Wedding Planning Guide 2011

We are really excited to kick off our 2011 Wedding Planning Guide today with a great article from the fabulous Combe House in Devon.

Too see a Devon Wedding Album from Combe House please visit our wedding venues page on our website or click the following link – Combe House Wedding.

Here is the lovely Fiona from Combe House

FINDING YOUR IDEAL WEDDING VENUE … Ask Combe House Devon

1.    There’s no such thing as the perfect wedding venue – but you will find the perfect venue for  you.  Every venue has its parameters, so Keep an  Open  Mind and a relaxed attitude towards the information provided when you visit and don’t eliminate a venue just because of one aspect which deviates from your original thoughts.  Focus on the key ingredients – a sublime setting, awesome food and genuine, caring service – if you get these three right then it’s up to your friends and family to provide the party.  It’s the total experience that you will remember and often a venue’s quirks and idiosyncrasies are what shape its character and style and will ensure that your day remains treasured forever.

2.    Trust  Your Gut Instinct  – first impressions count!  You’ve seen the website, you’ve read the pack, you’ve made the appointment – prepare to be wowed!   When you open the door – are you greeted warmly, are you made to feel welcome and put at your ease, are people around     you enjoying their experience, does the venue feel comfortable and special?  It may be all bells and whistles but what matters is how it feels and if it doesn’t feel right – then it probably ain’t!  Instead, think about the people you are seeing and talking to, these are the guys who will be responsible for your big day, are you happy in their hands?  Do you feel confident in the knowledge offered by your Wedding Co-ordinator, does he/she display a calm, sensitive and professional approach and will they be there for you along the way as well as on the day?

3.    Give Yourself  Time   – like finding the perfect partner, choosing your wedding venue will take time and consideration.  Exciting as it is, don’t turn up at a venue without making an appointment or expect to see someone to discuss your situation without researching the venue and calling ahead of your visit.  You’ll be able to short list the most appropriate venues with a quick call and some pertinent questions and avoid endless trips and wasted time in pursuing a reception at a hotel or house unsuited to your personal requirements.  Instead take the time to check websites carefully and call to make an appointment with a few date options for your prospective meeting.  Remember that any hospitality establishment can sometimes be under pressure to look after today’s customers so try to be patient and respectful as it could be you wanting to be looked after in a few months’ time!  And the best way to truly evaluate the venue’s hospitality is to try it yourself.  So why not book a stay, sample the food and get to know the staff – the proof of the pudding is usually in the eating.

Our Wedding Co-ordinator, Fiona, is available Wednesday to Sunday, so viewing is never a problem.  Call her on 01404 540400 to arrange a visit and see why Combe House is a dream location and hot contender for your special day.

Visit Combe House Website – www.combehousedevon.com

Want to see some more from Combe House then click our YouTube Video

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic

Bride Top Wedding Tips

Hi everyone :-)

Today’s top tips and favourite picture comes from Rebecca and Christopher Jones. Rebecca and Christopher were married on the 27th June 2010 at the fabulous Combe House in Devon, one of my favourite locations. To see their Combe House Wedding story on our Blog click the following link….Combe House Wedding.

Here is Rebecca and Christopher…

Hi Courtenay

Our favourite picture is this one….

It’s a fantastic shot, it manages to capture all of my nerves and excitement and I remember exactly how I was feeling at that moment every time I see it.

Our 3 top tips would be:

1) Don’t let anyone’s preconceived ideas of what a wedding should be like get in the way of your planning. Remember, it’s your wedding and you can do things the way you want them to be done.

2) Enjoy every moment of it – it’ll be over before you realise so make sure you take everything in. The memories of that one day have got to last you a lifetime!

3) Chose the right venue for you, thinking about what sort of wedding you want and how many guests you’ll be inviting. Combe House was perfect for us, we had a small wedding and they had 2 rooms to chose from which would fit us all perfectly. The staff were amazing, making sure the day was completely stress free.

Love, Rebecca and Chris

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic Ltd

Combe House Wedding Venue Devon

If you are thinking of using Combe House for your wedding you must check out this video first. Combe House is a wonderful wedding venue in Devon and makes an ideal place to hold your Devon Wedding. To see a complete Devon Wedding Album from Combe House, check out our Wedding Venues Page on our website.

