During my time as a bridal hair dresser and makeup artist I have been delighted to visit some amazing wedding venues over the years in and around the Bristol and Bath area. From cool hotels with modern interiors to historic country houses and stately homes, I’ve been very lucky to have visited these incredible places.
When thinking about where you would like to get married there are so many things to consider, from the number of guests, to the time of year and the style of the wedding you would like.
For couples wanting a summer wedding, many opt for a large country house with outdoor space. These can be great for bigger wedding parties, especially if there are children at the wedding as the garden provides them space to play. This also makes for some fantastic photo opportunities! Some wedding venues have lovely cottages on site and even teepees for a glamping experience.
Some of my favourites include:
Pennard House – Somerset
Grittleton House – Wiltshire
The Rectory Hotel – Malmesbury
The Matara Centre – Tetbury
Owlpen Manor – Gloucestershire
Elmore Court – Gloucestershire
Coombe Lodge - Bristol
Clevedon Hall – Clevedon
Many brides and grooms prefer a city wedding location, perhaps with a registry office ceremony. These can be amazingly glamorous and staying in a beautiful hotel or guest house works well for many couples and their wedding parties.
I love these fabulous places in the city:
Avon Gorge Hotel by Hotel du Vin – Bristol
Number 38 Clifton – Bristol
Goldney Hall – Bristol
Berwick Lodge – Bristol
Leigh Court – Bristol
Paintworks – Bristol
Arnos Vale – Bristol
The other fantastic option for a summer wedding is a farm. This is a lovely choice of venue for spring and summer weddings and perfect if you want a romantic and rustic feel to your big day. Here are some lovely wedding venues:
Folly Farm – Somerset
Huntstile Organic Farm – Somerset
Wick Farm – Bath
I always feel the wedding venue, and the time of year couples choose to get married, heavily influence the style of the wedding.
If choosing a country house or farm venue, the style of dress and flowers feels quite romantic. A church ceremony also influences the style, for instance a bride may wish to wear a veil and perhaps choose a more voluminous wedding dress. For a city wedding a bride may choose something more streamlined, perhaps a shorter or more form fitting dress.
Once the dress has been chosen, we can start thinking about the hair and makeup that would firstly ensure the bride feels her best and most confident self, and secondly ties in with the overall style of the wedding.
I absolutely love talking to brides about their wedding ideas and inspiration. I really want to get a sense of the style and vibe they are hoping create for the big day. It’s my pleasure to listen and really understand what they want to achieve and express this through the style of their bridal hair and makeup design.
