Create your own unique wedding experience

So many wedding venues these days only offer a bridal couple what suits the venue, rather than what you really want. So much so, that sometimes the venue will even insist that you conform to their ideas in order to make their job easier and charge you for the privilege. Some wedding venues even hold more than one wedding on the same day spitting out bridal parties like sausages!

So we're always looking for wedding venues willing to go that extra mile to help you create an extra special day totally tailored to your own dreams. One very special place we know is the Matara Centre and Kingscote Park, a beautiful and tranquil place to hold a unique wedding celebration.

After holding 100’s of weddings they have used their experience to put together and idea of the dream wedding that can be tailored to your own unique celebration.

And the people at Matara know that having the time to relax and enjoy is the secret to a wonderful wedding celebration. Savouring good food, rich conversations and fond memories in a very special place with close family and friends who have come together to celebrate your marriage is important. So with this in mind they offer you the sole use of the Matara Centre and Kingscote Park with accommodation for up to 24 guests for two whole days.

Posted in Green Wedding Inspiration , Venues

Fabulous farm wedding

When Lisa Dawn, a West Country photographer sent in these photos of the recent wedding she shot in Somerset in England, we just had to post them here. The photography is great and, of course, Huntstile Organic Farm where the wedding was held this summer, is one of our favourite wedding venues.

Posted in Green Wedding Natural Nuptials , Photographers , Venues

Gorgeous green country wedding venue

We're so excited to welcome Winkworth Farm to our green wedding directory!

Set in 230 acres of organic farmland, this former Cotswold stone threshing barn complex with a capacity for 200 seated guests is a fabulous new wedding venue for couples planning to throw a wedding in the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire countryside. Renovated by local craftsmen, using some ancient building methods combined with the very latest environmentally friendly technology, this lovely new venue is being sympathetically restored with a high-end finish throughout, including the furniture and fittings.

The Barns, reached by a mile long private drive, are surrounded by already well established lawns, herbaceous borders, a Cotswold stone sunken garden and acres of organic meadows with ravishing views and is yours exclusively for your wedding day.

There's a Farmhouse too which can be hired from 1 to 4 nights, with meals prepared by a local chef. The perfect place for you to prepare for the big day with your immediate family.

What's so special about Winkworth Farm is the fact that the Jeremy and Melanie Newman will not compromise on any aspect of the building work, or the way they will run the venue when it opens in June 2010. Although the farm business has diversified from its original beef farming roots, they still believe in supporting and promoting local suppliers and producers. They are employing a local architect, builders and craftsmen to realise their dream venue and they use renewable energy with the latest green technology to reduce the farm's carbon footprint.

Having hosted wedding receptions in the cattle byre with a marquee attached since 2004, the Newman family are old hands at making your day go without a hitch and they are now looking forward to hosting weddings year round in their newly renovated and licensed Cotswold venue.

If you fancy taking a look and talking to Jeremy and Melanie about Winkworth Farm, they will be welcoming visitors for ‘hard hat tours’ of the barn complex from Autumn 2009 and they are already taking wedding bookings starting August 2010 through to 2011.

To find out more go to their website or contact them by email at info@winkworthfarm.com or tel. 01666 823499.

Posted in Green Wedding Venues

London wedding showcase

If you didn't find the ideal wedding venue on your travels round the wedding fairs, or at the National Wedding Show, this weekend and you fancy throwing an eco chic wedding right in the middle of London's West End, then here's a chance to view one of our favourite wedding venues of all time.

The RSA House in WC2 is having their very own Wedding Showcase right in the heart of the big city next weekend and its dedicated team are excited about opening the doors of this beautiful House to show off their facilities for Weddings and Civil Partnerships.

The House's Georgian facade conceals many unexpected delights of both contemporary as well as traditional architecture. Whether you seek the inspiring grandeur of the Great Room or the intimacy of a candlelit ceremony in the vaults it's the ideal wedding venue to make your day memorable.

PLUS! Everyone attending will be offered a FREE wedding cake designed by Fancy Nancy when they book their wedding at the RSA. Who could refuse!

So do go along and meet the team and their suppliers. Find out about one of London's best kept secrets.

What: RSA House Wedding Showcase
Where: RSA House, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
When: Sunday 11 October 2009, from 11 am to 3 pm - Refreshments will be served throughout the day.
Contact: weddings@rsa.org.uk Tel. 0207 7451 6815

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Venues

Forever Green reopens its doors

The newly refurbished Forever Green Eco Venue reopened its doors as a brand new green wedding venue back in June this year and, needless to say, it has been going from strength to strength ever since.

