Weddings Archives - Combermere Abbey

When arranging a wedding, remember that your guests are an important part of making the day special. The more fun they have, the more fun you will have too! Plus, this always makes your wedding one to remember too. Did you know at Combermere Abbey 49 of your guests can stay on site in our beautiful self-catering cottages? It’s absolutely perfect for making the most of the wedding celebrations without the worries of driving home.

Below are our team’s top five reasons to consider having your wedding guests stay over on your special stay.

4 Perks Of Having Your Wedding Guests Stay The Night

Having their own space

There’s often a space between the wedding ceremony and the reception, and although there is lots of fun to be had within the Walled Gardens outside the Pavilion for those moments, guests also like the chance to freshen up for the evening. It’s simple for those staying to get back and forth because our cottages are just a few steps away from the venue!

No need to travel home

Our grounds at Combermere are in the heart of rural Cheshire surrounded by ancient trees and rolling countryside, which gives our weddings a private and exclusive aspect. However, it can also be difficult for your guests to get home after the party ends. Organising buses and taxis can be a nightmare… Especially at early hours of the morning. By having your guests stay the night there is no need for you to worry about how they’ll get home, the only worry will be what time they get to bed!

More time to talk to your guests

Ask anyone who you know that’s already married, the day of your wedding is a busy one, and time flies by so quickly that the bride and groom don’t always get to speak to everyone whose there. The beauty of your guests staying the night is you get a little extra time to catch up with them. The next morning, that extra time to say hello and thank your friends and family for coming makes such a difference.

The morning after debriefing

And finally, picture this. The wedding day has passed, everyone has had their fill of partying, and the headaches have begun to set in. Nothing beats reminiscing about the happenings of the previous night after a party. As we mentioned, the bride and groom often have a busy night trying to talk to everyone and therefore may miss out on some of the laughs that your friends had throughout the night. One way is to catch up the next morning and find out all the latest gossip from previous night with your loved ones and relive the experience all over again. We recommend visiting The Old Piggery Café on the edge of the estate after checking out to discuss the night before over delicious brunch and coffee.

Did you know that if you have your wedding at Combermere Abbey, you and your guests staying onsite with us will automatically become a “Friend of Combermere” and receive a discount when you or they come back and see us within 12 months. This is a wonderful way to enjoy the memories in a relaxed atmosphere. You can check our latest offers by clicking here. If you’re looking for a wedding venue, at the moment when you book all of our courtyard cottages within two months of booking your wedding, you can enjoy your wedding night stay in our North Wing entirely free of charge!

There’s little chance you didn’t watch Netflix’s “Bridgerton”, but if you didn’t, you’ve definitely heard of it! The show captured hearts and minds in 2020 thanks to the beautiful sets and costumes – and equally beautiful actors. It is currently the streaming platform’s biggest show of all time, and has spouted trends here, there and everywhere. Online searches for ‘blusher’ reportedly rose 148% following the show’s release.

Set in the Regency period, the show has also sparked interest in Regency-era style, makeup, and, of course, weddings. The success of other Netflix shows, such as ‘The Crown,’ have also raised the popularity of royalty-themed fashion and décor.

Below, we’ve listed some of the ways in which you can have your own Regency-style weddings, for those who love the traditional look – and you don’t have to have a Netflix subscription to read on!

How to Achieve a Regency-Style Wedding

Dress To Impress

Regency-era dresses were often, but not always, white. Though Daphne Bridgerton’s beautiful vintage gown was the traditional colour, the use of splashy colour throughout the show is indicative of the way the era embraced pastels and neutral tones – think baby blue, lilac and pale pink. White tends to be the conventional colour of choice for brides, but why not switch things up to be in keeping with your theme?

As for style, the beautiful empire waistlines of Jane Austin’s era are universally flattering. Ebay reportedly saw a 205% rise in ‘puff-sleeve wedding dresses’ after the release of Bridgerton.

The era was known for beautiful fabrics such as lace, chiffon and taffeta: choose a design with capped sleeves and fitted bodice for an authentic look. Vintage lace boots peeping out underneath the skirt will in enhance the regency feel to your look.

