A Q&A – How One Wedding Venue is Responding to Covid-19

How you are supporting couples who are immediately having to postpone their weddings?

We totally understand how distressing this sudden change of circumstances is for couples whose wedding simply cannot go ahead. And we have a duty of care and carry huge responsibility for our couples special day – a day that has been a long time in the making. In these unprecedented times, we simply have to be there for them, and offer our support in as many ways possible.

As soon as we knew the impact of Covid-19 within the UK wedding industry, we took it upon ourselves to contact each couple booked with us for this year to assure them of our support, of our due diligence as a private country house wedding venue, whilst at the same time inviting them to talk to us further about how we could overcome any changes to their wedding plans together.

Thankfully, we have been able to successfully transfer each booking affected so far to a new date, which is a great relief to everyone. I guess you could say that the flexibility we have been able to demonstrate is one of the merits of booking a venue that only takes on a limited number of weddings a year. 

Any advice for couples who are yet to start planning their wedding?

I’d like to wholeheartedly encourage any couples just starting out with their wedding planning experience to go for it! Do not let this time of uncertainty tarnish your dreams. Use your days wisely to enjoy researching and exploring all the exciting options available to you, and take advantage of this quieter time in house for most venues by scheduling virtual chats and showrounds. Ask to watch past wedding footage, wedding blog features and testimonials for inspiration.

This digital age should continue to serve wedding planning appetites well, and at the very least, facilitate a preliminary connection with the venues and suppliers you like, until exciting real visits and meetings can start up again.

Don’t be afraid to ask a venue what measures they are taking to support new wedding enquiries and new booking opportunities in the wake of Covid-19. You are bound to feel cautious about your wedding budget and personal cash flow, and your commitment to booking a wedding date far ahead in the future. A venue of merit, should be able to put your mind at ease with some practical and positive solutions about this, demonstrating their support from the outset.

How have you decided to support future couples looking at Coombe Trenchard?

We have just released a blog post to highlight what we are doing to warmly welcome new couples during this unsettling time, which we hope will provide some practical and positive rays of hope to anyone urgently seeking a venue for 2021 due to Covid-19 cancellations, whilst also giving those who are about to start delving into the wonderful world of wedding planning some greatly appreciated flexibility and confidence.

Venue Coombe Trenchard

Photography Clare Kinchin Photography

Bride’s Dress Needle & Thread

Headpiece Kye Tew Jewellery

Shoes Rachel Simpson Shoes

Groom’s Attire The Vintage Suite Hire Company and Mrs Bow Tie

Bridesmaids John Lewis and Blanche in the Brambles

Florist Brompton Bud

Cake Edible Essence

Stationery (and also Bride!) Knots & Kisses

Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist Giselle at The Event Studios

Tipi World Inspired Tents

Styling and Décor Virginias Vintage Hire, Cybels Vintage Hire, West Country Wedding Planner, Best Day Ever and The Prop Factory