River Cottage was founded by TV chef High Fearnley-Whittingstall and are considered experts in the food industry, with a range of food TV series, cookery courses, restaurants and food events.

Bridebook.co.uk river cottage wedding menu tips collage

River Cottage has given millions of TV viewers a taste for great cooking since 1998, when Hugh first brought his famous food ethos to Channel 4. Our hard-hitting campaigns have changed the eating habits of a nation and improved the welfare and sustainability of animals and fish.

River Cottage HQ, found on the Devon and Dorset border, is home to everything we do and is the base for our Cookery and Chefs’ School, unique dining experiences and wedding celebrations.

Bridebook.co.uk summer fruits wedding cake

We aim to teach and inspire people to grow, source and cook food in ways that enhance their lives, increase their well-being, and connect them more closely to natural, sustainable and ethical sources of food.

Head Chef, Gelf Alderson runs the busy kitchens and Cookery School at River Cottage HQ. Here are his top tips to help you choose your perfect wedding menu:

Your Favourite Foods

Don’t try and please other people too much! Never forget that it’s your special day and no one else’s. Make sure your favourite foods are featured, at River Cottage we design each wedding menu with the couple and when they can’t agree on a certain item we just put both on the menu.

Bridebook.co.uk perfect meat platter for a casual country wedding

Add Some Theatre

Have some sharing plates or a little theatre involved in your menu. We have lovely outdoor cooking areas on the farm including our wood fired pizza oven which guest can gather around and design their own pizzas with the chefs. It helps raise the atmosphere and connect the guests with their location, and having lots of dishes down the table to share gives your guest who don’t know each other a convenient ice breaker creating a lovely buzz at the table.

Bridebook.co.uk freshly baked pizza for wedding guests

Include Something Different

Put a good amount of trust in the chef designing the menu with you but also don’t be afraid to ask for the unusual! At River Cottage we have an incredibly talented brigade of chefs with a multitude of experience. Although we specialise in local organic food, if you fancy something more unusual they can recreate more exotic food with ingredients from our own gardens, British food is a lot more versatile and exiting than people sometimes think.

Bridebook.co.uk pear and meringue desserts for a wedding

A Good Start

The food on arrival is essential not only are people starting to get hungry after the ceremony but it really sets the mood. Although traditional canapes can fit the day sometimes it’s nice to break the mould by getting the BBQs fired up or having a more refined afternoon tea, giving everyone plenty of energy for the wellie wanging and afternoon games!

Bridebook.co.uk homemade dips and bread for wedding snacks

Late Night Feasts

Don’t forget to have something planned for the evening, it doesn’t need to be too involved but your guests will need something to keep them going. From wood fired pizzas to a slow cooked hog roast with soft organic rolls you can have a really memorable end to your special day.

Bridebook.co.uk freshly baked scones go down a treat

Want some of this gorgeous food at your own wedding? River Cottage is fully licensed to hold weddings and is (if you ask us) one of the most perfect venues for a beautiful country wedding!

River Cottage HQ – Your Perfect Country Wedding Venue

Tie the knot and celebrate one of the best days of your life at Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s iconic River Cottage HQ, based in 65 acres of organic farmland and just a stone’s throw from the beautiful Jurassic Coast. River Cottage is a unique wedding venue where the bride and groom share centre stage with the food. Couples design their menu with the River Cottage chefs, using the finest home grown, local and seasonal ingredients to wow their guests.

Bridebook.co.uk chefs in action prepping the wedding meal

Fully licensed to conduct civil ceremonies and partnerships, couples can get hitched in Hugh’s famous farmhouse, beautifully refurbished barn with breath-taking views across the Axe Valley or walled garden.

The barn is a glorious space any time of the year and can seat 70 people across two long banquet tables. During the summer months a further 30 can dine on the adjoining covered decking area. In the evening with tables cleared the maximum capacity is 120 with plenty of room to dance the night away.

Bridebook.co.uk gorgeous barn wedding in Devon

The walled garden is a gorgeous, tranquil environment for a blessing which takes place underneath a hazel arch woven in climbing sweet peas whilst guests sit on benches and straw bales to watch the happy couple.

Bridebook.co.uk gorgeous summer garden wedding

Have you fallen in love with the gorgeous River Cottage as much as we have? Be sure to check out their Bridebook profile and enquire today!

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Hamish Shephard

Hamish Shephard is the founder and CEO of Bridebook, the UK’s leading wedding planning app. He is now considered an expert in the wedding industry, having appeared on BBC news multiple times to provide his expertise and having his own Evening Standard column, Groom With a View, where he shares his insights as one of the UK’s most prominent wedding experts.

Last updated: 30th May 2022