Intimate
Weddings
We are experts at creating weddings that distil the essence of the day into an experience of warmth and richness that is itself enhanced by the closeness of those who share in it.
Boutique & micro-Weddings
For some couples, the ultimate joy of their wedding can only be truly felt when it is shared by a small and very close group. It has nothing to do with counting the cost-per-head, and everything to do with accounting for the freely-given acts of love and kindness by friends and family, that have in some way brought our couple to this point.
These weddings bring with them the opportunity for some wonderfully unique themes and locations. From lighthouses to farmyards, very little nowadays is out of bounds. The only real limit is your imagination and by hiring a bespoke wedding planning service, even that boundary can be pushed.
Our approach to an intimate wedding is no different to that of a larger affair. Detail is everything to us; the more unique the celebration, the more there is to be considered. This is the key benefit of working with a bespoke wedding planner. We take care of all the challenges, while you focus on everything that’s inspiring and exciting about planning your unique wedding celebration.
Why A Boutique Wedding?
— Full-on luxury on an intimate scale –
Location
It’s a common misconception that most luxury wedding venues require you to have a guest list of 100+, when in fact they actually come into their own when hosting numbers between 40-70. This is largely because they are not purpose-built, but take the form of restored country estates and manor houses that would only have 15 to 30 rooms.
Whilst many of these venues can accommodate a marquee in the grounds to host 150 or more, the truly magical experiences are to be had when a small wedding party take over the whole venue for a long weekend, giving the bride & groom an opportunity to relax and spend quality time with all their guests.
By taking over a boutique hotel as your wedding venue, you can create your own intimate and relaxed environment, whilst also being looked after by five-star-level luxury service. If the idea of a hotel takeover appeals to you, talk to us and let’s discuss guest numbers and the type of experience you have in mind.
Food
Whilst a truly sustainable or eco-ethical wedding may still be something that most couples have neither the time nor budget to achieve, one subject that continues to gain momentum amongst our clients is that of provenance.
It’s not just about cutting down on food miles, or knowing that your ingredients are organic. More and more, people are looking to their caterers to provide evidence that the meat and vegetables they are eating have been sourced locally. They not only want to reduce their negative impact on the environment, they want to know that by choosing a particular venue and location, they are making a positive impact to the local economy.
All of the caterers on our roster insist on only working with ethically sourced ingredients that attract the smallest possible carbon footprint. But it’s the boutique country venues that bring the added culinary kudos of offering food that has been sourced from their own kitchen gardens or estate farms.
So whether you’re a dedicated foodie or looking to style your wedding breakfast around quintessentially British seasonal dishes, we can help you select a boutique wedding venue that ticks all your taste boxes
Intimacy
It stands to reason that a boutique or intimate wedding venue will provide everyone with the opportunity to spend more quality time with the bride and groom, as well as each other. But for our couples, it goes beyond that. At Susie Evans, our wedding planning process is one of collaboration. Whilst we will take on all or as much of the heavy lifting that you need us to, we’re always keen to ensure our couples build a rapport with their venue.
When you choose a luxury wedding venue to take over for a two or three-day event, you get the full attention of their wedding team throughout the planning as well as on the day.
Findon Place
Findon Place is a privately owned country estate nestled in the South Downs National Park at Findon, West Sussex. Tucked away from view down a private drive this Grade II* Georgian jewel is surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens, abundant floral borders with views over majestic parkland and Cissbury Ring.
Consisting of five guest bedrooms, a swimming pool and a tennis court, the entire estate is available for exclusive use for both private and corporate events.
“We are eternally grateful for making this the best weeknd of our lives. Susie, that was INCREDIBLE. We can't tell you how many people have said it's the best wedding they've been to and your presence was so comforting to both of us. You planned the most amazing wedding for us. I would 100% recommend!!”
Livia + Will, April 2023, Euridge Manor
Beaverbrook
With 470 acres of grounds and gardens, a Gatsbyesque art-deco bar with myriad historic treasures, collectables and rare artwork, and menus that range from rustic Italian to elegant Japanese, all in a venue that's exclusively yours for your entire celebration - intimate weddings at Beaverbrook are something truly special.
Located rather conveniently just a five-minute drive from the M25, twenty minutes from Gatwick and with easy routes into London, Beaverbrook describes itself as a “quintessentially English estate overlooking the Surrey Hills, a place to indulge, relax, and celebrate”.
“Susie's attention to detail was impeccable, ensuring that every aspect of our special day was flawless. Despite the challenges of being 8 hours apart, she made the process smooth with Zoom meetings, WhatsApp or email and always being available to discuss and refine our plans.
Thanks to her expertise and dedication, our wedding day was perfect and we are forever grateful for her role in making it so memorable.”
Gennifer + Jei, August 2023, Clivedon House
Heckfield
A beautiful Georgian family home lovingly restored to its historic origins, Heckfield Place is at the heart of a bountiful 400-acre estate. Less than an hour from London the estate has been rewoven, connecting house and grounds in this secluded corner of Hampshire.
Heckfield can accommodate weddings for up to 120 guests with exclusive use and up to 30 guests without, and six of their wedding spaces are licensed for wedding ceremonies.
When it comes to the food, the team at Heckfield are champions of local and responsibly sourced ingredients, and with their own certified organic farm and biodynamic kitchen garden, culinary director Skye Gyngell has no shortage of inspiration for her seasonal menus.
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