Coco Collection… Classic meets Hidden Gem

I can’t tell you how flipping excited I am to have these beautiful wedding venues on board with Coco. It’s an amazing privilege to be working with such delicious places and delightful people…

We have a Classic Country House on offer today and two hidden gems that I absolutely can’t wait to share!

So I won’t…

Without further ado, here is today’s Coco Collection…

Lower Slaughter Manor

Lower Slaughter Manor is a beautiful, bespoke and picturesque period Manor House situated in the heart of the Cotswolds. 

This privately owned stunning 17th century Manor House combines opulent interiors with traditional charm, attentive service and a relaxed ambience.

The perfect Classic Elegance wedding venue with a dollop of Modern Vintage… Just look my lovelies, look!

Top Row Left: Image courtesy of Lower Slaughter Manor. Top Row Right: Image via Depict Photography. Second Row: Image courtesy of Lower Slaughter Manor. Third Row Left: Image via Depict Photography. Third Row Right: Image via Blooming Photography. Fourth Row: Image courtesy of Lower Slaughter Manor. Bottom Row: Image courtesy of Lower Slaughter Manor. 

Lower Slaughter is considered to be amongst the prettiest villages in England and is a popular destination all year round for guests wishing to escape to the countryside.

There is plenty of room for you and your guests to make a weekend of the wedding celebrations with 19 elegant bedrooms. Oh and for those who love their food, Lower Slaughter’s reputation for delivering exquisite cuisines will satisfy the most discerning of guests.

If that little lot has got you wanting more, then why not discover Lower Slaughter Manor for yourself at their next Wedding Fayre on Sunday 9^th March. 

I’ll see you there!

grays court york

This wedding venue has truly captured a piece of my heart and it is the first of my hidden gems.

Tucked away down a small cobbled street and nestled in the heart of the exclusive Minster Quarter lies Grays Court… Almost a thousand years old, the house has been lovingly restored by the Heraty family, and opened to the public in 2009 after four years of restorative work…

Top Row: Images via Dominic Wright. Second Row: Image via Dominic Wright. Third Row: Images via Jim Poyner. Fourth Row: Image via Shoot Photography. Bottom Row: Image via Shoot Photography.

Grays Court is the only venue in the city of York with an outdoor wedding license. You can choose to be wed in their beautiful walled gardens, or in the silk-wallpapered Sterne Room with views over the cobbled courtyard, or perhaps in the Jacobean oak-panelled Long Gallery.

There are 7 beautiful rooms in the house, each with a different feel, and with another four in the pipeline – expected to be ready in 2014 – this is the perfect party house for you and your guests to relax and enjoy exclusively. 

The Heraty family believe that no two weddings should be the same, so your wedding will be in the very safe hands of the Grays Court folks who specialise in bespoke events. Whether it be an intimate gathering or a more lavish affair, the team are dedicated to making the day yours, and one that you’ll remember for a lifetime…

Want to see a bit more…?

Why not skip over to Rock My Wedding and read about the beautiful wedding of Sophie & Russ. This gorgeous couple got married at Grays Court earlier this year in an explosion of colour and fun – all captured by the talented Shoot Photography.

Or how about seeing this wedding venue first hand… Escape to Grays Court this Christmas for a sneak peek into the beautiful possibilities for your wedding day! The venue is offering fabulous Christmas and New Year packages. Why not relax in the opulence of Grays Court with carols, champagne and canapes, and a walk along the Moors on Boxing Day. Sounds scrummy doesn’t it!

river cottage

River Cottage is my final gift to you…

Yep that’s right… River Cottage of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall fame is my final wedding venue in todays Coco Collection.

River Cottage is an idyllic location for a wedding celebration with some of the best food you will ever eat! Of course I hear you cry! On the day you have free run of the entire site which includes Hugh’s kitchen – gosh!

Set amongst the rolling Devon hills this is a truly breathtaking venue and takes Rustic Romance to a whole new level…

Top Row Left: Image via Harrera Images. Top Row Right: Image via Jennie Hill. Second Row: Image via Sam Gibson. Third Row Left: Image via Harrera Images. Third Row Right: Image via Assassynation. Bottom Row: Image via Helen Lisk Photography.   

I’m going to hand you over to the rather fabulous Sushila to talk a bit more about the wonder that is River Cottage…

“The gorgeous threshing barn is a glorious space at any time of the year. Guests are seated on two long banquet tables fit for the splendid feast they will undoubtedly devour. The barn can seat 64, and during the summer months a further 30 can dine on the adjoining decking area (complete with heating and marquee cover).

For smaller celebrations the farmhouse is available for private hire, for more than 94 marquees can be hired. In front of the farmhouse is the stunning walled kitchen garden which is perfect for arrival drinks, canapes and photos. The surrounding fields offer plenty of space for guests to explore the farm, meet the animals and play country games – welly-wanging is always a hit!

River Cottage is a food lovers paradise. All of the menus are put together using the finest local and seasonal ingredients from the West Country, as well as using produce grown and reared on the farm. During the planning of your wedding, you will meet with one of the chefs, where you will design your perfect menu together. Don’t worry about guests with special diets, the chefs are well versed in vegetarian, vegan and gluten free diets.

In the evening (or inclement weather) guests are invited into the yurt for a roaring fire, coffee and handmade petit-fours. 

Although not licensed to conduct civil ceremonies, the River Cottage vegetable garden is a gorgeous, tranquil environment for a blessing. Guests sit on benches and straw bales watching you walk through the organic veggies to have your ceremony underneath a hazel arch woven in climbing sweet peas.”

Yes, I know. I’m also lost for words…

If all of the above wasn’t enough there will be a team of staff on hand to help you through the day. If you are looking for a minimal fuss wedding then River Cottage really is beautiful without additional decorations but if you wish to add your own personal touch then you can bring them along before the day and the team will display them for you!

Oh and for those of you who like a good shindig the rural location means there are no restrictions on music and a late license can be sought…

Why not visit River Cottage during one of their foodie festivals to really get to grips with this fabulous, exclusive and slightly under the radar wedding venue… But shhhhh… It’ just our little secret.

So which venue has taken your fancy in this Coco Collection edit…?

Do you want to be a Classic Elegance Bride in the glorious surroundings of Lower Slaughter Manor…?

Or how about having a Modern Vintage party in the hidden gem that is Grays Court…?

Or maybe you are more of a Rustic Romance crew looking to devour tasty treats and welly-wang to your heart’s content at the secretive River Cottage…?

Until next time folks!

Lots of love…