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Don't get me wrong, traditional weddings have their place and bring lots of joy to so many couples, their friends and families. Conversely they can cost the earth, cause fall outs and friction, and, some couples find that their big wedding traditional day was nothing like their original ideas. Petite Weddings was founded over 7 years ago in answer to an increasing demand for alternative weddings allowing people to get married in ways that are authentic to them. This can mean a smaller more decadent wedding; a quirkily themed wedding; wedding in nature, e.g. on a beach of cliff top or in the woods; a weekend wedding longer in duration where couples bring everyone together for an extended stay: anything really does go and our limits are your imaginations! For many of the couples that we’ve had the pleasure of helping, the romance and dare we say, slight naughtiness of an elopement wedding has been a real thrill and a chance to create a truly unique wedding day where couples have indulged each other and created a perfect love bubble in which to enjoy this special occasion. Lots of couples choose to stay on at their chosen elopement venue for a few extra days, creating a mini-moon to extend their “just married” feel for as long as possible before returning home. And who can blame them... An elopement weddings can be just for the two of you; include your dog; bring your children or best friends, or parents. The best thing about elopement weddings is that you only need to include those you want around you – and it’s perfectly OK for that to be just you two if that’s what you choose. The main benefits enjoyed by couples who choose elopements are: reduced costs and higher quality experience vs big tradition wedding where budget has to stretch a long way an authentic experience that reflects their relationship no fuss/ fall outs and stress-free (aside from wedding day nerves!) not having to be the centre of attention not having to invite and pay for a bunch of relatives that you barely see otherwise more fun! Year in year out we are seeing more and more couples choose an elopement wedding. To help couples considering this style of wedding, we’ve put together our top elopement venues UK for 2023. It features the best elopement venues from across the UK. We work regularly with all of these venues and so it’s not just a random list of pretty places to get married; each venue is tried and tested and loved by the couples who have eloped to each and every one. We hope you enjoy finding your perfect elopement wedding venue! Cornwall Cosawes Barton You’ll find this gem in the beautiful wild Cornish countryside between Truro and Falmouth. Hidden in 17 acres of woodland and gardens discover the magic of this unique indoor and outdoor wedding venue, providing the ideal destination for elopements and small family weddings as it’s both dog and child friendly. You can choose one of the three lovingly restored, luxurious 5* cottages where you can enjoy a private chef meal of your choice after your wedding ceremony. It’s the perfect place for a romantic and peaceful countryside wedding that’s quietly understated, yet in reality packed full of magical moments. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/cosawes-barton-small-wedding-venue Joey Lamb Photography Tremenheere Journey to the very tip of Cornwall, you’ll find an exceptional elopement wedding venue. At the heart of these stunning, naturalistic exotic and sub-tropical gardens, with views of the sea over Mounts Bay and St Michael`s Mount to die for, you have a choice of two outdoor unique and licensed placed for your ceremony, plus the options of the truly gorgeous art gallery. The setting is sublime, providing endless photo opportunities and the perfect outdoor spot for after-ceremony drinks and canapés or even a picnic in the grounds! What’s more, the beach is literally 5 minutes away, so for couples who’d like to incorporate some beach photography into their day, this is just perfect. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/garden-weddings Thomas Frost Photography Treseren This is the very special place to enjoy a country house elopement wedding in relaxed decadence, where bringing your own unique style and vibe with you is the norm. You cannot fail to be bowled over by so many thoughtful touches that the owners lay on as standard for you, such as the staffed cocktail bar you will never want to leave, the covered outdoor eating area (just in case of rain!) and so much more. An elopement at Treseren offers you exclusive use of this gorgeous country retreat, where you can immerse yourselves in your own very special elopement experience, dine like kings with a choice of fine dining options, glug champagne and bespoke cocktails til your heart’s content, retiring to your luxurious bedroom, all under the magic of a Cornish sky. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/luxurious-intimate-weddings-treseren The Cornish Place The Cornish Place is a magnificent reimagining of Victorian farm outbuildings which blends original features, intelligent architectural design and Skandi-style interiors that gently whisper "hyge". It’s just the perfect place for cosy, romantic elopements. Located just 7 miles from both the north and south coasts of Cornwall. Gylly, Portreath, Gwithian and Chapel Porth beaches are all a short drive away and can be built into your wedding day should you wish. The Cornish Place is an intimate wedding venue that combines luxury with the wild beauty and romance of Cornwall perfectly. It’s a real dream venue for ‘just the two of you” elopements, elopement with your children, parents or best friends. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/the-cornish-place-intimate-weddings The Spingles Frieda and the Moon This is an uber-relaxed, yet stunningly beautiful wedding venue set in unspoilt, natural surroundings that lends itself perfectly to bringing your wedding ideas to life, both in terms of the setting, facilities and the wonderfully accommodating approach the owners take to each wedding they host. Frieda and the Moon is a 13-acre smallholding creating a romantic hideaway that has an adventurous, off-the grid feel to it, yet packed full of luxury and comfort. Stay on one of the two hand-built luxury cabins nestled between the trees in the wooded paddock, marry in the purpose-built oak-framed wedding studio for your ceremony and celebrations, with views over three circular terraced lawns or in the wooded hornbeam circle. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/quiet-wedding Thomas Frost Photography Knightor Winery This exquisite winery provides the perfect backdrop to a relaxed elopement wedding ceremony for just the two of you. Imagine saying your 'I do's' surrounded by wildflowers under impressive wooden arbour; enjoying a glass of Cornish sparkling wine to celebrate your marriage; and, spending time exploring the vineyard with your photographer to capture unique images of your special day to treasure forever. If you’re looking at a winter wedding, the cosy renovated threshing barn with many original features including: its high beamed ceilings; Cornish slate floors; and, exposed rustic stone walls provides a very special place to exchange your vows by candle light. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/knightor-winery-weddings-elopements Victoria Walker, Photographer Antonia’s Pearls If you’re searching for a romantic, elopement venue by the sea then Marine Villa maybe just what you’re looking for. It overlooks the historic harbour in the village of Charlestown on Cornwall’s south coast, providing a simply stunning location for an intimate wedding as well as luxurious accommodation for groups of 2-8 adults plus a handful of children. In the winter you can have your legal wedding ceremony in the drawing room by a real log fire or the beautifully styled dining room Marine Villa. In the warmer months, or weather permitting in the winter, choose to wed under the fig tree next to the jasmine adorned summer house. It’s such a special spot! And, wherever you choose to wed at Antonia’s Pearls, the sea will provide its own unique soundtrack to your elopement wedding day making Marine Villa the perfect choice for an intimate wedding at any time of year. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/antonia-s-pearls Thomas Frost Photography Pengelly Retreat Welcome to your dream elopement wedding utopia for couples who are seeking a beautiful celebration of their love in nature in the the most magical and private setting. This dreamy re-wilded retreat offers the choice to have your celebrant-led wedding ceremony by a wild swimming lake, in secret gardens surrounded by sub-tropical plants, in the flower meadows or in the romantic water-side tipi. It’s just perfect for romantic couples who love nature and want to combine a few nights away, staying in the luxurious cabin or yurt by the lake, with 2-10 guests attending their celebrant-led elopement ceremony. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/pengelly-retreat Devon Brickhouse Vineyard Brickhouse Vineyard is an outstanding small wedding venue. It provides an amazing venue for your elopement wedding. It’s located in the rolling countryside of South Devon, just 12 miles from Exeter. As you approach through hedge-rowed lanes you’ll feel a world away from the real world. We think it offers the perfect solution for couples looking for secret elopement wedding off the beaten-track. Imagine your legal elopement wedding ceremony in the awesome 18th Century thatched Round House that’s been totally renovated to create a magical space with a unique external “bridal aisle”. It’s just perfect for romantic elopement weddings just for two and dog friendly to boot. If you want to stay close by, we can recommend elopement accommodation at the neighbouring property, The Folly. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/brickhouse-vineyard-wedding-venues Emma Barrow Photographer Little Quarme Just imagine eloping to the peace and tranquillity of Exmoor National Park, amongst the iconic rolling hills that so sum up everything great about the British countryside. Specifically, Little Quarme is just a heartbeat away from the magic that is Dunkery Beacon and Horner Wood Nature Reserve. You can get married in the wooden gazebo with stunning views over Quarme Valley which creates natural amphitheatre. With first class service provided by hosts Katherine and Nick and this is a place where elopement wedding magic comes to life. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/little-quarme Tara Stratton, photographer Millbrook You can use the super-romantic Summer House for you elopement wedding ceremony. It’s a ceremony space that can be totally adapted and transformed with the help of the lovely team at Millbrook to provide a beautiful setting for elopements all year round. In the warmer months, let the outside in and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings with the floor to ceiling 5m wide doors open for your elopement wedding ceremony. Or pick your favourite outside spot close by to say your “I do’s” wedding ceremony outside – there’s so many outdoor locations in the grounds including: beneath the old oak tree; amongst the bluebells in the ancient woods; surrounded by wild flowers in the wild flower field; beside the flower borders just popping with colour; we could go on... In the cooler months, keep the floor to ceiling glazed doors closed (but with nature still in full sight), light the log fire, and candles and switch on the fairly lights, transforming the Summer House into a hideaway straight from the pages of a fairy tale. Add to this your choice of the 5* Gold award winning accommodation offered at Millbrook and you have everything you need for a simply amazing elopement wedding experience. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/millbrook-devon-elopements Treetop Escape Tree Top Escape is an exceptional intimate wedding venue in North Devon, literally in the treetops. Have your elopement wedding ceremony in The Nest with views through the floor to ceiling glazed opening onto a balcony with frameless balustrades giving you the very best views of the valley and the lake. Enjoy in the moment and treasure forever. The cleverly designed Tree House provides luxury accommodation for up to 4 and offers yet more stunning views down the unspoilt valley. You’ll have a private balcony providing space for alfresco drinks and dining and to top it all, a hot tub. There’s a wooden walkway that cleverly links The Tree House to The Nest providing a unique “aisle” for your elopement wedding ceremony. This place is just perfect for couples who love nature, clever design and are looking for a luxuriously relaxed way to elope with a real wow-factors then Tree Top Escape is a great fit for you. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/tree-top-escape-elopements Coombe Trenchard This is a place that stays with you long after you have departed. It’s a well-kept secret and you’ll find it tucked away on the edge of the raw beauty and romance of Dartmoor. Set I over 100 acres, the show-stopping main house is an Edwardian “Arts & Crafts” country house offers peace and tranquillity of a by-gone age, where the “Arts and Crafts” principles of handcrafting, thoughtful design and a personal approach run so much deeper than the beauty of this exquisite country house. Discerning couples, looking for the highest levels of personal service, quality and individuality will find that Coombe Trenchard, a privately-owned intimate wedding venue offers just that. The owner Sarah, strictly limits the number of weddings booked each year so that you can be assured that your elopement wedding will be the truly unique and personal experience you have dreamt of. Sarah and her team are exemplary - a particularly lovely detail is that Sarah will happily grow seasonal flowers for your wedding day in the extensive cutting garden on the estate. When Sarah and her husband Phillip open their home to you, they open their hearts too. