Which fancy hotel would you have a micro wedding at in the UK?

[Reori]

i am engaged and decided I really don’t want to have a big wedding. I like weddings but most weddings to me are nothing spectacular especially when you find out how much they cost per head.

Fiance and I are also the last siblings in our families to get married so the novelty is kind of gone.

Fiance and I initially assumed we would do something small abroad with our siblings and parents. But I find the concept of being married in a country which I don’t know at all and where I don’t speak the language really daunting. The idea of running around the Tuscan countryside trying to find a place that sells a specific object really unappealing.

I was hoping to book my family rooms at a big country house and share a sort of mini break with food and activities.

Cliveden is at the top of my list but I just think there must be better value for money elsewhere.

What would you do if you were having my style of wedding?

Gleneagles, stunning location, loads of activities, amazing food and very relaxed for a pretty fancy hotel!

Gilpin in Yorkshire, no boat trips but most other things I think

Exactly what I like. Thank you!

Cliveden is lovely, also Great Fosters and Pennyhill park.

Monkey island is amazing for a small boutique wedding

The Grosvenor, Chester
Another Place, Lake District
Gleneagles Hotel, Scotland

Remembered another couple:

The Falcondale, Lampeter
Pale Hall Hotel, Bala

.... All places I've stayed in and enjoyed. Would make great wedding venues.

I don’t love Cliveden - busy, lots of tourist and people. I have been many many times but thats just my opinion. Plus you can’t really take over the whole place.

I love Stoke Place - beautiful gardens (used as the inspiration and size for Central Park in NY). Not Stoke Park which isn’t as nice but practically the same area.

Hedsor house is in the same area - you can take over the whole place which is lovely.

Gleneagles feels a bit like Cliveden to me - busy, golf course, lots of people around. But lovely sea view.

Monkey Island is a bit special. Amazing views of the river on three sides. Rooms for guests and easy to get to.

I don’t enjoy bigger venues like Pennyhill Park, Frimley Hall, Coworth Park etc especially with a small wedding.

Swan in the Lake District is nice but it has been many years since I’ve been there….

The Scarlett in North Cornwall
Talland Bay Hotel near Polperro, Cornwal

Do you have a budget OP? That really is the starting point for any search. These suggestions are all great but the costs vary enormously
And a ball park idea of numbers

The swan Newby Bridge in the Lakes is lovely !

Brockencote Hall nr Bromsgrove at Chaddersley Corbett is gorgeous.

www.brockencotehall.com/

Lainston House near Winchester? Not sure about activities, though. The hotel does cookery courses, I think. Hampshire has shooting, fishing, the coast is an hour away...

Another vote for Portmeirion.

We didn't end up choosing to do it that way but I did consider Gretna, they have a few packages and look after everything. I liked the fact that it was the original place to elope to to get married though today they offer packages for guests too.

In the end we opted for a proper knees up above the (gastro) pub near our house with a 3 course dinner, all drinks including fizz, local band etc for under £4K then a church ceremony. Block booked the local hotel at £79 a night. Trying to get people to commit to a Friday was too tricky because of work, most drove over first thing Saturday meant Scotland wouldn't work.

Dormey house hotel is lovely. But significantly less posh than cliveden

Heckfield Place
The Newt
The Pig (multi-locations)
Lympstone Manor
Manoir au Quatre Saisons
The Grove of Narberth (Pembrokeshire)

But I agree with a pp - it depends hugely on budget, number of people and what kind of atmosphere you want, formal or informal, how much you care about the food, for example, what kinds of activities you want.

Perhaps it is too formal. Having seen some other properties I do think it probably isn’t really my style. Just always wanted to stay there.

I really just want to treat my family to a good food and fun activities whilst being spoiled a little. It has to be relaxing. A swimming pool, tennis court and spa is a must have.

As much as I have said Cliveden it is probably a bit of an outlier in terms of what I like. I don’t like stuffy. I like clean, fresh and tasteful. Nothing ultra modern either.

So far Middleton Lodge is the suggestion that really speaks to me.

I like the first photo over the second one

@driedapricots101 sorry I forgot to quote your post

We almost did something similar and Crab & Lobster near Thirsk would have been my top choice. Middleton Lodge was also a runner.

Park house hotel, Bepton West Sussex - gorgeous country house hotel you can take over for the weekend. Absolutely idyllic

Mine too 🤣🤣

Is money no object? Burgh island: but I do love Agatha christie …

There will be 12 of us. I would like to do maybe 2/3 nights. Ideally 3.

Mermaid inn, rye.

Love the idea for your wedding - sounds fabulous!

Another vote for Gleneagles
As a start, also have a look at:

• Gara Rock, Devon
• Any of the Pig Hotels
• Gilpin, Lake District
• Wild Thyme and Honey, Cotswolds (small, high end, boutique)
• I also liked the Scotsman in Edinburgh but it’s a while since I’ve stayed there.

I could probably send you another 10 more!