Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May (Issue 94)

FOREST EDGE TIPIS, NEWBURY This family-run wedding and events company offers the opportunity for ceremonies and receptions to take place in an authentic Nordic tipi, hand-crafted in Sweden and sustainably sourced. There’s a choice of exclusive-use venues, from wildflower meadows, ancient woodlands and even organic sustainable farms, and the unique design of these structures provide a blank canvas to be styled for an intimate micro wedding, with one long table in the middle or larger celebrations with a festival vibe. The impressive tipis provide a wonderful backdrop for photographs. The height of them allows for statement floral chandeliers or flower clouds to be suspended from the ceiling and festoon lighting and fairylights wrapped around the poles create a romantic ambience. Couples can select from a range of configurations so the layout can change for each wedding. Ceremonies conducted by an independent celebrant, or blessings, can take place inside or outside, and the talented team at Forest Edge Tipis can erect a separate one for the ceremony if required. Receptions take place inside the tipis with guest numbers ranging from 30 to 250. Ceremony licence? No Contact: 07917 792 941, www.forestedgetipis.com ❤ We love... that bespoke packages can be created to suit each couple’s requirements and these packages include the hire of rustic-stye furniture, generators, luxury toilets and even bell tents for the first-night stay and guest accommodation. There’s also the choice of bed and breakfast accommodation and serviced cottages at some of the venues. ANOTHER OPTION Donnington Grove hotel in Newbury is set in 500 acres of countryside just one mile from the town centre. It’s accessed via a winding driveway leading to the manor house, boasting Strawberry Hill Gothic architecture, named after Horace Warpole who had Strawberry Hill in London created for him. The main house and venue rooms were built more than 250 years ago and are home to period features including chandeliers and original hand-painted wallpaper. Think of it as a period property with modern amenities and high standards of service. Landscaped grounds surround the hotel, with a full PGA championship golf course running through the middle, offering a variety of photographic opportunities including a folly and lake. Ceremonies take place in the Cloudy Room for up to 75 loved ones. The Kennet can seat up to 80 guests for a ceremony and the Avon room accommodates an intimate 30 people. The Japanese pagoda offers another option, seating up to 30 guests. Receptions take place in the marquee for up to 120 people or in one of the venue rooms depending on the couple’s requirements. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01635 581 000, www.donnington-grove.com ❤ We love... that the team offer the couple a complimentary stay on the night of the wedding and the first anniversary, plus we also offer a free tasting menu. hotography of Forest Edge Tipis courtesy of www.jenniecolbourne.co.uk WASING PARK WEDDINGS, ALDERMASTON This award-winning exclusive-use barn wedding venue is home to the picturesque parish Church of St. Nicholas, an idyllic Victorian Summerhouse embellished with a pretty hand-painted mural and the contemporary Garden Room with bi-fold doors allowing the outdoors in. With 4,000 acres of land and more than 250 years of history, the family-owned Wasing Estate houses historic buildings, glistening lakes and a walled garden. Wasing Park sits at the heart of the estate, the perfect pick for a romantic barn wedding. There’s a choice of 26 luxury bedrooms sleeping up to 64 guests with each one boasting bespoke design within an elegant historical setting, from the unique Grade II listed Granary sat proudly on its staddle stones to the fairytale-inspired Dovecote and a Honeymoon Suite featuring the largest bed in Berkshire. Ceremonies take place in the Garden Room, outside in the Victorian Summerhouse or the parish church situated within the grounds. The magnificent Castle Barn offers a blank canvas for wedding receptions that can be decked in fairylights and decorated with candles and floral displays. Guests can relax and enjoy the delicious food beneath the new stretch tent floating over the terrace at the back of the Castle Barn. Filled with comfortable seating, cosy blankets, twinkling lights and firepits, this area provides outdoor space that can be used all year round. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 0118 907 0199, www.wasing.co.uk/weddings ❤ We love... that the estate regularly hosts a variety of wellbeing activities, including bridal yoga and yoga classes at its new Pavilion. 24

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