The venue's official launch party took place in September with a fantastic evening of entertainment which included stilt walkers, a hog roast, forest illuminations (see pictures above) and a charity auction. the venue was officially opened by Claire Young who featured on 2008 Apprentice.

If you're planning to get married in Nottinghamshire and would like to find out more about this exciting new wedding venue, Forever Green will be at the Newark Wedding Fayre, Kelham Hall this Sunday 4th October 2009.

Posted in Green Wedding Events , Venues

Organic Wedding Venues

Wedding planning takes off with a vengeance now the summer's over and we've got a glittering collection of ethical wedding venues listed right here for you to choose from.

Our fans trust us to find out-of-the-ordinary, quirky, beautiful and dedicated venues across Britain where you can get married or throw a house party or celebration.

We particularly support venues that work to preserve their heritage and buildings, support local growers and producers, work hard to conserve energy and also involve themselves in their local communities.

We've taken the hard work out of finding just the right place and there's something for every occasion and budget in our list of eco friendly venues.

Posted in Green Wedding Venues , Wedding Planning

Fast track wedding

Getting married in 4 weeks and nowhere to gather your friends and family for a weekend celebration after the wedding ceremony?

Barrington House still has a short break available from 11 to 14 September. It is simply a large unique property which offers you the chance to find rare high quality accommodation for up to 26 people, offering plenty of space for entertaining, relaxing and celebrating.

A chance to chill out with friends and family and make use of this unspoilt corner of England. There are lots of things to do and see nearby and they can help with all your arrangements to make your break hassle free. Outside caterers, visiting therapists, wine tasting and evening entertainment can all be arranged for you.

You can find out more by phoning +44 (0)1544 327435 / 0800 4581018 or email them for more details.

Posted in Green Wedding Venues

Lazy Lates at the RSA

If you're thinking of a chic city wedding in central London, here's a fantastic special offer from the RSA House:

Lazy Lates Special Offer

Available from August 2009 through to March 2010

We know that organising a wedding can be hard work, especially at short notice! So for everyone thinking of getting married in the coming months, we have come up with some all inclusive packages to take the stress out of your day.

60 Guests for £6500 + VAT

80 Guests for £8000 + VAT

100 Guests for £9500 + VAT

Additional guests can join you for the day at a charge of just £95.00 + vat per person.

Evening guests only (after the Wedding Breakfast) can join you at no extra charge!

These packages include absolutely everything you need to have a fantastic day - room, candles, co-ordinator, menus and place cards, drinks reception, canapes, wedding breakfas, light evening buffet, disco and dancing.

One venue, one co-ordinator and one price. Sit back, relax and enjoy the day. All you need to do is invite the guests and decide what to wear!

Oh, and don't forget, if you book and pay before January you will only pay 15% VAT and save pounds! (VAT goes back up to 17.5% in January 2010)

To find out more contact the RSA House:
W: www.theRSA.org/house; Tel: 020 7451 6815; Email: weddings@rsa.org.uk

Posted in Green Wedding Special Offers , Venues

Late Availability Venue Offer

Grab it while you can!

Snap up one of these really special deals from Coombe Farm & Woodlands Trust in Devon, a most amazing wedding venue:

August Special Offer
Saturday 15 August Wedding Venue hire for 70 people now only £2,000 (normally £2,500) or you can choose an Intimate Wedding for 20 people in the farmhouse which is only a snip at £950! To be booked along with 7 nights farmhouse self catering accommodation for up to 20 people from Friday 14 August to Friday 21st August 2009 at 20% discount - now only £2,700 (normally £3,376).

September Special Offers
Late availability wedding dates for intimate wedding weekends in the main farmhouse for up to 20 people:

Saturday 6th September Wedding Venue hire now only £950
To be booked along with self catering farmhouse accommodation from Friday 5th September to Sunday 7th September 2009 now only £1,438 for 14 people, or £1,797 for 20 people.

Saturday 26th September Wedding Venue hire now only £950
To be booked along with self catering farmhouse accommodation from Friday 25th September to Sunday 27th September 2009 now only £1,217 for 14 people, or £1,521 for 20 people.

FOR ANY OF THESE LAST MINUTE SPECIAL OFFERS AT COOMBE FARM PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ANGELA BY EMAIL info@coombefarmwoods.co.uk OR TELEPHONE +44(0)1884 821176

Posted in Green Wedding Special Offers , Venues

It's booked!!

