Wedding Journey…
Luxurious Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort has forged a reputation for being one of the most exclusive wedding venues in the region. Photography: The McHendrys
Crow Wood is an ultimately stylish and imaginative destination, giving couples the opportunity to achieve the wedding of their dreams. The venue offers everything you could wish for to create your perfect wedding including fabulous food with a menu tailored to you, on-site accommodation for the happy couple and their guests as well as the recently-extended £16m Woodland Spa next door, which is one of the UK’s leading luxury spas.
Crow Wood is also surrounded by acres of woodland and a huge lake – just perfect for those wedding photographs!
MEET THE COUPLE
We talk to Ian and Sharon Braniff who recently married at Crow Wood.
What made you choose Crow Wood for your wedding day?
“From the moment we stepped inside Crow Wood and met the wedding team, we knew it was the perfect venue for our big day. Our wedding day was everything we hoped it would be – and more!
How did the wedding team at Crow Wood help create the wedding of your dreams?
“The Crow Wood wedding team were on hand every step of the way to help us bring our vision to life. We had regular calls, emails and meetings which ensured that they understood our requirements exactly.
“They recommended suppliers to dress the venue and worked with them on the day to ensure that the final look was exactly as we envisioned – it looked amazing!”
Did you choose a specific theme?
“We chose an elegant black and white theme as we wanted a look that was chic and classic and Crow Wood fitted that vibe perfectly.”
Did everything run smoothly on the big day?
“We held our ceremony and wedding breakfast in the beautiful Lakeside Suite, which has floor to ceiling windows and panoramic views of a terrace, ornamental lake and countryside beyond.
“We also had access to a separate, private bar area for our guests to relax during the room turnarounds – this was the perfect place for a pianist and singer to perform after the ceremony and where our guests were entertained with table magic during the evening turnaround. We live an hour from Crow Wood so most of our guests stayed overnight – they were blown away by the quality of the hotel, the service and the standard of the food and drink – we received so many lovely comments about our choice of venue.
And, your most memorable moment?
“After our ceremony, we stepped onto the terrace as husband and wife and were greeted by all of our family and friends throwing confetti – this was such a special moment, and one we’ll never forget!”
MEET THE WEDDING CO-ORDINATOR
Ella Cholmondeley is the Senior Wedding Planner at Crow Wood, here she explains how the team work their wedding magic.
What do you love most about your job?
“I just love being a wedding planner, it’s such a special role where you get to be a part of creating unforgettable moments. I love meeting new couples and watching their wedding dreams come to life.”
How do you work with a couple to ensure you plan exactly the type of wedding day they want?
Working with a couple to plan their ideal wedding day involves effective communication, understanding their preferences and attention to detail. From the couple’s initial appointment right through to their wedding day we ensure they have a designated wedding planner as their point of contact for appointments or any phone calls or emails leading up to their big day. We’ll then be there on the day to ease any last-minute nerves. The key is to build a strong relationship with the couple and understand their vision.”
How do you identify and adapt to changing trends in the wedding industry?
“It’s important to stay up-to-date by following wedding blogs, attending industry events and connecting with industry professionals. I always keep an eye on social media for inspiration along with new ideas.
“Australia is renowned for staying ahead of the curve when it comes to wedding trends. Every few months I spend my time researching and gathering ideas!”
What is the best compliment you have been paid for your work?
“It’s challenging to identify a singular, standout compliment from one wedding, but the expressions of gratitude expressed through their speeches and the acceptance of thoughtful gifts from couples is an extremely heartfelt response.”
