A WEDDING HEAVEN
Tom Pridmore explains why the beautiful Ribble Valley is one of the most desirable locations to get married
The Ribble Valley is fast becoming one of the most desirable destinations in the north of England in which to be married. It is not only home to a range of stunning and quirky wedding venues, but also has that unique blend of essential ingredients necessary to make each event both individual and successful, including a variety of supporting accommodation and a wealth of creative suppliers.
The range of venues is exquisite, ranging from places steeped in historic splendour, to exclusive contemporary facilities. There are venues for intimate occasions, as well as for large celebrations, venues to suit all budgets and requirements, and each with the stunning Ribble Valley as a backdrop.
Weddings are big business, and venues across Ribble Valley are recording healthy increases in bookings, which now go beyond the traditional spring and summer weekends, to include various days of the week, and any month in the year. In fact, such is the growth in business that Lancashire now hosts more weddings than either of our competitive neighbours, Cheshire or Cumbria, all great news for the Ribble Valley business community.
The value of weddings in Ribble Valley spreads beyond the actual wedding venue, benefitting a much wider economy, through shopping, wedding suppliers, accommodation and local dining. Weddings have also become a powerful tool in stimulating tourism, as they provide an opportunity for first time visitors to discover this amazing area, who, once having sampled the fantastic hospitality, seen the great scenery and enjoyed the amazing dining experiences, are returning for additional independent holidays.
Five years ago, a pioneering programme to promote wedding tourism was initiated by Ribble Valley Council, which saw the creation of a partnership of licenced wedding venues, called ‘Ribble Valley Wedding Heaven’. This resulted in businesses collaborating to develop a brand based on Ribble Valley being ‘The perfect place to get married’. The partnership, which is believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, involves the majority of licensed wedding venues, plus numerous supplier members.
The success of the group may be attributed to a number of factors. Firstly, the strong brand identity of Ribble Valley, a place with great landscapes and a reputation for quality. Next, a local authority committed to partnership working. Last, but not least, that members of the partnership recognise that by working together, any wedding in Ribble Valley could potentially benefit any partner, whether that is through dining experiences or overspill accommodation.
Since its inception, the group has initiated a range of marketing activities including a bespoke website www.ribblevalleyweddingheaven.com, collective open wedding evenings and a dedicated Ribble Valley wedding brochure.
Each Ribble Valley wedding venue is unique, but they all share the values of quality and outstanding customer service, very much the essence of Ribble Valley.