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic Ltd

Combe House Wedding

Back at the fab Combe House near Honiton in Devon yesterday.

Sadly, I can’t divulge the names of my couple, tell you anything about the day or even show you any images, due to the sensitivity of this wedding.

It was a top day though and the sun shone too, bonus!  ;-)

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay photographic Ltd

Mood Board from the Wedding of Lisa & Ben Combe House Devon

Just some of the little details from Lisa and Ben’s big day.

Dorset Wedding Photographer – Courtenay Photographic

Combe House Gittisham Devon Wedding of Lisa & Ben

You can now view Lisa & Ben’s Combe House Wedding Album over on the Main Wedding Photography site if you click here!

Last Sunday I went back to the fabulous Combe House in Gittisham Devon for the wedding of Lisa and Ben. This time my happy couple got married in the lovely church of St Michaels actually in the village of Gittisham and their guests were transported two and fro from Combe House to the church in a lovely vintage double decker bus.

The weather could have been kinder during the day, we had some very heavy blustery showers, however this didn’t stop us getting outside for the few formals and some romantic shots of Lisa and Ben in the Gardens of Combe. Later however just as everyone was entering the Marquee (which was fabulously dressed from Lisa’s inspiration as you will see in some of the pictures below) for the wedding breakfast, the skies finally cleared and we were left with beautiful late summer sunshine, which turned into a fabulous sunset and a clear starry night.

A wonderful relaxing day full of laughter and fun ended with dancing in the great hall.

Congratulations Lisa and Ben I wish you all the happiness for the future.

Some pictures from the day…

Wedding Photographer Dorset – Courtenay Photographic

Combe House Devon Wedding of Rebecca & Christopher

So off to one of my favourite locations for a wedding, the fabulous Combe House in Gittisham Devon. Today is the wedding of Rebecca and Christopher, a small family and close friend affair and so it seems the day England are to play Germany in the next round of the World Cup – good timing eh ( I blame England for not winning the group of course, if we had it would have been yesterday’s game! ho hum).

It’s a beautiful warm and sunny summers day and the journey down to Gittisham is a very pleasant one indeed. On arrival at Combe House, I make my way to the Linen suite where Rebecca and so its seems Christopher are getting ready! A little unusual, but hey I like unusual. Christopher is soon suited and booted and off out into the sunshine for a walk about before the coming proceedings, I stay with Rebecca for the rest of her preparations and then head off to capture guests now mingling in the great hall.

Soon its time to head to the Green room for today’s civil ceremony, the registrars are all in place and soon the room fills with Rebecca and Christopher’s family and friends. Christopher takes his place at the front of the room the music begins to play and Rebbecca makes her grand entrance. A lovely ceremony followed by the signing of the marriage register, handing over the official certificate to Rebecca and Mr and Mrs Jones headed out of the Green room through the great Hall into the lovely sunny grounds of Combe House.

Relaxation now, champagne, canapes and good conversation an hour or so to while away and what a stunningly beautiful day to do it in too. A while later we all head for the cover of the large trees in the Grounds of Combe House and the few family formal photographs are achieved. Then its time for Rebecca, Christopher and I to slip away to give them a little quiet time and for me to capture some romantic images for their album.

On our return, Rebecca and Christopher are called in to inspect the dining room and then its time to call the rest of the guests in for the wedding breakfast. Cutting of the lovely wedding cake first this time and then the official speeches, which bring much laughter to all.

My time to end today as there is no official evening party, rather a more informal quiet gathering, but it’s been a very lovely day with very lovely people.

Oh yes and the football? Well it wasn’t like we missed anything anyway was it!

Here are a few of my favourite images from the day…

Credit Where credit is due

Wedding Venue & Catering – Combe House

Wedding Cake – Cake-a-Licious

Wedding Flowers – Poppy’s Flowers

Wedding Dress – Eternity Bride

Jewellery – Jon Richard Shoes by – Pure & Precious Men’s Attire – Moss Bros Rings – Robert Price

Courtenay Photographic Ltd – Wedding photographers in Dorset