As for your groom, take inspiration from Mr. Darcy and go for dark grey pinstriped trousers, a crisp white shirt, fitted waistcoat and a silk tie – finished off with a tailcoat!

The style is a more ‘casual’ one in comparison to some types of dress, like ballgown or slim, straight dresses. Perfect for if you want that youthful look that the Regency era was known for.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lizzie Siddal (@somniumdantis)

Pastel Décor

Search terms for ‘blue wedding’’ have risen since Bridgerton was launched, as the colour features prominently in the show – the lovely pastel blue of the Bridgerton family home is a running theme! And the old adage of ‘something borrowed, something blue’ means there’s an extra meaning to the colour, too.

Choosing a single colour, or two, as your theme will tie together the whole look of your wedding – and there’s so much to have fun with once you do.

Why not decorate your venue with seasonal flowers, ribbons and lace? For the tables, crisp white linen tablecloths, decorated with antique-style silver tealight holders and hurricane lanterns, finished off with greenery and large flowers as a centrepiece work wonderfully.

From the venue decorations to table settings and bridesmaids’ dresses, you can really go wild with your ideas!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Luxury Weddings & Events (@raspberry_bespoke_events)

Extra Details

Last, but not least, it tends to be the little details of a wedding that people remember most. These are the finishing touches that will remind your guests of the Regency era, whilst keeping the theme romantic and tailored to your own personal style!

Here are some of our ideas on little extras that will really immerse your guests in the theme:

Hire a harpist or a string quartet to play songs old and new while your guests eat their meal – or you could even have your first dance to a song they play!
Traditional lawn games such as croquet, skittles and bowls will keep your guests entertained.
A horse and carriage as your wedding transport will show you to your venue in style. Or why not use a classic car? Though not strictly Regency-era, some of the earliest cars in the UK began emerging in the late nineteenth century.
Regency-era hairstyles were relatively simple, so why not keep your bridal hair as tidy as Daphne Bridgerton’s? Paired with an embellished headband, you’re bound to look the belle of the ball.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AARON & JILLIAN PHOTOGRAPHY (@aaronandjillian)

At Combermere Abbey, we love seeing your wedding ideas, both big and small. There’s so much to consider when planning your wedding, whether low-key or more lavish – but at the end of the day whatever suits you is the right choice! What will the next trend in wedding themes be?

To find out more about our wedding venue, contact [email protected], and keep up to date with us, and find more inspiration, via our social media channels. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

The challenges our industry has seen over the past year has meant a change in how weddings take place. It’s certainly been tough, and our hearts go out to all our couples who were meant to exchange their vows not just at Combermere Abbey, but everywhere throughout 2020 and this year. We’re looking forward to finally resuming the postponed weddings and seeing so many happy couples getting ready to embark on their futures together.

As restrictions begin to lift, what type of wedding will you be aspiring to? We covered in a previous blog that intimate weddings were becoming popular even before the pandemic. But there’s no denying how much fun a grand celebration can be with all your family and friends around you, creating a vibrant party energy as you take your first steps into marriage.

Credit: David Stubbs Photography

So, which is best for you, an intimate wedding or a larger celebration?

Opting For an Intimate Wedding

Having an intimate wedding is ideal if you’re looking to make it deeply personal or to keep a lower budget. Less expenses means more money to save for the honeymoon of your dreams.

Having a guest list with just your nearest and dearest keeps the day more relaxed and of course an intimate wedding requires less planning and attention, which means you can spend more time mingling with your guests.

Some wedding venues have accommodation on-site, perfect for extending the nuptials. At Combermere Abbey we have 10 self-catering cottages, ideal for turning a wedding day into a weekend celebration with family and friends.

Credit: Helen Williams Photography

Although we are all looking forward to the lifting of government restrictions later this month, we know that Covid will continue to be around. Therefore, it will be our individual responsibility at Combermere Abbey to manage our events safely. All of this means, though, that you’ll have lots of options with Combermere Abbey to create your own special memorable event.

Big Wedding, Big Ideas

After the year we’ve had, it’s safe to say that your sights may be set on a huge wedding – the kind of event that has everyone on the guest list. After a long period of restrictions on socialising, we certainly wouldn’t blame you if you opted for a grand wedding.

