If we asked you to name the most memorable wedding of 2018, what would you say? Harry and Megan’s perhaps? Well, here at That Amazing Place, we have a wedding that stole the show. Marrying on the same day as our favourite red headed prince himself, we introduce Nick and Elli Gunn. Nick and Elli had been together 8 years before they got married, after having met through a mutual love of photography and German shorthaired pointers. Here’s their big day at our countryside wedding venue.
Photo Credit: Steve Hobart Photography
The Venue
Choosing a wedding venue for some can feel like a mammoth task. The trips to and from different venues, some miles away and others at the most inconvenient of times – just so you can fit it in. For Nick and Elli however, it was a different story. Nick explained, “being a wedding photographer for the last 8 years means I’ve seen many of the venues in and around Essex but I’d never worked at That Amazing Place. It felt so clean and gave that feeling of being in someone’s home.” Nick and Elli chose to get married in the garden and despite the nuptials of a certain prince and his American princess, stole the show, “Our wedding was the same day as the wedding of Megan and Harry but obviously, our wedding was much better ha ha.”
Photo Credit: Steve Hobart Photography
Theme and Entertainment
In terms of theme and flowers, it was kept very country and very natural. Being a wedding photographer certainly had its benefits and allowed the couple to step away from things they’d seen done time and again, “we wanted to try some things different to what we’d seen on a regular basis. For our flowers we opted for a natural country garden flower with that just picked look.” Nick and Elli also enjoyed our resident DJ along with a pianist who entertained their guests all day long.
Photo Credit: Steve Hobart Photography
The Dress & Suit
The couple both looked nothing short of exquisite on the day thanks to their fabulous sense of style. Elli, Nick’s fellow photographer bride wore a Demetrios dress from a bridal shop in Ongar, Essex while Nick himself opted for made-to-measure country clothing from Butlers Stewart, complemented perfectly by handmade boots by Filli Fabbri, an Italian riding boot manufacturer, very appropriate indeed as the couple also share a love of all things equestrian.
Photo Credit: Steve Hobart Photography
Magical Moments
Nick and Elli’s magical moment came when they both walked across the lawn, down to the lake and gazebo toward the aisle. Nick said, “as we approached the red carpet, I pointed out to Elli that all of our friends and family were there. Then all of a sudden, they all started clapping together.”
From that magical moment, the happiness continued and the beautiful couple became husband and wife. While the pair are both happier behind the camera, rather than in front of it, we think it’s safe to say the photos, taken by the talented Steve Hobart are nothing short of amazing. Here’s to the happy couple, we wish them many years of happiness together and hope to see them once again, only this time to celebrate an anniversary or two.
Today we’re looking at the wonderful wedding day of Hattie and Rhys, who said their “I do’s” on September 16th of this year right here at That Amazing Place. Hattie and Rhys has been together for eight years when they married after meeting randomly on a weekend where they were both enjoying company with friends. After hitting it off in a pub garden, and thanks to a rather persistent friend, Rhys and Hattie kept in touch and the rest as they say is history. So here’s a peek into their wonderful day…
The Venue
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
With family coming from afar, it was hugely important that Hattie and Rhys found somewhere that felt like a home from home. Hattie explained, “Being able to arrive on the Friday and relax and stay for the duration of the weekend was a great addition to what we were after. After our first visit to view That Amazing Place, we got in the car, both looked at each other and smiled; we knew it was the place for us.” The beautiful surroundings, impeccable décor and of course the staff, were huge advantages to Hattie and Rhys and convinced them quite easily that our Essex wedding venue was the one for them. They were also incredibly thankful for Paul, one of the venues owners, and event manager Angie, for making their family and friends on the day feel incredibly welcomed. Hattie describes them as being incredibly attentive throughout the whole weekend.
Theme and Entertainment
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
Hattie explained their aim was for their wedding day was simplicity; a relaxed social event and That Amazing Place became the perfect backdrop for it. This desire was reflected in the theme with simple white flowers housed in exquisite glass throughout. The colour theme was also reflected throughout the entire bridal party with adult bridesmaids wearing platinum and younger bridesmaids wearing navy. Hattie went on to explain, “The Groom and groomsmen also wore navy with navy ties and white polka dots. Rhys’s tie was navy with purple polka dots to match my shoes and bouquet.” In terms of entertainment, they enjoyed a live band called “The Money” from Nottingham. They’d seen them “perform quite a few years ago at a family’s wedding and loved the variety of their sets, so were keen to have them play at our wedding. They also did the DJ’ing in between sets and finished off our night with a requested garage half-hour!”