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/coombe-trenchard Venetia Norrington, Photographer The Folly Declaring your love to your life-partner can take many forms, and for some of us, an audience is not required. In fact, for many couples creating some special “you and me time” to properly immerse yourselves your relationship is far more appealing than a big traditional wedding. If you feel this is the sort of thing you are looking for, why not to take your commitment to the next level and get married, sealing your union in a legal, church or celebrant-led ceremony whilst staying a few nights at The Folly? Whatever you choose The Folly is an amazing little hideaway that’s perfect, just for two combining a really stunning “hideaway” with a number of flexible elopement wedding options, including combining this with your wedding ceremony at Brickhouse Vineyard just next door! https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/the-folly-devon-vow-renewal Verity Westcott, Photographer Bath Roman Baths Exchange your vows in this iconic ancient monument. It’s not just unique, historical and beautiful: it’s also practical! As while being outdoors, it is covered and protected from any bad weather, meaning your elopement wedding ceremony can be enjoyed whatever the weather. Imagine the magical feeling of exchanging your vows then sipping Champagne on 2000-year-old original Roman paving with flaming torches reflecting in the thermal waters? It’s here, overlooked by stunning Bath Abbey, that your elopement can take place in a sunrise or sunset ceremony. Whichever you choose, there is no more romantic start to your married life. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/roman-baths Barnett Phillips Photography Scotland Riddle Court Riddles Court is just perfect for a romantic elopement wedding for 2. It’s a place where history, romance combine with the best Scottish hospitality to create the magic that makes elopements so very special. It’s situated in the heart of the Royal Mile, Edinburgh, yet hidden in plain sight. Entering from the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile you’ll feel a real sense of calm and awe wash over you as the privacy afforded by this unique and beautiful place washes over you. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/riddles-court Claire Juliet Paton The Barn at Harburn The Barn at Harburn is an exquisite intimate wedding venue Scotland and dates back some 250 years when it was a treadmill and grain store. Today, after much skilful renovated, the repurposed roundhouse and granary retains much of the original ancient Scottish Broch style, including all you need for the perfect elopement wedding ceremony. You’ll find it at the heart of the 9-acre Harburn Estate, surrounded by gardens and parkland featuring a landscaped lake with an endless choice of beautiful walks, making it the perfect place for your elopement wedding day and providing a stunning backdrop to your photography. It's located just 45 minutes from Edinburgh and 50 minutes from Glasgow, making it easily accessible. When you arrive at Harburn, calm washes over you and you’ll be transported a million miles from the humdrum of everyday life, enveloped in the tranquillity and charm of this extra-special countryside escape with accommodation on site. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/the-barn-at-harburn Alexandra House This is a divine and graceful period country house situated on a Perthshire hillside with panoramic views across Gleneagles to the Highlands. You’ll find the whole house is tastefully decorated, with comfort and relaxation at the heart of the luxurious interior. Perfectly positioned just 1 hour from both Glasgow and Edinburgh and just 20 minutes from Perth and Sterling it’s the ideal place for an elopement in Scotland, year-round. Elope to Juniper found on the estate, with simply magnificent views for your ceremony, and your own private hot tub to star gaze on your wedding night. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/alexander-house-wedding-house-scotland Cotswolds Twyning Park Twyning Park is a stunning grade II listed country house dating back to the 17th Century overlooking the Avon. Set in 5 acres of private grounds including a rose garden, river meadow and a secret garden as well as the two main lawns, the house still retains many of the original features, with every room having its own special feel. You can book an elopement wedding with accommodation in this gorgeous house. It's just perfect for couples looking for an elegant elopement experience in a beautifully preserved country house with the most gorgeous outdoor spaces. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/twyning-park-weddings Pauntley Court Falling in love with Pauntley Court is inevitable. This family-owned country house is set in exquisite formal gardens with dreamy, far-reaching views of the countryside, it is as unique as it is beautiful. It oozes romance and is the perfect backdrop for stylish, yet relaxed elopements. The interior design blends carefully preserved original features with modern day comfort. Outside and the ‘garden rooms’ provide endless photo opportunities for your wedding album. With an elopement wedding booking you’ll have exclusive hire of the ground floor of the Main House with accommodation for the two of you in the romantic and cosy bridal suite, Elinor Fettiplace, for two days and one night, with arrival from 9am on the morning of your wedding. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/pauntley-court. Lucie Hamilton Photography North of England Little Seed Field This is an incredibly special place: it’s perfect for couples seeking an elopement experience in an unspoilt, wild setting in nature, with a strong desire to take a mindful approach to the environmental impact of their wedding day. We love the sense of freedom that comes with this choice!Set in the heart of Nidderdale, Yorkshire Dales, it’s surrounded by the heather-rich moorlands that are home to a wide range of wildlife. This unspoilt corner of England is home to Hackfall Ancient Woods and Trail; you’ll find a Druid temple and the market towns of Masham and Pateley Bridge are close-by. Stay in one of the seven luxury cabins on site in privacy and peace, rounding your day off by taking in the starlit heavens above or on colder evenings, snuggling by the wood burner in your cabin. Your ceremony can be held in the Owl Barn or outside in nature. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/little-seed-field East Anglia Bury St Edmunds Guildhall The Guildhall is an integral part of the history of the market town of Bury St Edmunds. It dates back to 1279, making it the oldest continuously-used civic building in Britain. What’s more, it’s home to a the only surviving World War Two Royal Observer Corps Control Centre in the UK. For your elopement wedding you have a choice of unique spaces for your wedding day: Regency Banqueting Hall, panelled Georgian Court Room or the walled gardens. Whichever space you choose, the elegance and uniqueness of this the Guildhall provides a stunning blank canvas for you to bring your wedding day dreams to life. https://www.petiteweddings.co.uk/intimate-wedding-suffolk We hope you've enjoyed looking through our top elopement venue recommendations for the UK and wish you lots of love and happiness wherever and however you choose to mark your special day.

Thank you so much for agreeing to have a chat with us about your wedding – the images by Laura of Freeform Images look amazing – you had quite a day! Before we talk about your wedding at Little Quarme, we’d love to know a bit more about your story: Where and when did you guys meet? We met at Plymouth University in 2007, we lived in halls of residence together. When did you know it was forever? We’ve been on many adventures together and shared some great memories. For me, it would be how Mark always supports me even when I’m at my lowest. In 2014 I was very unwell and he was there for me throughout looking after me. He never lets me down and never fails to make me laugh. He is so kind without even realising it and also he’s a great cook! I always knew I wanted to marry Katie. She is a beautiful, selfless and caring individual who always puts her heart into everything! We took an unconventional (and some would say long :P) path to engagement. I’ve always had a notoriously laid-back approach to life – but with a house, dog, baby and estate car already on board, marriage was the final cherry for our family cake. Tell me about the proposal Mark proposed on my 31st birthday, during our usual morning routine of a cup of tea in bed with our little boy Maxwell and springer spaniel Jessie. Maxwell gave Mummy a present which was a wooden ring asking the big question. I laughed and cried and of course said yes! You chose Little Quarme in the heart of Exmoor for your wedding – what drew you to this venue and what did it offer that made it your number one choice? Little Quarme is such a beautiful place. Katie grew up in Somerset and always wanted to get married there. Mark is an avid cyclist and has spent many hours exploring the lanes of Exmoor. We loved that we could make our wedding a weekend celebration at Little Quarme with our closest family and friends staying with us, including Jessie the dog. We loved its simplicity and that the scenery is unbroken with beautiful views of Exmoor. Your wedding day looked absolutely gorgeous, first of all tell us about the British bird theme at your wedding and those beautiful handmade illustrations…what inspired these, who made them and where did you weave this beautiful theme into your day? Our married surname is Raven, so we wanted to use birds in our wedding. The Raven family are keen wildlife enthusiasts and Mark has tried to teach me throughout our relationship different bird song. Our tables were named after birds we like or have in our garden. Mark’s Dad was the artist who created the hand drawn images from his own photographs. We gave the original images framed as presents to our family for all of their hard work helping with our wedding. Our theme was simply a collection of things we like; birds, ladybirds, tea and of course cake! We decided to use teapots for our floral centrepieces and we already had our own Emma Bridgwater British bird teapot which had to be on the top table. We sourced teapots from charity shops, family and friends. Tell me about your wedding dress – what you actually went with and why. I went bridal shopping with my Mum and maid of honour. I visited a few different bridal shops in Bristol and thought I would go for a soft romantic dress. But I could not commit, I knew I wanted something classic, simple but not what people would expect. We visited Wed2B where I found my dream dress. My Mum recalls me saying “wow” when I saw it on the rail. I instantly felt amazing and knew it was the one... and there was a bonus of pockets! I had my lipstick and great grandmother’s handkerchief (my something old) in them throughout the day. What did your wedding stay look like in terms of arrival, order of your day and the day afterwards? We arrived at Little Quarme on Friday morning, our marquee was already up and we set to work creating our wedding. We had a list of tasks which needed completing. We provided food for our guests and we all thoroughly enjoyed Katherine’s homemade cream tea. We had a food delivery and had a BBQ on Friday evening. We decided to get married at 3pm on Saturday. The morning consisted of Mark going for a bike ride with his best man, Katie taking Jessie for a walk and leaving the final touches of the wedding to our amazing friends and family. Our wedding breakfast was at 5pm, we cut our wedding cake at 6pm and whilst the speeches were taking place, Big Pot Kitchen cut our cake ready for pudding. Our evening consisted of a DIY disco with our guest requests from their RSVP’s and we had a silent disco from 10.30pm onwards. We were very lucky to have so much help from everyone and our day would not have been such a success without them. We delegated tasks throughout the day to people including setting up the wedding cakes, evening cheese and the silent disco. On Sunday the clean-up mission began, it did not take too long and we rewarded all our helpers including the campers who stayed on site with breakfast in the barn. What are your abiding memories of your wedding day at Little Quarme? Little Quarme is such a special place to us. We loved getting married outside and how relaxed our wedding was. All of our guests had such an amazing time. We loved dancing and enjoying ourselves in the evening. Some highlights include all our guests participating in our Great Raven bake off completion and giving out prizes together along with Raven handshakes to the star bakers. We loved taking a walk around the grounds on our own with our photographer Laura and all of our guests singing their hearts out to our silent disco. Which wedding services did you use (that you would recommend to others) to make your day complete? Laura from Freeform Images was our photographer. Laura was so kind, friendly and just the most amazing photographer. She was like a guest at our wedding and was so flexible with trying to get shots with an over tired toddler and unruly spaniel. Big Pot Kitchen - provided a grazing table for welcome drinks and their famous sausages and cider potatoes for main. The food was incredible and Trevor and Jane were so friendly. Coutts Events Hire - we used for our glassware and some furnishings. Communication was so easy with Joanne and delivery was quick. Covered Marquees - we loved our marquee and that it was the perfect size for our day. Nick provided our PA system for the evening disco and communication was faultless. Cindy Beddard Bridal Hair - Cindy was my honorary bridesmaid, she is so talented and such a genuinely lovely person. She really calmed my nerves. Headphone Disco UK - we had a silent disco for the evening. The service was faultless and it was great fun. Flowers - we very extremely lucky that our close friend Hannah Clifford offered to do our wedding flowers. She’s so extremely talented and worked so hard to make our table centrepieces, milk churns and pergola display. The bouquets and buttonholes were dried flowers by Twigs and Twine Floral Design. I loved that I am able to keep my bouquet for years to come and the bouquets were a beautiful thank you present for my bridesmaids. We also rented several items and used some of the free items available at Little Quarme. Wedding cake - rather than a traditional tiered cake we decided to have a cake table of 4 wedding cakes which we served as our wedding breakfast pudding. We were so fortunate to have three incredible friends who baked our lemon, carrot and vanilla fondant bird cakes. Our vegan sponge was provided by 404bakes in Bristol who is known to us as Anna the baker bakes the cakes for the coffee shop near to the children’s hospital where Katie works. Would you recommend Little Quarme to friends and if so, why? We would absolutely recommend Little Quarme to anyone. Katherine and Nick were great at supporting us with our big day and letting us create such a special wedding. The added bonus of hiring all of the Little Quarme cottages to accommodate our family and friends over a long weekend helped to stretch the wedding celebrations over more than just the wedding day itself. Little Quarme is just beautiful and we can’t wait to go back for our anniversary and for holidays in the years to come. If you could do it all again (a) would you? And (b) is there anything you would change? We’d do our day again in the heartbeat. It was so special and it is absolutely right that people say it goes so quickly. Kate and Mark thank you for sharing your beautiful story. It’s been a real privilege to hear your story and in particular the creative and fun ways you involved your guests in making your Little Quarme Wedding totally your own. We are sure this will inspire others who are currently considering their wedding celebration options. You can see more information and images of Little Quarme here.

There’s something particularly special to be said for small weddings for 50. As Goldilocks might have put it, "Not too big, not too small, just right." And yet, there are so few wedding venues that take these types of wedding seriously or make them super-special. For example, some larger venues try and down-scale their venue leaving parts of it cordoned off, or out of bounds, yet this is not necessarily reflected in the price you pay... We believe that having an intimate wedding in exquisite surroundings should not be a compromise: it should be all you dream of and more. What’s more, by working with wedding venues that share this vision and love to host smaller weddings, rather than shoe horning smaller weddings into "out of season" slots we think we’ve come up with a list of the top small wedding venues for 50 in the UK that could help you cut to the chase when selecting your small wedding venue. Starting in Somerset we recommend: The Manor, Holcombe The Manor, Holcombe is a beautifully renovated Georgian manor house that cleverly preserves and enhances the original architectural features, whilst creatively updating the interior design. Exquisitely chosen furniture and artwork, combining to create an aesthetic dreamscape that's also uber-comfortable making this the perfect small wedding venue. It's chic, elegant and picturesque. What's more it has a pool, gym, hot tub and snooker table in the games room as well as a children's play area and beautiful safe gardens. YOu can see more here. Romans Baths, Bath This unique intimate wedding venue is over 2000 years old. This enchanting, award-winning Roman Baths is just perfect for your small wedding. It offers a combination of stunning outdoor and indoor spaces in a prime location. Just 85 mins from London on the train it's also super-accessible and theres a package with hotel Indigo just a few steps up the street for you and your guests. You can see more here. We move to the beautiful north of England countryside in Derby. Casterton Grange, Derby Caterston Grange could be from the pages of Jane Austen or the screens of Bridgerton. It sings romance, and, on second glance coyly reveals every luxury you could imagine to make your wedding stay perfect. It’s decadent, it’s 52-acres of gorgeousness and exclusively yours for your wedding weekend. You’ll find it tucked in the epic countryside of the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales. Easily accessible by road and rail, this picture-perfect country pad offers total privacy and the most romantic setting that’s just perfect for intimate weddings. With a walled garden, charming cottages all with their own hot tubs, a lake just perfect for wedding photography and a marquee site if required, as well as a choice of diving inside spaces offering a wonderful range of options for your wedding accommodation, ceremony and celebrations. To find out more about this fabulously luxurious small wedding venue for 50 take a look here. Scotland offers rugged romance and first-class hospitality and dining options. Riddle Court, Edinburgh Riddles Court is perfect for intimate weddings & elopements in a unique, secluded city setting. This stunning destination wedding venue is a heady mis of history and romance, with the highest standards of Scottish hospitality included as standard. You’ll find it situated in the heart of the Royal Mile, Edinburg, yet as you enter via the hidden entrance, you’ll feel a million miles from anywhere. With Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral and for ease of picking up your wedding certificate, Royal Mile Registry Office you’ll find plenty of photo opportunities close by as well as at the venue itself. You can even spend your wedding night in the Kings Chambers – a beautifully designed self-contained apartment in the building. Find out more about this unique and bewitching wedding venue for 50 here. The Barn at Harburn This place really is something special. Think relaxed rustic elegance in a historic roundhouse and barn that will take your breath away, and you have The Barn at Harburn. This exquisite intimate wedding is over 250 years old with new life being breathed into it by a skilfully renovated, yet you’ll still find many original features of the original ancient Scottish Broch style. The result is a choice of perfect spaces for your wedding ceremony, celebration meal and ceilidh. What's more, sat in the heart of 9 acres of parkland you are assured of privacy and a beautiful backdrop to your wedding day. You can find out more about The Barn at Harburn here. Devon and Cornwall hold a special place in so many people’s hearts, with fond memories of childhood holidays creating a very special spark between past, present and future. Here we recommend: Brickhouse Vineyard, Devon Designed with small weddings in mind from the start, this is a place that combines elegance and grandeur with fabulous outside spaces resulting in a relaxed country-chic vibe. You’ll find Brickhouse Vineyard set in the rolling Devon hills, just 12 miles south of Exeter, yet you'll feel a million miles from anywhere. ​ You can enjoy your legal wedding ceremony in the beautifully renovated 18th Century thatched Round House with a unique landscaped external “bridal aisle” through a “flower meadow terrace” against a backdrop of this working vineyard. The newly renovated historic barn has been specially designed for wedding parties of up to 60-day guests and 100 in the evening. So again, made to measure for groups of 50! Take a look at more here. Little Quarme, Devon Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you can marry in the natural amphitheatre that’s home to Little Quarme surrounded by your nearest and dearest. When you hire Little Quarme you have access to 18 acres of secluded, unencumbered loveliness that’s yours for exclusive or part-hire for weekend or mid-week weddings. Here you’ll find 6 cosy 4* cottages, accommodating up to 22 guests on site and ideal for weddings for 50. You’ll also have access to The Barn and can pitch a marquee too. Wrapped around The Barn is a terrace which overlooks the valley that’s perfect for pre- and post-wedding drinks and canapés. It really is a delight, take a look at further details here. Coombe Trenchard, Devon Here’s a well-kept secret…Coombe Trenchard. It’s a place that stays with you long after you have departed. Set in the west of Devon on the edge of the raw beauty and romance of Dartmoor, the show-stopping main house is an Edwardian “Arts & Crafts” country house and is surrounded by over a hundred acres of well-tended garden, parkland and woodlands. The house was originally designed with entertaining in mind and so lends itself perfectly to intimate weddings for 50. In a world where quantity often outweighs quality, it’s refreshing to find the “Arts and Crafts” principles of craftsmanship, thoughtful design and a personal attention underpin everything at this delightful wedding venue. To find out more about this enchanting small wedding venue, take a look here. Knightor Winery, Cornwall This gorgeous working winery, is snuggled into the rolling Cornish landscape above the picturesque St Austell Bay. It offers the most exquisite and stunning venue suitable for weddings for up to 90 people. This venue has a rare, natural beauty combined with outstanding food and obviously great wine, and, topped off with the most friendly and helpful staff you would wish for. For us, it’s a “dream ticket” of a wedding venue that gives couples affordable luxury in a stunning, sought-after location. Take a look at more here. Camel Studio, Cornwall Camel Studio is an exclusive hire barn wedding venue with a beautiful modern twist set in the North Cornwall countryside. You’ll be bewitched with its beautiful, light filled barn overlooking the rolling hills of the Camel Valley. It's so easy to imagine your wedding in this magical setting. It’s just ten minutes from Wadebridge, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and you’ll arrive along country lanes giving a real sense of journey to your wedding destination. Modern yet rustic, intimate yet impressive: a Camel Studio wedding is always unforgettable. You can see more here. In the Cotswolds you’ll find a very special wedding venue that’s just perfect for your wedding for 50 people. Pauntley Court, Gloucester You’ll be pleased your found this amazing country house with exquisite formal gardens and far-reaching views across the Gloucestershire countryside, is as unique as it is beautiful. It oozes romance and ‘rustic chic’ with an undeniable quirkiness; the interior design blends a plethora of original features with every modern comfort. Outside, the ‘garden rooms’ provide endless photography opportunities. It’s just perfect for wedding ceremonies and celebrations for up to 50, and what’s more up to 32 guests can stay in the luxurious accommodation here too. If it’s a church wedding you are dreaming of, Pauntley Court is next door to an exquisite 800-year-old Norman Church for a traditional church ceremony. It’s just a stone’s throw from the Main House, accessed through a private gate from the gardens. Find out more about his unique opportunity here. If you are looking for something a little different with a historic twist for your wedding for 50, we have two final recommendations your consideration: Bury St Edmunds Guild Hall, Suffolk The Guildhall is an integral part of the history of Bury St Edmunds. It dates back to 1279, and is the oldest continuously-used civic building in Britain. It’s also home to a the only surviving World War Two Royal Observer Corps Control Centre in the country. You can choose from a choice of unique spaces for your wedding day: Regency Banqueting Hall, panelled Georgian Court Room or the walled gardens. The versatility of this space makes it the perfect choice for wedding ceremonies and celebrations for up to 50 people and up to 80- if you can’t cut your wedding guest list down! It’s a stunning blank canvas for you to bring your wedding day dreams to life. Take a look here for more details. Roman Baths, Bath 2000 is a lot of history and a Roman Bath is most certainly a unique and atmospheric place to make your wedding vows. It’s not just beautiful, it’s also practical as while being outdoors, it is covered and protected from any wet weather meaning your wedding ceremony can be held here come rain or shine. It’s such a romantic setting and we defy you not to yearn to be sipping a celebratory-glass of bubble on the 2000-year-old original Roman paving, with flaming torches reflecting in the thermal waters? It’s here, overlooked by stunning Bath Abbey, that your small wedding for up to 50 can take place in a sunrise or sunset ceremony. Take a look at this stunning small wedding venue option here. We hope you find your perfect small wedding venue and have the most amazing wedding experience with beautiful memories to last you both a lifetime.

