Venues...

So, we have set our date at long last!

08/10/2015!!!

It may seem like miles away, but it's only 931 days! (Not that I am counting)

This gives us plenty of time to pay off our venues and dresses and everything else, without breaking the bank.

The last thing we want is to start married life in debt!

So, as we all know by now, I ADORE vintage!

It's beautiful, elegant, sophisticated...Ahh it's lovely,

I have been searching high and low for venues to fit my theme, and my budget.

Our all in budget, including my dress, his suits, registrar and venues is for £10,000. If we pull it off with money left over, that's our honeymoon fund. Even more of a reason to pinch the pennies!

We deicded on £10,000 as it gives us a lot of breathing space for mistakes and changes of plan. I hope to spend no more than £6,000, but I am being realistic!

So, down to the nitty gritty, venues.

I have been searching for something a little bit different. October is a beautiful month to marry as it's not too hot, but generally not to cold, with mild winds and temperatures.

My ideal venue would be a stunning country house, set in acres of gardens and woodlands.

I'm not one for wood pannelling, so that immediately narrowed my choices, as did my hatred for salmon pink.

Sam and I are not incredibly formal people, as I wanted a venue that could allow for a romantic, chilled out atmosphere.

I did not realise how many places I would fall head over heels for!

Please note, I have visited most of these venues in person, but there are a few that I have not yet had the pleasure of seeing due to servere weather restrictions imposed by motorcycles!

So, where have we been?

Boringdon Hall, Colebrook

Boringdon Hall is a stunning Elizabethan Manor House, situated on the edge of dartmoor national Park, with amazing views. The earliest written mention of the house was found in the 1086 Domesday Book, and has been chronicled ever since.

This is a family owned business, with lovely helpful staff and around 40 rooms, including the four poster bedded rooms.

This venue can conduct civil ceremonies, cater for up to 300 guests and offer a number of discounts.

There is a 10% discount for all rooms booked for your guests, as well as a 10% discount for a 'winter wedding' in January or Febuary.

You can choose to pay a supplemenmt of £10,000 for exclusive use of the entire hotel if you choose.

Whilst this is a truly remarkable venue, this is just too far from my price range.

My Uncle married here, and it was gorgeous, but it is not for me.

If you are interested in this venue then please email events@boringdonhall.co.uk or call 01752344455

Langdon Court Hotel, Plymouth

Langdon Court is a listed Grade 2*, luxury Boutique Hotel and Resturant, with it's own grounds and formal gardens. It is also within walking distance to the stunning Webury beach. This venue was voted the Best Wedding Venue in Devon in 2011.

The folks here at Langdon can offer a personal wedding planner, events organiser, and others services.

They also offer a Winter Wedding Package that includes:

-Exclusive use of the hotel and grounds

- 10 rooms with Traditional English Breakfast

- Drinks after your civil or church ceremony

- Canepes

- A 3 course wedding breakfast (based on a chicken main course)

- Half a bottle of wine per guest

- One glass of Prosecco for Toasting

- Coffee and Homemade fudge for guests

- Eevening cold buffet

(January, Febuary and November)

This comes to a grand total of £5999.00 for 50 guests.

Extra guests are charged from £75 pp, with a maximum number of guests at 100 total.

Chair covers and an extra £3.50 each.

Now, I love this venue. It is truly amazing, but this is completely out of my price range based on the number of guests alone.

If this venue screams 'Me! Pick me!' then call 01752862358

Pentillie Castle, Saltash

Pentillie Castle was built in 1698, by the Coryton family, who still own the site today. Nestled amongst 2,000 acres of woodlands and lanscaped American gardens, it lines the River Tamar beautifully.

My favourite part of the entire estate is the Bathing Hut, situated on the river, it makes a wonderful intimate place for a civil ceremony.

This venue is perfect for all seasons, and a marquee is avaliable for larger weddings.

Exclusive use is also avaliable, as is your own coordinator, Jill.

This castle takes my breath away, but for me it is still not what I am looking for. It's definitely something to consider however!

If Pentillie Castle also took your breath away, contact the lovely team on 01579350044

St Mellion International Resort, Cornwall

There isn't much I can really say about this venue, as the site does not offer a lot of insight in to the history, other than to say it was a golf club, and now it's a bigger one.  The only thing that really darws me to this site are their offers, and stunning photo oppertunities. My parents married here over 20 years ago, and their photos are just amazing! Unfortunatly, the hotel looks too commercial for me to consider it an option, but here is what they offer :

- Buy 7 tables, and the 8th is free.

- 15% discount on November through to March weddings.

- Complimetary bridal suite

- Between 2-350 guests.

- Elemis Spa on site

- Forces and NHS staff receive 10% discount on selected packages

- 80 rooms

- Reduced green fees

- 4* Hotel

This venue does not appeal to me personally, but if this sounds perfect for you, call 01579351351

The Wild Card Venue

I will not tell you the location nor name of this venue until we have explored what they can offer first. On first sight, this would not appear an ideal wedding venue, but for Sam and I, it is perfect. It is quircky, and unusal in a stunning way!

The venue boasts :

- Manor in the country

- A unique, 33 acre venue

- Incredible food, from 3 course meals to hog roasts (yum!)

- Room for up to 400 guests.

- Upfront pricing, so no hidden surprises

- Top price for venue and ceremoy, £1,250 in August.

- Varied drinks packages

- 5 minute drive from my church to venue.

- Fully licesncecd with two choices for ceremony venue

- Can arrange transport for guests if needed

- Chair covers £3.50 per chair.

- £15 per guest for Hog Roast

- Charitable venue

- Meet the tigers, meet the meerkats, feed the otters and a falconry display are all avaliable.

- Guests have free use of venue attractions.

This venue is not one that springs to mind when you think ' romantic vintage wedding', but trust me, take a gamble and you will adore it as much as we do!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE...THE VENUE IS...DARTMOOR ZOO!

I know, you think I'm nuts, but this place is just wow. There are no other words, just wow.

For animal lovers like myself and Sam, this venue just captures every part of our personality.

We are going for another visit in a few days, so I will take some pictures and load them up ASAP.