LICENSED FOR LOVE
LOOKING FOR A BIT OF INSPIRATION FOR WHERE TO HOLD YOUR SPECIAL DAY FROM MARCH? WE’VE SENT OUR BEST MAN MATT NEWBURY OUT ON THE ROAD TO HAVE A LOOK AT SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING VENUES ACROSS THE UK. JUST DON’T FORGET TO SEND US A SLICE OF CAKE AND A FEW PH
Places to celebrate your special day
TOWER BRIDGE
While London offers some great panoramic wedding venues like the Gherkin and the London Eye, none can top the most famous bridge in the world for sheer iconic magnificence. The North Tower Lounge is licensed for weddings and can accommodate up to 50 guests, and then it’s out onto the two walkways spanning the two towers for your main reception. The spectacular view from the West Walkway reaches beyond the Tower of London and St Paul’s Cathedral as far as Westminster and the London Eye. The skyline from the East Walkway stretches from Butler’s Wharf and St Katharine’s Dock to high-rise Canary Wharf and historic Greenwich. Plan your reception around sunset and there couldn’t be a more magical setting in London. And it’s where Meatloaf jumped the Spicebus in Spiceworld The Movie!
Go to: towerbridge.org.uk
THE BIVOUAC
If you fancy a bit of an outdoorsy and green wedding, what about the Bivouac in North Yorkshire, which can sleep up to 94 guests in kata tents, giant yurts and Yorkshire Barns? Why not ask your guests to arrive on the Friday to chill out around a fire pit with a few beers excited about the big day. Watch the sun come up before a woodland ceremony and then let the party begin. There are a host of activities that can be enjoyed from pony trekking to a relaxing soak in the hot tub and a massage. But the best thing about this venue is being out in nature with your nearest and dearest Bivouac at Druid ’s Temple, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 4JZ. Go to: the bivouac. co. uk
ADRENALINE QUARRY
Walking down the aisle is so passé, why not say “I dooooooooooooooooo” as you jump off a cliff and fly down a 490m long zipwire to your lakeside wedding reception below. Twin wires mean that you can both go down together – for the sake of your waiting guests, we’d probably avoid kilts though. Adrenaline Quarry really is a unique destination, a dramatic flooded Cornish Quarry, used for a variety of wild and wonderful water-based activities. This means your guests can also have a go on the giant swing, sample some coasteering or even tackle the zipwire themselves, before partying away on the stunning lakeside lawn. Adrenaline Quarry, Lower Clicker Road, Menheniot, Liskeard, Cornwall, PL14 3PJ. Go to: adrenalinequarry.co.uk
GREENWAY FERRY PLEASURE CRUISES & BAR SOHO
Why not organise the ultimate vintage wedding incorporating a drinks cruise around Torbay on World War II Heritage Ship Fairmile and drinkies in Torquay’s stunning new cocktail bar, Soho. Both the boat and the bar are gay owned and run and the team are experts in organising the best parties in town. Why not encourage your guests to dress in 40s-style clothing (this is Agatha Christie’s home town after all) and enjoy period music and deadly cocktails. Soho will be licensed for weddings in the Spring, so either start your celebrations there, or begin with a more traditional ceremony before taking to the waters and then finishing up back at the bar and bistro ready to jive into the early hours. Greenway Ferry Pleasure Cruises & Soho Bar, 1 Palk Street, Torquay, TQ2 5EL. 01803 882811 Go to: greenwayferry.co.uk; sohotorquay.co.uk
PROUD CABARET
For something debauched and different, what about a cabaret and burlesque-themed shindig at Proud Cabaret in Brighton? The ballroom is steeped in history and has been a mausoleum, an air raid shelter, a high-class gentleman’s club and a boxing ring, before being lovingly restored to the grandiose cabaret club it is today. The baroque venue seats 150 guests and serves amazing food and decadent cocktails, while the cream of burlesque and cabaret performers can be hired to turn your celebrations into a night of outrageous entertainment. Proud Cabaret also has venues in Camden and The City, although we think the saucy seaside air will get your guests in the mood for some naughty nuptial fun. Proud Cabaret, 83 St Georges Road, Bright, BN2 1EF. Go to: brightoncabaret.com
PORTMEIRION
Well if you are going to end up with a ball and chain for the rest of your life, why not get hitched in the quirky Welsh town where cult 1970s TV show The Prisoner was filmed? There are lots of options, but for something extra special, why not take over Castell Deudraeth including four suites and 7 bedrooms as well as the stunning walled gardens. The venue can cater for 50 guests, while photography can be arranged both in the castle and around the iconic streets, lawns and fountains of the village itself. Portmeirion, Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth, Gwynedd, LL48 6ER. Go to: portmeirion- village. com
THE CHURCH BAR AND RESTAURANT
Why not celebrate finally being able to get married by literally getting married in church. This Grade 1 listed building and former church in Northampton is not only fully licensed for civil ceremonies, you don’t even have to leave the building for your reception. The spectacular building is the ultimate in celestial chic, with wooden beams, classy furniture, impressive lighting and the original stained glass window as a heavenly centrepiece. The former St John’s Church stretches over two stylish floors, with an equally funky outside terrace and caters for up to 250 people. We’ve heard the food is rather divine too… The Church Restaurant, Bridge Street, Northampton, NN1 1DF. Go to: thechurchrestaurant.com
BRIGHTON PIER
If you’d like to say “I do” beside the seaside, then why not host your celebration on Brighton Pier, an iconic structure with magnificent views. Why not go with a seaside theme and serve your guests fish and chips, followed by a donut desert and instead of a slice of cake, send them home with a personalised stick of rock. As for the wedding photos, you can take full advantage of the Gallopers, the Helter Skelter and the Dodgems and perhaps ask your guests to dress in vintage seaside style. If you really want to go all out, you can do what one couple did and kiss on every pier in the UK (all 60 of them) before kissing the groom (or bride) at the end of Brighton’s famous landmark. Don’t be late for the wedding through… Brighton Pier, Madeira Drive, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 1TW. Go to: brightonpier.co.uk Of course there are countless other options out there now, but we do hope we’ve given you a few ideas. Of course a wedding can be as decadent, or as down-to-earth as you want – it all depends upon the happy couple. For even more suggestions, take a look at GAywEDDInGGuIDE.Co.uK, GAy-FrIEnDLy- wEDDInGvenues. com, tickledpinkmagazine.co.uk and pinkweddingdays.co.uk