by sarah • July 7, 2019 • Wedding Planning Guides
Destination weddings aren’t always about white sands and crystal blue waters. Some are snow-kissed mountain tops or romantic vineyards. And for people visiting the UK to tie the knot, some of the most sought-after destinations – alongside dramatic castles and historic buildings – are those rolling green hills, countryside villages, and quaint British farms.
Rich with history and tradition, the UK makes the ideal location for couples wanting to add a touch of good old fashioned romance to their big day.
From Australia to the US, Canada, Spain, France, Poland, China, India, and everywhere in between, wherever you’re visiting us from, here’s how you can put together an idyllic British wedding.
Before we jump into the logistics of planning a British wedding when you live in a different country, we’re going to run through the essentials of a wedding in the UK:
1) Beat the weather
Nothing says Great Britain like blustering winds and thundering rains, but you might have something else in mind for your wedding day. Don’t worry, we have gorgeous days too. From crisp autumn mornings and snow filled winter days, to fresh spring afternoons and warm, bright summer evenings, you can do your best to avoid the bad weather we’re known for with some careful planning.
Of course, we can’t control the weather. Instead, be sure to opt for a location that can cater to your needs if the weather is worse than expected. Venues that offer inside and outside space and know just how to transform it into something truly sensational are perfect.
2) Make sure it’s legal
Every country has its own set of rules when it comes to tying the knot; residency requirements, certificates, visas etc. Before you start booking, be sure to check you tick all the boxes for a British wedding. The best wedding venues will be able to help advise you here.
3) Vet your vendors
Food, photography, floral arrangements, entertainment… vendors play a significant role in the success of your wedding day. We always recommend meeting potential vendors at least once, so you can see if they are the right fit for you and check out their products or services first hand.
But of course in your case, a visit might not always be possible. Instead, try a video chat. You’ll get a good feeling for if your personalities match and if they can deliver what you’d like. At Heaton House Farm, we’ve shortlisted a big selection of our favourite, most accomplished vendors, to help save you the time trying to find the best of the best when you’re not resident in the UK.
From the venue and the vendors, to the transport and the guests, there are a lot of people involved in making a wedding happen. Keeping on top of this and ensuring everything goes to plan is a challenge, especially if you’re not in the same country! But the right venue and the right vendors will work with you and do what they can to help you pull it all off.
So when looking at locations and suppliers make sure you ask about their flexibility and availability in the coming weeks and months, as well as everything else that they have to offer.
Here at Heaton House Farm, we understand there’s a lot of moving parts you have to try and manage when organising a wedding and we always do our best to accommodate you and your partner. As well as being available for regular video calls, even on weekends, we also have excellent relationships with our great suppliers, and we know exactly what it takes to organise that dream wedding.
Our experience hosting couples from the US, Australia, New Zealand and beyond tells us that you don’t need to worry – together we can put all the preparations in place before you arrive in the country.
Your wedding venue plays an integral role in your wedding day. It’s where friends and family come together to celebrate your love, and the place where you make your first memories as a married couple. So it’s important to get it right.
Whilst searching, pay attention to the travel time it takes to get there, your budget, and whether or not it can accommodate your chosen entertainment and activities.
If you’re after a quintessential British wedding, then be sure to check out Heaton House Farm.
It’s hard to beat the Great British countryside, so why try? Rolling hills, sweeping views, and a rural charm that runs through the venue, Heaton House Farm oozes romance and makes a stunning spot for your magical day. As well as offering you unbeatable, natural backdrops for your wedding photos outdoors, we’ll also help bring your vision to life inside by transforming our rooms with your dream décor.
You get the best of both worlds – a stunning English countryside setting for your wedding, paired with any kind of theme you’d like indoors.
The only downside to a destination wedding is finding a way to have all of your friends and family there, because sometimes the travel just isn’t feasible for everyone.
If you’re lucky enough to have people making the trip, ensure it’s as easy as possible for them and look for venues that are nearby to good transport links – like major train stations or international airports. Heaton House Farm for example is just 45 minutes from Manchester International Airport, and 15 minutes from a train station that has regular trains from London.
You might even want to offer a place to stay after the big day. You’ll get to spend longer with those you love, and extend this magical feeling into the next day. At Heaton House Farm, we love the practicality of having accommodation just a stone’s throw away from our wedding and events rooms so your guests don’t have to travel after a night filled with dancing!
And don’t worry if your nearest and dearest can’t make it all the way here. Just because they’re not in the room, doesn’t mean they have to miss out on all the action. By finding a venue that can accommodate your needs and offer ceremonies at different times – like later on in the evening, then you could video chat your friends and family back home and set it up so they still get to experience your special moment.
With something for every couple, Britain makes the perfect spot for a destination wedding. All you need is a vision and the time to plan, and your dreams will soon become a reality.
For more information on how Heaton House Farm can be a part of your big day – get in touch today.
