Have you ever daydreamed about hosting an elegant event at your own private country estate?
With The Manor, Somerset, you can achieve the luxury of a catered and staffed event in the intimacy and exclusivity of a private home on a private 12 Acre Estate. The imposing mansion house is fast becoming one of the hottest and exclusive elite wedding destinations in the UK, so we at 5 Star Weddings were thrilled to be given a chance to enjoy a taster of the grandeur and exquisite comfort of the Manor for a weekend of gorgeous surroundings and modern entertainment.
This 13th Century manor house, with regal Tudor additions, is still resplendent with original features; stained glass windows cast glittering colours over hardwood floors, and roaring fires create cosy spaces in wood panelled rooms. The bedrooms, which sleep up to 24 guests (there’s room for twelve more in the lake house & 12 by arrangement in the great long barn) have grand four poster beds and beautiful furnishings, and the house has stunning feature rooms such as the drawing room, in which you can have your wedding ceremony, and a banqueting hall which can accommodate up to 80 people for a ceremony and sumptuous dinner created by one of the elite cuisine team at the Manor.
At the Manor you really, truly feel as if you own the place – we took over the house for the weekend so there were no other guests, no staff, no interruptions. I can hardly imagine a more personal and magical atmosphere for a wedding; while you are the hosts of the day, the discreet and professional wedding team take all the hard work out of your hands. All you need to do is relax, enjoy the surroundings without thinking about noise restrictions for the DJ, taxis for the guests, or clearing up.
There’s plenty to do on the estate as well – there’s a games room, an outdoor pool, tennis court, sauna, and landscaped gardens with ample seating and tables. In fact, outdoor space is a must-have feature for any rural wedding, and the setting of a wisteria-clad mansion surrounded by peaceful green space – complete with a rose garden, a miniature lake, a koi pond and fountains – provides a country idyll for your wedding photos.
A bride and groom also have their choice of ceremony options too, as there is a 13th Century chapel available for Christian weddings, and the Manor house itself is licensed too. You may marry in the drawing room, or – new for 2015 – you could have an al fresco service at the beautiful leafy pergola in the gardens.
Marquees are an option, ideal for a bigger wedding do, and the team here can provide traditional or quirky outdoor facilities, such as teepees! “Choice” is the name of the game here. The venue prides itself on the highest of London standards of professionalism and attention to detail, and your day can be as formal or informal as you like.
Catering can be stylish but simple, or Michelin Star – the whole experience can be as unique as you are. You can hire the house for the day, for 24 hours, or for a three day/2 night stay. You have the option to add in use of the thatched barn and great long barn to accommodate up to 48 – 50 overnight guests on the estate.
For elite clients they also offer fully catered , drinks on the wedding day
inclusive up to the start of the evening and complete private use of The Estate which now includes a hot tub!
The Manor website is comprehensive and provides a photographic tour around the house and grounds, as well as up-to-date information about the cuisine team, the new outdoor pergola, and current brochures with specifications for planning the day. The key line on the site is “Tell us how you want your wedding to be and we’ll sort it” which certainly summarises the ethos of the Manor perfectly.
If you want to hold your wedding at an exclusive hidden gem in the inimitable English countryside, then be sure to add this place to your must-see list.
- The Manor Somerset