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Glorious sunshine pouring into the Glasshouse, garden games on the lawn and flowers blossoming their socks off just about everywhere… What’s not to love about a summer wedding at Combermere Abbey? Take another step forward with your wedding plans by choosing the blooms for your wedding bouquet…
This one’s for early summer celebrations with pretty pastel schemes. Make the most of peonies’ short season of blooms, which typically runs from May to June, for your summer wedding flowers.
These tightly ruffled flower heads look stunning in a densely packed wedding bouquet, but they also combine effortlessly in whimsical branching designs with foliage.
And peach, and lemon, and cream. Garden roses are available in almost every colour you could wish for. They can also be deliciously scented, particularly if you choose wedding flowers that have been locally grown.
They also come in an array of sizes. Hybrid teas have elegant, slender flowers, while David Austin roses are known for their blousy English charm. And then there are spray roses, which are smaller and make dreamy fillers for your summer bridal bouquet. Zoe and Junior created a stunning look for their wedding with feature white roses.
When couples fall for the idea of wildflower blooms, florists have to get creative. That’s because while some wildflowers can go straight from cutting patch to wedding bouquet, others don’t have the stem length or staying power.
Take your florist’s advice for the best wildflowers to choose. Achilleas add clouds of colour, while foxgloves offer those dreamy spires of blooms.
What better inspiration for your summer wedding flowers than tropical blooms that instantly add the wow-factor? Succulents have shot into the limelight for summer bridal bouquet ideas and look great paired with white for a minimal look.
But for a more dramatic, colour pop style, ask your florist for proteas. Sculptural and brightly coloured, these large flowers will take your breath away.
Clouds of gypsophila, bundles of white garden roses, silvery white fronds of eucalyptus or lambs’ ears… There are so many ways to create a contemporary, all-white wedding bouquet.
Opt for a hand-tied design combining flowers and foliage to keep the look relaxed or choose one single bloom to make a classic statement. Discover more elegant white wedding ideas with this breath-taking styled shoot.
Whether you’re planning a wedding with a festival vibe or opting for a bright and summery fete theme, rainbow coloured wedding flowers could be perfect for you.
Think tropical fuchsia tones, opulent turquoise and rich yellows. You could go big with sunflowers and dahlias or small with rudbeckia and cornflowers. Natasha and Brett created a gorgeous colourful theme for their Combermere Abbey wedding.
Give your wedding flowers the ultimate alternative twist by not choosing real blooms at all! From paper to silk, elegant flowers are made from all manner of surprising materials with the beauty that they last for a lifetime.
You’ll also find eye-catching bouquets made from buttons, ribbon and even gemstones – the possibilities are endless!
With a romantic Walled Garden and a one-of-a-kind fruit tree maze, Combermere Abbey’s grounds are packed with ideas for your wedding flowers. So, why not take inspiration from the plants growing here to add a truly personal touch to your bouquet?
Whether it’s a rose from the Walled Garden, foliage that emulates the trees or even incorporating fruit, this is guaranteed to give your flowers the wow-factor.
Have you been inspired by these summer bridal bouquet ideas? Discover more tips for your summer wedding with our guide to summer bridesmaids.
Your first dance. It could be a romantic moment you’ve been excited for since day one of the planning. It could also be a source of nerves, throwing you into the spotlight. Whether you have big dreams or prefer to keep it low key, here’s our pick of wedding music to inspire you.
Ed Sheeran – Perfect
Top of the list of any wedding music ideas has to be Ed Sheeran – but which love song to choose? Perfect gets our vote for, quite simply, being perfect. Romantic, easy to shuffle to, not too long… it gets a big tick.
Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
This is one of the best first dance song ideas for a summer wedding at Combermere Abbey. With its cool, laid-back, folky vibe, it’ll get the dancing into full swing while still having perfectly worded lyrics.
Shania Twain – You’re Still The One
If you’re envisioning being swept around the dance floor in the Pavilion, slow dancing while tears spring to your eyes, then this Shania Twain ballad could be the one for you.
