, gave a prayer for dinner and thanked everyone for being there which was unexpected and a great honour. Fittingly, instead of guest favours we gave out Cynthia Spencer charity badges in remembrance of Capt. Kevin Fogg who had sadly passed away but was very much part of our special day.

WHO THEY USED: CEREMONY: St Luke’s Church, Duston VENUE: Highgate House sundialgroup.com/highgate-house PHOTOGRAPHY: Live By The Lens livebythelens.com WEDDING DRESS & BRIDESMAIDS: Bonsoire bonsoire.co.uk BRIDAL HAIR: Image Hairdressing by Lauren via Facebook MAKEUP: Makeup by Dre Sparkle Andrea SUITS: Moss Bros moss.co.uk FLOWERS: Perkins Florist perkinsflorists.com CAKE: Fays Bakes via Facebook ILLUSTRATOR: Vix Caricatures vixcaricatures.co.uk TRANSPORT: Classic Carriages classiccarriagesnorthampton.co.uk silverlinings.co.uk

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Destination weddings

By Sophia G The Destination Weddings Industry in Italy has been tremendously affected this year due to Covid-19. I caught up with my colleague Simona Imparato, Wedding and Events planner in Italy, to give you a brief overview of the current situation, but also 5 top tips if you are looking to marry abroad.

Since the announcement on the 15th June it took nearly

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allo

2 months for the wedding industry in Italy to officially start again, by the time all the government’s requirements were fulfilled. 2020 should have been a great year for the Italian wedding industry with over 200,000 weddings planned to happen worth ¤42 billion. Of this, 9000 were destination weddings, with Italy being the most popular destination in Europe followed

by France, Spain and Greece.

Destination weddings

Statistics say that 1 in 5 couples in the UK choose a destination wedding, with Italy being the most popular destination, but as the virus spread rapidly, so did the cancellations. Between March and April 14,000 weddings were cancelled with an additional 50,000 by the end of May.

silverlinings.co.uk

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Destination weddings It has been the first time the industry had to face such unprecedented times with a lot of uncertainty and lack of communication between all wedding suppliers and the government representatives, without a clear guidance in place.

Finally, the 1st August, marked the beginning of a new era for weddings in Italy with some adjustments and new guidelines, some of which similar to the UK, others very different. We’ve put together a brief overview of these changes.

NUMBER OF GUESTS: – The number of guests is dictated by the capacity of the venue and is the responsibility of the maître to determine the final number, after a series of adjustments such as the distance between the tables and the guests at the table, to 1 mt.

–T he table allocation is now done per household, where all seated have to be resident at the same address. It is no longer allowed for members of the same family to seat at the same table if living at a different address.

MASKS – The use of the masks is no longer obligatory at the table; however, it is advised that they are used when moving between closed areas

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of the location. Gardens/open areas are still the preferred.

– Staff at the venue will always wear the mask and/or a face shield.

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT –M usic entertainment and singing are allowed with the distances in place, no face covering over a certain distance, however still dancing is not allowed apart from the first dance, at discretion of the venue.

FOOD RESTRICTIONS –T he aperitif is no longer allowed, but whenever requested, there are some major regulations in place such as a screen between the guests and the staff, no longer picking the food up and this has to be served, but not singularly packed.

ADDITIONAL MEASURES AND TRACEABILITY –A ll guests must have their temperature taken when they arrive, and individual hand sanitisers are provided by the couple or by the venue if requested as an extra service.

– I n case of a positive result or Covid-19 symptoms, all guests must quarantine.

–D etails of the guests are kept for 14 days after the event.

INFO@SIMONAIMPARATO.COM

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07511 143

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Destination weddings

OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN REQUESTS FROM COUPLES WHO ARE LOOKING TO MARRY ON THE AMALFI COAST OR CILENTO NATIONAL PARK. HERE ARE THE TOP 5 TIPS TO HAVE IN MIND IF YOU ARE PLANNING A DESTINATION WEDDING:

If you are looking to receive more information about how to plan a destination wedding, me and Simona are currently offering a free first consultation to help you with your planning moving forward.

1. Not many couples are aware, but the UK Government website (Gov.org.uk) has a questionnaire available; search ‘marriage abroad’ to find the link. It is a particularly useful tool for all countries and a great starting point to understand the minimum requirements at the beginning of your planning.

2. Timings. Consider at least 18-12 months when wanting to marry abroad. These may slightly change if you are looking to have a legal ceremony.

3. Be aware of the hidden costs. If you are looking for a legal ceremony, there may be some legal requirements which will inevitably cost you, such as document translations by a recognised translator or CNI (Certificate of No Impediment) to be requested at the local Registry Office.

4. Budget. Have this already in mind alongside the services you may need. This will help you stick to it and have a clear vision of what you would like on your wedding day.

5. Look for a Wedding Planner who can assist you with all of the above, taking some of the wedmin off you and providing you with a budget tool that will help you make your choice wiser.

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To advertise in the next Silverlinings Wedding Guide please email hello@silverlinings.co.uk or call 07732 285 617

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Are you looking for great local suppliers?

If so, check out our

WEDDING DIRECTORY LISTING INFORMATION INCLUDES: • Overview of services offered • Contact information

• Links to social media • Links to online shops • Gallery images • Video clips*

• Directions to business* * Where applicable

www.silverlinings.co.uk/wedding-directory Are you a wedding business looking to reach more engaged couples?

If so contact us at hello@silverlinings.co.uk or 07732 285617

WEDDINGS AT KILWORTH The most important day of your life deserves a special setting – a location that’s not just out of the ordinary, but extraordinary.

That location is Kilworth House Hotel, set amidst 38 acres of rolling parkland, a house of timeless warmth and elegance.

Kilworth House Hotel, Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, Leicestershire LE17 6JE Telephone: 01858 880058 www.kilworthhouse.co.uk