We’ve been working with Paul and Babs, the lovely owners of Frieda and the Moon for over 4 years now. We fell in love with this unique intimate wedding venue that lends itself so well to bringing your own wildest wedding ideas to life, both in terms of the setting, the facilities and the accommodating approach the owners take to each wedding. We caught up with Paul and Babs hoping to leave with a sprinkling of their fabulous energy, passion and creativity that makes this small wedding venue a firm favourite with couples seeking elopements and intimate weddings. Here’s what happened. Every time we speak there seems to be a new aspect of your wedding offering that you are breathing life into. Tell me, where do you get your energy from and what inspires you? The inspiration comes from the joy of creating a peaceful oasis with magical moments in a humdrum so-so world. The grandest thrill for us is the look of amazement that dawns when our people encounter something authentic and beautiful conjured just for them — the candles and twinkling lights in the Hornbeam Circle at twilight; a sumptuous vintage high tea appearing as if by some enchantment while they just popped out for a few photos; a tawny owl circling The Observatory in the dusk… These are the moments of simple magic that inspired the name — in the exquisite haiku-like poem Full Moon and Little Frieda, Ted Hughes shows us that ephemeral instant: a little girl is just delighted by her first ever sight of the rising harvest moon… We try to set the stage for experiences like these. You’re right, it does take a lot of energy — we’re both performing musicians, and Paul spent many years working in theatre — we learned from that that a tiny moment of magic can be created only with investment, planning, determined work, and relentless attention to detail and quality. It must appear effortless, and that takes a great deal of effort. One more example — the creation of the fairytale interior of the Tabernacle called upon all of these ingredients — when they arrive, we send the couple in and count the seconds — almost always there is a shriek of Wow!! or OMG!! There’s the payback, right there. There’s so much you have done provide an array of magical options for couples to choose from. Tell me about the idea behind the Hornbeam Circle? So many of our couples want a personalised unique-to-them ceremony outdoors, in addition to the legal marriage earlier in the day. This is where they can really find the meaning of their time together so far, and to come. We have a great relationship with some really committed local celebrants, who work closely with the couple to craft a personalised ceremony. When we went scouting for a place in the woods, which are only a couple of minutes walk away, we discovered that the people who had planted the woods long ago had, for reasons unknown, created a perfect circle of hornbeams, trees associated with all sorts of myth and mystery. So we made a tiny amphitheatre — ringed with white quartz that you find in the ground around here — which with fairy lights and candles flickering, soft ambient music and a drift of incense — makes the perfect tableau in the twilight. On our very first woodland ceremony, against a backdrop of the tawny owls hooting in the nearby oaks, the cows in the adjacent field quietly came and lined up along the fence, and just stood silently watching. It felt like a deep and ancient sacrament — it made the hair stand up on the back of your neck … You offer access to an owl and an alpaca ring bearer – where did that concept come from? Little Man the alpaca lived here for a while. In the early days we had a particularly nervous bride who just loved the alpaca, so on a whim we invited him to the wedding and it worked wonders for her anxiety. Then the concept just grew from that. Now he wears a bow tie to the weddings and knows exactly where to stand and how to look impossibly cute for the photos. What’s your favourite brief for wedding flowers? Fortunately, the kind of bride that is entranced by the world of Frieda And The Moon tends to favour the more “boho” end of the spectrum — and quite naturally gives us a brief that favours natural, local, woodland and hedgerow flora, which just happens to be what Babs loves to forage. We are so lucky to have this slice of Old Cornwall with so many ancient hedges full of indigenous plants — medieval field boundaries are visible on the land, and it has never had chemicals on it — so we tend the field boundaries to create an environment that is friendly to these native species, which gives a real connection to the “sense of place” for our tiny wedding bouquets. Wedding day feasting is such an important part of many people’s wedding days. What catering services do you offer couples? As ever, we strive for quality over quantity. Couples love our Champagne Breakfast Hampers — if you can’t have a decadent treat delivered still warm to your door on your wedding morning then… Our Vintage High Teas for after the wedding are all freshly made — Babs on cakes, Paul on sandwiches. We have become very smooth at whipping it all out in the time it takes for a few outside photos, and we go shamelessly over the top with the jujjing up — fancy antique linens, frou-frou cake stands; mismatched boho crocks, shabby chic candelabras, hedgerow flowers, and a few scented candles…. Because we specialise in only tiny weddings, and it’s just the two of us, we have no limit on the flexibility of the catering — on a banquet for a small group it’s not unusual for us to make vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free and all permutations, including what we wickedly call “normal”. We have worked with a couple of amazing private chefs. This is proper money, but what an unforgettable experience — six fine dining courses served by candlelight in The Studio. The couples who have splashed out for this are unanimously so delighted that they did!! And, I'm intrigued to find out more about Stargazy Pie Café, what can people expect from this new service? We are so excited about this, we found the old horse box in a field, and Paul spent a year fitting it out, and painting it electric blue… We realised that there was a gap in the flow of experiences on the day, you’ve had your afternoon tea, but what do you eat in the evening? Couples want something flamboyant and a bit theatrical, with lovely food and a fun experience — this festival- style food truck fits the bill. There are a ranged of themed menus, where the booze complements the food, for example: Shepherds Pie and Champagne; Tapas and Gin Cocktails; South Indian Curry and Tiger Beer — there are more options to see on the website. You offer proposal stays, what exactly does this entail? It’s that theatrical box of delights again! You can see by now how we love that — but in this case there is a big surprise included. One partner is in on the secret, and we set the scene in secret so they can deliver their big surprise. The set up is often an innocent evening stroll — and at some point along the way comes the big reveal — they may come upon the glowing lights and candles in the Hornbeam Circle down in the woods, or a candlelit bower in the studio. Their special music will be playing softly, a bottle of Champagne is on ice. Later we appear with a grazing platter, and take a few photos if they want. One time we provided a metal detector and Ben and Sophie “discovered” a wedding ring buried in a glade down by the stream… She had no idea. Ben reported that priceless look of amazement — result! You guys are amazing. Have you ever had a request from a couple that you’ve not been able to find a creative way of delivering? We had a couple request arrival by helicopter. It didn’t happen in the end, but you can still see the trace of the huge “H” that Paul mowed in the field. A bride wanted a bird of prey, and we couldn’t find a local falconer, so that was the first gig for Figgy The Owl, who has turned out to be a popular ring bearer on numerous weddings. Paul was fifteen years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, which is a world where, without exception, ever, the show must go on. So you learn to be creative with making things happen no matter what — maybe not now the mixing desk that burst into flames, but certainly The Groom Who Forgot His Trousers. Goodness, that sounds quite a story, but let's preserve the groom's modesty... Do you have any other plans that you can tell us about here that you are developing? We’ve just got our alcohol licence, so we are pursuing a long term plan to work closely with local suppliers that we know, such as Cornish Gouda and Fowey Valley Cider, to provide a range of food and drink that is authentically artisanal Cornish, both for the weddings, and couples’ self catering. We have been playing and singing together for a long time — and finally we have got round to polishing up a set of romantic songs for a “camp fire cabaret’ that wedding parties can have as part of the Stargazy Pie Cafe experience. Oh, and there might be a sauna in a treehouse… Oh wow, that all sounds amazing. If you two ever get any downtime, what would we find you enjoying? We are concentrating on the music, as we know we will really enjoy offering live shows as part of the mix. We have our own duo Suz La Ruz, and we are also part of local country band Call The Sheriff, so we have couple-only and also larger gatherings covered. We started on the Studio extension this year (Paul lost his workspace when the weddings took off) so The Gallery will be opening in late March - so he’d better get cracking on producing some new paintings… I had no idea you guys were so talented, what a fabulous addition your music will be to your intimate weddings and elopement options for couples. I'm guessing you have a busy year ahead, do you have any availability for couples looking for 2022 dates? Yes, we are about 70% booked for the year. Of course it gets harder to fit to couples dates as the availability diminishes, so we are offering a free Champagne Breakfast Hamper to any couples booking one of the remaining slots for 2022. There is an interactive calendar on the website showing ceremony and accommodation availability. Thank you so much for talking to us today. We wish you and all the wonderful couples who have their weddings booked with you this year, (and those still to book) a joy-filled 2022. Offering complete privacy in its 13 acres, Frieda and the Moon continues to work its magic. With every year that passes, owners Paul and Babs are creating new “twists” and “cherries on top”, seemingly endlessly. Their creativity is just one of the reasons that this unique intimate wedding venue continues to attract so many like-minded couples who are seeking something extra-special and specifically designed for them. To find out more visit friedaandthemoon.co.uk, or email info@friedaandthemoon.co.uk.

