Thinking of a destination wedding in the UK? Check out these stunning wedding venues!

Wedding Venue  – Bradford, England

The Tomahawk Hotel Group consists of several beautiful hotels which provide the perfect wedding location; there is Aston Hall, the luxury hotel in Sheffield, Woodlands, a contemporary boutique hotel in Leeds and finally the Great Victoria, a landmark luxury hotel situated in Bradford City Centre.

Aston Hall is one of the most in-demand wedding locations throughout Sheffield and South Yorkshire.   There is a beautiful local church connected to Aston Hall through the gardens, perfect for a traditional wedding. As Aston Hall is an approved location, civil wedding and partnership ceremonies take place inside the opulent hotel.

Woodlands hotel provides a similarly luxurious experience and is considered to be an ideal wedding location in Leeds and Yorkshire. The hotel specializes in “Exclusive Use weddings” meaning that the wedding party can use the whole of the venue for their celebrations. However, the hotel is able to cater for weddings of all sizes.

The Great Victoria in Bradford provides a wedding venue which is more unique, for couples wishing to avoid a stereotypical wedding. The venue often attracts modern and lively couples that are impressed by the hotels contemporary touches.  The Great Victoria provides a setting which can cater fully for 45 guests during the day and 85 for the evening.

Wedding Venues -  Newcastle, England

Along with being one of the most popular conference venues in the UK, The Sage Gateshead is an ideal wedding venue.  Occupying one of the most dramatic urban sites in Europe, the spectacular open public spaces and glazed front offer superb sweeping views across the River Tyne and the vibrant and exciting cityscape of Newcastle Gateshead. The experienced staff at The Sage Gateshead will assist in helping you plan the ideal layout for your wedding, ensuring the wedding venue is decorated or themed to match your wedding ideas and also advise on what may work best for you to ensure your wedding day is the very best it can be.

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Love the idea of a castle wedding? You’ll love this week’s blog posts!

Tomorrow we’re going to let you know about a fantastic castle wedding venue located in the southern U.S.

If a castle wedding in Scotland is more your style, make sure you check out Tuesday’s blog post by writer Jennifer Cox. Jenn is going to tell you all about the rules and regs for having a destination wedding in Scotland.

And you won’t want to miss Wednesday and Thursday’s posts; we’ll be highlighting two fantastic real destination weddings in Scotland by Scottish wedding photographer Margaret McAtier.

Photo: Sneak peek of Reisha and Scott’s destination wedding in Scotland shot by Margaret McAtier.

Are you pining for a barn reception?  Country chic, barn receptions are the bees knees for many brides.

If you’re lucky enough to have a barn in your neck of the woods that’s available for weddings, you might be looking for some ideas on how to decorate the barn.  Although some barns are wedding-ready, others are more like this one:

If so, there’s no need to fear! There are plenty of ways to transform this space into something beautiful.

Drapery

Drapery hung loosely from the rafters of a barn can work wonders on creating an inviting space.

String of Lights

A few strings of lights hanging from the beams and rafters will instantly warm up a space.

Paper lanterns

Hang paper lanterns throughout the barn and go from drab to fab!

Chandelier

Sometimes all you need are a few simple chandeliers.

Are you planning a barn reception? I’d love to hear about how you plan on decorating!

Photo 1: Shutter Think; Photo 2: Shelterrific Photo 3: The Encore Bride; Photo 4: Wedding Creative Photo 5: One Love Photo via Living the Swell Life Photo 6,7: Elizabeth Anne Designs; Photo 8: Project Wedding; Photo 9: Jon Day; Photo 10: Laura and Jeff’s Real Wedding shot by Ken Kienow

One trend I’m noticing in the U.K is the use of a tipi as outdoor reception space. I love this idea and I think you will be seeing tipis popping up in this part of the world soon.

Photos: Purple Rain

UK couple Shella and Derek had a huge indian style tipi from Beautiful World Tents for their reception. Photo by RosieParsons.com

Outdoor wedding of Mailin & Ed, just outside of Edinburgh, Scotland. Tipi by Tentipi. Photos by Lillian and Leonard Wedding Photography

A glass chapel in the woods? Can you believe how beautiful it is? Breathtaking. That’s what it is. Imagine getting married here? Where is it, you ask?

This gorgeous glass chapel is at Garvan Woodland Gardens near Hot Springs, Arkansas. The wedding was shot by Becker.

Continued from Part 1 of The Ups and Downs of an At-Home Wedding.

There are things to keep in mind if you are planning an at-home wedding. Very important things.