If you’ve got a lot of special people in your life, a grand wedding is ideal for accommodating everyone. At Combermere, our self-catering cottages accommodate up to 49 guests, meaning your closest family and friends won’t have to book a hotel further away from the venue.

It’s an opportunity to make up for lost time too, so why not go all out and have plenty of fun? With a bigger wedding, more attention will be paid to venue dressing, as you’ll have more space to work with. Here at Combermere, our Pavilion is a purposefully blank canvas for venue dressing, ideal for any theme, colour or design. The ceiling is also complete with twinkling lights, so it will feel as if you’re dancing under the stars.

Speaking of dancing… A bigger wedding means plenty of people to fill the dance floor, when restrictions allow for this. Our Pavilion has a fabulous dance floor, separated from the reception area by white threads cascading from the ceiling. You may think a bigger dance floor is the way to go but you’ll find a smaller dance floor is always better for offering that party vibe! Of course, this would not be complete without a DJ or a band and if you’re having a big celebration, music is a must.

Credit: Paul Joseph Photography

There’s a lot to consider when planning what type of wedding you want, whether it’s more low-key or a lavish celebration – it’s important to go with your own wedding vision. If you want the best of both worlds, an intimate wedding followed by a big party at a later date is an ideal compromise. This is also particularly ideal for those with families overseas who are having difficulty travelling at the moment, why not have a small ceremony that can be shared via live stream (something we can now accommodate), and then get the party started at a later date when it’s safe to do so?

To find out more about our wedding venue please contact [email protected]. Or you can keep up to date with us and get inspired by our social media channels. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.

Six reasons to plan a 2025 wedding

Congratulations! You’re engaged. You’ve found the person you want to experience life with. So… what are you waiting for?

One – No time like the present!

Two – A boost for your budget

Three – Get carried away with the romance

Four – Bag a bargain

Five – Stay on track

Six – Why wait?

40 Wedding Venue Questions To Ask Before Booking

Choosing the perfect wedding venue is the first big decision you’ll make in your wedding planning journey, and whilst good looks and gut feel will initially draw you to a venue, it’s important to make sure you’re asking the right questions before you secure a booking.

Questions to ask wedding venues about dates and pricing

Questions to ask about logistics and event essentials

Questions to ask wedding venues about suppliers

Questions to ask about food & drink

Questions to ask wedding venues about décor

Closing questions

Weddings at Combermere Abbey

Choosing the perfect wedding venue

Here’s how to choose the perfect wedding venue

Location

Capacity

Style

Catering

Accommodation

Combermere Abbey – The Perfect Wedding Venue

Find out more

Perks Of Having Your Wedding Guests Stay The Night

4 Perks Of Having Your Wedding Guests Stay The Night

Having their own space

No need to travel home

More time to talk to your guests

The morning after debriefing

How To Achieve A Regency-Style Wedding

How to Achieve a Regency-Style Wedding

Dress To Impress

Pastel Décor

Extra Details

Achieving A Natural Wedding Video With Newton Films

4 Tips For Achieving A Natural Wedding Video

Act natural

Have fun!

Natural lighting

Get to know us

Anything we’ve missed?

Tips For Finding The Perfect Wedding Cake From Fiona Hackshall

Tips For Finding The Perfect Wedding Cake

Keep Your Style Individual

Consider Your Cake Flavours

Think About Positioning

Cake Trends By Wedding Size

Popular Cake Trends Now And For 2022

Intimate Weddings vs Grand Celebrations, What’s Best For You?

Opting For an Intimate Wedding

Big Wedding, Big Ideas

Wedding Trends We Hope To See In 2021

Wedding Trends For 2021

Double Celebrations

Buying Local

Intimate Weddings

Eco-Friendly Celebrations

Making Up For Lost Time

Viewing A Wedding Venue During A Pandemic

Is Viewing A Wedding Venue Permitted?

What To Expect From Viewing A Wedding Venue

Rigid Covid Secure Protocols

One-On-One Wedding Support

Modern Ways Of Connecting Your Big Day

Zoom Showrounds