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Kate & Ant’s Day At Our Essex Wedding Venue

The last real wedding story based here at our Essex wedding venue, featured the gorgeous Adele and Victoria. Today however, we’re looking at the most beautiful nuptials of the stunning Kate and Ant. The golden couple first met on Match.com before online dating had even really began, as Kate puts it, “way before Tinder or any other snazzy app like that. He still reminds me that I cost him £14.99 because you could only talk to people if you paid for membership”. Fast forward 9 years later, 2 years after a beautiful proposal in Brussels and they found themselves saying “I do” right here at That Amazing Place, the perfect wedding venue for a truly amazing couple.

The Venue

Like a lot of couples we find booking their big day here at That Amazing Place, our beautiful Essex wedding venue was the first venue they viewed and as is common practice here, they fell in love with it instantly but after looking at five other venues afterwards (just to be sure), it was Ant who finally suggested That Amazing Place.

Theme and Entertainment

When discussing the theme of their wedding, Kate emphasised the fact that she wanted it to be simple and earthy, “we used logs to create the outside isle and put pictures of us on each cluster. My amazing friends created the frame on the gazebo using flowers and voiles. It took them hours to do but it was just what I wanted! I couldn’t have done any of it without all of them.” They also used a lot of greenery and a few quirky touches such as personalised cider bottles, which were also used as name places and peoples meal choices. They also had a table plan made from recycled wood as well as a guest frame made, instead of the usual book for people to sign that’s now proudly hanging in their home. When it came to entertainment, they opted for a band called The Bandits. They found the musicians themselves and were lucky enough to have them learn a brand new song, especially for them, the beautiful “Next To Me” by Emily Sande.

Catering

Kate and Ant opted for one of our recommended suppliers to provide the catering on their special day and let’s just say, they weren’t disappointed, “They were fantastic, we had a sample meal beforehand and picked 2 starters (Brie & Bacon Tart / Mozzarella & Tomato tart) and 3 mains (Pork in cider puree / Chicken in white wine / Vegetarian) for our guest to pre order.” They then chose to use their wedding cake, made by the super talented Christin Marrington, as dessert for everyone; and what a wedding cake it was. With a mix of chocolate and lemon layers, it truly was a treat for their guests. They also enjoyed canapés after the service with pimms and in the evening, their guests were treated to mini takeaways. Add to this a champagne reception and it would seem their big day really did have it all.

From all of us here at That Amazing Place, we’d just like to say a huge congratulations once again to the wonderful Kate and Ant. We hope to see you back very soon celebrating your anniversaries.

Plan Your Wedding With Ease…

Here at That Amazing Place, we know only too well that just because a company has great reviews online, doesn’t mean it’s always going to stand up to your expectations. Let’s face it, with people recommending their friends and family’s companies left, right and centre, anyone who’s anyone can get a handful of great reviews within a few minutes of creating an online presence. It’s for this reason that finding the perfect caterer or the perfect wedding gown maker can feel so stressful. Not only are they hugely important roles but they’re involved in one of the most important days of your life too. That’s where personal recommendations come in so handy. You’re not simply reading a Facebook review, you’re talking to someone you know who’s actually used their service and that’s precisely why we decided to create our “Preferred Suppliers” list. From florists to photographers, we have everything covered to help you plan your wedding with ease.

What’s more, these are companies or individuals that we’ve worked with ourselves. That means that not only do we know their work but they know our wedding venue too. This we hope, will help you plan your wedding with ease, without the usual stress that people think of. To give you more of an idea, here are just a few examples of the companies we have on our preferred suppliers page:

Florists – as you can imagine, over the last couple of years, we’ve come across a wide range of florists supplying the weddings that place week in and week out. From our meetings, there have been a few in particular that have really shone and these include the fabulous Creative Designs to the amazing Gracie Day. We also highly recommend the fabulous services by the likes of Browns Blooms and Balloons as well as Jo Cook Floral Designs, Joanna Truby and the wonderful Vickie Cowell.

Hair Stylists – bridal hair, as you’ll no doubt know, is a hugely important aspect of any day and as such, it’s imperative that the right person is found for such an important part of the day. That’s why we narrowed our preferred suppliers list of bridal hair stylists down to just four because let’s face it, the bride must always look fabulous. From Lynette Chasmer to Beautiful Hair, along with Michelle Walker Hair Stylist to the now famous Team Glam, we really couldn’t think of anyone better to trust with such an important job on such a big day.

Catering – while helping the bride and groom look their best on their big day is of course important, there’s another aspect of any wedding that’s quite possibly even more so and that’s the catering. Not only does it need to be perfect for the happy couple themselves but it also needs to be perfect for every single one of their guests too. That’s why, once again, we recommend only four companies for the job. They are the phenomenal Magpie Catering, the wonderful Carte Blanche Catering, the sensational Premier Crew and last but by no means least, the fabulous Caribbean Cookpot.

Photography – wedding photos aren’t just with you on the day, they’re with you for the rest of your life which is why finding the right photographer, one who understands your style and just what you want to achieve, is super important. Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a fantastic list online of multiple photographers who we feel really offer a professional service and what’s more, know That Amazing Place too. From Amanda Karen Photography to Light Source Weddings and the fabulous Scott Miller Photography.

Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive and one quick peek on our website will show you the fantastic go-to directory we’ve created! Jump online today!

How To Include Your Pets At Your Wedding

Pets At Your Wedding

For centuries, happy couples have shared their big day with their nearest and dearest. Fast forward to 2017 however, and the term nearest and dearest covers a lot more than just family and friends. It also happens to include our four legged friends too, who over the centuries have fast become more than just our pets; they’ve become part of our family too. As a result of our change in opinion, more and more pets are now being seen featuring on guest lists than ever before. If you’re thinking of saying “I do” soon, and feel like your four legged friend may want to attend, then you might want to take a peek at this fab piece on including your pets at your wedding…

That Amazing Place – a dog friendly wedding venue

Weddings are without a doubt, one of the most stressful and perhaps nerve-wracking times in your life. It doesn’t matter how well you plan, something can always go wrong; from weather worries to dress disasters. Having your dog there however, could just be the perfect way to ease those wedding jitters. That’s as long as you provide a comfortable setting for your dog too but don’t worry, we’ll let you in on a little secret later.

When it comes to the role you want your dog to play at your wedding, you’ll want to start considering their personality. Do they stress easily in crowds? If so, and you happen to be having a lot of guests, it may be better if they don’t come to the wedding or perhaps simply turn up for the photographs? The last thing you want is to put your best friend through undue stress on your big day. A good rule of thumb is to let your favourite furry friend attend for no longer than two hours. That way they get to join in the fun without getting tired or upset.

If you’ve decided that you’d like your pet there with you on your big day, then it’s going to take a little prep work. It’s not simply a case of having them attend. From the very basics such as getting them there to the more complicated questions; where will you put the poo bags? This however, is where having someone familiar on hand, can come in well…handy. They can help keep your pet company and take them away from the festivities when it’s time to go.

The question is, who are you going to ask without causing an argument? Well, luckily for you there just so happens to be a rather fantastic service offering a helping hand and it’s aptly named Walkies At Weddings. This wonderfully bespoke wedding service will have your dog brought to your wedding, kept company and taken to where they need to go, whether it’s the service itself or simply the photos after the service. They’ll also ensure your favourite furry friend is not only happy at all times but free from mischief which means no sneaking any food from the buffet!

For more information on Walkies At Weddings, just head to http://walkiesatweddings.co.uk today!

Planning Your Winter Wedding

winter weddings

From snowflakes to pinecones, winter weddings are always usually full to the brim with these tried and tested motifs but you don’t have to stick with these go-to pieces. Here are some fantastic ways to really reinvent your winter wedding here at That Amazing Place.

Wedding Colours – reds and greens are the obvious choice when it comes to winter colour choices but overdo them and you’ll be left with a Christmas feel on your big day. As always, here at That Amazing Place, we suggest a less is more approach. Check out silvers and whites with a few crystal accents to really give you a wintery feel. Think white velvet aisle runners, white satin ribbons on chair and even elegant white orchids. If you’re looking to battle the elements by exchanging vows outside, then you may even want to hand out transparent umbrellas and chunky knit blankets in white and grey tones.

Wedding Flowers – red roses and calla lilies are the obvious choice when it comes to wedding flowers in winter but what about stepping outside of the obvious once again and opting for different winter blooms. Consider much fuller flowers like hydrangeas or even ranunculus’s. You may even want to consider using simple options such as white ribbons to accent the green stems of your florals. If you’re looking to add a little sparkle, you may want to look at a few crystal embellishments too.

Wedding Invitations – with the majority of winter weddings being held indoors, the general consensus is that a winter wedding invitation should remain quite formal and as such, you’ll want to look at heavy cardstock with perhaps some navy blues, maybe even chocolate browns with hand calligraphy. If you’re looking to achieve the formal tone with something a little different, then why not look at frosted invitations with a little white/silver scripted ink? Finish them off with silver envelopes and you’ve got the perfect wedding invite for your heavenly winter wedding.

Wedding Table Centerpieces – if you’re looking to do something different then you’re going to want to think beyond the glowing candles to add warmth. Think of bringing the icy outdoors indoors to add drama with ice carved vases on tables. Fill the vases with winter white branches and even a few added crystals. This will help to reflect light from the tables too.

Wedding Drinks – who doesn’t love a cocktail? We certainly do and we guarantee your guests will but a winter wedding calls for something a little more warming than your usual daiquiri. Think warming spirits and hot apple ciders. You might also want to consider those who may not be drinking too (thank the lord for designated drivers) and consider adding a hot chocolate beverage with a spin in the form of white hot chocolate and even eggnog if you’re a fan of your American siblings?

Wedding Cake – last but not least, lets think about the most important piece in the room – your wedding cake. White, red and green ribbons look pretty, they also offer that Christmas feel again. If however, you can find a cake maker willing to push the fondant envelope a little, you’re winning. Think of playing up the season once again with white vintage style cakes, such as the new “naked” cakes with barely any frosting. You could even opt for edible silver dusting and crystal drop accents to really create a winter feel.