Catering
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
For their catering, Hattie and Rhys opted for one of our preferred suppliers, the fabulous Premier Crew Catering. Hattie said, “Sarah was fantastic throughout the process…we wanted a simple, relaxed and social day so we went for Afternoon Tea as our Wedding Breakfast; this was followed by a hog roast and BBQ in the early evening for all of our day and evening guests. The food was fantastic and Afternoon Tea looked beautiful on entering the room.”
Photo Credit: Expression Photography
From all of us here at That Amazing Place, we’d just like to thank Hattie and Rhys for choosing our venue and once again, say a huge congratulations! We hope to see you again soon, perhaps celebrating your anniversary in the same place you chose to say, “I do”.
Whether it’s a case of keeping up with the Jones’s or just simply that in this day-and-age, weddings are about splashing the cash; weddings on a smaller budget seem to have gained a reputation for being substandard. Here at That Amazing Place however, we’re here to tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth, especially with our top tips to help you give your country house wedding a million dollar feel.
Less is more – as they say, the enemy of elegance is clutter so when it comes to your wedding décor, we always suggest you stick to the mantra of “less is more”. Keep things streamlined and the overall look nice and simple as opposed to trying to create a huge amount of self-made details. Keep things white, ivory and all shades of grey and you’ll ensure elegance and simplicity all the way.
Be strategic with your floral arrangements – flowers are essential for any wedding but they’re also an area in which bills can quickly start to add up. Thankfully, there are ways to help keep the bills low and that’s by adopting a strategic attitude about where you’ll be placing the flowers and which flowers in particular to select. Scrimping on flowers on each table will ultimately disappoint you but you can cut down on flowers in other areas of the venue. Invest in one large statement piece that everyone will see when they walk into the venue and you’ll feel a lot happier while your wallet remains full.
Keep a lid on your guest list – instead of throwing a lavish wedding for hundreds and hundreds of people on a small budget, why not crop the guest list and let your budget spread further with fewer guests? You’ve no doubt heard of the term, spreading it thin? That’s exactly what you’ll be doing with too many guests, so cut the list of your country house wedding and enjoy more to spend on fewer people. Make it an intimate and unforgettable experience.
Indulge your creative side – though we strongly advise opting for a solely DIY feel; indulging your creative side a little could be a winning decision. Think invitations and even seating cards. You can find creative ways to take on these beautiful projects and give your wedding a very personal feel. If you don’t have a creative bone in you (and believe us, there are some out there who feel this way) then it may be the perfect time to call on your most creative friend.
Make a grand entrance – it’s important that you know your guests probably won’t remember an inexpensive linen, nor will they remember a lack of flowers here and there but they will remember their entrance into your wedding. Make their entrance something to remember with striking flowers, candles and other elaborate décor. Keeping this at the entrance will be the best place for them to really see and remember it. Always remember the entrance and exit of each event space.
Here at That Amazing Place, we have the perfect option for those looking to keep within their budget in the form of our Twilight Wedding Package. For more information, simply contact us today.
So, you’ve chosen That Amazing Place as your country house wedding venue. You’ve decided our country house wedding venue is the place for you. The question now is…when? The fact is, whichever point during the year that you choose to have your wedding, they’ll be both benefits and considerations to take into account. So, before you name the date, we thought we’d show you some seasonal considerations to help make the decision easier and allow you to tackle any problems beforehand. Here at our country house wedding venue, it’s all about smooth sailing after all.
Autumn weddings – autumn weddings are becoming more and more popular as people realise the true beauty of the season and how it can actually have an impact on your wedding. With nature providing the ultimate backdrop for some truly exquisite wedding photos, it’s a no brainer. You can enjoy some beautiful autumnal foliage in the background within our grounds here at That Amazing Place in dark and bright reds, as well as golden browns and dark greens.
