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With such an enchanting glamorous Cheshire wedding venue forming the backdrop to the celebrations, Abi chose an Enzoani gown that was sure to stand out.
“I always knew I wanted to have a dramatic, long train and when I found the ‘Nanette’ gown by Enzoani, I knew it was perfect. It had a stunning two-tiered tulle train and the most beautiful and delicately beaded spaghetti straps. I opted for a cathedral style veil, the same length as the train, which complemented the dress so well.”
With Comebermere Abbey boasting generous on-site accommodation, Abi and Charlie decided to make a weekend of their wedding celebrations.
“We also loved that the estate had on-site cottages available for up to 50 guests. We decided to make the most of this and have a pizza and prosecco party the evening before the wedding,” explains Abi.
At this glamorous Cheshire wedding venue, the party can begin before you even put on your dress.
The bridal bouquet was hand-tied with a loose and textured style to create a relaxed, unorganized look.
Seasonal white florals featured with flecks of soft gold ruscus, bringing the gold element of their colour scheme into the bouquet design. The bridesmaids carried a smaller version of this too.
Abi and Charlie chose a religious ceremony held nearby at St Werburgh’s Church in Chester, but spent the morning getting ready for their big day at Combermere Abbey.
“The bridesmaids and I had our own cottage at the entrance to the estate. It was separate from the rest of the guests and we got ready there on the morning of the wedding. It was great fun”.
The couple made the most of Combermere Abbey’s spectacular grounds, adding live entertainment to the living setting.
The drinks reception was held in the middle of the Fruit Tree Maze with a gospel choir to provide the perfect setting. The sun was shining and everyone was in great spirits.
“We bought garden games including limbo, space hoppers and croquet. They were a great success among our guests! We also had a photo booth in the evening to add some extra fun to the line-up, which included a live band and a DJ.”
Reflecting on their big day, Abi says: “I would advise couples to enjoy every second of the planning and the day itself. The day goes so quickly.”
“It is easy to get stressed out and worried about a lot of small details, but everyone is in great spirits and won’t notice if something minor doesn’t go to plan. It will be the best day of your life. I wish we could do it all over again!”
Planning your big day? Discover the magic of Combermere Abbey and book your visit today!
Some say that music captures the sounds of our feelings. Amy and James planned a music-filled, timeless Cheshire wedding at Combermere Abbey, striking chords of romance throughout their elegant day.
Bride Amy loved the all-in-one style of Combermere Abbey, because the whole day could take place in one stunning location.
“We loved the gardens and the fact that we had full use of all of the cottages. I got ready at one of the cottages before the ceremony. It was really beautiful.”
Combermere Abbey’s iconic fruit tree maze also stood out for Amy and James.
“We planned to tie the knot outside in the centre of the maze,” Amy laughs, “but of course, it rained, so we moved the ceremony into the Glasshouse. It was beautiful inside and the photos look so bright and romantic.”
Amy wore a dress by Pronovias with a matching veil, adorned with top-to-bottom lace.
Tying in with their gold, ivory and dusty pink colour scheme, the bridesmaid dresses were elegant and timeless, in a lavender pink.
“They were very simple yet elegant and they got a lot of compliments! I wanted a simple style for the bridesmaids as I wanted them all to feel comfortable and beautiful on the day.”
James wore a Whitfield and Ward tailor-made suit, with a different waistcoat to the groomsmen so that he stood out.
Their flowers weren’t just beautiful to look at. Amy and James chose to include eucalyptus in the greenery, adding a fresh fragrance to their bouquets.
“We had all white or ivory flowers with foliage and eucalyptus for scent. I love white roses, so we had plenty of them.”
Continuing the soft ivory theme, they chose to include romantic lighting too.
“We had lots of candles inside and fairy lights twinkling in the gardens,” smiles Amy.
What could be more romantic than the tunes of a harp? Along with the delicate notes of a piano, heartfelt melodies reflected the emotion of their day.
“Music was a huge part of the day – the harpist was one of my must-haves because it sounds so romantic. I walked down the aisle to a classical piece, I Giorni, which will stay with me forever.”
“The pianist played during the canapés, which was nice just as background music,” Amy reminisces.
Some say rain on your wedding day is a sign of good luck. And it certainly didn’t spoil Amy and James’s day.