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
With a powerful chorus, emotional lyrics and a rhythm you can sway to, it’s easy to see why this is one of the most popular wedding music choices. If you’d prefer to avoid the spotlight, invite your wedding party to join you from the chorus.
Dan + Shay – Speechless
If you’re planning a wedding with a rustic theme, consider a country tune for your first dance song. Speechless by Dan + Shay is perfect if you’re planning a romantic first dance for two. We promise you won’t be able to take your eyes off each other!
The Cure – Love Song
A classic song without the cheese, Love Song by The Cure is a popular choice for couples looking for wedding music that is a little bit different.
Coldplay & The Chainsmokers – Something Just Like This
Starting off more slowly, this hit eases you into your first dance gently, before launching into a buzzing chorus that is guaranteed to fill the dance floor for your evening reception at Combermere Abbey!
Justin Bieber – Despacito
Time to salsa! If you’re planning a choreographed routine, this Justin Bieber hit is a great one to salsa to. The dance will be full of passion and romance and is sure to surprise your guests!
Find more wedding ideas for your Combermere Abbey wedding by checking out Helen and Sam’s intimate tropical-themed wedding.
The months of April and May are some of the most romantic of the year. Your Cheshire wedding could be a vision of fluttering petals, warm sunshine and dreamy pastel hues. Simply embrace these spring wedding ideas to bring your perfect Cheshire wedding to life.
The soft light of spring strikes a balance between winter’s watery rays and summer’s sunbeams. Pastel hues make the perfect match, so let them inspire your spring wedding.
Lemon, blush and barely there blues offer a dreamlike palette to create a fairy-tale decor theme. Choose only one for a pared-back colour scheme or mix and match pretty pastels for a fete-inspired style.
Summer’s rush of blooms may not yet have arrived, but spring weddings have floral treats of their own. Early flowering clematis come in a range of colours, while cornflowers and giant daisies add a touch of whimsy.
The cheerful yellow daffodil will suit the brightest of schemes, but there are many other species of narcissus to open the colour range. Speak to your florist, who can source daffodils from gentle yellow to rich creams. The double flowering varieties are also well worth a look, with peony-like blooms.
But the beauty of a wedding in this season isn’t limited to your bouquet. There are also hedgerows filled with blossom, woodland glades decorated with bluebells and wisteria covering walls. They make a magical backdrop for your couple’s portraits.
Filter spring through every element of your wedding, including your drinks. You could serve elderflower presse during your cocktail hour or add a light and fruity twist to Prosecco with liqueurs.
As the party gets into full swing, continue the celebration with botanical gins. Create a bespoke gin bar with beautifully presented garnishes and your drinks can double up as decor in our elegant Garden Pavilion.
With temperatures rising, make the most of the spring sunshine at your wedding by planning open-air entertainment.
At Combermere Abbey, guests can wander through the fruit tree maze. This is a wonderful setting for outdoor, acoustic musicians. Make use of our garden games in the picturesque Walled Garden, amid the fragrance of the first rose blooms. Meanwhile, little ones will have plenty of space to run and play on the extensive lawns.
Spring is the season that bunting rules. But if you’d like a twist on triangles for your Cheshire wedding, there are ways to add a unique spin. Think origami swans forming a backdrop, or trailing delphiniums cascading from ceiling chandeliers.
Add scented candles to infuse the experience with the sight and scent of spring. Opt for fragrances that have a linen-like freshness or soft and sweet blossomy notes. It’s simple to create a sensory spring fling feel.
Find more beautiful spring blossom wedding inspiration in this stunning styled shoot.
February – the month of love! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, couples up and down the country are preparing for a day dedicated to the celebration of romance. There’s nothing like a love story, and with a history as long as Combermere’s, the estate has a fair few stories to tell…
One of Combermere Abbey’s most famous residents is Empress Elisabeth of Austria. One of the era’s most famed horsewomen, the Empress was a fierce hunter and wished to spend a season hunting in England. She rented Combermere Abbey from Viscount Combermere in 1881.
During her time at Combermere, rooms were re-furnished and even a brand-new staircase was built from the kitchens to her quarters for her to eat hot meals in private! Whilst in England, rumours swirled of a romance between the Empress and her hunting pilot William ‘Bay’ Middleton – one of England’s finest riders.
