A ‘Home Tour’ of Garthmyl Hall

Garthmyl Hall is unique, relaxing, flexible, friendly, accommodating and beautiful wedding venue in Powys Wales. We adore the eclectic charm of this country house and we sent one of our fave photographers, Jade Osborne Photography, to meet the owner Julia and to experience a sleepover at the Hall.

We asked Jade for a few words about her stay and if this leaves you wanting to know more about this unique wedding venue then read on because we have a beautifully honest interview with Julia including their ethos, prices and plans for 2017!

Jade:

“We arrived to a very warm welcome from Julia and her other half, Johnny, and were given a whistle stop tour of Garthmyl Hall with a brief synopsis of the recent renovation work that had been undertaken. I was astounded by how much Julia had achieved in such a short space of time to create a beautiful, elegant yet warm and welcoming country ‘home’. Obviously extremely attentive, Julia had even picked up on the fact that I am gluten free and there was a gorgeous welcome pack in our room full of gluten free goodies!

The house is licensed for weddings in many of the rooms in the house including the amazing light filled rustic summer house so there is plenty of opportunity to create your own unique vibe for your wedding day. A real hidden gem is the stunning and rather large, yet almost secret walled garden which is currently under renovation to be ready for the wedding season next year.

Each bedroom has its own unique style and we had the privilege of staying in the Red Room with a huge bathroom with a roll top bath in the centre. Each room in the house was beautifully furnished and I’d be hard pressed to choose a favourite. The bridal suite was however on another level. Quite literally. With its own wing of the house for your bedroom, dressing room and amazing bathroom it is the most stunning setting for bridal preparations and your wedding night.

Garthmyl is set in stunning mid Wales and looks out over far reaching views of the hills. Whilst it’s appearance is rather grand and imposing it is the most welcoming of houses and I was certainly seduced by its charms and didn’t want to leave…”

Enjoy this ‘Home Tour’ folks…

Julia:

Hello! I am Julia Pugh, nearly 30 eek!

I have a 2 (and 3/4) year old little girl called Poppy. I have been in the wedding industry for about 6 years now and it is what I LOVE!

Being part of someones most special day is so magical, you get to see all their dreams and visions come true and in a lot of cases make friends for life. I was previously working at another venue which I loved, they took me on with no experience and unleashed the passion for weddings in me!

My family who run an agriculture business thought that is would be a great opportunity to create a wedding venue in the area, so we bought Garthmyl Hall in October 2015. The Hall was run down and needed extensive work inside and out, we had to basically gut everything and start from scratch.

We started on the inside just before Christmas and the majority of the work was completed in April 2016 ready for our launch! I sourced the furniture and interiors from all over the place and really loved the design process. I am very proud of the Hall and think it is beautiful and unlike anywhere else I’ve seen (although I am biased!)

We are still renovating the Walled Garden which is a wonderful hidden secret, this will host outdoor ceremonies under our metal gazebo. We will also be building in firepits with seating for toasting those all important marshmallows.

Another treasure of the Hall is the amazing cellar which we plan to turn into an underground bar, this will be completed by spring 2017. We also have big plans to turn the stables into more holiday apartments and also re-build the Orangery where the marquee is currently.

Life before weddings

Before the world of weddings took hold of me, I was working as a Department Manager in a large retail store. My heart wasn’t in it and I so wanted to head back home, but the sensible part of me knew I could only go back with a job lined up. My Mum had been to an event and had been chatting with a lady called Maria, Maria mentioned that she needed some help with weddings and events at her venue Walcot Hall. Well I jumped at the chance, had an interview and got the job!

I had no previous experience with weddings but the nature of Walcot Hall allowed me to jump in at the deep end and that’s when it all clicked into place for me! This is what I wanted to do and this is what I was good at!