Winter weddings – a lot of brides now dream of winter weddings, surrounded by soft, freshly fallen snow. While we all wish for the epitome of winter weddings, you do unfortunately have to consider the fact that snow isn’t likely to fall. Should you be lucky enough to see such a wonder, you’ll of course need to consider the fact that access could possibly become an issue, especially at a country house wedding venue. It’s therefore important that you choose a winter wedding venue that can be easily accessed, such as ourselves here at That Amazing Place.
Spring weddings – spring weddings will always be popular. It’s one of the most beautiful seasons in that the darkness of winter is finally over and the sunlight begins to show through. This time of year, has the added benefit of being neither too cold or too hot (if there is such a thing in the UK). The biggest threat during this season is of course the rain which means you’ll need to consider a venue where you can hold your entire wedding inside. Here at That Amazing Place, we have such facilities, which mean you could enjoy your ceremony, reception and even wedding photos inside should the weather take a turn for the worse. From sweeping staircases to log fires, we have it all.
Summer weddings – summer warmth can be ideal for weddings, ensuring your guests get to enjoy wearing lighter clothes and enjoy more flattering outfits without the fear of freezing. It’s worth noting however, that British weather is often incredibly unpredictable. So be sure to find a venue that can provide an inside space should you need it. Should you be so lucky to have the sun shine, then finding a venue that offers a beautiful outdoor space to say “I do” is a must and that’s something we’re easily able to provide here in our acres and acres of grounds.
Here at That Amazing Place, one of the things that makes us so amazing is the fact that we can provide the perfect venue for every eventuality. Come rain or shine, we can provide the perfect setting to say “I do”. Choosing your perfect wedding date however, is simply a case of personal preference. So, whether you’re a sun worshipper, a spring chicken or a British rose seeking the cooler climates of winter, we’ve got the perfect venue for you. For more information on dates available, simply contact us today.
Autumn will soon be upon us at That Amazing Place, a country house wedding venue nestled in the heart of Essex, and what a season it is. Autumn is all about bringing the outside in so why don’t you celebrate the annual falling of the golden leaves by featuring beautiful coppers, burnt oranges and even rust tones in your wedding colour scheme?
Autumn Inspired Centrepieces
Autumn is the perfect time to start keeping things natural, highlighting the beauty of the season in your autumn wedding décor. Look at seasonal fruits and vegetables such as red apples, pumpkins and even wheat (perfect for those wanting a more country inspired wedding) in order to form running centerpieces. You can ensure they pack a real punch by piling them on top of things such as wooden crates and positioning them at the entrance of your venue as well as along any mantelpieces available.
Autumn Inspired Floral Designs
Your flowers play a big part in your wedding, and as such, will play a big part in your theme. If you plan on opting for the theme of autumn throughout your special day then we suggest you ask your florist to preprare something appropriate. Use autumn inspired flowers in bloom, focusing on the warm reds and golden tones. Tie in a little hessian and lace too. You may even want to team your flowers with some trailing ivy and allow them to cascade romantically from your wooden crates. This is where choosing a country house wedding venue such as That Amazing Place can make all the difference. With our extensive grounds, you’ll find the venue itself will even tie in with your theme and it’s all thanks to Mother Nature.
Add A Human Touch
We always love a natural touch when it comes to a wedding but let’s not forget, there are also some fantastic manmade accents that could be added to help with your autumnal wedding theme. Think about copper framed lanterns, metallic cutlery and even industrial style chairs. They’ll help lift your autumn inspired wedding theme and give it a much sought-after rustic style that’s becoming more and more popular.
The That Amazing Place Autumn Wedding Quickfire Top Tips…
Fill pumpkins with ice to use as wine coolers on tables
Use toffee apples as table decorations and treat the children once your wedding meal has finished
Pine cones are a great decoration, especially when sprayed in golds and warm reds; they’re also affordable too!
Chestnuts are another great addition, especially when displayed in traditional jam jars or used to surround the base of candles.
Keep your invites in line too with leaf motifs in autumnal colours, or even gold for a more luxurious feel.
Tree stumps are becoming more and more on-trend as people have them inscribed as memorable items or treasure or as a “Mr and Mrs” display. If you have tree stumps big enough, you can use them as additional seating outside during outdoor games or as a wedding cake stand.
When it comes to creating an autumn wedding theme here at our Essex wedding venue, the options are endless. If however, you feel you need a little more advice, then please don’t hesitate to contact our wedding planner Angie who’ll be only too happy to accommodate and offer advice and guidance every step of the way.
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