Outdoor wedding reception possibilities

[missleahy]

Hi all

Bizarre request here...

We are getting married in May 26th next year. in Brockenhurst as I grew up in the area.

We had a venue but it regretfully has fallen through.Our reception we want as a small, intimate gathering no more than 70 people, in an outside venue. We aren't crazy party people, and we don't want anything with great fuss. So we are looking for somewhere that has enough land and space for us to erect a small stretch tent – see attached picture.

An ideal scenario would be a field or patch of grass - a field / a patch of land backing on to the river etc - something with a view and not the standard hotel venues etc.

Anyone have any thoughts?

It's just an outside party venue really!

Don't forget electric generator, refrigeration, water supply etc
Tents in fields are hard work for weddings!

Toilet hire

Totally agree! But it's worth it!

I went to an amazing outdoor wedding reception here

www.treerunners.com/evening-venue-hire/

It's not too far from your preferred location. It was in the middle of the forest and it was STUNNING. The venue assist with all the logistics side of the event organising, i.e. posh portaloo hire. The wedding couple said that they found organising their wedding there an absolute pleasure.

As for the wedding party itself, the wedding couple got caterers in for a bbq and organised the alcohol for the bar which was manned by venue staff. I get the impression that the venue were pretty good at helping to make it work for them. There were sofas around firepits, fairy lights everywhere and beautiful lit up trees under the stars. There was even a chill out tipi with cushions inside.

The guests all camped or stayed in local b&bs (or went home if they were local).

these venues are difficult to find due to things like planning permission. We own land and we are always being approached to have receptions/parties but the hassle of getting planning permission for change of use is too much.

you will need to think about things like parking, how people will get to it, what you will do if it is seriously wet - not just raining on the day but the effect of the rain on the land beforehand. toilets and lots of waste bins are a must.

also what sort of music or entertainment are you thinking of? if its a band or even a disco then there might be issues of noise nuisance. noise carries an awful long way in the countryside in an outdoor venue and you don't want irate neighbours or the police pitching up thinking you are starting a rave!

You also need a plan for if it is windy. on a lovely still summers day this would be perfect but think how you will deal with things if it is blowing a hoolie or raining.

Maybe look for a pub with a camping field that you could take over for the weekend, then you have toilets, catering, bins etc sorted.

Thank you everyone for your feedback - so helpful and all things we have thought about and planned for. We are blessed to have best friends supplying the stretch tent which can button down all the walls when / if wet etc.

Also appreciate the noise of entertainment is tricky. It's a hard search for sure.

The pub is a great idea, I have contacted a few. x

This is where wedding planners are so helpful

does it have to be in Brockenhurst? are you flexible on area at all?

I am an ex EHO and during the summer when I worked in rural local authorities we did get called out a lot to weddings outside where they had an amplified band or even a disco. the noise of these things really carries particularly in quiet rural areas and tbh if you are picking a spot in the countryside with beautiful views or riverside location please don't spoil it by having a band blaring out music!

It has to be a compromise. also if you want any sort of hot food then how will it be cooked without a power source or generator. same for the lights for the tent with no external power it will be a noisy generator.

water - not for the loos they come with their supply but for guests especially if hot.

I know I sound like a right old misery but you don't want to be spending your wedding weekend transporting stuff to and from a field setting up, dealing with complaints etc. 2014 has it right. get a wedding planner and venue dresser but be prepared to have deeeep pockets.

Thanks all.

These are all things we are aware of and will definitely be considering - I couldn't bear having noise disruption if it was my village / space being interrupted so anywhere we will talk to will be done with this as a forefront.

We had a venue but have had an issue with the dates (depending on the outcome, ill share my experience) so trying to find something equally as remote as this place really was.

Thanks again for all the advice and if anyone knows anywhere that might do, do let us know

Hi OP, we had our reception in a marquee in the grounds of a normal wedding venue. It was cheaper than renting the venue, we just rented the garden. It was beautiful! Maybe look at country houses/hotels nearby for something like that?