THE EDEN PROJECT, CORNWALL
Te Eden Project rises out of the Cornwall countryside like something from a sci-f flm. Exchange vows in the tropical heat of the South American rainforest complete with waterfall before partying in the Med – no fights required! In fact, this is an eco choice all round with everything possible recycled and 80% of the food and drink sourced locally.
SEFTON PARK PALM HOUSE, LIVERPOOLTE
Exotic scent of jasmine and bougainvillea flls the air and giant palms rise overhead as you walk down the aisle. No, we’re not on some far-fung tropical island, but in Liverpool’s Sefon Park Palm House. One of the UK’s largest Victorian glasshouses, this is a unique and striking spot – you won’t need to worry about the fower budget here.
KEW GARDENS LONDONTE
Princess of Wales Conservatory (and its famed rare orchids – Kew boasts over 1,500 diferent species) is the real showstopper here and provides a lush setting for your drinks reception. Ceremonies take place in the ultra-light Nash Conservatory (moved brick-by-brick from Buckingham Palace in 1836) and guests get access to roam all of the Royal Botanical Gardens’ 300 acres (the Rose Garden is not to be missed) before partying in the elegant Orangery‘I’m a stylist and so started my wedding planning by collecting lots of images of how I wanted things to look on the day.
CREATE A GARDEN PARTY AMONG STATELY LAWNS AND FLORAL BORDERS Photo Gallery
One was of a ceremony set up under a tree and I quickly knew I wanted an outdoor wedding. We looked at a number of gardens but Lime Wood had both the perfect tree and ideal garden backdrop. We also loved how the house looked from where the service was to take place. We had a string quartet dressed in fat caps and checked shirts playing under the tree, as well as shawls on each chair in case our guests got cold. We didn’t have a wet weather plan – a bit risky – but luckily it worked out beautifully.
LARMER TREE GARDENSWILTSHIRE
You’ve heard of taking a hotel exclusivelybut gardens? Well, Larmer Tree’s 11 acrescould be all yours for the day – the only ones allowed in who aren’t on the guest list are the resident peacocks. Tere’s a choice of ceremony spots, but Brides’ favourite is the lawn by the pretty-as-a-picture Roman Temple (lef). Tere are the quintessential English country gardenbackdrops for your reception, too – withPimm’s, croquet and deckchairs on the lawn.
RHINEFIELD HOUSE HOTEL, HAMPSHIRET
İs New Forest mansion’s newly licensed Doric Temple means you can now hold your ceremony among the 40 acres of gorgeous formal gardens and ornamental ponds – guests will be seated in the Forest Garden while you exchange vows under the pillared pavilion. Te Grand Hall (complete with intricate carvings and oak-panelled walls) awaits for your wedding breakfast.
GREAT FOSTERS, SURREY
You might have a few wedding crashers if the local swans choose to glide by during your ceremony on the Archery lawn at Great Fosters. Te rest of the gorgeous grounds are as scenic – secret gardens, a wisteria-draped Japanese bridge, a lake and plenty of perfectly trimmed box hedges. Tere’s a 14th-century barn for receptions, plus you’re only a 20-minute drive from Heathrow for a swif honeymoon exit.
46BOVEY CASTLE, DEVON
Imposing and atmospheric, this stately fve-star hotel sits on a ridge overlooking its 275 acres in Dartmoor National Park. Garden ceremonies can be held in either the Summerhouse at the end of a fower-lined ‘aisle’, or the Portico on the South Terrace with views of the surrounding moorland. Should the weather not play ball, there are plenty of grand rooms inside, as well as 64 stylish bedrooms and a sumptuous spa.
FRIARS COURT, OXFORDSHIRE
You don’t get a prettier spot than under the Rose Arbour at Friars Court. Tis Cotswold farmhouse has over four acres of ridiculously photogenic gardens, and is run by interior designer Jefrey Cleaver, who will make sure that your wedding decor looks as good as the setting does. For receptions you can either continue the party in a marquee or decamp to the stone barn where the thick elm beams are just waiting to be wrapped in twinkling fairylights.
