Hampton Castle specialises in two-day weddings, which include exclusive use of the castle, all 25 bedrooms for two nights, and food and drink for 50 guests.
The arrival. Hampton Castle stands in a 600-acre Herefordshire estate, landscaped in its time by Humphry Repton and George London, and painted by Turner. The arrival is part of the occasion: a gatehouse, a 200-metre drive lined with trees, and a 600-year-old drawthrough at the end of it.
The night before. Your celebration begins in the Arkwright Wing. There is a bar in one of the county's oldest brewhouses, a dining room, a games room and a private courtyard, with dinner for everyone staying in the castle.
The ceremony. Exchange vows in the 600-year-old Chapel, with pews, ornate stained glass and a painted ceiling, or outdoors in the Central Courtyard, framed by topiary with views back down the drive. Both are licensed for civil ceremonies and seat up to 120.
The reception. Drinks and canapés in the Library, which has a secret door of its own and steps down to lawns with views over the estate. The Grand Ballroom was designed in the 1750s for exactly this: floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a decorative ceiling, chandeliers and tall windows that fill the room with early evening light. It seats 120, with room for a further 50 in the evening. Catering is in-house throughout, and couples are invited to a complimentary tasting for two.
The bedrooms. Twenty-five castle bedrooms for the people you never want to say goodnight to. Sleeping 54, every one inside the walls. No cottages, no converted barns, no annexe. This is not a hotel: every room is exclusively yours, with roll-top baths, four-poster beds and views over countryside, gardens or courtyards, including a ground-floor accessible ensuite. Breakfast is served in the formal Dining Room the next morning.
Photographs. The castle grounds offer a wide array of settings for couples photographs, including access to the neighbouring Hampton Gardens for couples photography: water features, island pavilions, a waterfall and a 160-year-old Wisteria Arch, with the Gothic Tower at the centre of the maze giving panoramic views of the estate.
We once had a couple who had a gothic, romantic vision for their wedding day. The bride had her own fabulous style and rocked a Vivienne Westwood gown complete with black netting. Their ceremony in the Central Courtyard was dramatic and unforgettable; a live opera singer sang Nessun Dorma while the bride walked down the aisle, and thunder rumbled as they exited the ceremony as a married couple. The Castle was filled with hundreds of deep red roses, the lights were dimmed and the rooms were filled with lanterns, creating an intimate and moody atmosphere. The couple also shared a love for Italy, and incorporated their favourite Italian dishes and drinks into the day.
Try and enjoy the planning process and not get too many others involved - it’s your day.
A couple once booked a live artist to paint mini portraits of their wedding guests, which were then given to them as favours.
Enchanting, majestic, dramatic, authentic, romantic.
Too many to choose from! If I really had to choose then perhaps the maze or the waterfall.
We like to respect the privacy of any high-profile weddings.
Beef ragu croquettes with old Winchester mayo... simply delicious.
Well, less of a midnight treat, more of an evening hog roast!
Our multi-day weddings, being able to stay in the castle and have it all to yourself is quite a unique experience.
I think it is our experience of creating a day that works for each individual couple. We spend a lot of time working through ideas and details to make sure their day flows well and everyone enjoys themselves. The venue itself is ideal for weddings, perfect for all seasons and the most stunning opportunities for photographs.