Weddings, Hedge End Venues and How to Create the Perfect Special Day

The start of autumn is traditionally the time of year for the wedding fairs – the busy summer season is over and now next year’s brides-and-grooms-to-be are making plans.

So where can you tie the knot in Hedge End? What about reception venues – for small, intimate celebrations or larger, grander functions? Who are the best photographers? Where do you find the dress? What about flowers, stationery, cars – outfits for the mother-of-the-bride?

As far as where to marry and reception venues are concerned, here in Hedge End the Botleigh Grange Hotel provides the elegant and traditional setting of a 17th century country house where the happy couple can choose to marry in a civil ceremony and/or hold their reception. The Millennium Suite with its outlook over the gardens can hold up to 300 guests and ceremonies can be held in the cocktail lounge with its dark wood panelling.

In addition, on Hedge End’s doorstep, there’s the Botley Park Hotel in Boorley Green and The Rose Bowl, West End.

Choose the Botley Park Hotel for a more modern setting and where you can invite from 40 to 350 guests for a marriage service and up to 260 for a wedding breakfast, plus there’s room for a further 140 people at an evening reception.

The Rose Bowl can cater for 80-150 guests at ceremonies and has various banqueting suites which can accommodate between 50 and 200 guests. The facilities are described as ‘stylish and contemporary’ – and the views take your breath away.  Not only can you marry and entertain your guests to the backdrop of the Rose Bowl cricket ground, but the outlook extends over the Hampshire countryside.

How’s that for a wedding setting with a difference?

Both hotels offer complimentary suites for the bride and groom plus preferential rates for guests and the Holiday Inn Express in West End also has special deals for wedding couples and their guests – whether the wedding is at the neighbouring Rose Bowl or any other local venue.

But if you’re opting for a reception at home with a marquee in the garden perhaps, or have chosen somewhere without its own caterers, Hooley Sha-Mooli Catering can step in and provide ‘honest , home-cooked food’. Whether you want a hog roast, an afternoon tea or a canapé party the organisers say they can create bespoke menus to suit every budget.

And if you’re considering a religious service the choice of church in which you can make your vows is now far wider as rules governing Church of England weddings changed in October 2008.

Previously a couple could only marry in the parish in which either bride or groom lived, but for almost two years now a couple has had the right to marry in a church where either was baptised or confirmed, or in a church of any parish in which either has lived for any six month period (at any time in their lives), or in the church in the parish where any of their parents have lived for at least six months (at any time since the bride’s or groom’s respective birth), or where their parents or grandparents were married.

After choosing the venue, probably the dress is the next big decision to be made and Botley’s Nicki Hill has a stunning array of gowns for the bride and dresses for the bridesmaids as well as outfits for the mother-of-the bride, plus shoes, jewellery and accessories.

A little further afield, Rena Zhang Couture in Southampton and Creatiques in Southsea have eye-stopping designs and Creatiques will also do hair and make-up on the big day.

Pop into Scarpini in Botley, the designer shoe stockist ‘showcasing an exclusive selection of exquisite shoes’ and handbags if you’re looking for something special to complete that going-away outfit, and for invitations, orders of service, place-cards and favour boxes, take a look at what Hedge End-based Vicky Murray’s Wedding Stationery business offers.

Vicky promises to create ‘the wedding stationery you've always dreamed of’ and that ‘reflects your unique personality and style’ with individually hand-made pieces starting from 70p to a maximum of £3 per invitation.

Hedge End Florists at Hollygrove Farm will create bouquets, head-dresses, pedestals arrangements, pew ends, table decorations, and button holes and you can also find the cake of your dreams in Hedge End at Absolute Cakes.

For getting to the church (or civil service) – whether on time or traditionally late – you could choose a 380 Spider or a 355 Spider from Hedge End’s A Ferrari for All Occasions. Or if you want to arrive in more traditional style, Cathedral Cars at Eastleigh can convey you in a Rolls Royce or Daimler.

And to record all those memories – whether in colour or black and white, in formal poses or soft-focus portraits – the photographer.

Hedge End’s Paul Vine has been specialising in weddings for eight years and promises ‘to capture a complete record, telling the story of your day as it unfolds,’ and Colin Charles has been taking wedding photos for over 20 years.

Previously based in Hedge End, Colin’s award-winning photography business can now be found at Botley Mills in Botley.

Many of the businesses mentioned above will be among the 40 exhibitors at the Botleigh Grange Hotel’s wedding fair on Sunday 19 September, 11.00am to 4.00pm. Entry is £2.00 and three fashion shows will be staged during the day.

And finally, if you’re planning your big day or you’ve recently married we’d love to hear from you at Hedgeendpeople.

Let us know about the people who helped make your day special or who will be adding that extra special touch.

Please share your memories – and photos – with us, whether your ideal wedding is a small, intimate gathering or a lavish large-scale ceremony, or if yours was a traditional service or a wedding with a difference...

Roly and Vikki Phillips chose a 1940s' theme for their wedding at Winchester Guildhall in August. Roly found an original suit to wear and Vikki not only designed and made her own dress but in true 1940s’ spirit used parachute silk, and their guests also dressed in 1940s' style.

Thank you to Colin Charles and to Roly and Vikki for the photograph and we wish Roly and Vikki – and all couples recently married or planning their weddings – every happiness in their new lives.