Let’s be honest now. How many weddings have you been to where the ceremony felt like a formality that you were rushing to get through before the party started? But it shouldn’t really be that way! If you’re getting married here on site at Elmbridge, we have ways of making your ceremony special. From the style of ceremony you can opt for to the setting you choose to have it in, we want you to have complete control and make it memorable in all the right ways. Here’s our guide to creating a ceremony that’s perfect for YOU…
Where will I get married?
We want you to have choice over every element of your day and that includes your ceremony, so there are different options you can choose from. The main perk of Elmbridge is it’s fabulous location and the abundance of natural beauty around us, so we have two gorgeous outdoor spots that work perfectly for your ‘I Do’s.
Most couples opt for our lakeside location to really make the most of the unique setting. We can lay out chairs or haybales for your guests to be seated on and there’s an archway in place ready for you to decorate that’s front and centre, with the lake providing a beautiful backdrop. There’s a lane leading from our cottages right up to the aisle, so you can walk along with your bridesmaids or hitch a lift if you want to save your feet! And there’s a beautiful, big aisle for you to walk down with stunning scenery all around. You’re guaranteed to get some amazing photos here!
We also have a woodland clearing that’s tucked out of the way – there’s so much open space for you to use, but you’d hardly even know it was there! It’s a really unique place to hold your ceremony and provides a truly magical vibe.
We have a portable wooden arch you can use to say your vows beneath, or this is the perfect place to let your imagination run wild if you want to bring your own backdrops and styling. Whether you want something simple and stripped-back or you’re thinking of a woodland wonderland, you can really make this space your own. It’s easy to access for your guests and is just a few steps away from the tipis via a beautiful short walk between the trees, but you’ll feel as though you’re in a world of your own!
For those who are worried about the weather (don’t worry – we get it!), there is the option of bringing the ceremony indoors if you need to. Since our tipis are so spacious, we always have one hat free of furniture where we can quickly set up a ceremony without any hassle at all. It’s lovely and cosy inside and is a godsend when it’s needed – although we’ve rarely had to use it, so let’s keep everything crossed for some sunshine!
Will it be a legal ceremony?
Again, the choice is yours! We are licensed to hold legal weddings in the tipis, in our outdoor spaces and even in the lodges if you want an option for quickly signing your legal documents during your weekend here. Or you can choose something more informal if you’d prefer. So what’s the difference between the official and unofficial ceremonies?
If you choose to legally marry here, all you’ll need to do is fill in a form on the Worcestershire Council website and book yourselves a registrar for the correct date and time of your wedding. They’ll then send someone to officially marry you on the day itself. This means that everything will be done all in one go, and you won’t have to give too much thought to your ceremony as it’s all written and taken care of for you. Your nuptials will last around 30-40 minutes and you’ll be legally married by the end of it!