It was well known that the Empress was unhappily married – could she have found her real love whilst hunting at Combermere? One of her most famous quotes might suggest this, as she called Combermere Abbey “the most romantic place in all Europe.” Today, you can treat your partner and walk the same estate as this famous royal with a Valentine’s break at the North Wing – complete with a complimentary bottle of Champagne to kick start your celebrations and a home cooked breakfast in the morning.
Another love affair which took place in the grounds of Combermere Abbey is that between Sir Robert Stapleton and his neighbour, Mrs Poole – both names of two of our luxury self-catering cottages.
Even though both were married, Sir Stapleton was having an affair with his neighbour, Mrs Poole. They would meet in the Big Wood in secret, but were discovered – leading to Sir Robert being disinherited! After divorcing their respective spouses, the lovers could finally be together and were married, and our Poole cottage is in fact named after this great love story.
For couples looking for a cosy romantic getaway in the country, we’re offering a free bottle of Champagne and a Continental breakfast hamper for all Valentine’s stays at the cottages. Wander the woods were these lovers would meet hundreds of years ago, and stay to watch the sun set over the glistening mere – you can even arrange for a personal at-home couples spa treatment, what could be more romantic?
What’s more, you’ll receive 20% off the usual price of midweek stays – what are you waiting for? Surprise your special someone with a short break at one of the most romantic place in all Europe and book today!
Your wedding catering might be one of the most expensive elements of your wedding day, but it’s also one of the most enjoyable.
“On average, each guest will spend a minimum of an hour having canapés and drinks and at least two hours savoring the wedding breakfast, with yet more time for the evening food and wedding cake,” explain top wedding caterers Pickled Walnut.
As you take your seats in the elegant Garden Pavilion, you and your guests will be ready for a treat, so make sure your menu is one to celebrate. We caught up with our two brilliant wedding caterers, Pickled Walnut and Olive Tree, to find out exactly how to do it.
The farm to fork ethos has long influenced our habits for shopping and eating out. Now, it’s guiding our wedding breakfast menu choices too.
“This year we have seen a surge in menus comprising of locally sourced, specialist ingredients,” reveal Pickled Walnut. “More and more couples are making a conscious effort to try and source locally produced and reared ingredients that refer to their chosen wedding venue or where they met or live. Guests are always happy to have the opportunity to sample fare that they are unfamiliar with, leaving a lasting impression.”
You can’t get much more local than wedding caterer Olive Tree did earlier this year. “We used beef from a couple’s farm for their wedding breakfast!”
While you escape to the picturesque private mere or lose yourselves in the fruit tree maze for photographs, your guests will be exploring the gardens and enjoying a bite to eat. But gone are the days when one size fitted all when catering for canapés, as Pickled Walnut tell us.
“Couples are swinging towards less conventional canapés, such as homemade bar snacks. Think five spice duck scratching, Gruyere cheese straws and rosemary and sea salt roasted nuts… These offer guests a grazing style of eating and allows them be enjoyed by the fussiest of eaters.”
While a wedding breakfast menu traditionally revolves around a three-course, seated do, what you choose to eat needn’t be bound by such formal rules. In fact, the popular wedding trends for personalisation are filtering through to the food too. Designing a bespoke menu can be a memorable and mouth-watering way to celebrate your day, your way.
As couples increasingly opt for a wedding breakfast menu of family favourites, catering is becoming more relaxed. “Slow cooked comfort food dishes like braised sticky beef continue to be popular. Our Jammie Dodger cheesecake brings out the kid in anyone!” say Olive Tree.
If you’re taking inspiration from your travels for your wedding theme or table names, why stop there? Let flavours from near and far inspire your wedding catering choices, too.
Live cooking stations have become one of the most sought-after wedding trends. It’s easy to see why, with the freshness and theatre they bring to your day. They offer the perfect opportunity to incorporate global cuisines, as Pickled Walnut explain.