After much umm-ing and ahh-ing, a dinner tasting and a good look around, (actually twice!) we have finally booked our wedding venue! We have gone for something a little different for the day, well actually two days, this decision was reached for a number of reasons some of them eco centered.

Weddings have a tendency of getting big, growing in fact right before your eyes, becoming all consuming, but if you're concerned by the basic waste, money and miles this will effect, have you considered doing a two date affair?

Basically we are having a very small ceremony and dinner, it looks like 14 of us on a Wednesday, and then a cheap and cheerful party the following Saturday, 'two do’s' you say, surely that can’t be very eco, that’s just extravagance no? Well no, we hope.

This has two main outcomes for us. Intimacy and affordability. But will also, I hope, keep it eco centered.

So the ceremony, with our very nearest and dearest family and friends, parents, best man, etc. means that afterwards, for the wedding breakfast, we can eat at one table, enjoy really good local food in a beautiful private dining room, the same room in which we will earlier have been married, and we can all stay over in the same place keeping travel miles low. Intimate, relaxed and personal. One room to decorate, 14 mouths to feed, no going to or fro!

Posted in Green Wedding Blogger Brides , Natural Nuptials , Venues

Low Impact Wedding Series - The Venue

Foy spicer continues the account of her Low Impact Wedding - here she talks about the couples' choice of venue, hightlighting pros and cons...

CEREMONY: We both wanted an outdoor wedding ceremony and reception. We considered a lot of places for the ceremony, but accessibility was important because we've both got lots of cute little old ladies in our families. After a little investigating we decided on a local state park that had this beautiful shelter built by the PWA in the 1940's of local quarried rock. The price was right being just $25 per day. We rented the shelter for the night before as well and BBQ'd there for the rehearsal dinner.

The only draw back was the not so nice bathrooms. We own a couple of wooden TV tray like folding tables. I put one in each bathroom with a basket of assorted hand sanitizer, lotion, tissues, mints, Tylenol and safety pins. After the ceremony the baskets were brought to the reception venue's bathrooms.

I should also mention we didn't really have a rain plan. The wedding was going to happen outside come rain or shine without a tent! We're really lucky it didn't rain.

We rented chairs for the audience. It was $110 for 100 chairs to be delivered and picked up. However, we had to put out the chairs and return them to their racks. Luckily we had some obliging friends and family who took care of this.

RECEPTION: We needed a location that would allow us to bring in our own food. We wanted to use local or organic food as much as possible and many catering services charge outrageous prices to alter the menus enough to accommodate a green wedding. Since we weren't having the wedding at a church, why not the reception? My groom's church had just built a new community room. In fact for a while we worried it wouldn't be done in time for the wedding, but they did manage to get it put together just seven days before the wedding. The cost of rental was $75 for four hours and $25 for use the kitchen.

Total in site rentals = $235

Posted in Green Wedding Natural Nuptials , Venues

Planning: Where to Begin?

One question that is certain to come up pretty early on in the wedding planning process is “where do I start?”. Whether you are planning a green wedding or not, the details all seem to hinge on each other - deciding on a venue leads to caterer discussions and then photographers and so on. For us, we decided that the ultimate must-haves in a wedding site were an outdoor venue, and a place that would accommodate our eco-wedding.

Deciding on a venue was a month long process of weighing our options and desires. We initially wanted a wedding site that was on the commuter train line, so everyone traveling into town could easily spend the weekend here without a car. This is not the norm for U.S. travel, and even in a public transportation mecca like Portland, ended up not being feasible for almost all of the wedding venues within our price range.

So, early on, we learned another very important lesson in green wedding planning: be flexible.

We have find an amazing venue, Edgefield McMenamins, and though it’s not on the train line, it will allow for everyone who attends to stay in the adjoining hotel (minimizing the driving around). They have local food and alcohol options, and most importantly we can have the wedding outside.

The choice of a venue has implications for many of the eco-aspects of a wedding, so be sure to ask questions if you are planning a green wedding. Where do they get their food? (This may be less of an issue in the UK, but here in Oregon while we have local food options, you have to seek them out, and they aren’t necessarily the norm.) What types of transportation are available to get to the venue? Do they recycle? Use recycled paper products (or better yet, not use paper products)? While it’s easy to get overwhelmed, for us it was important to remember what our priorities were and be flexible.

Posted by Kerry - Blogger Bride

Posted in Green Wedding Blogger Brides , Natural Nuptials , Venues , Wedding Planning

Forest glade wedding

Fancy having your wedding reception in a forest glade? Our latest venue can offer you just that, well as close as...