I left Walcot Hall last October 2015 and it was a really hard decision as I owe all my knowledge and passion to them! It was time for me to move on to my own venue and Garthmyl Hall was just that…

I love my job as I get to meet amazing couples and make their dream days come true. With many of my couples I build really strong relationships and become life time friends, I always get the wedding blues once they leave and I too suffer from wedding withdrawals! I don’t see my job as work, I love my job and I love the people I get to meet.

Brand & Services

We offer total exclusivity at Garthmyl Hall; it’s your home for the weekend (or midweek) to do as you wish.

We refuse to be a factory where we churn out 2-3 weddings a weekend, we want to give you our full attention and when you choose Garthmyl Hall you will be the only couple marrying in the house & grounds. You will have one person dedicated to you throughout who will go above and beyond to ensure every element is thought of.

The Hall has 10 stunning en-suite bedrooms and we can sleep up to 23 guests. The Honeymoon Suite has its own Dressing Room and two bathrooms! There is a beautiful Ballroom that can seat 85 for a ceremony or 60 for dinner and joining onto the Ballroom though three large french windows is our marquee with clear sides and lovely garden views, this can seat up to 150. There is a Gentleman’s bar which is stocked with the best gins in town, a cosy living room and a large Dining Room that will seat all your guests for breakfast. We have 2 kitchens; one for the guests and one for the caterers which has a wonderful old range. Outside we have beautiful views overlooking the rolling hills and there are many areas outside licenced for ceremonies too including the front of house, clock tower with real working bell! The Summer House which can seat 55 and also our gazebo which will be placed in the Walled Garden.

When you hire the Hall you have full exclusive hire for 2 days, so you have ample time to set up the day before and you have time the day after to enjoy more time with your loved ones. We don’t have set suppliers so you can choose the ones you want. We are extremely flexible and relaxed, we want you to have the day YOU want, not what we want. You have the full services of me thoughout the process of planning to help suggest suppliers that I know well and I will be there the day before and on the day to make sure everything goes to plan.

Prices

For full exclusive hire prices range from £4,500 – £10,500 (+ VAT), we also have our marquee which is available from £1,000 (+ VAT).

Prices include the following:

• Full exclusive access to all the grounds and hall for 2 nights and days. We only allow one wedding a weekend/mid week so you have our undivided attention.

• Arrival from 1pm the day before your wedding to set up and until 1pm the day after which allows you the chance to spend more time with your guests with the option to have a brunch or BBQ (Times can be extended if possible and agreed in advance) We can provide a dinner or DIY BBQ for an extra cost.

• 10 en-suite bedrooms including the Honeymoon Suite. Rooms sleep up to 23 guests with the option of additional beds in rooms.

• Breakfast is provided the morning after your wedding for guests staying within the Hall and is served in the Dining Room.

• The choice of 6 ceremony locations including: The Ballroom, front hall steps, Dining Room, Summer house, Under the Bell Tower (with working bell!) The Walled Garden (from 2017)

• Fresh flowers throughout the hall.

• Fully stocked pay bar with the option of bespoke cocktails for your day.

• Use of the cellar bar during set times (from 2017)

• Luxury towels, Molton Brown toiletries, flowers and goodies in all the rooms.

• Fully stocked fires and log baskets.

• All tables, chairs, table linen, crockery, cutlery and glasswear is provided for your wedding for up to 150 guests.

• Full support throughout the planning process and co-ordination on the day so you don’t have to worry about a thing!

• No set suppliers so you can have the day you want – we can of course recommend suppliers if required.

• Corkage fee of £5 for table wine and toast drink or you can buy from us direct.

• If you choose to have a Christmas wedding the hall will have huge Christmas trees throughout.

• Bar licence till 1am.

Quite the epic post it seems – I couldn’t cut the images down! Thank you so much to Jade for capturing Garthmyl Hall so perfectly.

You can find this stunning venue on our directory right here. Julia would be only too happy to talk you through your wedding day at the hall, simply get in touch on 07716 763 567 or julia@garthmylhall.co.uk.

The hall are also offering 10% off all wedding dates remaining for 2016 and 2017!

Lots of love…