As part of a big Irish family, Clair had always imagined having a traditional big wedding, but fiancé Aaron had ideas on a much smaller scale – what better way to start their married life together than with the perfect compromise! The magic of a small wedding is no longer a secret - Ariana Grande’s stylish California Micro Wedding with a guest list of just 20 definitely proved that to the world. Clair and Aaron eventually chose Treseren as their wedding venue, a Georgian country house in the Cornish countryside, offering opulent Austen-esque interiors and sprawling gardens, for an exclusive guest list of 20 of their closest friends and family. The wedding party had exclusive use of Treseren for three nights, with a welcome feast on the arrival evening, before the magical garden ceremony the following day, which took place under a 200-year-old walnut tree. Champagne and garden games on the front lawn made for a picture-perfect afternoon, with the shade of the stretch tent welcomed during one of the hottest weeks of the summer. Tell us a little about how you met/the proposal! We met through a mutual friend in a pub! Almost 7 years later on New Year’s Eve Aaron was waiting outside the hospital where I work at 8pm when I had finished my 12 hour shift. He took me to the Ned hotel in London. There was a big fancy party with a band and food. He surprised me with a hotel room that he booked for 2 nights. I was most shocked that he had packed a few of my favourite outfits, all my makeup and hair products and my swimsuit so I could use the spa. Of course he proposed at midnight with a beautiful ring that surprisingly fitted me perfectly! Did you always know you wanted a small wedding? No, I never could have imagined my wedding being so small. In Ireland, most wedding venues ask for a minimum of 120 people. These are the types of weddings I am used to and really enjoy. My husband is completely different. He said from the beginning that he would love a small wedding of 20 people. I was hesitant at first, but when I found Treseren online, it looked perfect. It was a wedding venue that was specifically designed for up to 20 guests. It seemed like the perfect compromise for us. An intimate wedding in such a beautiful setting means that you can have it fancy and tasteful but equally relaxed and comfortable. The perfect combination that reflects both of our personalities. Clair, we know your family are used to big Irish weddings, what did they think of your small wedding? My family loved my wedding. My dad will describe it as a midsummer night’s dream. My dad being quite introverted in nature felt very comfortable in a small crowd. We have never seen him pull dance moves quite like it! My wedding was simple and unique and all my guests were raving about how good it was and how special they felt being invited to such an intimate wedding. Some of them said it was the best wedding they have ever been to. Why did you choose Cornwall? The first holiday we went on as a couple was Looe. That was 9 years ago. We loved it and always said we would come back. Aaron had always said he wanted a destination wedding but with the pandemic, it wouldn't have been possible to go away. Cornwall worked out perfectly. It was 30 degrees for the week of our wedding. My Irish guests were delighted and we spent the day after our wedding at the beach! Tell us about your gorgeous dress! My dress was Jenny Packham. I saw my dress on the cover of a magazine in 2019 just after we got engaged. It had a cornflower blue ribbon belt with the headline ‘wild romance’. I was determined to try it on. I didn't think I would love it as much as I did when I put it on. It was the first dress I tried on. I also couldn't believe that they were offering NHS staff 30% off because of the pandemic. I said yes to the dress straight away. What were your highlights of the day? The whole day was amazing from start to finish. Aaron and I woke up at about 6am and we decided to get up before everyone else and have coffee together before the chaos. That was really lovely. My sister and best friends made the morning so special. They surprised me with a small photo of my late grandparents for my bouquet which was just amazing. I absolutely loved our ceremony. It was such a beautiful setting. We were very lucky that we were able to legally marry outside. I was quite nervous so I was relieved at that point that I only had 20 guests! We had dinner at about 8pm outside. It was lovely to relax, eat and drink those gorgeous cocktails in such a beautiful setting! Photgraphy – Lyra and Moth Flowers – Brookside Flower Farm Hair and Make-up – Ione Hair and Make-Up Dress – Jenny Packham Garden Games – Stargazey Hire Food – Kerra’s Catering

This real intimate wedding story started in May 2019, when Kim and Scott first got in touch with us. They were keen to get marred in the next 12 months. Like so many other couples that we help, Kim and Scott have children already and other financial priorities to think about so they weren’t looking to spend £30K on their wedding. But yet, they did not want to compromise on their special day either. They wanted to have a seriously lovely relaxed intimate wedding day in a beautiful setting surrounded by their closest friends and family. They didn’t want any stress and were looking for relaxed natural environment and enjoy the planning process. Kim told me they loved the outdoors and quirky, unique things. This is the brief that set us off on the search for the ideal wedding venue for this lovely couple. They looked at a number of options on the Petite Wedding site, and quickly homed in on Cosawes Barton as “the one” for them. Cosawes Barton has been created from restored former farm barns and sits in 17 acres of wonderful secluded gardens and woods. It’s even got its own 100m natural cedar-lined aisle! There’s also a cosy court yard barn that can be used on colder days, and throughout the winter for intimate weddings. With luxury 5* accommodation for up to 18 on site and plentiful space for weddings for up to 35 on the day, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular venues on our site. We discussed everything from photographers, florists, a stretch tent, childcare specialists, catering, cake and so much more to ensure that Kim and Scott had the information and support to make the right decisions for them for their wedding day, creating a unique intimate wedding package that would be individual and bespoke to them. All their chosen wedding day services were booked and everything was set for a date in September 2020…. …when of course COVID restrictions prevented this couple from going ahead. Louise, the wonderful owner at Cosawes Barton kindly offered new dates for 2021 without question, and all of the wedding day service providers booked were so kind in moving to their new date without fees. The whole team worked together to ensure that what is no doubt a stressful situation was handled as easily as possible, with the couple’s needs front of mind. So, it was extra special to receive the beautiful images of Kim and Scott’s intimate wedding at Cosawes Barton from their photographer Alexa Poppe. As with this wedding and so many others that have been able to go ahead at least this summer, we really do hope the wait has been worth it. Kim and Scott had clear thoughts about how their day would flow and what they would need in terms of special touches. We hope you enjoy looking at these images of their special day and that it inspires you to think about your own wedding plans, be they big or small. Their beautiful wedding day services were provided as follows: Venue & accommodation: @cosawes_barton Photography: @alexapoppephoto Wedding planning and coordination: @outoftheordinaryweddings Bridal hair & make up: @weddinghaircornwall Flowers: @downbytheriverflorals Lawn games and furniture & prop hire: @stargazey_hire Catering and wedding cake: @indulgencecateringcornwall We hope this proves to you that a beautiful, love-filled and fun wedding day doesn’t have to cost life-changing amounts of money to make it truly special.

Yes! By choosing a celebrant-led wedding ceremony you can say whatever you want to each other, wherever you want at a time of your choosing. These are all really special ways to make your wedding ceremony your own. We are delighted to publish some help and ideas from Celebrant Sabine Smith of Perfect Day Ceremonies to help couples wondering how to go about writing their own vows. 5 top tips for writing your own vows Here are my 5 top tips on how to create vows that are personal to you which allow you to express your feelings for one another. For some couples, it seems quite daunting to consider writing your own vows and reading them out in front of everyone on your wedding day, as if you have not got enough to worry about!! However, some couples love to declare their love and devotion to the most important person in their live on their wedding day in front of everyone. Getting married in the registry office or in church does not give you the freedom to choose your own vows. However, if you are considering a celebrant led ceremony you forego the traditional vows and you can create your own. Creating your personal vows can bring a unique and intimate dynamic to your wedding ceremony and I am happy to share my 5 tips with you on how to create meaningful and joyous vows for your life celebrations. 1. Reflect on Your Relationship First of all, the vows you are writing should reflect your relationship with each other. You both know best what sort of style suits you the most. Some couples create humorous vows such as- 'I will still love you even if you do leave the toilet seat up' or 'I will still love you even if you take longer in the bathroom than I do'. You might want to underline the seriousness of the commitment you are taking on and express this in your vows for everyone to hear. You might wish to declare your love and devotion for the other person in your vows by using a passage from a song you both love or a book/poem you both enjoy. Make sure you hit the tone that feels right for your relationship and try to be authentic. 2. Nail the Intro Sometimes this is easier said than done. However, your celebrant might be able to help you to lead up to the promises or vows to get you out the starting blocks. Your first line can be a short introduction to why you have chosen to write your own vows and how much it means to you, so much so that you have researched and written your personal promises. Traditional vows have their place but your wedding promises might not be built on the traditional vows as used in the registry office or in the church. It is all about the two of you and your love to one another. Declare it!!! 3. Own it So much preparation has gone into the wedding day... You have found the venue; the wedding planner and the photographer is booked. You have the outfits and the cake has been ordered. You have made your playlist and you have managed to reduce the guest list to a Covid friendly number and now your best man or maid of honour asked if you are writing your own vows. OMG Do not panic - you can do this! You know how much the other person means to you and why you are planning to get married to him or her. You can share an anecdote but keep it short. What did you feel when you first met them and how do they make you feel now? What do you love most about them? What have you learned from them and what makes you laugh? How do you see your future and what do you promise to do or be in the life together? 4. Relax and Breathe Creating and reading out your vows can be a very daunting thing to do but I am sure your celebrant will help you to relax and ease you into it. Do not forget to breathe! The celebrant might even suggest to read the vows for you but they will make sure that everyone will know that the vows have been written by yours truly. I remember that I fluffed up my vows during my wedding and it always makes me laugh when I think of it. Everyone will be forgiving and they will only remember the declaration of promises you have made to one another. You do not have to be AA Milne or Shakespeare, you simply let everyone know how much you love each other. 5. Be True to Yourself It may take a little time to put words to paper but I am sure it will be worth it. Your vows for each other are the wishes, hopes and promises for your lives and future together. Being yourself and being authentic when writing the personal vows will help you to create meaningful vows and promises. The best vows are written when you consider the delivery and the order of the lines and as long as you speak from the heart; the vows you share will last a lifetime. Once the ceremony is over and you have time to reflect you can keep the vows as a keepsake printed out for you to place in a frame or to place them in a time capsule, with other items from your special day: like some confetti, champagne corks, label of the wine that was served, the order of service, your love story, unity candles and so on. As your celebrant I will support you during the process of writing your personal vows. If you want to write your own vows but aren't sure where to start, do not hesitate to contact me, I am happy to help, Sabine X You can find out more about Sabine and her wonderful service here.

