Wedding photographer – choosing the right one is vital!

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on May 2, 2013

Mitch BardwellOne thing that needs a lot of consideration for your wedding is your photos – and choosing the right photographer is vital! 

When choosing your photographer, not only do you need to admire their work but you also need to ‘click’ with them; after all they will be a big part of your wedding day and may be with you from before you say ‘I do’ ’til well into the evening!

You may think that there are only so many different ways to take a photo but you would be wrong. We have a wide variety of photographers come to Greetham Valley who all put their own spin on our couples’ big day pictures! If you have been to Greetham Valley you will know that we have some excellent photo opportunities: one that is by far the favourite is when we take the Bride and Groom out on our wedding buggy to an attractive lake on one of the scenic golf courses.

It is worth making a short list of any group photos that you may want on the day, but don’t go mad as you do not want to keep your guests standing around for too long. We find that an hour for photos, drinks and maybe canapés is long enough to get the shots you want without guests beginning to get restless (or tipsy!). 

Be sure to meet with and look through your potential photographer’s previous wedding shoots  (a good time for this is at our twice yearly in-house wedding fairs – the next one is on Sunday 29th September 2013) before paying any deposits and signing on the dotted line. Why not take a look at our online bridal gallery to see what some photographers tend to do when visiting Greetham Valley?
Greetham Brides Gallery

General, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog,

Wedding Offer

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on March 25, 2013

Weddings at Greetham Valley in Rutland

We have a fabulous wedding offer at Greetham Valley, available on any day of the week for the rest of the season!!

Why not take advantage of our ‘build your own wedding package’ offer on any dates which we still have available, until the end of November 2013. As an example, the following arrangements for your special day would be just £3502.60! 

Invite 60 guests to celebrate an on-site civil ceremony (registrar fees extra)
Arrival drink
Three course wedding breakfast
Half a bottle of wine per guest
Sparkling wine for a toast
Evening finger buffet for 100 guests

This is simply fantastic value, as any bride who has started planning her wedding will know! Our wedding co-ordinator Mitch will be delighted to discuss our flexible arrangements which help brides and grooms plan the wedding day of their dreams. 

Rutland winter weddings at Greetham ValleyWhy not make the next festive season extra special by arranging your big day at Greetham Valley at this lovely time of year? Contact Mitch on (01780) 460444 to discuss your perfect Winter Wedding day ‘twixt Christmas and New Year – from mulled wine on arrival to a full Christmas dinner for your wedding breakfast!

Dates currently available for 2013 are 27th, 29th and 30th December – the 28th has already been booked!

We also offer a fabulous winter wedding package for dates between November and March – contact Mitch for more details!

Special Offers, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog, , , ,

Greetham Valley attends Cupids Wedding Show

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on November 10, 2012

Sunday 28th October 2012 saw the wedding co-ordinators from Greetham Valley attending the Autumn Cupids Wedding Show at the East of England Showground in Peterborough. The Cupids Show tends to be one of the largest in the East Midlands area and is a fabulous way of bringing our venue to the attention of all those newly engaged couples getting started on organising their big day. The Autumn show was no exception, Mitch and Claire met hundreds of brides-to-be and thoroughly enjoyed the day. There were two fashion shows, goody bags for the first 250 brides, a complimentary glass of bubbly for all visitors, a free prize draw for the bride and groom and  a free glossy wedding directory for every bride as well as the competition, which ran from our display stand, to win Sunday Lunch for Two in our Valley Restaurant. With over 50 exhibitors the show was very well attended and hopefully all the brides-to-be found it useful. The day was also a great way of letting people know of our own Wedding Fayres held at Greetham Valley each Spring and Autumn which really showcase our venue and our fantsatic local suppliers! The day was a huge success for us with several new bookings and many more enquiries. Mitch has been very busy with appointments! We are very much looking forward to the next Cupids Show in the Spring, but first we have our own Wedding Fayre at Greetham Valley on Sunday 24th February with 35 exhibitors, 10am to 3pm, free admission, everyone welcome – don’t miss it!

General, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog

Wedding decorating themes at Greetham Valley – your choice!

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on October 12, 2012

No matter what your wedding theme, at Greetham Valley we have very few restrictions enabling you to decorate the room pretty much however you would like!

Over the last year I have seen many different ideas for table centrepieces, from flowers to cupcakes to musical instruments, many of which have doubled up as either gifts, favours or table names. A lot of couples recently seem to be going for smaller centre table decorations like fishbowls, so that everyone can see over them when talking. If they have not gone small they’ve gone BIG with huge margarita glasses lifting their displays high, again so that everyone can talk without having to lean to one side.

I love seeing all the different ideas that couples come up with. We recently had a wedding that was beach themed, where for their table centres they had fishbowls with sand and a candle in, then on a mirror plate surrounding the bowl they had a selection of seashells.  

We’ve had drapes from the ceiling, fairy lights right round the room and bunting along the balcony – but why stop there? Our Rutland Suite is the perfect blank canvas, we prefer to let our glorious Rutland views do the talking and the Bride and Groom plan the decorating!
Civil weddings at Greetham Valley in Rutland

Weddings & Special Occasions Blog

Planning your wedding menu at Greetham Valley – so many choices!

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on July 2, 2012

One thing that requires a lot of consideration when planning your wedding  is your menu and the food you choose to serve to your guests.

At Greetham Valley we pride ourselves on providing excellent food at great value. Whether your wedding is for 20 or 200 people, brides and grooms can be assured that everyone’s meal will be of the same superb quality. We are extremely pleased with the large selection of menus we offer and our head chef will consider any special requests you may have! We can cater for any specific dietary requirements, from vegetarian to allergy issues.

Once you peruse our menus I really think you’ll have a hard time deciding what to provide for your guests! Just looking over our canapé menu, you’ll see so many mouth-watering choices – the teriyaki fillet of beef with spring onion and oyster sauce served in a filo case is my personal favourite. Then on to your wedding breakfast: whether you’re planning a formal or informal day, from a carved buffet to a full sit down meal, there is something for everyone to suit all palates and purses.

Since 2011 Greetham Valley has been able to offer a full ‘hogroast experience’ and this has proven very popular with bridal couples (and their guests) as an alternative to the traditional evening finger buffet. As an alternative to the hogroast we also offer a barbeque option even if the weather is not great (Rutland does have its’ own micro-climate but this is England when all’s said and done!).

More and more couples are choosing to have a chocolate fountain or sweet tables in the evening, some also choose to offer a sweet table during the day and double it up as favours.

Then finally there’s your wedding cake. If you come along to our Wedding Fayre on Sunday 16th September 2012 we have a couple of local cake suppliers exhibiting and you may just find the cake you’re looking for! It seems many couples are now having multi-tiered cakes with multiple flavours, whilst another option that is proving increasingly popular is tiers of beautifully decorated cupcakes with a small cake on top for cutting.

Whatever your catering preferences that you choose for you and your guests to enjoy, Greetham Valley will be delighted to assist!

General, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog, , ,

Wedding Fayre at Greetham Valley in Rutland

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on July 2, 2012

Wedding Fayre at Greetham ValleySunday 16th September
Greetham Valley is the proud Rutland venue of two popular Wedding Fayres each year and our next one is on Sunday 16th September.

Everyone is welcome to attend this busy event between 10am to 3pm – blushing brides-to-be, bashful fiances, excited mums and panicking dads! Free admission, complimentary tea and coffee and we will be filled to capacity with exhibitors, including:

bridal gowns | bridesmaids’ dresses | mens’ wear | mother of the bride fashion | wedding cakes | photography | florist | linens | chair covers | venue dressers | travel agent | department store | jewellery | balloons | wedding stationery | entertainment | wedding favours | hair and beauty | gifts | wedding cars | tiaras and fascinators

The first 50 brides attending in the morning and the first 50 brides in the afternoon will receive a free bridal goody bag – we look forward to welcoming you to Greetham Valley’s Wedding Fayre!

Weddings & Special Occasions Blog, , , , , , , , ,

Fishermen’s tales and wedding hats at Greetham Valley

Posted by Helen Peaple, Greetham Valley Reception Manager on June 18, 2012


How big???
I always thought fishermen were telling tall tales about the one that got away, but judging by the whoppers I have been asked by our Hotel and Lodge guests to put in the Hotel fridge over night I’m now not so sure.

It has been really great to see our trout fishermen returning for another year of pleasure and competition fishing on Rutland Water,  many of whom have booked accommodation for the rest of 2012 season, as we are only a few minutes’ drive away from this fabulous fishing venue. It would also appear that Palm Springs Salmon Fishing are landing some giants this year.  Our resident salmon fishermen are also helping with the Receptionists’ weight lifting program as we are asked to store their catch in the fridge. 

 

Spring has finally sprung and the wedding season is now upon us.  Oh the dresses, the hats!!! (slightly different to those of our fishing friends!!). Even on a grey day the smiling faces of the wedding party are enough to cheer us all up.

I was asked the other day by a bride’s father how we all keep up the enthusiasm on a 2, 3 or 4 wedding weekend, well – how can you not? A hotel full of happy smiling wedding party faces, it really is contagious.  As the Reception shift goes on, if the enthusiasm starts to wane we just open the door at the back of Reception and enjoy the entertainment that is the bride’s dad dancing the funky chicken after too much champagne….

And then there’s the bright and breezy breakfast parade……enough said!  The morning after can be just as entertaining as the night before….

 Well, that’s a small slice of the variety of customer that brightens up our day on Reception – when are you coming to visit? We look forward to welcoming you!

General, Hotel Blog, Latest News, Leisure Blog, Self Catering Blog, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog,

A Christmas winter wedding in Rutland

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on April 11, 2012

Winter weddings at Greetham Valley in RutlandThinking of a Winter Wedding later this year? Make the next festive season extra special by arranging your big day at Greetham Valley ‘twixt Christmas and the New Year!

From 2012, for the first time, Greetham Valley is opening for special occasions at this lovely time of year. Phone our friendly wedding co-ordinator Mitch and he can talk you through all the options, from a warming glass off mulled wine on arrival to a full Christmas dinner with all the trimmings for your wedding breakfast!

The minimum number of guests for a wedding between Christmas and New Year is 50, to enjoy a full wedding package of £62.50 per person. Dates available for 2012 are 27th and 30th and for 2013 are 27th, 28th, 29th and 30th December. 

We look forward to hearing from you on (01780) 460444 or by email.

General, Latest News, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog, , , ,

Wedding reception guest seating at Greetham Valley

Posted by Mitch Bardwell, Wedding & Events Co-ordinator on March 30, 2012

Mitch BardwellAfter Greetham Valley’s hugely successful Wedding Fayre back in February – 2012 is shaping up to be a bumper wedding year, our busiest yet! We have seen a 13% increase from 2011 with 5 of the weddings for this year being booked since January! In my first full season as Greetham Valley’s wedding co-ordinator I am really looking forward to seeing the culmination of many months of planning with all of my brides.

I am asked constantly for advice and tips about planning various aspects of this very special day – it is easy to offer suggestions but each bride and groom are unique so variations on the theme are very interesting to watch develop! One such aspect is the seating of guests at the wedding reception: many brides choose to name their wedding tables as an alternative to numbering them. It’s a great way for your guests to break the ice, and will save you worrying that Aunty Susan will be upset if she’s on table 12 rather than table 3!

Since starting at Greetham Valley nearly 5 years ago I have seen many different ideas, each as good and as unique as the next. We have had tables named after retro sweets with the favours also being those sweets in a jar on the table; places in New York that the couple were going to visit on their honeymoon; Ibiza clubs (don’t ask!), cartoon characters; the word ‘love’ in different languages; Rutland villages; breeds of sheep (two of the local Rutland farming families joined clans for this wedding!); significant dates or places that the couple first met/dated/lived etc; and even things that the couple had argued about, like putting the bins out! One of my favourites – naming tables after relatives who cannot be there, such as their grandparents. I look forward to seeing what this year’s brides have decided upon for their own wedding day.

General, Latest News, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog, , , ,

The Wedding Venue in Rutland That Ticks All The Boxes

Posted by Samuel Goddard on February 24, 2012

When it comes to organising a wedding or special occasion, one of the most important considerations has to be the venue. For the bride-to-be, this may be a choice she made when she was a child dreaming of that fairytale wedding ceremony she used to read about at bedtime. In which case, the decision is much simpler. Brilliant news! But for other soon-to-be brides it might be a case of choosing between several beautiful churches, hotels and registry offices, (not so brilliant!) Fortunately there is one wedding venue in Rutland that ticks every box on the list.

Hidden away in the countryside just a few minutes from Rutland Water, Greetham Valley has become one of the most sought after wedding venues in the area, offering happy couples the perfect setting for their big day. With beautiful suites, luxury accommodation and a picturesque setting, Greetham Valley is the location to make your wedding truly memorable.

If you or your partner have your hearts set on a beautiful wedding with your nearest and dearest in attendance, you want a location with a room big enough for a wedding reception which you can invite the world to. The Rutland Suite at Greetham Valley doesn’t only feature beautiful views from the lovely balcony, but it can accommodate up to 200 guests so everyone can enjoy your big day with you.

For something a little smaller, the Lakeview Suite gives guests a beautiful vista of the lakes and the valley with room for up to 60 guests, making the whole celebration feel much more intimate. You also have the option to move through to the Rutland Suite to carry on the celebrations into the night.

If you’re looking for a complete civil wedding package, Greetham Valley can put together a bespoke plan at a truly fantastic venue. The stunning Normanton Church on the southeast shore of Rutland Water is a sought-after venue for small, intimate weddings. The team at Greetham Valley can put together a package including the civil ceremony at Normanton church for up to 70 guests. Rutland Water weddings provide a lot of the elements of the dream wedding you or your fiancée may have imagined while growing up. Picturesque location – check, beautiful church – check, truly memorable day – check!

Greetham Valley can give you the definition of the dream wedding in Rutland, whether you choose to tie the knot in our suites, celebrate your big day into the night with our luxury accommodation or opting to let us handle the preparations. Our versatility and professionalism is second to none. To find out more information about our weddings and special occasion services contact us on 01780 460444.

General, Weddings & Special Occasions Blog, , ,