1. Toilets. It’s probably the least romantic thing about your wedding, but it’s probably one of the most important. No matter where you decide to have your wedding, you’re going to need at least one. If you are having your wedding at home, you might decide that guests can use the washrooms in your home. But after giving it some serious thought, you might change your mind.  If you are having an outdoor wedding, do you really want your guests traipsing in and out of your home? Can your plumbing system take the wear and tear? Is it possible that your septic system will be overstressed, causing a plumbing nightmare on the biggest day of your life? (Ever see Meet the Parents?) After doing some research, we discovered that port-a-johns definitely aren’t what they used to be. There are new user-friendly models in a variety of colors. Not only are they more pleasing to the eye, they have sinks and flush toilets. Even though they are more expensive, they were definitely worth the splurge.
2. Neighbors. Warn them in advance and give them a heads up closer to the big day. They might even offer up their driveways for parking – or a portable stage! Be extra kind to them as you get close to your wedding day so that they will put up with potentially high noise levels from your happy wedding guests.
3. Invite your caterer over before the big day so s/he can scope out your kitchen. S/he’ll need to know how much space there is to work in – as well as fridge and stove details.
4. If you are doing the outdoor thing, it’s a good idea to rent a tent. That is, unless you have a huge tolerance for risk. (Which I do not.)
5. Hire a cleaning person to clean your home thoroughly prior to your wedding – not to mention after your big day. Unless of course you have a lovely friend or relative who has kindly offered to take on this task.
6. Have bug spray handy. Citronella candles might provide ambiance, but they are useless when it comes to fending off hungry ‘mossies’.
7. If your guests like to over-imbibe, be prepared: some might want to crash at your house. We had a pretty tame crowd at our wedding, but like any good party there’s a chance this will happen at your wedding. If you’re not equipped for sleepovers, be smart and call a cab.
8. Enjoy the journey. Easy for me to say -  I got married eight years ago. But, really, try not to sweat the small stuff like boatlifts.
9. Give yourself a pat on the back for pulling it off. Planning a wedding at home is no small feat, but it’s one of the most rewarding things you will accomplish.  Raise a glass to yourself – (and to your neighbor) for a job well done!

Photo: Susan Adler Photography; Bonnie and Kevin’s Delightful Garden Wedding

A couple of weeks before our at-home wedding, our neighbor placed a big, honking boatlift on his beach. This wasn’t any old boatlift. It was a rickety, rusty eyesore.

I wouldn’t have cared. Honest. It’s just that my husband-to-be and I spent months getting our home ready for our backyard wedding. This involved adding flowerbeds, planting a truckload of ever-thirsty impatiens (more on those later), powerwashing, and even painting.

I envisioned my guests mingling on the spotless deck, cocktails in hand, a soft breeze from Lake Erie cooling their sun-exposed skin. I pictured sailboats in the distance, a beach free of garbage and smelly dead things and an unobstructed view of Fermi II (that’s the nuclear power plant across the lake). I did not forsee a rusty, contraption of a boatlift to be part of the picture.

So, I traipsed on over to my neighbour’s house and told him we were getting married and we were having an at-home wedding. And by the way, can you move your boatlift because it won’t look nice in my wedding photos? (The nerve of me!)

Our wedding day came and went, and the boatlift didn’t budge. And you know what? It didn’t matter. Not a single bit. I did not harbor bad feelings towards my neighbor, and he did not hold my temporary lapse of reason against me.  In fact, the day before our wedding he offered us the use of a wooden platform that we ended up using it as a stage for the Irish band!

Looking back, I can’t believe that I was so petty. But that’s what planning a wedding can do to you. Even a small wedding. It can make you crazy. Unrecognizable. The evil twin sister you didn’t know you had can suddenly rear her ugly head. Heck, there are even TV shows about this kind of thing.

And having an at-home wedding can intensify the symptoms -especially if you are a perfectionist. There are so many extra details involved with planning an at-home wedding that it can be overwhelming for anyone – but especially those who have a penchant for perfection.

Not only will you be running around like a hen with her head missing trying to cross off the zillion things on your to-do list, you’ll also want to make sure your home is extra-tidy, extra-lovely, extra-special for your extra-important big day. And that will take Effort.  (Note the capital ‘E’ for emphasis.)

One of the first things Darin and I did when we decided to have a backyard wedding was head out to a local nursery to load up on flowers, and other bedding plants. In fact, we spent the entire spring and summer landscaping our property, which included planting dozens of flats of impatiens, as well as an assortment of perennials. Through it all, I discovered a new passion – gardening, and I lost weight without even trying! (Hauling wheelbarrows full of earth day after day will get you in shape pretty fast!)I also discovered that impatiens and a scorching hot summer climate make for a very LARGE water bill.

Even though we were having our at home wedding outdoors, Darin and I decided not only to landscape the yard – but also fix up our house before the wedding. This included stripping wallpaper, painting, stripping more wallpaper, and, did I mention stripping wallpaper? We had plenty of help from family, but Darin and I truly busted our behinds trying to get things in order.

Of course, not all couples planning an at-home wedding spend months fixing up their place. Some people don’t lift a finger on home improvements. If that’s the case, planning can be a whole lot easier.

Tomorrow: Part 2 of ‘The Ups and Downs of an At Home Wedding?’

By Carey, IW Bride Blogger

Nathan and I have always known we wanted to get married in New Hampshire. At least I can’t remember ever talking about any other place to marry. After realizing that atmosphere (fun, festive, and family) was really important to us, we decided that having our ceremony and party at a home would be the best idea.