“This year we created six street food stalls to reflect the couple’s favourite food market in Birmingham. They wanted an oyster shack made from an old boat, a stall with Vietnamese rolls, a huge paella and so on.” With a pick-and-mix approach, food stations allow you to serve an eclectic, international feast. Your guests can fill their boots and try something new.
As with almost all things weddings, presentation still takes a prime position on couple’s catering wish lists, but it’s not only about style.
“One of the new wedding trends is for evening food to be served in boxes to eat on the go,” say Olive Tree. This laid-back serving style allows guests to grab a carton, refuel and return to the dance floor. The result? Maximum party time without compromising on flavour.
Furthermore, while it might not initially strike you as a money-saving move, choosing specific serving-ware to accompany your wedding breakfast menu can be wise. “Even the simplest of dishes can be elevated by upgrading the crockery chosen. This can cost as little as 30p per person and can make all the difference when serving food,” Pickled Walnut explain.
From the menu to the music and everything in between, you are at the heart of your wedding at Combermere Abbey. Our wedding experts will be on hand to help you create your very own perfect day. Take the first step and explore Combermere Abbey for yourselves.
One of our favourite things about weddings at Combermere Abbey is that no two celebrations are the same. Each couple brings their own personalities, colours and themes to make Combermere’s elegant spaces their own. Today, we’re sharing a romantic white and greenery styled shoot to help inspire you.
The theme for our greenery styled shoot combined timeless elegance, in keeping with the Abbey, with contemporary touches and breath-taking flowers.
Glass lanterns, flickering candles and white roses subtly styled the idyllic Edwardian Glasshouse. Adding armfuls of greenery to the arrangements, created by White Wysteria, provided a more rustic look and a beautiful link to the lush fruit tree maze beyond the windows.
Similarly, candles and stone pillars topped with blooms created a romantic outdoor ceremony setting in the heart of the maze.
Moving through to the elegant Walled Gardens and into the Pavilion, the team created a luxurious reception scene. Billowing white blossom trees created eye-catching centrepieces, complementing the floral urns at the entrance.
Overhead, the sparkling canopy ceiling and suspended chandeliers enhanced the glow from the candles, while illuminated wooden letters, provided by The Word Is Love, added a rustic feel. These could easily be moved after the wedding breakfast to create atmosphere on the dance floor, which waits beyond the reveal curtain.
The reception tables exuded an elegant theme with mercury glass style votives and silver urns. Again, a combination of white blooms and several types of foliage create romance at this greenery styled shoot. A calligraphy name card, illustrated menu and grey linen serviette added style to each place setting.
The cake, created by Jo’s Couture Cakes, echoed the floral theme over a stunning six tiers. Beading, sugar flowers and ruffles gave each tier a unique look.
Outside, Combermere Abbey’s immaculate gardens set the perfect scene for wedding photos. From a romantic walk through the knot garden beside the North Wing, to photographs by the mere, in the walled rose garden and in the Crossley car, this greenery styled shoot captured Combermere’s fairy-tale setting in all its glory.
In keeping with the romantic, floral theme behind this styled shoot, the couple both included traditional blooms in their accessories. The floral motif continued on the lace of the off-the-shoulder bridal gown, created by Claire Mischevani. Lizzie Griffiths Hair & Make-Up created the bride’s romantic look, featuring smokey eyes and a soft red lipstick.
Discover the brilliant suppliers who contributed to this greenery styled shoot below. For more inspiration, discover how to create your dream ceremony in the Edwardian Glasshouse.
Venue Combermere Abbey
Photographer Doug Krier Photography
Videographer Blue Ridge Wedding Videography
Wedding stylist Charlotte Munro
Dress Claire Mischevani
Hair & Makeup Lizzie Griffiths Hair & Make-Up
Flowers White Wysteria
Cake Jo’s Couture Cakes
Bar and glassware Gorilla Event Bar Specialists
Tableware China Boy
Table linen Just4linen
Stationery Fine Art Calligraphy
Your wedding is a celebration that you’ll pour your heart (and a whole lot of time!) into, so it only makes sense that you’ll want to treasure those moments long into your marriage. We’ve put together our favourite wedding photo ideas to help you do exactly that. Check out these tips for unforgettable wedding photos that you can capture at Combermere Abbey and add them to your photography list.