If you’d like more top tips or simply a little helping guidance when it comes to putting together your winter wedding, simply contact us today. Our events planner Angie will be only too happy to help!

Check Out Our Country House Wedding Top Tips

country house wedding

Our Amazing Wedding Venue

Whether it’s a case of keeping up with the Jones’s or just simply that in this day-and-age, weddings are about splashing the cash; weddings on a smaller budget seem to have gained a reputation for being substandard. Here at That Amazing Place however, we’re here to tell you that couldn’t be further from the truth, especially with our top tips to help you give your country house wedding a million dollar feel.

Less is more – as they say, the enemy of elegance is clutter so when it comes to your wedding décor, we always suggest you stick to the mantra of “less is more”. Keep things streamlined and the overall look nice and simple as opposed to trying to create a huge amount of self-made details. Keep things white, ivory and all shades of grey and you’ll ensure elegance and simplicity all the way.

Be strategic with your floral arrangements – flowers are essential for any wedding but they’re also an area in which bills can quickly start to add up. Thankfully, there are ways to help keep the bills low and that’s by adopting a strategic attitude about where you’ll be placing the flowers and which flowers in particular to select. Scrimping on flowers on each table will ultimately disappoint you but you can cut down on flowers in other areas of the venue. Invest in one large statement piece that everyone will see when they walk into the venue and you’ll feel a lot happier while your wallet remains full.

Keep a lid on your guest list – instead of throwing a lavish wedding for hundreds and hundreds of people on a small budget, why not crop the guest list and let your budget spread further with fewer guests? You’ve no doubt heard of the term, spreading it thin? That’s exactly what you’ll be doing with too many guests, so cut the list of your country house wedding and enjoy more to spend on fewer people. Make it an intimate and unforgettable experience.

Indulge your creative side – though we strongly advise opting for a solely DIY feel; indulging your creative side a little could be a winning decision. Think invitations and even seating cards. You can find creative ways to take on these beautiful projects and give your wedding a very personal feel. If you don’t have a creative bone in you (and believe us, there are some out there who feel this way) then it may be the perfect time to call on your most creative friend.

Make a grand entrance – it’s important that you know your guests probably won’t remember an inexpensive linen, nor will they remember a lack of flowers here and there but they will remember their entrance into your wedding. Make their entrance something to remember with striking flowers, candles and other elaborate décor. Keeping this at the entrance will be the best place for them to really see and remember it. Always remember the entrance and exit of each event space.

Here at That Amazing Place, we have the perfect option for those looking to keep within their budget in the form of our Twilight Wedding Package. For more information, simply contact us today.

Here’s Why Our Wedding Venue Is So Amazing!

Our Amazing Wedding Venue

Our Amazing Wedding Venue

If you’re a regular reader of our blog, you may have noticed that we discuss quite a broad spectrum of topics; from wedding top tips to current trends and even the actual weddings that take place here at our country house wedding venue but today, we thought we’d take the time to talk about That Amazing Place itself. From our wonderful manor house to the extensive grounds in which we’re set, we’d like to welcome you to That Amazing Place, a beautiful country house wedding venue nestled in the heart of the Essex countryside. While you may know us as Hubbards Hall, we’re here today to tell you all about our wedding venue and just why we’re so, well…amazing.

Once upon a time, our grade II listed building was actually occupied as a residential property until its current owners, the wonderful Paul and Jane, decided to renovate and re-open it as the elegant venue that it is today. When it comes to That Amazing Place, many people know that we’re a wedding venue but what a great deal of people don’t know is that day to day, we’re also a boutique bed and breakfast. We offer fabulously luxurious rooms along with a variety of excellent facilities, including delicious breakfasts, amazing views and above all else, exquisite customer service. From business stopovers to family breaks, we have the facilities to really make your stay like nothing else.

As we mentioned above, the majority know us as the beautiful wedding venue in Harlow but the question asked by many is what makes us so amazing. Well, our extensive grounds and stunning interior aside, the fact that we’re an exclusive-use wedding venue really does make us stand out from the crowd. We understand only too well that your wedding day is something you want to share with your loved ones, both family and friends however, as much as you may wish to shout your love from the rooftops, we know that you won’t want to share the space with total strangers. It’s for this reason we decided to make it an exclusive use wedding venue to give you the space to enjoy yourself without the worry of unwanted guests spoiling your day.

That’s not all our cosy and intimate wedding venue has to offer however; we also have 12 deluxe bedrooms that sleep up to 25 guests, perfect for housing your guests the night before and evening of your big day. From King rooms to Double Deluxe rooms, we have a fabulous choice to suit everyone.

Last but most certainly not least, we wouldn’t be That Amazing Place without our dog-friendly policy. Unlike a great deal of wedding venues up and down the country, we allow you to bring your four legged friend along with you on your big day because after-all, they’re family aren’t they?

Now of course, we couldn’t possibly squeeze every ounce of “amazingness” into one short blog but we think that goes a little way to explaining just why our wedding venue is as popular as it is. For more information, simply contact us today.