Outdoor weddings

In England you may have a civil wedding ceremony in an outdoor structure if the structure is licenced. The Bride, Groom and Registrars must be in the licenced area but the guests may be completely outdoors. Bracken Bank Lodge has two licenced areas for guests to be outdoors.

The very romantic Garden Room at the end of the south wing looks out onto the large ornamental pond and fountain. This flagged stoned room leads directly out onto the lawn from a magnificent archway with a dove cote and a church bell above. Guests may be seated on the lawn to watch the wedding ceremony taking place under the arch. The Garden room is close to the marquee and adjoining room, both of which are licenced for ceremonies. If shortly before the ceremony is due to start the weather was no longer suitable for being seated outside then the ceremony could simply be transferred indoors.

The stone temple on the lake is a magnificent structure. It is situated on an island on one of the estates private lakes, it is accessed by huge stepping stones. Guests may be seated for the ceremony by the side of the lake looking out over the water to the temple. Guests would need to know in advance if the ceremony is planned for this location as it accessed by a four minute walk across grass. Conditions need to be ideal for ceremonies at this location as guests cannot quickly transfer indoors. There is no vehicular access to the lake, a horse drawn carriage needs to be booked to take the Bride and the person giving away the Bride to the lake, and to bring the Bride and Groom to the Lodge after the ceremony. If there are elderly guests who may not be able to walk to the lake and back the horse drawn carriage should be booked to make a few more trips.

The temple on the lake and the Garden Room can be used throughout the year when conditions are suitable. For winter weddings guests would obviously need to be warmly dressed as well as having appropriate footwear.

The suitability of holding a wedding ceremony outdoors will not be known until the day of the wedding. There are various factors that would make an outdoor wedding inappropriate including rain, wind, wet ground, flies etc..The venue cannot be held responsible for adverse outdoor conditions. The Registrar has the final decision on whether an outside location is appropriate for that day.