by admin | Sep 23, 2017 | Country House Wedding Venue, wedding venues, Wedding Venues in Essex
Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. Couple it with the festive season and it’s a time like no other. Here at That Amazing Place, we’ve seen many a Christmas wedding so thought we’d share a few insights to help you plan the perfect festive wedding to keep you and your guests having the time of your life…
Christmas Trees – they seem like an obvious choice to most but let’s not forget that they’re one of the biggest symbols of Christmas for many. Whether you’re religious or not, a Christmas tree is instantly recognisable which makes it an absolute must at your ceremony and venue. It’s a super easy prop to include too as you can simply decorate it with your chosen wedding colours, keeping it in theme and of course, super chic. For table decorations, mini trees are ideal and once again, a little internet surfing will help you locate mini decorations in your chosen wedding colours.
Bridesmaid Gifts – this is something that often gets overlooked yet when you look at all the work your bridesmaids (and maid of honour especially) put into your big day, it’s something that should really have a lot of though put into it. As it’s Christmas, and of course winter, pashminas are obviously a fabulous idea. They not only look beautiful but can be worn on the day. You can also incorporate them into your day further by gifting pashminas that offer a pop of colour.
Keep The Little Ones Entertained – the subject of little ones at weddings is always a hot topic for debate but here at That Amazing Place, we know only too well the joy it can bring to have children at your nuptials. That being said however, it’s important to consider the young ones when planning your big day and by that we mean, thinking of ways to keep them entertained and out of mischief. For those enjoying festive weddings, we’ve seen Father Christmas paying a visit bringing a few small gifts to enjoy and play with throughout the wedding breakfast. We’ve also seen couples utilise one of the smaller rooms as a “chill-out” room where Christmas-themed films are played such as the Polar Express or The Grinch. This not only keeps the kids entertained but also leaves the grown-ups with a little more space to enjoy your wedding too.
Christmas Colour Schemes – we know that it can be easy to simply opt for the obvious when it comes to a colour scheme; red and green of course but we also know that others will want to opt for something different. That doesn’t mean that it can’t be Christmas inspired. Berry shades such as deep reds and purples, along with winter whites offer a chic look and can make any wedding feel luxurious. If you’re still looking for more options however, Pantone is a great place to start. From plums and aubergines to deep jewel tones, the world is your oyster.
If you’re lucky enough to be holding your big day here at That Amazing Place, then you’ll be pleased to know that our very own events manager Angie will be on hand to help you in any way shape or form, from your theme to the florist and more. For more information, simply contact us today.
by admin | Sep 9, 2017 | Country House Wedding Venue, Country House Wedding Venue in Essex, countryside weddings, wedding venues
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.
by admin | Sep 2, 2017 | Country House Wedding Venue in Essex, countryside weddings, wedding venues, Wedding Venues in Essex
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!
by admin | Aug 19, 2017 | Country House Wedding Venue, Country House Wedding Venue in Essex, wedding venues
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!
by admin | Aug 5, 2017 | Country House Wedding Venue, Country House Wedding Venue in Essex, Uncategorised, wedding venues, Wedding Venues in Essex
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.
by admin | Jul 22, 2017 | Country House Wedding Venue, Country House Wedding Venue in Essex, countryside weddings, Uncategorised, wedding venues, Wedding Venues in Essex
Real Wedding Blog – Victoria and Adele
It’s been quite a while since we shared a real wedding story from our Essex wedding venue so today’s blog post feels extra special. We’re looking at the beautiful nuptials of one of the loveliest couples we’ve had the fortune of coming across, the wonderful Victoria and Adele Hughes. Victoria and Adele met three years ago at Brighton Pride, August 2014 through mutual friends. Victoria said, “we all met up and the moment we saw each other, we fell for one another and haven’t really spent a day apart since” and the rest they say is history…
The Venue
When it came to choosing the venue, Adele and Victoria knew exactly what they wanted. Victoria explains, “We wanted somewhere solely exclusive to us. Adele had googled some places near to where we lived and That Amazing Place came up. As soon as we visited, we knew that it was the one.” Here at That Amazing Place, we often find the fact that being an exclusive use wedding venue sets us apart from so many others. Our country house wedding venue was indeed exclusively Victoria and Adele’s for their special day too and what’s more, Victoria added, “there was nothing we needed to do to the venue. It was perfect as it was”. Victoria pointed out they were after a “less is more” kind of feel. It wasn’t just the venue itself that drew them here, the service was also a big pull as they both complimented the service from Paul and Jane, “from start to finish, Paul and Jane always made us feel welcome and was more than happy to facilitate our needs. The whole day was just perfect and a day we’ll never forget.”
Theme and Entertainment
As we previously mentioned, the reason Adele and Victoria loved our country house wedding venue so much (exclusivity aside) was that they enjoyed the ‘less is more’ feel. Though their wedding wasn’t without a certain style with the pair opting for a real vintage theme, which included a fantastic sweet cart and a vintage photo booth. When it came to their entertainment, they used a company called JF Weddings whom they’d spotted at a wedding fair in Dunmow. He sang during reception drinks to entertain guests and also sang for their first dance. For the rest of the evenings entertainment, they hired a DJ to ensure their guests danced the night away.
Catering
For their catering, Adele and Victoria used one of our recommended suppliers, Premier Crew Hospitality. They chose canapés with reception drinks, which included mini prawn cocktails, Welsh rarebit, tomato and mozzarella skewers and vegetable spring rolls. They then enjoyed a BBQ for their wedding breakfast with an array of dishes to cater for their guests. Sarah at Premier Crew Hospitality even provided brioche buns for the burgers, along with gluten free buns at their request. For desserts, the girls chose chocolate brownies, Eaton mess as well as mango and passionfruit meringue. For the evening, they enjoyed mini takeaways with fish and chips in cones, chicken and pittas as well as pizza. Victoria had this to say about our recommended caterers, “what we liked about Premier Crew Hospitality was the fact that they were coming round to the guests with the evening food. Sarah and her team were superb and every guest went away happy and well fed.”
With Adele picking her suit from Asos, Topman and Curtis Hawes, and Victoria picking her bridal gown from Rock The Frock, these two beautiful women were guaranteed to look nothing short of stunning and the photos captured by the ever-talented Nigel Read Photography, only prove that fact. We couldn’t have been more pleased to witness such a beautiful ceremony and wish Victoria and Adele all the best for the future.
Photo Credit: Nigel Read Photography
Recent Comments