The Glasshouse forms the perfect backdrop for your confetti photos. With a timelessly romantic aesthetic and courtyard just in front, your guests can gather around, ready to fill the air with fluttering confetti. The insider trick to get the best confetti photos is to ask your guests to throw the confetti up and over you, rather than straight at you. Get this right and you’ll be showered in petals while your photographer captures those fairy-tale wedding photos.
You’ll have walked down the aisle past this Cheshire wedding venue’s fabulous Fruit maze, so why not explore it to capture some unforgettable photos? In spring, summer and autumn, the maze will be a haze of lush leaves and blossom, followed by sweet fruits. Come winter, the maze transforms into a twinkling scene of bare branches, glittering in the frost.
Whatever time of year you choose to marry at this Cheshire wedding venue, include a drone. With the added height, you can capture an incredible aerial image like this one for your wedding photos. It’s one of our favourite wedding photo ideas!
Breathe in the heady scents of roses in full bloom inside the Walled Garden. In summer, the red bricks are flushed with the flowers of climbing roses. In the heart of the garden, the beds and borders sway with quintessentially English blooms. Choose this stunning setting for the most romantic of your couple wedding photos – just like Rachael and Tom did.
As you explore the rest of the gardens, it’s time to get your bridesmaids and groomsmen involved. You could capture laid-back wedding photos as you play garden games on the lawn. Or, make the most of quirkier wedding photo ideas with group photos taken in and around the topiary.
At the heart of this Cheshire wedding venue is the Abbey, a complex of medieval and 16th century buildings that are rich in history. This magnificent architecture forms a stunning backdrop for any wedding photo.
Combermere Abbey is home to one of the largest private meres in the UK. You’ll wake up to views of the water from your North Wing honeymoon suite, but don’t wait until then to explore this picturesque idyll.
Sneak away at sunset to take wedding photos that drip with romance in front of the mere. In this quiet, secluded spot, the only risk of a photobomb is from the resident swans!
This Cheshire wedding venue is tucked into a pocket of ancient woodland, creating yet more wedding photo opportunities for couples who wed here. You could choose reportage photos as you wander through dappled glades. And for a fun twist, how about taking group photos in between the trees?
Want to see how these wedding photo ideas at Combermere Abbey come to life? Check out Zoe and Junior’s beautiful wedding to see more.
Once you’ve fallen in love with your dream wedding venue, it’s time to start planning!
Your bridesmaids will love to help you plan your perfect day, especially when it comes to their bridesmaids’ dresses. Whether you keep your wedding colours classic or add your own twist to top wedding trends, take inspiration from these seven ideas and start to style your own dream day.
Make a splash at your summer wedding by embracing the most vibrant wedding colours for your bridal party. Whether your best girls work a mix-and-match medley of selected shades or rock a rainbow palette, your bridesmaids are sure to make a statement. Combermere Abbey’s Pavilion provides a pretty blank canvas, perfect for whatever wedding colours you choose.
Want to embrace colour-popping wedding trends but looking for something more low-key? Focus your attention on your bridesmaids’ accessories. From footwear to flowers, there are plenty more places to make the most of your chosen wedding colours.
Check out Natasha and Brett’s beautifully bright real wedding at Combermere Abbey for more inspiration and wedding trends.
Pastels have been topping wedding trends lists for years and they’re a super pretty choice too. The softer tones complement almost all complexions and hair colours, making them a great choice for bridesmaids.
Why not coordinate your pastel bridesmaids’ dresses with your wedding colours? So, if you’ll be celebrating with sunflowers when you tie the knot in the Fruit Tree Maze, dress your best girls in yellow. But, if your heart it set on perfect peonies or ruffled roses, then pink could be the way to go.
A bridesmaid dress classic, elegant dresses that sweep the floor with every step are a brilliant choice for bridesmaids if you want a look that will stand the test of time. They’re an equally brilliant choice for Combermere Abbey’s classically romantic setting. Your group photos will dazzle in the Victorian Walled Gardens.
