A little review....
So...how do I begin such a post.......
My experience with this venue has been so positive, even though as a result of the current COVID crisis, we’ve had to postpone our wedding twice. (May 2020 > August 2020 > to February 2021) 🥂COVID has totally stuffed up our day, but from day one right through to now, Bridget and the team have been BLINDING.
This has been a rather stressful, full of tears and a disappointing time for the wedding industry, couples spend years saving for their big day and some spend a huge sum of money on their dream day (average wedding now is what, 20k?). I’ve read horror stories in the news about couples losing £1000’s and being told to cough up cancellation fees etc. Insurers not covering claims, holiday weddings abroad just disappearing and no one giving couples a second thought....
HOWEVER...from day one of this whole fiasco - Bridget has been right there, remaining in contact, providing support, offering the best alternative, being empathetic and being very passionate about giving us the day we deserve.
We booked a package with Smeetham Hall, which is also another reason to go with this venue as Splinters (the in house type catering company) create such delicious meals and Cyla helps you with any question you may have. From how many bottles of wine to buy for your guests, to what food goes well with what drink, how not to overload the palette with chocolate. The package is also great because in circumstances such as this a lot of the admin work is done by Bridget who will email all the suppliers (DJ, videotographer - as this is included in some packages), so you don’t have to do the leg work. ALSO THE VENUE HAS NO CORKAGE FEE🍾🍾🍾🍾🍾.
The venue it’s self is beautiful, you do not need to spends £1000’s on flowers or decorations because the place just has so much charm, character and warmth. It’s cosy (in a sense that it’s not so massive you need 1000 people to fill the space). For me, I want the day to feel intimate (even with 100 people in the room - they do cater for more) as it is about you and your future husband/wife. The house in front of the lake is STUNNING, even just the simple thing of driving up the long gravel road to the venue gets you all excited, the barn itself just reminds me of the Tudor period (and I love that kind of thing - I prefer historical and quirky to modern and plain). It can be decorated how you wish with big bright lights, outdoor torches (which they had on the open day and it looked so romantic). A car can pull up right to the door of the venue and the aisle seating is a few steps away, this is important for us as my mother and father in law are disabled. The facilities are clean, there is also a marquee where you move to have reception drinks which you can decorate as you wish. But like I said previously, the place doesn’t need a lot, it’s so beautiful!
Yes I guess I should be devastated our day has been delayed but I am far from it because in reality this rubbish situation is totally out of our control. So rather than be fed up and let COVID drain the excitement out of me, I am looking forward to our day in February 2021. Come rain or shine, it will be lovely, amazing and special with our family and friends.
I think I’ve realised now that to get what you want out of a company/service you need to go with people who’s are passionate about what they do. When people hear the word wedding they just want to make money out of you, that is not the case here. They leave everything up to you, they’re not pushy and they’re not ridiculously over priced, you get what you pay for and a whole lot more. I’m kind of glad it’s been delayed as it creates a bigger build up!
Here’s to February 2021 and to the best day ever! Cheers! Lucy and Dean xxxxxxx