Wedding venue – am I looking for a needle in a haystack??

[RockinInAFreeWorld]

Looking for somewhere in these areas:

Gloucestershire
Bristol
Bath
Bournemouth
Hampshire
Exeter
Sussex

1. That can hold 100+ reception guests
   
2. With accommodation on site (even 5 or 6 rooms would suffice)
   
3. Low corkage charge or better still no corkage fee
   
4. Where music and booze can be played/served until at least 1am with option to extend licence till later
   
5. Want to marry in a church so whether its licenced for ceremonies or not is irrelevant
   

The main hurdle I’m having is places i’ve found say everything has to be shut down by midnight at the latest and/or no outside caterers, with most of the menu offers that come with the packages not really to our taste. I like the idea of meeting with caterers and coming up with a menu that reflects us. Another issue i’m finding is we can only provide our own alcohol for the meal and once the entertainment starts guests have to purchase from the bar.

Posting in Weddings thread too.

Any help greatly appreciated!

[MsSampson]

Have you looked at any schools? Boarding schools in particular? (As they'll have accommodation). Some of them are available during holidays for hire. Most wedding venues make all their money from catering and drinks, so it's unlikely you'll find a conventional venue that will do what you want

However, if you go down the diy route, bear in mind the huge amounts of organisation both before and on the day. You'll have to sort tables, chairs, crockery etc, bar staff, table linens, all that jazz. And on the day someone will need to coordinate all those things.

A friend had a fabulous wedding in a school, but the logistics were a bit of a nightmare, and I think slightly ruined the day for her. Rather than relaxing with champagne she was on the phone to suppliers all morning, arranging for people to access venues to set up etc. Just worth thinking about

[KateBeckett]

Have you asked any of the venues if you would be able to talk to the caterers about the food? You might be surprised how accommodating they are!

[MulderitsmeX]

I got married in Gloucestershire last year!

1. Yes
   
2. Loads of rooms
   
3. Erm yes there was a corkage,
   
4. Although you have to leave the "wedding area" at midnight, there are 2 bars (one super nice and one ok).
   
5. Sure you are aware already but you need a qualifying connection or to be a regular worshipper at a church in order to get married there so you may find your choice limited.
   

Happy to pm details of my venue. I also looked at loads of other places in glos, There are places that dont do corkage but most dont have an after 12 license.

[MrsTarzan1]

Its Warwickshire but try Wethele Manor

[MGFM]

There is a stunning boarding school in Wimborne. No accommodation but there is a hotel a few mins away in the village. They were reasonably flexible.

[RockinInAFreeWorld]

Thanks everyone! MulderitsmeX I'd be so grateful of the PM, many thanks!

[PebbleInTheMoonlight]

Just a little further West of Gloucestershire (in Wales) is Buckland Hall

[http://www.bucklandhall.co.uk/buckland_hall_content.php?art_id=128]

I've attended a wedding there and it's basically like you're hiring a massive house for the duration so accommodation on site, entirely private and the party only finished when the bar run dry.

The only drawback for my carnivore husband is that it's an exclusively vegetarian venue.

But my friend who whose wedding it was couldn't speak highly enough of the owners. She basically had run of the place and they were very relaxed about all aspects of her wishes.

Might be worth a look

Ps the veggie food was out of this world even if I'm normally a meat eater

[PebbleInTheMoonlight]

Sorry clicky link fail...not sure how to do one from my mobile

[givemushypeasachance]

Not sure on 100% of specifics but might fit the criteria - Folly Farm and Berwick Lodge.

[Twistmeandturnme]

Attended a lovely wedding at Highcliffe castle. It went on late and didn't have a cash bar but don't know if it was the castle's bar or if they had hired one in. It was definitely outside caterers but I think they had to be from a specific list.
A Premier inn within staggering distance (literally less than 1/2 mile), and another 2 about £5 away in a taxi.