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Raising the Bar at Combermere Abbey
Inspiration – 26.06.25
Creating an unforgettable drinks experience at your Combermere Abbey Wedding
At Combermere Abbey, we believe the drinks you serve should be just as unforgettable as every other moment of your wedding day. From your welcome drinks on arrival to last orders at the bar, every sip should feel like part of the celebration.
That’s why our bar team are dedicated to creating moments that feel thoughtful, personal, and full of personality. Whether it’s a cocktail mixed in front of you, a mocktail tailored to your tastes, or just a perfectly poured pint with a friendly smile, every drink served at Combermere is part of the story.
At the heart of it all is our amazing Bar Manager, Ben Ridler. Having worked across venues in The Artemis Collection, Ben brings warmth, creativity and a genuine love for what he does to every event. We sat down with him to find out more about what makes the drinks offering at Combermere so special.
Introducing our Bar Manager, Ben
I’m Ben, Bar Manager here at Combermere. I thought I’d give you a little insight into what goes on behind the bar, how we do things differently, and what you and your guests can expect when you celebrate with us.
It’s all about the personal touch
This year, I’ve been more involved than ever in helping couples plan the drinks side of their wedding. When I can, I sit in on meetings and chats with couples to get a real feel for what you want, not just what’s on a menu.
If there’s a specific drink you love, or a style you’re going for, I’ll always try and find a way to make it happen – even if it’s something we don’t usually offer. I like figuring out how we can tweak things to suit your day, rather than giving you a one-size-fits-all list.
“One drink that always goes down a storm is the Espresso Martini. It’s the perfect post-dessert pick-me-up before everyone heads to the dancefloor”
– Ben
Signature serves and guest favourites
One drink that always goes down a storm is the Espresso Martini. It’s the perfect post-dessert pick-me-up before everyone heads to the dancefloor, because it’s a bit sweet, a bit punchy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
That said, we’re always testing new pairings, new cocktails, and experimenting behind the scenes. We’ve got a bit of freedom to try things out and improve, which I think makes our drinks offering feel more relaxed, more fun, and more you.
We’re not just pouring drinks, we’re creating an experience
This is probably one of my favourite parts of the job – getting to chat to your guests and make them feel genuinely welcome. We try to create an atmosphere at the bar that’s friendly and relaxed, while still spanbeing professional.</
I’ll always try to remember what people are drinking if I’ve seen them a few times during the night, because it’s small things like that which make people feel looked after. For me, it’s about treating guests more like mates than just customers. A smile and a bit of chat go a long way, especially during a big celebration.
Teamwork makes the dream work
I’m still learning loads every day working here at Combermere. Cocktails, pairings, techniques I love learning it all.
We’ve got a great team here, and even though we’re all still fairly new to the drinks side, we’re not afraid to try things out. If something works, great. If it doesn’t, it’s a lesson. That openness makes it a fun place to work and means we’re always improving the experience for couples and their guests.
If Combermere Abbey were a cocktail…
It’d have to be a Mojito, summery, refreshing, and full of personality. That’s what Combermere is to me: timeless and elegant, but still relaxed and down-to-earth.
Being part of The Artemis Collection means we’ve got the backing of a wider group of amazing venues and a really knowledgeable team. So if there’s something you’re after, chances are we’ve either done it or can find a way to make it happen.
Come and visit Combermere Abbey
If you’d like to see Combermere Abbey for yourself and start picturing your wedding day in this unforgettable setting, why not come and visit us? We would love to show you around.