Anything else?: Couples are welcome to revisit the
venue as much as needed, and have sole-access with loads of time to set-up in the week before for a totally relaxed and personal experience. Kingsettle Stud, Cholderton Park, Salisbury; www.kingsettlestud.co.uk
Gray Manor hotel
The boutique hotel and wedding venue is set on the Hampshire/ Wiltshire border and five acres of land so there is plenty of outdoor space to enjoy. Look and feel of the place: “The venue is unique and quirky,” says managing director Eli Gray. “We have lots of cool little touches which are great for pictures, such as our throne chairs and our secret garden, which is accessed through some wooden doors and has umbrellas, a huge mirror and furniture and all lights up. We are a shabby chic style venue with character, however we have kept the colour palette quite neutral, so our couples can have any colours their heart desires without it clashing. It is one of the things we love, that we can have a formal atmosphere on one day to having a complete relaxed, barefoot informal party the next.”
Wining and dining at Kingsettle Stud
The bar at Gray Manor: check out the rope-light installations
A proper wear your wellies wedding at Kingsettle Stud
Guest numbers, food and accommodation: They are licensed for
ceremonies for up to 110 guests and can cater for up to 150, and 200 for a party. The venue has 25 bedrooms including a luxury bridal suite with double jacuzzi, TV, twin showers and a round bed. “We have a standard wedding menu that we provide to all of our brides and grooms to give them a starting point, but food is such an important part of the day we often create bespoke menus with our couples,” says Eli. “We have done everything from a Thai buffet and an afternoon tea, to fish and chips and a slow roasted meats menu! We also cater for all dietary requirements and want to make sure every single guest is well looked after.”
What’s popular at the moment?: “Sweet carts are extremely popular as are love lights,” adds Eli. “We work with a local company who offer our brides great discounts and they have quirky items such as a doughnut wall, slush puppie machines, prosecco wall and candyfloss and popcorn carts so we are starting to see more of the quirky touches coming in too.” Anything else?: “We are a family run business so pride ourselves on the personal touch and being able to offer the perfect day with no rigid rules. Anything we are able to say yes to we do and anything we can offer to make the day easier we do. Whether that is designing a completely bespoke menu, your dogs walking down the aisle with you, or a Netflix room set up for kids – anything goes.”
12 I SALISBURY LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk