Georgie and Mark had a gorgeous Autumnal wedding at Thicket Priory, with so many added personal elements that made it the ultimate unique fairytale weekend for themselves and their guests to enjoy.
They had a one-day wedding, so everyone checked in on the Saturday morning and checked out the next day. Having all your closest friends and family under one roof for the night means you not only get the opportunity to spend some quality time together, but you also get to enjoy breakfast all together in the Ballroom before heading home. Thicket Priory provides the perfect setting for this, as we aim to give you the best home away from home experience for the duration of your stay!
Why did you choose Thicket Priory for your wedding venue?
“From the moment the magnificent Grade II listed Victorian building came into view when we first drove down the grand approach, we knew that Thicket Priory was the dream venue for our wedding day. After the initial jaw dropping moment from seeing the beautiful venue and grounds for the first time, things only got better upon meeting the lovely Anna who instantly put us at ease, and we knew at this point we couldn’t possibly wish to be in better hands. Throughout the whole experience Anna and her team were impeccably organised, professional, and a damn good laugh as well which made the whole experience so enjoyable. Weddings are meant to be one of the most stressful experiences of your life, and Anna, and her team, made sure our experience was anything but.
Despite the obvious wow factor at Thicket; with its elegantly designed interiors and beautiful aroma’s emanating from every room, the small touches and snippets of history hidden in the details throughout the venue, and the beautiful grounds (which include a private lake, matured woodland, and a restored priory) that all help to create an enchanting atmosphere, it is the people working at Thicket that make the experience truly special.”
Starting off in the Jefferson room, Mark and Georgie had their legal ceremony (you can choose to do this either before or after the all-important walk down the aisle!) surrounded by their parents and two witnesses, before then returning to their suites to finish getting ready.
Where did your styling inspiration come from?
“The colour scheme came from our love of Autumn and wintery vibes, which included flowers, outfits etc. However, we trusted all of our vendors completely, and we gave them (especially Bethan the florist, who absolutely smashed it) full artistic reign so we can’t take much credit on anything other than our love for South Park on the table decorations, which turned out surprisingly well in the end. “
Mark and Georgie married in the Morning Room, one of our indoor ceremony spaces, which offers an abundance of warm natural light, and with the feature fireplace topped with their chosen florals, it was the perfect backdrop for them to say ‘I do’.
A standout moment (for me as a dog lover!) from their day was the visit from Logan – their beloved pooch! A great way to have your dog be included in your wedding, but not have to worry about them during the day is by having a dog-sitter bring them by for half an hour for those all-important photos (and to get some treats from your guests!) and then take them back home so they can relax, and you can head to the dance floor to carry on with the celebrations.
What was your favourite memory/s – together or separately(!) from your wedding day?
“Apart from getting to marry our soulmates in such a magical venue, there were countless memories made that will last a life time for both ourselves, and our guests. The team at Thicket were very adaptable with any idea and request we had for our big day and would move heaven and earth to make our dream day become the reality it ended up being. We even got to share the day with our fur baby, Logan, and we couldn’t have imagined our wedding day without him. The team also provided lots of ideas and inspiration for our wedding day, the friends of thicket is a great starting place on the website, and without it we wouldn’t have discovered the likes of Chloe from India Rose Strings, who were absolutely incredible on the day and received no end of compliments from our guests.
One of our best memories was just simply being able to sit back and enjoy how smoothly the day ran after all the effort put into planning. It gave us immense pleasure just to look around the room and see all our guests completely at ease in the magnificent surrounding and just having a blast. The fact that guests can stay on-site with you at Thicket is a great touch and another big reason why we chose the venue, it helped add to the occasion, and it was great seeing all the guests making the most of the venue, whether it be walking the grounds or grabbing a quick tea or coffee in between the heavier drinks.
There were countless more memories, such as having the wedding bells ring after the ceremony when we were doing our confetti run, and the intimacy of being able to use the small Jefferson room for our legal ceremony prior to our celebrant ceremony in the Morning Room, which were all special in their own right and helped to make memories that will last a lifetime.”
Their fun and outgoing personalities shone throughout the whole day, and every element was so thought out – with the autumnal flowers and longer sleeved dress – all which fit the season and weather perfectly. They chose to have a cheese cake instead of the traditional sponge cake, which went down incredibly well at the evening reception; the Family Guy versions of the couple at the top also made everyone smile!
What was your favourite detail about our building/grounds?
“How wonderful the venue smelt is a fond memory of ours and something that definitely stands out. The suites and all the rooms were unreal, and tastefully decorated throughout. The bridal room especially is so bright and spacious, which added to the grandeur of the morning whilst getting ready. We were lucky to have unseasonably warm weather for early October, so got to make use of the great outside area, which included our guests making smores on the open fires.”
The evening was filled with entertainment, with not only a DJ and Sax, but retro games consoles, shuffleboard, and air hockey – something for every guest to enjoy. There was even a crisp wall, which went down incredibly well!
We had the fire pit setup outside so everyone was able to enjoy the outdoor space that the terrace offers – it not only keeps you warm on those cooler evenings but is great for toasting marshmallows!
A popular idea for those darker evenings, and a chance to get all your guests back together, is to have sparklers on the terrace. Everyone enjoys them – and the pictures turn out great! On the other hand, to enjoy a moment just between the two of you (and soak in the fact you are now married!!), a champagne spray is not only an *iconic* shot but gives you a little time to spend together before returning to the festivities.
What would you say to someone who is thinking of booking Thicket Priory for their wedding venue (to hopefully convince them to!)?
“The personalised service you get at Thicket is second to none. We couldn’t in our wildest dream have wished to be looked after by a more amazing and attentive team, led by Anna and Becca. The team at Thicket live and breathe their work, making the service provided feel heartfelt and personal. So much so, that we now class them as friends.
Unlike other weddings we’ve attended, the day after the big day we were still unbelievably well attended too, and still felt like the number one priority. Once our guests had checked out, we weren’t rushed out of the venue, and were allowed all the time we wanted to have a walk around and soak in the grounds, and even unwind with the Thicket team with a celebratory beer. There’s no churning out of weddings at Thicket, and it makes the whole experience feel more intimate and that extra bit special.
“What an honour and a true privilege it was to have been allowed to make use of Thicket for the biggest day of our lives! We are unbelievably jealous of all the couples who still have their wedding at Thicket to look forward too, and for anyone still looking for a venue; then don’t hesitate to choose Thicket, it will surpass all of your expectations.”
If you are wanting to have your dream autumnal wedding at Thicket Priory like Mark and Georgie, please get in touch HERE.
With love,
Lil xXx
Supplier Love
Photographer – Ashley, Monkey Mole
Videographer – Louise, Rather Lovely Films
Celebrant – Jackie Warburton, Saying I Do
Florist – Beth Anna, Bureau Botany
Makeup – Megan, Bulmer Beauty
Cake – Field & Fawcett
Caterer – Purple Chilli
Daytime Entertainment – India Rose String
Evening Entertainment – Wayne on Sax, Active Hire Leeds, JoyPad & Blissbooth