“Like the ceremony, we planned to have a drinks reception outside in the gardens, but as it rained, we had it inside the Glasshouse.”
Through the large windows of The Glasshouse, Combermere’s manicured gardens provide the perfect backdrop for a timeless Cheshire wedding come rain or shine.
“The great thing is that Combermere Abbey is a venue with natural beauty. We saved so much money because we didn’t have to dress everything and our guests really enjoyed exploring the grounds.”
Fitting with the relaxed vibe of their day, Amy and James chose tapas for their wedding breakfast.
“We loved the idea of everyone sharing and having more options than just one plate in front of you,” explains Amy.
“For evening food, we had pizza and pasta. Great for when you’ve had a few drinks and need something to keep you going.”
“I didn’t manage to eat anything because of a nervous stomach and a very fitted dress! So, my words of advice would be to try to eat the food you spent so long choosing. You’ll regret it afterwards if you don’t!”
Unknown to groom James, Amy had a surprise up her sleeve.
“Juno, the band, were fantastic, we couldn’t have asked for any better. I had a personalised song written and acoustically recorded for James. We played this after the speeches, and it was all anyone could talk about afterwards. It told the story of our relationship. It made people laugh and cry!”
After the dinner and speeches, the newlyweds hit the dance floor behind the reveal curtain in the Garden Pavilion, ready to dance the night away.
Ready to see more? Visit us and see first-hand how your big day could look. Book your visit to Combermere Abbey and start planning your timeless Cheshire wedding.
Fantastic food, their favourite people and alfresco vows were top of this couple’s wedding wish list. They found it all and more when they married at Combermere Abbey…
Helen and Sam set their hearts on an intimate wedding and began their hunt for the perfect Cheshire wedding venue to make it happen.
“We visited quite a few venues that all seemed to offer the same style of outdoor space however many wouldn’t cater to our small party of 13 guests. Combermere Abbey, on the other hand, has a beautifully unique outdoor setting with an equally stunning indoor option if needed. They were so accommodating of our requirements and made everything feel effortless.”
“We couldn’t take our wedding to the tropics, so we brought a little bit of it to Combermere Abbey,” the couple explain.
Channelling an orange theme, the Combermere Abbey was decorated beautifully with exotic blooms, which included orchids, hibiscus and calla lilies. “I also created decorations incorporating cacti and succulents and added sand to hurricane vases. Coconut and lime scented candles really set the theme off.”
It was at Knutsford Wedding Gallery that this bride found ‘the one’ – a Pronovias gown.
“I’d been imagining something soft and Grecian,” Helen reveals, “I didn’t initially think my dress would suit me. I tried on five or six before trying mine and I just fell in love with it. I knew Sam would love the silhouette, too.”
To tie in with the tropics theme the bride added burnt orange stilettos, an elegant tennis bracelet and matching earrings from Chisholm Hunter to her outfit.
On the lead up to the big day the bride spent her last single night at Stone Lodge, whilst the groom headed to one of the on-site cottages to get ready.
“We had planned to get married in the heart of the fruit-tree maze at Combermere Abbey, but rain meant we exchanged vows in the Glasshouse instead. It was as good as being outdoors – we had the same views.”
The couple chose to write their own vows for each other and the first time they heard their promises was at the ceremony itself. “It was really emotional and special, and lovely to discover we’d written very similar things!”
Kicking off the reception, the newlyweds and their guests enjoyed prosecco, beer and homemade lemonade in the gardens, alongside a selection of canapés created by Olive Tree Catering.
“We sat down for our wedding breakfast at around 6pm, so we didn’t have separate day and night elements to the wedding. We relaxed together with drinks, then enjoyed a fireworks display before dessert was served.”
“It’s your wedding – the one day that’s especially for you and your partner – so make sure it’s the day you want it to be.”
“Nothing matters other than you getting married – everything else is just an added benefit. We enjoyed every minute of our wedding and would do the same over and over again!”
If you’re looking for an unforgettable Cheshire wedding venue, find out more about weddings at Combermere Abbey and get your planning underway.
With their hearts set on a white wedding with a twist, Zoe and Junior planned a stylish wedding at Combermere Abbey following their church ceremony.
