For those looking for a country club feel to their wedding, there could be no more fitting venue that England’s first Country Club, established in 1908 at Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire.
The main mansion building positively oozes traditional charm; little surprise that it was chosen as the setting for the romantic weekend in the film “Bridget Jones’ Diary” and couple choosing Stoke Park as their wedding venue can spend their wedding night in the four poster bed featured in the film. Every room is filled with beautiful furniture and fabulous art, with stunning chandeliers hanging from high ceilings and a real “wow factor”. There is a choice of patio areas and a large balcony area overlooking a fountain.
The mansion is set in 300 acres of grounds; to one side golf courses, to the other beautifully maintained Capability Brown landscaped gardens with a lake, an arched bridge which features in most wedding photographer’s albums, and even a little church.
Weddings of all sizes are catered for with a choice of suitably-sized rooms, from the Buckingham Room for 12, up to 120 in the Ballroom. Exclusive use is the norm and wedding parties are offered a special rate on rooms. Health club and golf members are not excluded during weddings however, we both felt that they added to the atmosphere and charm.
The Wedding Breakfast comes from the fine-dining 3 AA Rosette winning restaurant Humphry’s with traditional English fare and adventurous desserts; we loved the Milk Chocolate and Salted Peanut Parfait with a hot butterscotch sauce; the closest I have been to a liquid Snickers bar!
A nice touch for those with children attending the wedding, Stoke Park has an excellent crèche facility with a really nice traditional playground tucked away in the gardens.
Close to London and Heathrow airport, it is the perfect venue for anyone with overseas guests, particularly if you want to show them traditional British hospitality at its very best.