A new elopement wedding trend as untamed as the two of you Pinterest is good at predicting the future. Last year 8/10 predictions Pinterest made last year came true. This year Pinterest’s search phrase analysis predicts: “…nomadding is the new jet setting and “the outback” is in,” This prediction by Pinterest is backed by a plethora of search phase growth stats including: wild flower field +165%, couple stargazing +165% and nomad aesthetic +80%. This back-to-basics trend was evident prior to 2020 and the rolling roadblock of COVID 19 lockdowns that have spawned from March 2020 have done nothing to dampen this. But as we come out of lockdown 3, there seems to have been a gear change in many couples’ minds fuelled by: A love of nature and the simple things borne out of the (enforced) opportunity to do so; A real desire to do something authentic to celebrate their marriage and commitment; The chance to have a real adventure after months locked away with Netflix box sets; And of course the financial reality of a smaller wedding over a larger wedding in what are still very uncertain times in terms of job security. In line with this trend, Petite Weddings has seen a 10-fold rise in the number of enquiries for couple looking for elopements in beautiful natural surroundings, making a special day in the outdoors and having this documented by a photographer and/or a videographer ensuring every last detail is held for posterity. Couples are trading traditional expectations of a wedding for a more authentic “back to nature” wedding day including all the things they love doing together in the wild. Think forest walks, loch-side picnics, hill walking, sailing to a hidden white, sandy cove, kayaking, wild water skinny dipping, toasting marshmallows round a fire pit on the beach, enjoying delicious meals with fantastic local produce, and maybe sleeping under the stars? The options that can be woven to create your unique elopement adventure are endless: Just real off your wish list and we can make this a reality for you. The result? An elopement wedding adventure that is as untamed as the couple themselves. Images by The Caryls In the UK there are few unspoilt areas that give that sense of wild romance that couples are truly seeking. We’ve teamed up with The Caryls in Scotland and With Wilds in Cornwall who we work with to ensure that every couple seeking a jaw-droppingly beautiful elopement wedding day adventure has all the help they need to make this the most enjoyable, easy and exciting way to wed in the UK. What if you love this idea but can’t say “I do” without your friends and families present? There’s a real tension for some couples between how they would really like to get married and the way that they are expected to get married by friends, family and even religious groups they belong to. If you fall into this group then you should not underestimate the level of pressure you might be under should you choose to elope. We are big advocates of having your wedding day, your way, but often the only way through this dilemma is a compromise that allows you to have what you want but also to allow other to feel involved, even if this might look slightly different to everyone’s expectations. Here’s some examples of what you can do to incorporate your dream wild elopement into your wedding arrangement: Images by With Wilds 1. De-couple your wedding ceremony, your wedding day adventure for two and your celebration party If you really do need to have people in person at your wedding trough choice or because there is no choice then enjoy the best of both world with a two or three-part wedding. (i) Have your religious or legal wedding ceremony and celebration meal close to home including those people who you really couldn’t exclude. Your ceremony isn’t the expensive part of your wedding, so you can be pretty inclusive with your guests list. (Insider tip: If you are struggling to reduce your guest list ask yourself this: who on your list would you be prepared to take out for the evening and spend £200 per head on them?) (ii) Plan a romantic mini-moon or honeymoon in an awesome part of the UK immediately after this to include your own intimate wedding day in the wilds, including a very personal and heartfelt wedding ceremony or blessing that can be held in your choice of epic outside places. (iii) Enjoy a big bash party on your return home where you invite EVERYONE to celebrate your return and your marriage. Perhaps you wait until you have your wedding photography and video reel back and share these with everyone in person before you share on social media? Images by The Caryls 2. Use communication and technology to involve people in your dream wedding scenario It’s simply not practical to have your grandparents trek up a mountain for your wedding ceremony, nor is it necessarily stress-free to invite a group of 40 people to come and stay in self-catering accommodation in a far-flung place of your choosing to join you for a wedding in nature. However, if your choice is to elope yet, you want your people to feel involved and integral to your day here’s some ways you can achieve just that: Ask those closest to you to write letters that can be opened and read out during your wedding ceremony. (Tissues are recommended for this part.) Live stream your wedding ceremony exclusively to those you want to share this with. Share your wedding day story on Instagram stories. Ask your closest friends and family to send cards that you can enjoy opening and reading on your wedding evening. FaceTime your relations at the end of your adventure day so you can share the joy with them – the excitement and happiness they see in your faces will convince even the most reticent of your family that this was best for you. Rather than sharing images and video in the moment, or before you see your families, save all everything up and share with them on your return in a face to face gathering at your home or one of their homes. You could bill the evening as “The World Premier of Our Wedding Day”. And perhaps you bring part of your wedding back with you as a theme for the evening e.g. maybe get some pasties in if you eloped to Cornwall or scones with jam and cream for everyone to share. Borrow something special from those closest to you to your wedding ceremony – this might be a brooch that your grandma wore on her wedding day, it may be a tie-pin your mum bought your dad on their wedding day, it may be a reading that your parents had at their wedding or a garter made by your sister – think about what each special relation’s “thing” is and ask them to lend something to your day in this way. 3. Take some guests with you! If you really do want you mum and dad there on your wedding day, but you also really want a wild wedding day in an epic place, there is no reason that you cannot expand your perfect to include a handful of extra guests who can join all or part of your special day. For example, you could stay together on the same site but maybe in different cottages or wings of a house. Get ready together and maybe the legal ceremony is performed at the premises you are staying at to ensure inclusivity of all. Then take some time out as a couple – go for that walk on the moors of by the lakeside or in the woods with just your photographers and videographer. Time out together to enjoy and reflect on the lifelong promises you have just made each other is all so important. The photography and videography of this part of your day usually produces the dreamiest shots and footage too. Get everyone else involved when you are ready – maybe they join you on a walk, perhaps you’ll go kayaking or take a boat trip to a deserted beach for an evening BBQ or have a jeep safari to some local beauty spots. Return to your accommodation or a local restaurant for a meal of your choice that evening followed by dancing and revelry until you drop. The next morning you can all reconvene for a hearty and leisurely breakfast, regaling stories of the day before: telling stories that will become lifelong memories. Images by With Wilds Next steps A wild wedding day is not an impossible dream. It’s a reality that’s waiting to happen. And what’s more we’re here to help you every step of the way. Take a look at The Caryls and With Wilds for further inspiration and get in touch if you’d like to reality check your epic outdoor elopement ideas. We’d love to help you!

