Hedingham Castle, Essex

Next month I am planning the music for a wedding at the fabulous Hedingham Castle. A few weeks back I went to have a planning meeting with my clients and to see the castle for the very first time. The castle is the oldest Norman Keep in England, and its here that the ceremony will take place.

The drinks reception takes place within the house or out on the terrace, weather permitting and the wedding breakfast is held in a marquee at the back of the main house. It really is a venue for a princess. My clients are having a saxophone/vocal duo for both the ceremony and the wedding breakfast. They have booked Essex duo, Unforgettable www.unforgettable-musicduo.co.uk to provide this.

Its such fun when you spend time with couples giving them ideas for the music for their big day, often they don't realise that when you book professional musicians to play, pretty much anything goes!

Hedingham Castle, Essex

Today I went to meet one of my couples at their venue, Hedingham Castle. As a musician I have played in the marquee before but I never got the chance to see the famous keep, where the civil ceremony will take place. I got totally lost absorbing all of the history of the place that I completely forgot to take any pictures!! (note to self, on the wedding day take pictures) If you have always thought about marrying in a castle then this could be for you.

Taken from the website: Hedingham Castle's Norman keep, 110 feet high, was built c.1140 by Aubrey de Vere and is still owned by one of his descendants, Jason Lindsay and his wife Demetra. There are four floors to explore, including a magnificent banquting hall spanned by a remarkable 28 foot arch, one of the largest Norman arches in England. A good view of this splendid room can be obtained from the Minstrels' Gallery, built within the thickness of the 12 foot walls. Castle weddings in medieval surroundings. For those wishing to get married in a Castle, it is now possible to have a romantic candlelit Civil Ceremony in the Banqueting Hall.

Small receptions can be held in the elegant rooms of the Georgian house which is a beautiful location for Wedding Receptions and is also perfect for delightful, intimate winter weddings. For larger parties or those requiring dancing, there is a marquee on the private Tulip Lawn. Drinks can be served on the terrace which has beautiful views over the lake.

Do have a look at the website, but if you want to be a princess for the day then this is it.

www.hedinghamcastle.co.uk

The Fennes Estate

On Sunday I attended The Fennes Estate open day. On my last post I gave you a quick overview of the venue, but what is hard to picture is attached to this gorgeous house are two fabulous pavillions. One has a nighclub area, brilliant if you are having a DJ in the evening. The bar is in the same room, which is always better and this is attached to the main house and where you would also hold your civil ceremony of you choose to have one.
 The second pavillion can seat up to 360 people for your wedding breakfast, or can be used for the evening reception if you are having a live band.  If you are looking for an exclusive venue, which is your home for the day then take a look around The Fennes. They also have great deals if you are happy to get married mid week and the staff are great.

My colleague Ian and I

The larger pavillion

The smaller of the two pavillions

The walkway from the main house

The Library

The Fennes Estate Open Day

Wedding open days and fayre's are a great way for you to meet suppliers face to face and chat about your wedding. It will also give you the opportunity to see flowers, cakes, dresses, entertainment and get some ideas for your big day.
On Sunday 22nd January I will be at The Fennes open day with my musical hat on, to chat to couples about booking live music for their wedding day, and giving them planning ideas about timings, the sorts of live music you can have, song ideas for their ceremony. In fact anything music related.
If you are currently looking for a venue for your wedding then take a look at The Fennes, It is a beautiful Georgian house situated in 100 acres of tranquil Essex countryside. The house and the grounds are your exclusively for the day, which I have to say I like. I'm not keen on a venue where you can literally bump into another bride in the loo!
I  will be launching one of my new acts at The Fennes, called Unforgettable, a combination of smooth saxophone and exquisite vocals, which will provide the perfect accompaniment to your ceremony, drinks reception or wedding breakfast, or even all three. I think its quite a classic and elegant touch to your wedding day, without being classical.
They will be performing throughout the day so come along and say hello. If you are looking for a band or any live music for your wedding day,  then I will be able to answer any questions you have and of course you can chat to me about any help you might need with your wedding plans. Do check out www.groovemusicmanagement.co.uk