The Top Ten Hotels for a Stylish but Intimate Wedding Venue

by Liz Coggins (June 2012)

Your wedding reception is a wonderful time for celebration when you greet and entertain your friends and family for the first time as Mr and Mrs. So, the venue you choose needs to reflect your personalities, aspirations and what memories you want to carry away from this important occasion. Whilst some couples opt for grandiose surroundings others want their wedding breakfast to be an intimate yet sophisticated event. For them there are some great romantic choices from chocolate box style manor houses, beachside hotels with private terraces, to gracious Georgian town houses and luxuriously restored buildings that are the epitome of style.

1. Hotel du Vin - Bristol

The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, Bristol

This magnificently restored 18th century sugar house is totally unique and looks over the rejuvenated Bath waterfront. It has an amazing secluded leafy courtyard, ideal for drinks receptions. The 4 function rooms are style personified and ooze class with high vaulted ceilings, arches, lots of natural daylight and private terraces with great views.

2. Jesmond Dene House

Jesmond Dene Road, Newcastle upon Tyne

Jesmond Dene is quite simply a grand house set in glorious woodland parkland but yet only seven minutes drive from Newcastle town centre. It offers a great choice of function rooms from the majestic grand hall with its wood panelling and fine ceiling to the contemporary designed hideaway suite with its own roof terrace for small, intimate receptions.

3. L'Horizon Hotel & Spa

La Route de la Baie, St Brelade's Bay, Jersey

This elegant hotel is literally a step away from one of the world’s most beautiful sandy beaches. All of the light, beautifully decorated chandeliered function rooms have idyllic views of the bay, so romantic especially at sunset. Drinks on the private seafront terrace, a barefoot stroll on the beach will make your day extra special.

4. The Devonshire Brasserie

Bolton Abbey, Skipton

Situated on the Bolton Abbey Estate this hotel has hosted its fair share of celebrity weddings. A tranquil and idyllic riverside location near a ruined abbey with cascading waterfalls and its own Italian box garden, this place has character. It’s opulent but intimate ambience with antique furnishing and chandeliers make this an amazing venue.

5. Tre-Ysgawen Hall Hotel & Spa

Capel Coch, Llangefni

Built originally as a grand country house mansion the hotel is perched at the end of a private wooded drive amidst acres of woodland. On the sweeping flower filled lawns you will find Anglesey’s first outdoor wedding pavilion intimate and truly romantic, however many guests you choose to invite to witness you saying “I do”.

6. Tuddenham Mill

High Street, Tuddenham, Newmarket

Oak exposed beams, sleek glass and a waterwheel Tuddenham Mill is an eclectic mix of rustic chic. This renovated water mill has a wonderfully relaxed environment and a contemporary elegance second to none, perfect for those who are seeking something different. Its function rooms have idyllic private terraces and views over the serene mill pond.

7. Langdon Court Hotel

Adams Lane, Down Thomas, Plymouth

This 16th century manor with its walled and Jacobean gardens has a historically romantic ambience and was loved by lovers in the past including Edward VII and Lily Langtrey. Gracious living of times past is evoked in its fine décor and the views of Wembury Beach, a short walk away and ideal for photos with a difference, amazing.

8. Careys Manor Hotel

Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst

In the magical tranquil setting of the New Forrest this romantic Victorian country house combines elegant English charm with contemporary chic and it does it so well! The stylish Cedar suite is perfection for receptions and it has its own private entrance opening up onto a secluded terraced area with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.

9. The Howard

34 Great King Street, Edinburgh

An intimate and personal wedding venue, this five star Georgian town house hotel specialises in small weddings and fulfils any couple’s dreams. Located in the centre of the city, the three function suites each have their own entrances from the street and are elegantly decorated in the Georgian style with crystal chandeliers, oil paintings and intricate plasterwork.

10. Ockenden Manor Hotel & Spa

Ockenden Lane, Cuckfield

Tucked away in the pretty Tudor village of Cuckfield, this Elizabethan manor house could have come straight from the pages of any storybook. It is charming, tranquil, has lots of character and is heavenly romantic. Outside there’s an English country garden effect, whilst inside the elegant sitting rooms, antiques and roaring log fires make it so welcoming for wedding guests.