Just what we were looking for. It’s in a great location for those that do not live in New Hampshire. There is so much to do so close by! Most all major attractions can be found within a 45 minute drive. The scenery is so beautiful! The air so fresh! When we went this past August to visit family Nathan and I both fell in love.

We’re so excited to let everyone know this is the place we will become husband and wife!

Aside from your ability to really splurge on the things that matter, a small wedding opens up the doors to a variety of venue options.  

What better way to have a ‘wow’ wedding than in a charming setting? Here are five intimate wedding venues that are sure to charm:

Restaurant - Are you a foodie? Do you have a favorite bistro, or fine dining restaurant? Why not find out if the venue can host your wedding? Restaurants and lounges are becoming an increasingly popular choice for couples looking for small wedding venues.  Although all restaurants are different, many have intimate surroundings that are ideal for small guest lists. And they can save you money. Having a restaurant reception means not having to rent tables, chairs, tableware and glassware. Some venues will also provide linens. And as far as convenience goes – there’s no need to hire a caterer. The chef is already in the house! Read about Diane and Doug’s dazzling restaurant wedding.

Inn or Bed and Breakfast – Inns and bed and breakfasts are ideal small wedding venues. Whether you want a small decadent indoor wedding or a simple garden wedding on a budget, there’s sure to be an inn or bed and breakfast to suit your needs. Although many couples choose inns that they have previously stayed at to get married, some couples choose small wedding venues they’ve never visited. It might be an inn just a few blocks away, or one on the other side of the country – or even the globe. Read about Alex and Scott’s east coast inn wedding.

Art Gallery – Are you an artsy type? Why not have your wedding reception at an art gallery? A few years ago, art gallery weddings were about as fringe as Mohawk hairdos. But as popularity of more personalized and intimate weddings has risen, so has the need for unique venues. Art galleries across North America have quickly caught on and many are now marketing themselves as ideal places to hold a wedding reception. Both large and small galleries offer rental space for weddings – and many offer full blown wedding packages. If you are more the DIY type, there are plenty of galleries that will let you ‘have at it’ for your wedding day.

Winery - Miles of rolling hills strung with lush green grapevines that are ripe with plump, sweet grapes. It’s no wonder that so many brides and grooms head to wine country to tie the knot. A vineyard is a gorgeous setting to say ‘I do.’ Whether you are looking for an outdoor ceremony amidst the vines, or an intimate wine themed reception indoors overlooking the vineyard, wineries are ideal small wedding venues for couples wanting to add the splendor of nature to their nuptials. Wineries not only provide a picturesque setting, many are equipped to meet a couple’s wedding day needs from start to finish.

At Home – The words wedding and home don’t always go together, especially if you are having a big guest list. However, if you have opted for a small wedding the two can be a match made in heaven. At-home weddings are becoming increasingly popular, especially for couples who want to add a personal touch to their weddings. With 60 percent of couples living together, many already own homes and love the idea of tying the knot there. Others couples may choose to get married at the home of a relative or friend. Read about Sherry and John’s backyard wedding.

Remember that just because you choose to have a small wedding, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t start your search for a venue early. Places can book up over a year in advance – especially if they’re high on charm. So go ahead, sit down with your spouse-to-be and make a list of potential sites. Is there a place that has special meaning to you?  Maybe it’s the bed and breakfast you stayed at last summer or the restaurant on the corner. Or maybe it’s your own backyard.

Whether you are looking for fabulous NY wedding venues for a destination wedding in the Big Apple, or you are a New Yorker who is hungry for some unique NY wedding venues to check out, read on – especially if you are considering a theme wedding.

Here are four unique NY wedding venues and four themes that are the perfect fit:

Library Hotel for a Library Themed Wedding

A few weeks ago I blogged about a couple who had a library themed wedding. (Check out the library slip invitations!) New York’s Library Hotel would be the perfect spot for a library themed wedding. The Library Hotel in New York City is the first hotel ever to offer its guest over 6,000 volumes of books organized throughout the hotel by the Dewey Decimal System.* Each of the 10 guestroom floors honor one of the 10 categories of the DDC and each of the 60 rooms are uniquely adorned with a collection of books and art exploring a distinctive topic within the category it belongs to.

The Gallery Bar for an Art Themed Wedding

Are you and your sweetie artsy types? Consider an intimate wedding with an art theme at The Gallery Bar! This venue, which is both a bar and a contemporary exhibition space for artists, has two levels for private events.

Merchants House Wedding for a Romantic Tea Party Wedding

Why not have a romantic tea party wedding at the Merchants House Museum? The Merchant’s House Museum is New York City’s only family home preserved intact – inside and out - from the 19th century. Built in 1832 just steps from Washington Square, this elegant red-brick and white-marble row house on East Fourth Street was home to a prosperous merchant family for almost 100 years. You can have your elegant tea party in the house or in the garden.

The Old Stone House for an Historical Themed Wedding

Love history? Have an historical themed wedding at The Old Stone House. The lovely Great Room on the 2nd floor has pale yellow walls, an open timbered ceiling and excellent acoustics.  The first floor gallery commemorates the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Brooklyn and is included in rentals during non-public hours.