Dreaming of a UK wedding? We’ve got your dream destination covered.
With many weddings and occasions postponed of the last couple of years, brides to be are sure to be looking for a spectacular venue to make up for the heartache. In the UK a stunning Normandy castle would make the perfect destination to make you feel like a real princess on your big day.
Fashionistas might recognise Hedingham Castle in South East England as the backdrop of the iconic Isabella Blow and Lee McQueen shoot by photographer Gary Wallis in the nineties.
This unique property is one of the country’s oldest buildings at an impressive 900 years old and with many of the original details still preserved offers authenticity and a touch of history.
If you decide to have your wedding at the castle you will benefit from not just the castle but the entire Hedingham Estate including the magnificent Castle, the beautiful Mansion House with its elegant rooms and Ballroom Marquee, and the charming Garden Cottage and Medieval Lodge surrounded by glorious Essex countryside.
If you’re dreaming of a fairytale wedding, spend an enchanting two nights with your most cherished friends and family and create memories that will last a lifetime.
How your weekend wedding might look:
The Wedding Eve
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3pm onwards |
Guests start arriving to settle into their rooms followed by a stroll around the beautiful, historic grounds to work up an appetite for supper. The estate can provide thoughtfully curated welcome baskets for your guests to enjoy when they arrive at their room. Think locally sourced treats to nibble on, a map of walks around the grounds, a little bottle of sun cream or even flip flops for dancing…
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| 5pm | As the afternoon draws on, host drinks in the Castle Garrison, with guests spilling out onto the lawn for ice-breaker garden games and croquet.
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| 7pm | A casual supper of pizza in the atmospheric Tapestry Room, or perhaps you would prefer Mediterranean sharing platters or Moroccan street food; whatever you fancy, our fantastic chefs can cater to your every need.
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| 9pm | As twilight sets in, gather round the firepit on the bailey for toasting marshmallows or retire inside for board games before heading to your room for a peaceful and comfy night’s sleep before the big day.
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The Big Day
| 9am | Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in The Garden Cottage with your bridal party, while the rest of the group and groomsmen breakfast in the Ashurst Suite of the Mansion House. |
| 10.00am | Unwind with some alfresco yoga in the grounds with your girlfriends while the boys head off into the woods for a spot of archery or falconry. There are so many activities to choose from to entertain your guests while you get ready. Why not take an art class by the lake or a round of golf at the local course.
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| 11am | Return to The Garden Cottage to start getting ready with your bridal party.
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| 12pm | After their morning activity, the groomsmen go caveman and enjoy a hearty BBQ lunch in the woods to set them up for the day ahead – think ultimate burgers, posh dogs and a bucket of icy cold beers.
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| 2pm | Guests start arriving and head over to the Castle to eagerly await the ceremony. Tea, coffee and cake are served in the Garrison.
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| 3pm | The bridal party is ready and it’s finally time to get married in one of the most romantic venues in the country. Say your vows in the candlelit Banqueting Hall of the Castle. Or, if you prefer, you may also marry in the stunning landscaped gardens or at the grand Medieval Church of St. Nicholas at the bottom of the drive.
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| 4pm | Once you are married, it’s confetti on the Tudor bridge followed by cocktails on the Mansion House lawn.
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| 4.30pm | Make the most of the stunning scenery and explore the grounds with your photographer for that showstopper first portrait together. While you are having your photos taken, keep your guests entertained with a wandering acoustic band, magician or how about a flyover from the nearby airfield? |
| 5.30pm | It’s time for your wedding breakfast. After the heart-warming, and most likely teary speeches, dine in style in our elegant Ballroom Marquee, seating up to 150 guests.
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| 8pm | Evening guests arrive and once you’ve cut your cake, it’s party time! Dance the night away under the magical starlit ceiling of the Ballroom dance floor to a live band or DJ, or surprise your guests with a jaw-dropping choreographed first dance routine they’ll never forget.
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| 9pm | After all that dancing, treat your guests to a late night supper of fish and chips, woodfired pizza or how about a heavenly cheese bar to round off the evening perfectly?
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| 12pm | Guests drift off to their rooms or wind down in The Medieval Lodge, full of love from a magnificent day.
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The Recovery
| 11am | Recount the weekend’s events with friends old and new over a lazy brunch in the Castle’s Tapestry Room. Spill out onto the picnic benches and blankets and soak up the sun on the historic bailey. Guests can drift in and out as they please or stay in bed and enjoy the peaceful quiet of the surrounding Essex countryside. Enjoy some fresh air with a stroll around the lake, the ancient ramparts and beautiful woodland.
Or head out and explore the chocolate-box village of Castle Hedingham and the surrounding pretty villages.
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| 3pm | Say your goodbyes and head home, or to your honeymoon, with incredibly happy new memories of your weekend wedding at Hedingham Castle.
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For more information on booking visit https://www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk/