Francesca and Ben’s micro-wedding at Coombe Trenchard A wedding day is both an ending and a beginning. Your wedding day is the culmination of a unique and personal stories that’s led the two of you to your wedding day: it’s also the start of the epic adventure that you are embarking on as a married couple. The ritual of a wedding in a place that’s perfect for the two of you, surrounded by those you want to share you special day with is such a poignant landmark in our lives. And each story is as unique as every couple we meet. We caught up with Francesca and Ben who chose to get married at exquisite intimate wedding venue, Coombe Trenchard for their intimate wedding. Here’s their story: How it all began… The couple met in Manchester, when Ben, who was dining in the restaurant when Francesca walked in. He sent a bottle of wine and his phone number over to Francesca at her table in the restaurant! (Courage from a glass or two of Sauvignon Blanc!!). Francesca texted him to say thank you and the rest, as they say, is history. Ben proposed at the start of the first lockdown, at home, just the two of them. Ben had just put together a video montage of photos/videos of their relationship playing to ‘Only Fools Fall in Love’ when he asked Francesca to marry him! Wedding planning… The date of their wedding was the same for their original wedding plans, but the original event was due to be held in the Cotswolds. As Ben is Polish, they wanted to hold a traditional three-day event across a weekend. They had a downstairs bar at a brewery in Hook Norton (the Cotswolds) booked for the Friday before the wedding. The wedding was going to be in a gorgeous church and then they had a huge marquee, that they had designed the layout/interiors for, booked with a bar area then seating area and dance floor. Their theme was wine, so they had various nods to differing wines (tables named after their favourite wines, wine bottles for candles/flowers, seating plan on wine bottles etc). The food was Italian and rustic which suited them as Italy is one of their favourite places. (Francesca fell in love with it when she lived out there for just under a year when she was 20.) They were then going to use the marquee for the following day and have an indoor games/ chill out day with a hog roast for everyone. …and wedding re-planning They actually kept very little from the original plan – the venue changed, the food changed, the size of celebration changed, the wine changed (they went very upmarket seeing as there were so few of them!). The date stayed the same as it meant something to us, being their anniversary too. Francesca told us, “The intimacy of a smaller wedding was very special to us. We were only able to have our families and a friend each which meant that we all truly got to spend quality time together and got to know each other in a way that wouldn’t have happened with a larger party. We decided upon a much bigger wedding breakfast (seven incredible courses cooked by Harrie from Boo to a Goose!) and chose wine parings to match each course. This is a luxury that would not have been possible with the numbers we originally had.” The biggest challenge the couple faced was the venue changing. They decided they still wanted to go ahead but knew their original plan wouldn’t have been possible. They looked at a few venues in London (plan 1 was a church then restaurant was plan 2 and then an ‘all in one’ venue, plan 3), but this all became too challenging with some of the more vulnerable guests. A few days before Boris put the country into the second lockdown they decided to ring around venues in Devon as this is where Ben’s parents live. They came across Coombe Trenchard online and mercifully Sarah had just put together a ‘Petite and Beautiful Weddings’ package which she agreed could go ‘live’ with Francesca and Ben’s wedding! They made the trip to Devon to view five different venues including Coombe Trenchard. But, after visiting, no other venue came close to what they wanted. Having settled on Coombe Trenchard, they had a race against time to register their notice of marriage in their local registry office before lockdown started! Francesca managed to pick up her dress the day of the second lockdown having had the fittings and adjustments made. Ben also managed to get his suit in time too! Both had ‘virtual’ hen/stag do’s which their friends put so much effort into. They’ve committed to two weekends with said friends once it becomes possible. The next biggest challenge once lockdown two lifted was whether their families lived in areas that could mix under the local lockdown restrictions. Thankfully they did, and they were incredibly lucky to get their wedding ‘in’ before the next wave and Christmas lockdown happened! Why choose Coombe Trenchard for your intimate wedding? The couple told us about what they loved about Coombe Trenchard, “Coombe Trenchard is just utterly beautiful! It is somewhat grand whilst retaining that homely feel, which was particularly important considering our small numbers. The roaring fireplaces, huge Christmas tree and elegant but mismatched glassware/ crockery was just perfect for the ultimate winter wedding. The grounds are stunning as are the outbuildings which Sarah has turned into a bar and dance area. (We couldn’t use those but should we have another event there in warmer months we most certainly shall!) We both loved the how the aisle started from the cloisters upstairs. along the hall and down the entrance stairs, where we had our ceremony: it seemed almost church-like. Our entire wedding party was just blown away! It was more than we could have ever imagined, especially given the circumstances. Importantly, Sarah was so calming, helpful, organised and encouraging which was a true blessing. She had caterers, florists, hair stylists, make-up artists etc all at her fingertips and given the elegance of her home we trusted her tastes implicitly. Both her and Philip made the day what it was and it meant we fell in love with their stunning home even more! “ A real highlight for the couple was getting to spend quality time with both of their families: something they had not been able to do much in the past year due to COVID. They were able to live-stream the whole event and then popped onto a zoom to have a toast with everyone who couldn’t be there in person, post-wedding ceremony, meaning their day was full of love and support! The food and wine were utterly divine and they spent much of the day sat around beautiful, elegantly dressed tables, laughing, telling stories and making speeches – which caused many tears to be shed! “We would recommend Coombe Trenchard to anyone looking for the “wow” factor for their wedding! The house itself is stunning, from the interiors to the outbuildings, to the impeccable gardens. There is an elegant arts and crafts vibe throughout and the whole place feels very luxurious whilst being comfortable. Sarah and Philip go above and beyond and are incredibly accommodating (almost like your own wedding planners!) which, when organising an event such as your wedding, is exceptionally helpful. “ Finally, any advice? We asked Francesca and Ben what advice they would offer to a friend planning a small wedding. ‘Really consider what you both actually want! The day is about you as a couple and with a smaller event you get more freedom in a way… plus the budget goes MUCH further! Think about smaller details to really pull the event together. For example, we bought everyone silk face masks to match their wedding attire and made personalised shot glasses – as it’s a Polish tradition for all to have a vodka shot during the meal.” Thank you so much Francesca and Ben for sharing your wonderful wedding story with us. We wish you every happiness and hope that you are able to enjoy those overdue weekends away with your friends soon! Petite and Beautiful Wedding Packages at Coombe Trenchard Combe Trenchard is a well-kept secret that tucked away in a secluded part of West Devon on the edge of the raw beauty and romance of Dartmoor. This show-stopping main house is an Edwardian “Arts & Crafts” country house set in over a hundred acres of well-tended garden, parkland and woodlands. The house was designed with entertaining in mind and so lends itself perfectly to intimate weddings and elopements. In a world where quantity often continues to outweigh quality, it’s refreshing to find the “Arts and Crafts” principles of handcrafting, thoughtful design and a personal approach running so much deeper than the beauty of this exquisite country house. Find out more about Petite and Beautiful Weddings Packages at Coombe Trenchard here. Special thank you to Venetia Norrington who capture Francesca and Ben's beautiful wedding photography.

Petite Weddings was borne out of a frustration at failing to find a wedding venue that suited the size and style of wedding we wanted to have when we were planning our own wedding. As Mark and I were both married previously, we did not want either a registry office wedding, like I had first time round, nor a bigger church/venue style wedding that Mark had previously chosen. We were very clear we wanted only our closest family, so a group of 12 of us in total, we wanted to exchange our vows on a beach in Cornwall and we wanted this ceremony to be followed by a celebratory meal in a private and beautiful place close-by where we could all stay. We failed to find what we searched for so took matters into our own hands… Our wedding We planned a wedding day around a ceremony on the beach. Our ceremony was the most important part of our day. Prior to our arrival our family worked together to create a stone circle and decorate it with the flowers. My eldest son and Mark’s brother each did a reading we’d chosen for meaning and feeling. Mark’s young daughter “blessed” us and all the guests with water from Sancreed’s ancient well mixed with rose petals. My younger son was charged with carrying the ceremonial sword, my daughter the witches’ broom. We jumped the sword and the witches broom: Jumping the sword symbolises cutting of previous ties (important to us as we were both divorced) and jumping the broom signifies being settled in a marriage relationship. To top it off, as luck would have it, a rainbow appeared out at sea just as our ceremony ended, that made us feel truly blessed. Our wedding day meal was prepared by local chefs in a property we bought to let out for small weddings in the future. Cleary someone had to road test it! We ate, drank, danced and the morning afterwards we had a long lazy breakfast and time together as a family. These were our choices, but they won’t be everyone’s choices. Yet, choice itself is one of the driving forces behind our business. The choice to get married your way, where you want, with who you want and how you want. Photography: McKinley Rogers, https://www.mckinley-rodgers.com/ Choice After 6 years of helping couples find their ideal small wedding, we see the biggest remaining barrier to proper choice for couples wanting to marry is that the main law which governs marriage dates back to 1836. It has failed to keep pace with modern life. For example, all couples must have their wedding either in a place of worship or licensed venue, and cannot marry outdoors. If you don’t comply with the legal requirements your marriage will not be legally recognised. The law is currently being reformed and there is a head of steam behind this, with support from great change orientated organisations such as the “Give Couples Choice Movement”, a group that actively trying to influence these changes. Fan the independent celebrant behind Fanfare Ceremonies is a great supporter of wedding law reform, and when we caught up on Zoom, we realised we had an awful lot in common, despite coming at the issue of choice from very different places. Photography credit: https://www.venetianorrington.com/ What was your wedding day like and why? Firstly Jane, thank you so much for inviting me to contribute to your blog. It was lovely to meet you and have a chat. And so, to your questions. My husband and I were married in church 30 years ago. It was the happiest of days and here we are still together 30 years later. It was a beautiful spring day in April – a biting wind I recall and we froze to death having those oh so familiar formal pictures being taken! To be absolutely honest there really was no question that I would be married anywhere other than in church. No one in my circle of friends or families had ever been married anywhere else. I never gave it a single second thought. We all just did. Both our parents had been. So, we did despite neither of us being particularly religious. I even agreed to obey – I’m not sure that would happen now! If you were to have your wedding day again, what would you change? Back then I wouldn’t have change anything really except for the obeying part! Boy I must have been naive. As I say it was the happiest of days and I have absolutely no regrets. However, times have changed. These days couples are less inclined to just follow in their parent’s footsteps like we did. Millennials and the generations that follow are more enquiring, they know what they want or not want and welcome the chance of opportunities to express themselves and be creative. Marriage now is not about ‘pleasing society’ it is more about pleasing the two individuals involved within the relationship. In my opinion this is a good thing. Fundamentally one should have a choice of where and by whom one is legally married. Sadly, at the moment there isn’t much choice. Couples who use my services tend to come from a similar perspective. In other words, from quite a traditional background but want to express themselves within their ceremony. They don’t want to stray too far from the familiar format but personalisation, fun, informality and joy are key. I think if I was engaged to be married now, I would most definitely be looking into having my ceremony at home in my parent’s garden with some religious content such as a reading and most definitely the odd hymn! Who could resist a bit of the ever-rousing Jerusalem? Photo credit: https://www.venetianorrington.com/ Why do you think the majority of couples in England and Wales default to a registrar led wedding ceremony? There are two reasons. The first and main is convenience. Couples want to be legally married at the same time as their wedding. This is not possible unless a Registrar officiates or at a church wedding. This leads me to an important