Bride Zoe’s career as a makeup artist had taken her to many Cheshire wedding venues before even becoming engaged. So, when the time came to choose a venue for her own big day, it wasn’t easy. “The biggest thing that made us choose to have our wedding at Combermere Abbey was my grandpa. It’s his favourite place and he cried when we told him the news!”
“I’d never worked a wedding at Combermere Abbey, which made it special, and the gardens had an amazing feel to them. The Glasshouse and Pavilion also really suited my white with greenery colour scheme and I loved the idea of the North Wing Honeymoon Suite with butler service.”
Having always wished for a white wedding, that’s exactly what this couple created for their wedding at Combermere Abbey.
“I didn’t want our white wedding to be too rustic or too classic – we both have a quirky side so we added subtle touches of forest green throughout.”
Prosecco-scented candles filled the Pavilion with a delicious fragrance, while white lanterns created a dreamy effect suspended from the ceiling. Romantic centerpieces topped the reception tables, with the top table taking center stage with a cascading display.
Finding one dress can be tricky enough, but Zoe fell in love with two! The first was an Enzoani fishtail design from Along Came Eve Bridal Boutique in Chester.
“I’d always said I’d choose a lace fishtail dress without a sweetheart neckline. My Enzoani dress gave me the fishtail but surprised me by having the sweetheart neckline and no lace in sight! I absolutely loved it.”
Zoe’s second dress was as sentimental as it was stunning. “It was the real show-stopper for me. My sister, who recently launched her own fashion brand Leisa Hughes, created my white sequin gown with drape panel detail and a low back. It was exactly what I wanted!”
The bridesmaids joined Zoe in white dresses with cowl necks and a small train.
The bride loved that she and her bridesmaids could get ready on their wedding morning at Combermere Abbey, even though their ceremony would be held at a church in Nantwich.
“We used one of the larger cottages, rather than Stone Lodge, for our preparations because there were so many of us. It was perfect – there was plenty of room to get dressed and take photos.”
Zoe and Junior said “I do” in a religious ceremony at St Mary’s Church. “One of our best friends read a poem and my grandpa read from the Bible.”
Ready to celebrate, the couple continued their wedding at Combermere Abbey with prosecco and Peroni in the Edwardian Glasshouse. The newlyweds also booked a magician to wow their guests.
A three-course feast of chicken pate, roast chicken and dauphinoise potatoes and decadent chocolate brownie followed the drinks reception.
“The food was incredible. We had people coming up to us to say so before we’d even finished the meal! I’m quite a fussy eater, so we felt more relaxed after we’d had a tasting with the chef. He was so helpful and understood everyone’s dietary requirements,” says Zoe.
Want to see more real weddings at Combermere Abbey to show you what’s possible for your big day? Check out Hayley and Umesh’s stunning celebration.
This dreamy summer wedding turned Combermere Abbey into a romantic secret garden with bursts of fuchsia pink and violet, a family vibe, garden games and great entertainment.
Natasha and Brett wanted to have a wonderful summer wedding filled with vibrant colours and fun. Looking for something a little different, they fell in love with Combermere Abbey on their first visit and booked it straight away, just one month after Brett’s proposal.
Deciding on a colour scheme of fuchsia and violet, Natasha’s favourite colours, the happy couple chose a fairy-tale secret garden theme with bright flowers. Rose, orchids and hydrangeas were just a few of the beautiful blooms chosen and the end result was a fun yet relaxed country garden theme.
On her first visit to a bridal boutique, Natasha discovered dresses by designer Nicole Spose. Looking for stockists of these wonderful gowns, Brett actually found the range at Elizabeth Louise Bridal. From there, Natasha chose her dream dress, a breathtaking design in blush pink.
The beautiful bride accessorised with jewellery from Next, a hair comb from Glitzy Secrets and shoes from Rainbow Club.
Natasha’s four bridesmaids looked stunning in their Lola Couture dresses, each choosing a different style and with two bridesmaids in fuchsia and two in violet.
Brett looked the part in a Herbie Frogg suit with fuchsia pink tie to coordinate with the bridesmaids. The checked waistcoats worn by his ushers complemented his suit and they finished their look with vibrant violet-coloured ties.
Natasha prepared for the day in Malbanc Cottage while Brett and the ushers got ready in Crossley Cottage. Following their magical ceremony in the Glasshouse, they held a drinks reception in the centre of the fruit tree maze.