From tea-length to knee-length, there’s no one size fits all solution to short bridesmaids’ dresses. Get all your best girls together to try some shorter styles on and find the length that looks and feels the best. Your bridesmaids will dance the night away with ease beneath the twinkling canopy of lights in the Pavilion!
If they all love a style but are more comfortable with different cuts, remember that they could choose a variety of lengths, united by a common colour or neckline.
Combermere Abbey’s Edwardian Glasshouse sets a fairy-tale scene for every wedding celebration, but its enchanting, historic charm comes into its own for vintage weddings. Another of the biggest wedding trends, it’s simple for your bridesmaids to channel this style. Combine dresses in subtle shades with antique accessories for an ultra-pretty, vintage look.
There are so many ways to work this style and they all result in smiling bridesmaids! Tie multiway bridesmaid dresses in countless different ways to change up almost every element of the gown, from the neckline to the bodice to the back. With so much flexibility, your bridesmaids are bound to find a style they feel their brilliant best in.
Multiway dresses also make it easy to introduce your wedding colours, because each design and length is often available in a dazzling range of hues.
To see how other couples have created their own dream day, from bridesmaids to bouquets, check out Rachael and Tom’s spring wedding at Combermere Abbey.
Your wedding; it’s a day you’ll have spent months, possibly even years, planning to perfection. You’ll have fallen in love with your fairy-tale Cheshire wedding venue, chosen breathtaking outfits and invited your favourite people to share the celebrations with you. Once you’ve exchanged vows in Combermere Abbey’s light-filled Edwardian Glasshouse, it’s time for the party to begin!
Here are nine of our favourite fun wedding reception games, guaranteed to get your guests smiling.
Tie the knot at this Cheshire wedding venue and your entrance to the ceremony will be through the world’s only fruit tree maze. Then, as you spill out of the Edwardian Glasshouse and confetti showers down, this magical maze becomes the scene for a stylish drinks reception.
Adult guests will enjoy wandering through, glass of fizz in hand, while children race in and out of the nine different entrances. There’s no other venue in the world that offers this in their reception games line-up!
This one’s a classic when it comes to fun wedding reception games and it’s easy to see why. Simply stack up the blocks and test your skills as you remove each piece, trying not to bring the entire tower falling down. Great for all ages, you’ll soon find guests cheering each other on as they get stuck into reception games on the Pavilion lawn.
With hornbeam-lined pathways and several walled gardens to explore, keep all the little ones entertained at this Cheshire wedding venue with skipping ropes. There’s plenty of space to play.
Give your reception games a French flair by adding croquet to your line-up. The smooth Pavilion lawn and surrounding gardens are the perfect setting and a croquet set is included in your Combermere Abbey wedding package.
As the party gets into full swing, challenge your guests to a competition with your reception games. You could have bridesmaids versus groomsmen or simply two teams of guests battling it out in a tug of war. Throw in a prize like a bottle of bubbly and you’ll soon have guests giving it their all. Just save this one for after the photos… May the best team win!
Fun wedding reception games can embrace your hobbies as a couple, too. If you’re a golfing guru or go mad for mini golf, why not include it in your wedding day? Thanks to the acres of space you’ll have available at this Cheshire wedding venue, there’s room for plenty of putting fun!
See how beautiful your garden wedding could be!
You might also hear these reception games being called quoits. Set up a hoopla and your guests can give it their best shot throwing the rope hoops onto the poles. You could even give your wedding favours a twist and use sweets jars as prizes. Everyone loves reception games with a prize at the end.
Entertaining children at weddings can be tricky – it’s a long day for little ones who want some less grown-up fun. That’s where sack races come in. Line them up, have an usher at the finish line and ready, set, go!
This is one of the most fun wedding reception games going. You can get your friends involved, embrace your inner child and let loose as you race to the finish line. Even better, this reception game lends itself perfectly to quirky group photos. Just imagine the epic action shot as you, the wedding couple, and your bridesmaids and ushers get stuck in! It’s sure to leave you smiling for years to come.