Forever Green's Treetops looks out onto the woodland canopy and through its windows you will be able to see a wonderful panorama of trees, keeping an eye on what goes on in the heights of the forest. It's perfect for small wedding receptions with a great sound system, comfort cooling and loads of parking.

Treetops is part of Forever Green's unique family owned venue set amongst a tree filled panorama of 70 acres of woodland in the middle of the forest and close to Mansfield in Nottinghamshire. The astounding variety of birdlife includes woodpeckers, tits, owls and much more while fallow deer are sometimes seen quietly grazing round the building. They take environmental considerations seriously and work is constantly being undertaken to improve the natural habitat and reduce the venue's carbon footprint.

Food is freshly cooked using as much home grown and locally sourced produce as possible and they will devise a menu specially for your wedding day. Give them a call, sample the atmosphere and dream of a magical forest glade wedding.

Posted in Green Wedding Venues

The most magnificent bridal suite in Somerset

It's renowned for the most magnificent bridal suite in Somerset and the King's Room is a truly magnificent bedroom to spend your wedding night in. Incredibly sumptuous with a huge four poster bed, the 'Great Bed of Maunsel', deep rich red walls, luxurious antique furnishings, a copper bath and old masters on the walls.

If you've always dreamed of a wedding steeped in history and the English countryside you couldn't choose a more perfect venue than Maunsel House in Somerset. With its history dating back to Doomsday, the most recent incumbents have been there since 1772 and take special care to preserve their heritage. It is without doubt, a great party house and comes to life when packed full of people. The atmosphere, flow and configuration of it’s rooms lends an enormous amount to any occasion, helping your family and friends to feel relaxed, comfortable and most of all, at home.

Exclusively yours for the duration of your wedding, with no restrictions on how you wish to celebrate, Maunsel partners with excellent, reasonably priced caterers providing delicious, locally sourced, seasonal food to suit all tastes. You can choose to have your wedding guests stay at the house with you all weekend for a fabulous house party in the 13 beautifully furnished bedrooms.

Posted in Green Wedding Seasonal Celebrations , Venues

Fabulous new wedding venue!

We think you'll love this fabulous new wedding venue - Clavelshay Barn in Somerset.

Nestling in its own private valley, Clavelshay is set in a beautiful, peaceful and tranquil rural setting. The traditional stone barn which was built around 1700, was simply and sympathetically converted by the owners using natural materials and the oak flooring in the restaurant, cedar staircase and window sills are all made with wood from the farm. The spectacular elm roof beams are original and still have wooden pegs in the joints!

A perfect background for those ever special wedding photographs.

Somerset grows and produces some of the best food in the country and the Clavelshay kitchen is totally committed to selecting the very best local growers and suppliers for the food it serves, including the farm's own home-reared beef. Bread is baked daily and even the water on the table is from the farm's own spring.

Although the Barn only seats 50 wedding guests, there is ample space outside for a marquee or tent that can accommodate up to 100 guests.

You might think it a drawback that Clavelshay doesn't have a civil wedding license but this shouldn't be a problem if you are happy to get wed in the local registry office and then hold your reception at the Barn. Make a day of it and bus your guests from the ceremony to the reception in an old charabang!

Posted in Green Wedding Caterers, Food & Drink , Venues

Organic chocolate Wedding Cake offer!

Award winning organic wedding venue Penrhos is offering a FREE organic chocolate Wedding Cake worth £450, made by Penrhos chef Daphne Lambert, for any couple who makes a wedding booking before 1st April 2009 - the wedding to be held at Penrhos any time in the future.

Penrhos is a gem of an old manor farm buried in the half-tamed border country between Herefordshire and Wales. It's the perfect setting for your green wedding.

To make a booking and claim your organic chocolate wedding cake just phone Penrhos on 01544 230720 or email info@penrhos.com quoting 'GreenUnion'.

Posted in Green Wedding Cakes , Giveaways , Venues

Fabulous £50 Giveaway!

This month, award winning organic wedding venue Penrhos is offering one lucky winner a gift voucher worth £50.00 to spend on anything at all, either in their online shop or the shop at Penrhos.

Penrhos Court has been a farm for 700 years. The 13th century Cruck hall is now an award winning organic banqueting hall, serving seasonal, local, organic food for green weddings, meetings, conferences, retreats, parties and celebrations.

For a chance to win £50 all you have to do is sign up to our email newsletter and get news and reviews about Green and Eco Chic weddings right to your desktop. The lucky recipient will be notified after the close of the draw at the end of February.