While Gavin Jones, a swing singer, entertained, delicious food was served. Olive Tree delighted the taste buds with red pepper and tomato soup to start followed by sticky beef and a trio of desserts.
Making the most of the great outdoors, croquet, bowls and colour-themed space hoppers were set up on the lawns.
As day turned to evening, a five-piece band, ‘The Rush’ played their set including a the first dance song, ‘A Thousand Years’ by Christina Perry.
“We had a gatecrasher during our first dance, our little son, Lincoln!”
NATASHA
Pork and stuffing rolls, macarons and wedding cake were the perfect choice for an evening menu and Natasha and Brett designed their own personalised cocktail, the L.A.W, the initials of their son.
“It consisted of Champagne (for the bride), vodka (for the groom), Blue Curacao (for Lincoln’s blue eyes), a dash of lemonade and blueberries, Lincoln’s favourite food, on the top.”
NATASHA
For more real wedding inspiration from this beautiful Cheshire wedding venue, make sure you check out Rachael and Tom’s Spring Celebration. You won’t be disappointed!
Rachael and Tom’s romantic wedding embraced all we love about springtime… daffodils, the Combermere Abbey gardens, fun and a fabulous party!
When planning their wedding day, Rachael and Tom had three key requirements… to celebrate their marriage, have all their favourite people in one place and to throw a great party. They fell in love with the beauty of Combermere Abbey and the Glasshouse overlooking the fruit tree maze.
The beautiful bride wore ‘Lovia’ by Sophia Tolli, in a shade of almond with ivory lace overlay. Originally she was unsure about the almond shade but the warm tone undoubtedly suited her.
“I loved the fact that I didn’t feel self-conscious about any part of my body in my dress. It outlined my figure but had a brilliant train and the lace detail was beautiful.” – RACHAEL
Rachael accessorised with a bracelet of Welsh gold, a gift from Tom on the morning of the wedding.
With eight bridesmaids, Rachael was concerned about choosing a dress that would suit each of them. In the end, they chose the second dress they tried on – a long, navy design with beading and sequin detail from Monsoon. To accessorise, each bridesmaid wore a necklace that was a gift from Rachael on the day of the wedding.
A magical ceremony included a small choir of pupils from the school where Rachael teaches.
Tom’s mum used her talents to create an amazing cake that looked like crates of flowers.
“We are very lucky she is so talented – people couldn’t even tell it was a cake at first!”
RACHAEL
To see more of this remarkable wedding venue in Cheshire, make sure you take a look at Kate and Scott’s Romantic Autumn Wedding. It’s full of amazing inspiration!
Kate and Scott’s October wedding saw a winning combination of romance, family, friends, music and great food at Combermere Abbey.
Kate and Scott fell in love with the beautiful grounds at Combermere Abbey as soon as they visited.
While the happy couple didn’t have a theme in mind, they wanted to create a fabulous party with a definite nod to the importance of friends and family. This evolved in to having a lot of photographs around the venue, from those of grandparents who are sadly no longer here, to fun shots from the hen and stag parties.
When it came to place names, Kate and Scott managed to find photographs taken with each guest and wrote a personalised thank you message on each photo.
To complete this bespoke wedding style, lanterns and candles were used to decorate the Glasshouse and Pavilion. Incorporating shades of lavender, grey and white, the end result was elegant, romantic and inviting.
Pretty blooms introduced a hint of delicate colour with small centerpieces on each table and the bridal bouquet and bridesmaids posies decorating the top table.
Kate’s stunning dress was by designer Claire Mischevani. Kate wanted a dramatic back but for the style of the dress to be relatively simple.
“I loved every idea she had. My favourite part of the dress was the shoulders and how they sparkled in the light. Claire also got married at Combermere Abbey so she knew what would complement the look of the Glasshouse and the Pavilion.” – KATE
The beautiful bride treated herself to a pair of Jimmy Choo shoes and a striking cathedral veil, also from Claire Mischevani. Finally, Kate wore her mother’s diamond earrings, and a bangle that was a gift from her maid of honour. On the morning of the wedding, she was given a Tiffany bracelet from Scott with an aquamarine stone – her ‘something blue’.
