Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
What a question and almost impossible to answer! The best weddings are always the ones where you can feel the love in the room – some weddings are just full of so much love and emotion it’s hard not to get caught up – especially during the ceremony. This year one that stands out is Claire & Grant's wedding at the beginning of March. Their guests weren't going to let the unexpected snow stop them from coming from London and South Wales and there really was an extra special magical feeling in the air.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Don't be daunted! There's so much help and advice available out there (mostly useful) from personal recommendations, wedding websites and forums and - probably the most valuable - your venue's wedding coordinator who knows local suppliers well and can offer suggestions to keep things running smoothly. Also, don't fret about timescales, it is possible to organise a wedding in 6 months or less too!
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
Kate and Ben had a very personalised wedding at Berwick. They not only had their own Kate and Ben logo that was on everything, there were many touching family and friend links. Kate wore a comb in her hair that was made from pieces of family jewellery that had been broken through the years, an anklet made by her best friends, her late Grandfather's watch held the bouquet today and parents/grandparents wedding photos took pride of place on the cake table. Their beloved pet whippet came to the ceremony (and had her silhouette printed on a souvenir tea towel) and Kate made creative origami style table centres out of old university text books that both she and Ben used to use.
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
Elegant
Friendly
Unique
Relaxed
Personal
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
The favourite spot has to be underneath our marble pergola with rose garden walkway in the background. It's such a distinctive and romantic structure and has the backdrop of the orchard. Other popular photo spots are the tree swing, summer house, fountains and from the top of the spiral staircase looking out across Monmouthshire.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
We've had celebrities stay as guests in the hotel but yet to have a celebrity wedding guest - watch this space!
What’s your favourite canapé?
Either the Smoked Salmon & Crispy Bagel with Spiced Avocado or Truffle Honey & Goats Cheese on Parmesan Shortbread - it's too hard to choose just one!
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Pulled Pork Baps with Wedges
What is your venue's most unique feature?
The marble pergola
What part of your business are you most proud of?
I'm proud of the way all the staff pull together to make the atmosphere fun yet relaxed. This is reflected in the many thank yous we receive from wedding couples who return as regular guests, and sometimes become new personal friends.