point. There is a little-known difference between a legal marriage and a wedding. The marriage is the legal contract consisting of about 40 words plus the couples names and witnessed signatures to the register officiated by the Registrar. That is literally all. The wedding is the ceremonial celebration, religious or non-religious and can take place on completely different days, venues or even countries! Combining the two remains a priority to couples and ironically many feel that the wedding ceremony without the legal contract is not even real. Conversely on the question of convenience a Celebrant can offer a very real solution from the point of view of availability and location. The registration services are incredibly busy. They have only so many slots and only so many registrars let alone the registers themselves! Throw the availability of the venue into the mix and it can become a massive problem for couples to have their wedding where they want it. ‘Conveniently’ most independent celebrants only present one ceremony per day and unlike the Registrars, are flexible on location, timings and dates. Once the couple have signed the marriage licence at the Registry Office we can offer a very real solution to wedding planning and availability issues. This is obviously particularly relevant now and will be for the months ahead. Simply, the second reason is that couples do not know that there is a very real alternative. In the main they think civil ceremonies are conducted by Registrars and that is the only option they have. The services provided by celebrants are still little known and under-estimated. How can couples have the authentic, personal and meaningful wedding ceremony they want and be legally married under the current law? Currently the only way to have a truly personalised wedding ceremony that reflects a couples beliefs, no faith, mixed faiths, spirituality or cultural traditions and also their personalities is by fulfilling the legal requirements separately. When the law changes, how do you think this will change the level of choice couples have? Of course, we don’t know to what extent the law will change but with my positive hat very firmly on. Where do I start? Couples would finally crucially have the legal right to choose when, where, how and by whom they are married. They will be allowed to choose the content of their ceremony and the location of where that ceremony is held. It would mean in essence that the officiant is licensed NOT the venue. Photography credit: https://www.jamiedennyphotography.com/ How long do you think we need to wait for these changes to be fully accessible to all? I’d love to tell you soon but realistically I fear a while yet. The Government currently has its hands quite full with a pandemic and goodness knows what other issues may arise. The responses to the Law Commission consultation are now being analysed. A report will be published with recommendations to the government which is not expected until later this year. Then the new legislation will have to be drafted and have to pass through parliament and the House or Lords. For the time being the important thing is to keep supporting the Give Couples Choice Movement and highlighting the importance of choice in legal marriage, to keep the momentum going and pressure on. Wedding celebrants also need the continued support of venues, wedding suppliers and directories like Petite Weddings to educate couples on the massive benefits of celebrant led ceremonies. Personalisation is the buzzword of all aspects of wedding planning and now more than ever we should highlight that this should and can include the ceremony itself. Photography credit: Vaughan Stephens https://www.facebook.com/Vaughanstephensphotography/ So many couples have had their wedding plans scuppered by COVID 19 restrictions, what are the positives you have noticed when talking to couples? All my couples who were due to be married last year have postponed and sadly a lot are postponing again. They were all hoping for weddings of 50 or more. So, on that front there has been little positivity. That being said the enforced cancellations and postponements have shone a long awaited and much needed light on the archaic marriage laws and also demonstrated an evident shortfall of knowledge surrounding celebrant led ceremonies. A fairer, less complicated and streamlined system would have provided flexibility and choice for couples which undoubtedly would have meant fewer cancellations during this pandemic.Furthermore, I do think Covid has made couples more reflective about what they want from their wedding. Their minds have been diverted from all the trappings of the party and back on to themselves, why they are marrying and what they both want. The ceremony has rightly returned to being the focus of the day rather than the reception and all the accompanying paraphernalia. Photography credit: https://storyandcolour.co.uk If couples would like you to conduct their wedding ceremony, how can they get in touch and find out more? I have a beautiful sparkly new website www.fanfareceremonies.co.uk for them to have a look at and if they think my style and personality resonates with their own to give me a call or email me. I’d love to hear their plans for their wedding, explain how I can help and to start getting to know them. Thank you Fan for your time, it was lovely to meet you over Zoom, and I hope that at some point in 2022 we might be able to meet up in person! You can see Fan in action at beautiful Powderham Castle, Devon here: https://fb.watch/3OpwvW4mBm/

In a year that's turned our lives in their heads, more and more couples are opting for elopement weddings, and not purely because of the COVID19 restrictions. We are seeing a growing band of couples who are seeking authentic, meaningful wedding ceremonies surrounded by their nearest and dearest or maybe just the two of them. These couples are looking for unique and personal wedding experiences that are "not just another big weekend wedding in June". This is perhaps as much because the COVID crisis has enforced smaller, more meaningful friendship and family groups and couples have actually strengthened their relationship through periods of lockdown and home working making an intimate wedding day all the more meaningful. A fantastic and unique location for an elopement wedding is the Roman Baths in Bath. We caught up with Lizzie Marshall, one of the team at Roman Baths who told us a bot more about what makes this exquisite venue so special. 1. What makes elopements at Romans Baths amazing? There is nowhere in the world like the Roman Baths & Pump Room. Couples step through our doors and are immediately immersed in history within the Georgian rooms that lead to the magical Roman Baths. Wedding vows can be exchanged alongside the naturally thermal waters on the original 2,000-year-old paving. This is a fabulous setting for wedding photographs and the flickering torches and gentle sound of trickling water adds to the unique and enchanting atmosphere. 2. What options can couples choose from? Elopement wedding ceremonies usually take place at 8.30am but up until June 2021, they can also be accommodated in the evenings. Please speak to the team for further information including availability. Following a ceremony and photographs, couples have the freedom to celebrate as they wish. They could experience a special wedding breakfast in the adjoining iconic Pump Room or explore any of the delights that Bath has to offer. 3. You’ve partnered with Hotel Indigo – why did you choose to partner with them? Hotel Indigo is stunning! It’s luxurious, quirky and perfect for a special night or two away. Being only a two-minute stroll from the Roman Baths, it’s the perfect match. The hotel also has a lovely private house adjoining the hotel that is full of character and perfect for small wedding groups. 4. What options do you offer in partnership with Hotel Indigo for couples choosing to elope or for intimate weddings with just a few guests? Hotel Indigo has an array of styled rooms that couples and guests can choose from, including garden rooms with courtyard access. The Private House, No. 5 Pierrepont St, has eight en-suite guest rooms, a lounge and a dedicated private courtyard, perfect for drinks or a barbeque. Guests within the Private House can use the hotel facilities, including gym, bar and restaurant. If preferred, private catering is available as an option if you choose to dine in the townhouse’s private dining room. 5. What are the maximum number of guests that can be included in an intimate wedding package with Hotel Indigo? Hotel Indigo is very flexible on numbers and do not limit couples to a maximum number of guests (subject to availability). 6. Often couples are looking for a choice of great local suppliers - do you have any recommendations? We have a comprehensive list of some fantastic local suppliers on our website, including photographers, florists and musicians. Anyone on our list has worked well in our venues before and have been recommended by previous customers. Image by Richard Bellchambers 7. If couples wish to find out more or look at potential dates what should they do? Our website has plenty of useful information including prices, videos, photographs and virtual tours. To find out about availability or to arrange a viewing, please contact our team by telephone or e-mail or you can choose to complete the enquiry form on our website. Our staff are very experienced and friendly and would be delighted to show you around the Roman Baths either in person, or on a virtual tour. Please do get in touch if you need any information via the enquiry box on this page. Image by Amy Sanders

Winter weddings are a growing trend, particularly for those who wish to keep things intimate. Be it the golden light of winter, the heady combination of freezing weather and furs or even a few drops of snow covering the ground, winter weather provides a need for more intimacy. For us, these really are the most wonderful heart-warming occasions. You have a great opportunity to create a really different and distinct feel to your wedding that will make your day totally unique to the two of you, and a real stand out in people’s memories forever. What’s more, many venues offer cheaper rates in the winter months (typically Nov – March excluding school holidays). In this blog we cover a few key questions that we get asked regularly as well as share images from Emma and Brantley’s wedding just before Christmas by Sarah of Checkered Photography at stunning Cosawes Barton, that is just perfect for winter weddings. How do you decorate for a winter wedding? We recommend candles, sparkly fairy lights, wood, foliage and berries as the perfect ingredients to create a wonderful intimate backdrop to your day. You can have a stylist bring this to life for you or you can DIY as this creative couple did. You can see the woodland feel that Emma and Brantley chose is simply gorgeous and provides a beautiful seasonal feel without looking tacky or too much. If you forage for your own foliage and berries this also makes this a very affordable yet stunning styling options. As you can see, the bride and groom are very much front and centre, yet there is a magical context to the ever-versatile wedding barn at Cosawes Barton. This self-styled set up is just to die for. Other options you might want to consider are hanging foliage and berry displays from the ceiling, wedding wreaths, mini-Christmas trees lining your aisle, white confetti to look like snow, a dusk wedding ceremony so that you can string up external lights and maybe have a firepit going for warmth to provide a magical outdoors post-ceremony drink with your guests. You could use a gazebo or stretch tent to provide a sheltered space should the weather wet and furnish this with blankets and furs as well as a few comfy places to sit and relax together. Which leads on to our next question… How do you keep your guests warm outdoors at a winter wedding? Realistically, you are not going to spend hours outside if you are planning a winter wedding, so the first tip is to keep the time outside activity-focused and not too lengthy. For example, you might choose to have 45 minutes of outside photography like Brantley and Emma did here. Or you could toast marshmallows on the firepit and have a sparkler tunnel, or perhaps enjoy warming drinks and canapes ahead of your wedding meal. As we’ve just mentioned setting up a tent or gazebo can help create a sense of intimacy as well as serve the practical purpose of keeping people warm – you may want to upgrade on a firepit and add outdoor heaters as well, or instead of. Snug blankets and furs are also perfect to have around for warmth and look great from a styling perspective. Finally, warm drinks like mulled wine or coffee laced with your favourite tipple are also a great idea. Why not serve these with warm canapes such as pigs in blankets, sausage rolls and mince pies. All of these options are possible at Cosawes Barton. What shall we eat at a winter wedding? Mid-winter is about warming indulgence and we suggest you have this as the theme for your menu. Choose your favourite comfort food dishes – think warming soup and crusty bread, risotto or a warm salad as a starter, followed by slow cooked meats with roasted root vegetables with plentiful glossy gravy to bring it all together. Follow this with chocolate steamed puddings with real custard, apple pie and clotted cream or even a Christmas pudding with all the accompaniments. You don’t have to stay traditional to stay warm! One of the big advantages of a smaller wedding is that you have fewer palettes to satisfy. If you guests like it spicy then why no consider an Indian Banquet theme, or Thai party theme? At Cosawes Barton you can choose to dine in your cottage (subject to size of party) or the courtyard barn, both of which can be styled to suit your colour palette or theme. And so to bed… After your meal, maybe some dancing (when rules allow) and singing, further drinking and a small bite (we recommend bacon rolls or pasties or similar warm for winter wedding evenings) you’ll be ready to retire for your wedding night. Cosawes Barton is perfect as you can have up to 18 of you stay in the three luxury cottages on site making everything super-easy and relaxing for all. To find out more about a winter wedding (or summer wedding) at Cosawes Barton you can take a look here. You can see more of Sarah’s photography and her packages here.