After a fun-filled day and night of celebrations, you’ll return to the luxurious North Wing to spend your wedding night in style. There’s not far for your guests to go, either, when you book Combermere’s cottages for your wedding. Explore our accommodation options and enjoy your wedding for the entire weekend!
With the first month of 2018 well underway, there’s been plenty of talk about tee-total drinks, whether you’re taking part in Dry January or perhaps overindulged a little over the Christmas period and you’ve called for a well-needed break as part of a New Year’s resolution. If you’re planning your wedding at the moment, you may also be thinking about the selection of drinks at your reception.
There are certainly ways of making non-alcoholic drinks a little more exciting, especially for your wedding. That’s why here at Combermere Abbey, we are big fans of Gorilla Events’ delicious virgin cocktails. Without further ado, here are their top recipes, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home for a Dry January cocktail evening or can be served at your wedding on any day of the year. As the bride and groom, you might want to pace yourselves throughout the day as you converse with all of your guests: these drinks ideas are great for alternating between the wedding Champagne! These recipes are all really simple to make, why not try them at home before ordering them as part of your reception drinks? It’s always a good idea to have tasty, unique drinks for any teetotal or driving guests!
If you usually have a taste for flavoured mojitos then Gorilla’s rum-free cocktail will be the one for you. It’s a great drink to make at home and at your wedding, not only is it bursting with flavour but it’s aesthetically pleasing, ideal for photo ops!
12.5ml of lime
12.5ml of elderflower cordial
50ml of Combermere Abbey pressed apple juice
5 mint leaves
Ice
Soda
Mint sprig & lime wedge
For the method, you simply mix the lime with the elderflower cordial in a tall glass and then add the apple juice. To finish off, add the mint leaves and fill the glass with ice, topping it off with soda, followed by a mint sprig and lime wedge garnish. You’ve now got yourself a mouth-watering virgin apple elderflower mojito.
If you like exotic drinks then the Watermelon Sharbat is for you, as it traditionally hales from West and South Asia – well known for making the most of sweet fruits.
1/3 of a medium watermelon, cubed
250g punnet of strawberries washed and de-stemmed
1 tablespoon of pureed ginger
1 1/2 tablespoon of caster sugar
1 tablespoon of honey
1/4 tablespoon of sea salt
5 ice cubes
Garnished with fresh mint sprigs and a slice of watermelon.
Much like the previous cocktail, once you’ve got your ingredients together, put them all in a blender and serve with the garnish, preparing yourself for a delicious drink – we’re sure that all of your wedding guests will be reaching for one!
If you prefer less fruity drinks – never fear, there are plenty of alternatives – for example, the Virgin Mary recipe from Absolut. This is a drink that will certainly add some heat to any winter wedding and will leave you and your guests feeling a little warmer:
4 parts tomato juice
2/3 part Worcestershire sauce
3 dashes of hot sauce
2/3 part lemon juice
1 teaspoon of horseradish
1 pinch of celery salt
1 pink of ground black pepper
1 stick of celery
1 wedge of lemon
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes, add all the ingredients and stir it – finishing with the celery and lemon wedge as garnish. With this adventurous mix of ingredients, we doubt that your guest will even wonder where the vodka is!
If you usually love cocktails like the Dark & Stormy or Moscow Mule, look no further than Fever Tree’s Ginger Beer. The distinct fresh ginger taste is refreshing but warm and is delicious on its own in a glass with a few ice cubes. You can also squeeze in some fresh lime juice to give it some extra zest. But in the meantime, why not use the Fever Tree recipe for your very own non-alcoholic Moscow Mule? It is the perfect drink to serve at a wedding as the ginger will provide plenty of warmth to your wedding guests this winter.
Ginger beer
Dash of sugar syrup
Splash of concentrated apple juice
Fresh mint
Crushed ice
Smash up fresh mint in a glass with a dash of sugar syrup using a mixing spoon, add in the crushed ice and pour over the ginger beer. Finish with apple juice and a sprig of fresh mint. It sounds delicious – we might have to run and buy the ingredients right away!
We hope we’ve provided some inspiration for your non-alcoholic wedding drinks – there’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you decide to use any of these recipes, let us know on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #RecipesWithCombermere.
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