Staffordshire Living were invited along to visit Trentham this week to meet Hannah Cope who is the Senior Events and Wedding Coordinator. The wedding industry was very widely disrupted during the pandemic, and it is only recently that postponed weddings have taken place and couples who are recently engaged are now able to go ahead and contact venues to start planning future nuptials.
Before the original main building was demolished, there were many wedding receptions held at Trentham gardens, With the estates rich history, many local people have memories of weddings at the estate. (To find out a bit more about that click on the link https://trentham.co.uk/estate-gardens/history-of-trentham-gardens/) So many couples are now excited to book their wedding at the historical and nostalgic venue.
All weddings are special and choosing the right place for you is one of the key parts of the planning of one of the most momentous events of most people’s lives. Not only that getting the venue that you want will also take up a significant part of most couple’s budget, so getting it right for the type of wedding you want is key.
It is also imperative that the person who is helping to plan the most important day of your life is as passionate about the big day as the happy couple. This is where Hannah comes in. Joining in October 2020 she was tasked with looking at Trentham wedding offering with a fresh pair of eyes. She has a wealth of previous experience from working with the rich and famous. Hannah has worked with Caudwell children on the star-studded Butterfly Ball and Real Housewives of Cheshire, Dawn Ward on the glitzy Crème ball. She has also had a hand planning some of the best Cheshire weddings at Tatton Hall. Hannah was the perfect candidate when Trentham was looking for a wedding and events superstar to expand the offerings at the famous venue.
We asked Hannah why couples choose to have their weddings at Trentham she explained that the main reasons were the spectacular surroundings, great photo opportunities, flexible options for weddings of all sizes and the dog friendly nature of the venue, so your furry friend can be included the special day.
The venue won the prestigious wedding industry award for the region in 2023 and we a national finalist which they are extremely proud of. This is a fantastic achievement for the venue, and this puts them firmly on the wedding venue map.
Hannah explained that the flexible aspect was one reason why Trentham is a fabulous choice. So, we asked her what sort of weddings you can hold at the gardens.
Picture Perfect Weddings
Trentham lends itself perfectly to the picturesque wedding day that many couples dream of. From a fairy-tale garden wedding and civil ceremony in their stunning listed Loggia to a barefoot hand tying ceremony down by the lakeside, they create bespoke wedding packages tailored to your ideas. (Please note that wedding photography including couples dressed in wedding attire is strictly prohibited, as this exclusively reserved for couples getting married at The Trentham Estate).
Creating your perfect wedding day
From a traditional day with all the bells and whistles, to a more intimate affair and all sizes in-between, Trentham can cater for everyone. So how does Hannah help in putting together the tailor-made package for an extra special day.
“Firstly, you need to really get to know the couple. You’re going to working with them for a up to 18 months in some cases. They may be looking for a small intimate ceremony with an afternoon tea in one of the pods, or some of the couples I have dealt with are looking for a traditional Asian wedding which include hundreds of guests”. Hannah loves all weddings, large or small and I asked her what the other advantages are of working with them on bespoke solutions. “We work very closely with Trentham Parish Church and are able to allow people who have their weddings there, direct access into Trentham, giving an seamless transfer of guests from the church straight into the venue.” (To find out more about the church follow the link https://www.trenthamparishchurch.co.uk/). We also have a variety of partners from celebrants, caterer’s, florist’s plus many more
If the couple is looking for a package that include a larger number of guests there is the option of the hire of the marquee and this can include for example
- Use of the historic Loggia feature positioned in the heart of the Italian Gardens
- Elegant Chiavari chairs for your ceremony
- Private use of the Marquee for up to 150
- Semi-private use of the Upper Flower Garden for a picturesque drinks reception
- One year’s Trentham membership you both
- Private entrance and parking for all guests
- On the day garden admission for all guests
- Full access to stunning grounds and the wider gardens for photographs
Not everyone wants to have a weekend wedding, so couples can opt for their mid-week wedding package available Monday to Thursday, this also saves on the budget as they tend to be cheaper.
Whilst the marquee is exclusively for use in the in the spring and summer, they can conduct outdoor ceremonies all year around in various stunning locations on the Trentham Estate! They are a beautiful location to even site your own marquee or tipi.
They can also host evening receptions in our lake-view glass fronted venue in the autumn and winter months! This is perfect for a late afternoon wedding or an evening celebration for up to 90 guests
Catering for all couples needs
Traditional wedding breakfasts, delightful afternoon teas, tasty outdoor BBQs or intimate private dining for smaller numbers, are all available for your wedding at Trentham.
With a number of preferred caterers, we can create bespoke menu’s and food solutions for all tastes. Please speak to them if you have specific catering or dietary requirements such as, halal or kosher, as kitchen buyout in these instances can be discussed.
When I asked Hannah what was the most unusual wedding she has organised recently she explained was a traditional Asian Wedding organised for the BBC Asian Network radio star Hashu Mohammed – known to fans as ‘Smashbengali’ – brought glitz and glamour to Trentham Gardens when he married social media manager Nadia Begum.
The couple brought a spectacular twist on a traditional Asian wedding when they tied the knot at Trentham which can cater for parties of up to 1,000 guests. With traditional Asian weddings known for their extensive guestlists, let alone one for a BBC radio presenter, Hashu and Nadia’s guest list didn’t disappoint.
Hashu said: “No Bangladeshi wedding is complete without extra guests, and we could probably estimate about 360 guests in total.”
Trentham is filled with paths and trails, which offered Hashu and Nadia a range of aisles to choose from. They eventually decided on the ornate Italian Gardens to frame the ceremony and Hashu was able to make a creative entrance, in a TukTuk as a classic way to acknowledge their cultural roots. The arrival being announced by Dohl drummers welcoming the groom to the event whilst the families negotiated the traditional exchange of the bride to the groom’s family.
Nadia said: “Our wedding day was something that could never be replicated in the same way. The excitement of seeing each other for the first time as bride and groom added to the buzz of seeing so many people that we love to come together in such beautiful surroundings to wish us well.”
Our wedding day was something that could never be replicated in the same way. The excitement of seeing each other for the first time as bride and groom added to the buzz of seeing so many people that we love to come together in such beautiful surroundings to wish us well.”
Hannah said the wedding was one of the most colourful weddings she had ever organised and due to the guest list being more extensive and last minute being able to deal with a few more guests arriving certainly keeps you on your toes.
I then asked Hannah what the best thing about her job is, notwithstanding the amazing surroundings that she work in, “I love being a part of someone’s special day. When you have been working with couples for many months, even years, you become as invested in their wedding’s and with the couples themselves. I love to celebrate with them, and it is very satisfying seeing the cumulation of your hard work and seeing all the ideas coming to life.
So if you are starting to plan your wedding for the rest of 2023 or 2024, drop Hannah and the team an email at weddings@trentham.co.uk