Posted in Green Wedding Giveaways , Venues

A Very Green Union

Next weekend GreenUnion's eco chic couple Sarah and Paul are joyously tying the knot. They’ve chosen Coombe Farm near Tiverton as their wedding venue, where they will have a spiritual woodland ceremony joined by family and friends. Coombe is an organic farm and woodland and the beautifully renovated 17th Century thatched Cider and Threshing Barn, with its fields and woods, offers a very special place to throw a green wedding.

The image, courtesy of Coombe Farm Woodlands is of the newly thatched barn which is licensed for civil wedding ceremonies - as close as you can get to having your wedding ceremony in the great outdoors...

We'll be posting Sarah and Paul's story here on the blog over the coming week, but here's a list of some of the people who are playing a huge part in their celebratons.

Venue - Coombe Farm Woodlands
Jewellery designer - April Doubleday
Tents, lighting & music - Over the Moon Tents & Events
Dress - Wendy Kauffman - email her at wkauffman@hotmail.com

Posted in Green Wedding Inspiration , Venues

Most civil ceremonies

I'm often getting emails from eco chic couples wanting to get married outside and asking whether I know of anywhere that this is possible. So I thought it was time to give you all the bad news - you just can't get married, or have your civil partnership ceremony, under god's blue sky either in England or Wales. The law will not allow it, you can only get wed in a venue which has a license to hold civil ceremonies and the license stipulates that there has to be a roof over your head. Stupid I know, but true, especially when we all know that you can marry anywhere you like in Scotland!

The General Register office for England and Wales website will give you all the information you need and direct you to your local register office for more information. You can also get information about getting hitched in Scotland here, and Northern Ireland here.

The compensation for not being able to have a ceremony in the great outdoors is that some venues have bent over backwards to make your wedding or civil partnership a day to remember. We have some fabulous eco friendly venues on GreenUnion. There are historic houses, seaside resorts, farms, contemporary green buildings and even city vaults and they're all run by the nicest people in the world! So before you go anywhere else do check out our partner pages and be inspired.

Posted in Green Wedding Venues , Wedding Planning

Celebrating something?

January weekend break

Barrington House, one of our favourite ethical venues, is unexpectedly available from the 11th-13th January. If you still haven't sorted out where to hold your hen or stag weekend, or you're considering a last minute celebration or reunion, then check them out. Barrington House accommodates 26 people and you can have a fabulous get together with lots of country walks, beautiful views, traditional Herefordshire flavours and cosy open fires.

They can supply you with ready made meals prepared from local produce, or bring in their own caterers and do it all for you.

Barrington House is available at a special price of just £2200. To find out more, contact them on 0800 4581018 or atenquiries@barringtonhouse.co.uk

Posted in Green Wedding Venues

Christmas romance in the city

You don't have to leave the 'capital' to have the most romantic of green weddings. Right in the heart of London lies The RSA, a jewel of an environmentally savvy venue. Steeped in history the House was designed especially for the Society by Robert Adam in the early 1770s and the Georgian façade conceals gems of both contemporary and traditional architecture which have to be seen to be believed.

They're licensed to host civil ceremonies and serve the most delicious local and seasonal produce cooked on site. So if you're concerned about the environmental impact of your wedding, then have your ceremony & reception in the same venue and let The RSA's hard work tick a few more eco-friendly boxes without even trying!

There's a 20% discount on rates if you plan to wed in the next 3 months. Contact weddings@rsa.org.uk .

Posted in Green Wedding Venues

RSA wedding showcase - 7th October

Throwing a green wedding or civil partnership celebration doesn't necessarily mean traipsing out to the country. On the contrary, eco savvy couples who opt for city chic will find there are many advantages to getting married in the capital. There's a growing list of venues, many set in wonderful buildings steeped in heritage and tradition, like The RSA, that take their ethical responsibilities very seriously and can boast published environmental best practice policies. The RSA proudly ranks 8/10 on our green gauge, as high as many of our rural venues. They're keen to support British food producers and cook seasonal menus.

The RSA is holding a wedding showcase next Sunday 7th October between 11.00 am and 2.00 pm when the team will be on hand to guide you around the house and answer any questions you might have.

There'll be complementary refreshments on the day and there's a prize draw for one lucky couple to win an intimate lunch for two in the Vaults Restaurant.

So if you're planning an eco chic wedding in the city, get along to the RSA next Sunday 7th October 2007 to see what how green your celebration could be in Central London.

Posted in Green Wedding News , Venues