RHINEFIELD HOUSE HOTEL, HAMPSHIRET
İs New Forest mansion’s newly licensed Doric Temple means you can now hold your ceremony among the 40 acres of gorgeous formal gardens and ornamental ponds – guests will be seated in the Forest Garden while you exchange vows under the pillared pavilion. Te Grand Hall (complete with intricate carvings and oak-panelled walls) awaits for your wedding breakfast.
ARLEY HALL & GARDENS, CHESHIRET
İs Elizabethan-style country house is an impressive sight, but not nearly as drop-dead-gorgeous as its 18 acres of award-winning gardens – wedding album heaven! With the Ilex Avenue of rounded evergreen holm oaks and a wild fower meadow, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Although the most beautiful is saved for your ceremony – a colourful ‘aisle’ of double herbaceous border leads you to Te Alcove where you exchange vows.
KILVER COURT GARDENS, SOMERSET
Tucked away next to the millpond in Kilver Court Gardens, the Dovecote is an ultra-romantic setting for your outdoor wedding service. Owned by Roger Saul, the founder of luxe Brit-brand Mulberry (note ladies: there’s an outlet shop on-site), the gardens are laced with trickling streams and waterfalls, while the graceful viaduct creates a stunning backdrop for a freworks display later on in the evening.
WASING, BERKSHIRETE
Secret Walled Garden at Wasing looks just like you’d picture it – red brick walls with roses climbing across them and lavender-lined paths. Te secluded rustic folly is licensed for outdoor I dos and how you use the rest of the gardens is, refreshingly, up to you as they are all yours for your big day. Tere’s a quaint cottage – the Bothy – to steal away to for your frst night.
FRIARS COURT, OXFORDSHIRE
You don’t get a prettier spot than under the Rose Arbour at Friars Court. Tis Cotswold farmhouse has over four acres of ridiculously photogenic gardens, and is run by interior designer Jefrey Cleaver, who will make sure that your wedding decor looks as good as the setting does. For receptions you can either continue the party in a marquee or decamp to the stone barn where the thick elm beams are just waiting to be wrapped in twinkling fairylights.
KILVER COURT GARDENS, SOMERSET
Tucked away next to the millpond in Kilver Court Gardens, the Dovecote is an ultra-romantic setting for your outdoor wedding service. Owned by Roger Saul, the founder of luxe Brit-brand Mulberry (note ladies: there’s an outlet shop on-site), the gardens are laced with trickling streams and waterfalls, while the graceful viaduct creates a stunning backdrop for a freworks display later on in the evening.WASING, BERKSHIRETe Secret Walled Garden at Wasing looks just like you’d picture it – red brick walls with roses climbing across them and lavender-lined paths. Te secluded rustic folly is licensed for outdoor I dos and how you use the rest of the gardens is, refreshingly, up to you as they are all yours for your big day. Tere’s a quaint cottage – the Bothy – to steal away to for your frst night.
BOVEY CASTLE, DEVON
Imposing and atmospheric, this stately fve-star hotel sits on a ridge overlooking its 275 acres in Dartmoor National Park. Garden ceremonies can be held in either the Summerhouse at the end of a fower-lined ‘aisle’, or the Portico on the South Terrace with views of the surrounding moorland. Should the weather not play ball, there are plenty of grand rooms inside, as well as 64 stylish bedrooms and a sumptuous spa.
GREAT FOSTERS, SURREY
You might have a few wedding crashers if the local swans choose to glide by during your ceremony on the Archery lawn at Great Fosters. Te rest of the gorgeous grounds are as scenic – secret gardens, a wisteria-draped Japanese bridge, a lake and plenty of perfectly trimmed box hedges. Tere’s a 14th-century barn for receptions, plus you’re only a 20-minute drive from Heathrow for a swif honeymoon exit.
Table of Contents
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