Kate’s four bridesmaids wore dresses from ASOS in a dusky lavender colour. They each accessorised with a bracelet, a gift from the bride and groom.
The ushers and dads hired navy blue three-piece lounge suits from Moss Bros, with brown brogues, silver ties and pocket squares. Scott bought a tailored suit, also from Moss Bros, but added a few special touches.
Following their ceremony, drinks were served in the centre of the fruit tree maze. Guests enjoyed Peroni, Prosecco and Bellinis alongside bags of pretzels, crisps, nuts and popcorn. Moving in to the Pavilion to dine, guests enjoyed caramelized onion with mozzarella on ciabatta to start followed by sausages and mash. And, for dessert… Jammie Dodger cheesecake!
“We wanted food that was wholesome and that we knew everyone would like. The whole menu could also be adapted for our guests dietary requirements so everyone got to have the same.” – KATE
As the sun went down and the evening party began, Olive Tree Catering created a nacho bar with chili, rice and all the toppings. Delicious!
Music played an important role in this special day. As Kate’s family are Scottish, a piper stood in the maze and played as guests arrived. The best man sang and played guitar during the drunks reception and his speech ended with a surprise arrangement of ‘Beauty and The Beast’ with a four-piece choir. In the evening, after the newlyweds danced their first dance to ‘Love Is At Your Side’ by Basement Jaxx, a DJ and bongo player packed the dance floor!
“I loved the speeches and readings. They were all so personal and heartfelt with great humour too.” – KATE
“For me, the favourite moments were seeing everyone having fun and partying in the evening.” – SCOTT
Still looking for inspiration for your big day at this beautiful Cheshire wedding venue? Then check out Hayley and Umesh’s Summer Wedding and pick up plenty of tips!
Following their vibrant, traditional Hindu ceremony, Hayley and Umesh celebrated with an elegant summer ceremony and wedding breakfast at Combermere Abbey. In the midst of the season, Combermere Abbey was at its finest, its beautiful gardens playing a star role in this most glorious occasion and The Crawleys were there to capture it.
Planning their wonderful celebration, Hayley and Umesh were looking for a venue that could combine both Indian and English traditions, accommodating a large number of guests and catering to a diverse list of requirements.
As soon as they visited Combermere Abbey, they knew it was ‘the one’! It’s elegant interior and picturesque parkland provided a suitably majestic backdrop for this exquisite wedding.
The happy couple chose a ‘romantic glamour’ theme with a stylish colour palette of pink, silver and white. Roses and hydrangeas adorned the venue while Hayley kept the décor relatively simple, focusing on flowers and adding a few key touches.
“I bought silver glass vases for the flowers and matching candle holders to assist with the colour scheme. I also used scented Yankee candles throughout the venue.”
HAYLEY
Hayley’s mother put together favours for the guests – scented candles for the adults and disposable cameras and sweets for the children.
Before their celebration at Combermere Abbey, Hayley and Umesh had a separate Hindu ceremony wearing traditional Indian outfits with beautifully rich colours and fabrics.
For their civil ceremony, Hayley chose an elegant white dress from Pronovias with a stunning tulle skirt, pearl belt and sweetheart neckline. She completed the look with fabulous Valentino shoes, a delicate full-length veil and a pretty bouquet of soft pink and white roses.
“My three lovely bridesmaids wore rose pink dresses from Reiss while Umesh opted for a dark blue suit with pink tie from Hugo Boss. He hired similar colour suits for the groomsmen.”
HAYLEY
Hayley’s nephew also walked down the aisle with a ‘Here Comes The Bride’ sign, a lovely thought.
Following their stylish ceremony in the Glasshouse and drinks in the sunshine, guests dined in the Pavilion. Hayley and Umesh chose a delicious fusion menu by Pickled Walnut catering. Dishes with an Indian twist included curried cauliflower velouté and tandoori marinated salmon with fennel. For dessert, guests enjoyed earl grey panna cotta with caraway shortbread and dehydrated strawberries.
As their day drew to a close, Hayley and Umesh could relax in the knowledge that they were spending the night in the resplendent North Wing Honeymoon Suite and, that many of their guests were staying in the Combermere cottages.
“The cottages were a real bonus and meant we could carry on the party. We didn’t want the night to end!”
HAYLEY
