Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway (http://www.exbury.co.uk/website/weddings.aspx) is a magical place in the New Forest National Park, the gardens are beautiful with lots of little corners to take some amazing photos (whicis very important to me). But the thing that has drawn me to this venue is the Wedding Belle. The Wedding Belle is a  20 minute tour of the Gardens by Steam. It takes you to some special gardens that can only be accessed by rail including Northern Lake & the Domesday Yew, the American Gardens, and the Rock Garden. The train can play the music of your choice on the jorney, and can be decorated with flowers and ribbons to make it extra special. The front of the train has the bride and groom's personal headerboard, for the ultimate unique photo. The rooms are all beautiful and the menus sound delicious. I would  have a civil ceremony in The five arrows gallery which is a beautiful building built in the 1930's (almost the 1920's for my theme???) and then the reception in either the Engine Shed, Mr Eddy's Tearooms or The Tennis Court Tea Gardens. The train ride comes included with the Engine Shed but is only £4pp from the Tea Gardens/Tearooms. The Engine Shed is a genuine working site which is such a unique and beautiful space, whilst the Tea Gardens is an outside area (only for a summer wedding) that's adjacent to the Sundial Garden, an exotic oasis within the woodland gardens, and the Tearooms are in a beautiful country themed space with with rustic beams and stone-clad flooring. (The tearooms could be the perfect venue to accomadate my afternoon tea idea.) It's not the cheapest venue but it is one of the most beautiful and unique. The areas I've chosen to consider cater for weddings of 30-100 people. But for a larger wedding there are many other options. Click here for a map.
 

Woodlands Lodge, New Forest.

I'm loving the idea of getting married in the New Forest with a woodland theme. There are some beautiful wedding venues down there which would be perfect for us. The Woodlands Lodge is one of these. It caters for smaller weddings, has some beautiful views and most importantly the rooms are stunning. They offer some pretty good packages too which can include meal, drinks, accomadation and room hire. I locve the Wedgewood room, or the Garden room most. Both open out onto a patio area with the forest a stones throw away. Here are some pictures of the venue. Also see http://www.woodlands-lodge.co.uk/Weddings/ for more pictures of the rooms and wedding package details. Click here for a map.

Tewin Bury Farm Hotel

Loving the Tewin Bury Farm Hotel as a venue for the wedding. Last weekend James and I went for a long walk and just happened upon the lovely village that forms the countryside setting for the farm. Upon doing more research I found that this really is a delightful wedding venue for a small and intimate wedding in the Stable or the Millstream or a larger lavish affair in the Tythe barn or the Meadow Marquee. Visit http://www.tewinbury.co.uk/ to see more.

The Priory

The Priory Barn at Little Wymondley near Hitchin is a beautiful wedding venue. Visit there website http://www.thepriory.net/ for more information. Built in the 1500's this venue is truely beautiful for a classic wedding. I love the wooden beams and the surrounding countryside is stunning.

They are having an open day Sunday 18th April 12 - 4 so get down there and check it out. Plus book befor May 31st to recieve a £1000 discount on all packages.

Willesborough Windmill

 I'm loving Willesborough Windmilll for a unique and exciting wedding venue. The mill sits in a beautiful Victorian garden with a courtyard and a meadow. It is situated in Ashford in Kent and was built in the 1800's.

Weddings at Willesborough Windmill can offer you:

• an unusual setting for breathtaking photographs.
• a function room in an atmospheric beamed barn for up to 50 guests.
• award winning cuisine from our own retained caterers.
• a stunning wedding venue set in a beautiful restored windmill.