pristonmill

Jenny And Sean's Real Summer Wedding At Priston Mill

Tue, 05 Nov 2024 11:28:38 GMT

As Autumn has finally set in, we’ve been reminiscing about some of the wonderful weddings we have had the pleasure of hosting this past Summer. Jenny and Sean celebrated their special day at our charming Watermill, and what a perfect day it was! We have caught up with them since for their thoughts on the day.

Why Did You Choose Priston Mill As Your Wedding Venue?

Priston Mill was actually the first venue we visited, I remember it so clearly my Husband and I just looked at each other as we walked up to the Mill and instantly knew this was it. We knew this was our place. We had been going back and forth for a while with how to have our wedding as we just wanted something that was relaxed and fun with our loved ones, and nothing too formal.

Choosing Priston Mill was honestly the best decision we could have made and couldn't have been more ‘us!’. Everything about it was perfect, I am so pleased we went with this venue.

The Mill itself is such a stunning building. Even better in person, we got married in June when all the flowers were in full bloom, the garden was so beautiful, it was just perfect! Especially as we were lucky enough to have the ceremony outside.

For our Meal we went for a BBQ to fit into our relaxed style. The Food was amazing! All of our friends and family loved the food so much and we got so many compliments. We also had pie in the evening and again still have friends talking about that pie to this day!

The staff at Priston Mill are more than wonderful and really care, my Husband and I naturally shy away from attention, but the venue and staff made us feel so at ease I felt like I had known Katie our event manager for years, I didn't imagine that I would be as calm as I was walking down the aisle and that was definitely credit to Katie!

We both couldn't praise the team and venue enough; they more than delivered on our expectations!

Tell Us About Your Wedding Dress And The Big Day Fashion?

I found my dress at the loveliest Bridal shop, Silver Sixpence Bridals in Towcester. I was obsessed with one of their dress designers! Rosa Clara. I had been in love with all of her dress designs for ages and the style just felt so me! When I went to view their showroom, they were so friendly and helpful from start to finish. The girls at this store really care and I had the best time with my family sipping on prosecco and finding my dress.

My dress was actually the first dress I tried on, I got to try on loads of dresses which were all so stunning but I kept coming back to this one, it was the one and it just felt so me! Totally different to what I expected I would go for, but I felt so confident in the dress, it even had little polka dot details on the skirt which I am obsessed with!

For the suits Sean wanted something nice and relaxed for him and the boys with a country style material, they all looked so good in their suits and they worked perfectly with our style of wedding! We went for a blue theme with the suits and bridesmaid dresses as it's our favourite colour and went so well with the venue's gorgeous blue doors!

I got the girls' dresses from Six Stories, it was such an easy process and they all got to choose the style they wanted but in the same colour, it was great!

Tell us about your choice of décor?

For our decor we wanted to keep things nice and simple. The building itself was so beautiful I didn't want to take away from that .

We love Cornwall so much, it was where we got engaged and also where we had our honeymoon, so all the tables were location names in Cornwall which felt lovely and personal to us both.

We went for individual stems in jars for the tables which had a nice and simple effect. For the flowers, we wanted them to look like they had been picked from a garden to give a lovely natural feeling to the day.

We added some other little touches around the building, including a little pick and mix area which went down.

We also had a little corner with wedding photos of family members who got married before us. We thought it would be a nice touch to make everyone feel included in our day by remembering their special days too.

Tell us about the photographer?

Our photographer was honestly one of the best decisions we made for the whole day. James Fear is honestly one of the nicest, most energetic people we have met. He brought such a fun energy to our wedding; the day wouldn't have been the same without him!

Everyone still talks about him today and what a great photographer he was! He instantly puts everyone at ease and makes the photos so enjoyable for everyone involved!

The whole wedding party instantly fell in love with him! I love looking back at our photos he captured the day so perfectly, the pure happiness and fun from the day is bursting out of all of them. Every time we look at them we feel like we are reliving those moments! Thank you James for making our day so awesome!

What Was The Best Part Of Your Day?

We really struggle to pick one moment. When people say that your wedding is the best day, they really do mean it! The love and fun we had all day is just the best feeling in the world.

The whole day is full of our favorite memories, from seeing Sean's face as I walked down the aisle, getting married of course! Hearing all the beautiful heartfelt speeches and dancing the night away. We were on cloud nine all day with everyone we love around us.

A massive highlight for us was definitely bouncing on space hoppers in a field with a herd of sheep running behind us. Yes that is correct ! The last thing both of us expected to do on our wedding day, but one of the funniest moments! The photos speak for themselves. We had so much fun!

Do You Have Any Words Of Advice For Other Couples Who Are In The Planning Stages Of Their Wedding?

My advice for the planning side of things would be to get on top of the organising early like we did so the week leading up to the wedding you can just relax more and enjoy each other's company. I am honestly so grateful we did it this way. I am normally a bit of a perfectionist, but I put that person on the shelf for the weekend of our wedding and just went with the flow.

The best advice we were given was to not lose each other all day and soak up every moment around you, we kept our wedding small and intimate with all our favourite people, so it was pretty easy not to lose each other but we genuinely stuck together pretty much the whole day.

We had our little moments individually throughout the day with best friends and family but we naturally would find each other again after 10 mins or so. It's definitely the best advice I was given. The whole point of the day is to enjoy it together so spend it together and soak it all in with each other.

We also found a moment just to step aside from everyone and soak it all in, I am so grateful we did!

Thank you so much Jenny and Sean for sharing your special day with us!

Insights from Carlos Azevedo Photography

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 13:29:53 GMT

Wedding photography at Priston Mill in Bath

At Priston Mill, our countryside wedding venue in Somerset, we are fortunate to work with some very talented suppliers. In this months' blog we chat to Carlos Azevedo , one of the photographers who visits quite frequently - capturing memories for our Brides and Grooms.

So....let's say hi to Carlos, and find out more about his wedding photography.

How would you describe your photography style?

My photography style is natural, relaxed, and documentary with a focus on storytelling. I blend into the wedding day like a guest, capturing genuine moments and emotions as they unfold without interfering.

For couple portraits, I gently direct them into natural and comfortable poses using prompts to keep things natural and fluid, bringing out the best of the couple. These sessions are brief, allowing them more time for the celebration.

I’ll also take care of those important family group photos in an efficiently manner to keep everyone happy!

My goal is to create beautiful, authentic images that tell the full story of the day, while ensuring the couple spends most of their time with their loved ones.

What do you love about Priston Mill as a wedding venue?

As a photographer who has had the pleasure of working at Priston Mill multiple times, I can confidently say it's a dream venue for capturing beautiful wedding memories. What I love most about Priston Mill is its perfect blend of functionality and charm.

The grounds are absolutely stunning, offering a variety of picturesque backdrops for group photos and couple portraits. From the lush gardens to the historic buildings, every corner provides a unique and beautiful setting without a doubt!

The venue's character really shines through, especially as evening falls. The atmospheric lighting and rustic charm create a magical ambiance that translates beautifully in photographs, adding depth and warmth to the images.

Another thing that truly sets Priston Mill apart is the highly professional and well-coordinated staff. Their seamless workflow makes my job as a photographer so much easier, ensuring that I can focus on capturing all the special moments without any hitches.

Whether it's the Tythe Barn or the Watermill, each space has its own distinct personality that enhances the overall celebration.

The venue's ability to create an intimate and joyful atmosphere for weddings is truly special, and it's always a pleasure to photograph events here.

What is your favourite part of a wedding to photograph?

While I enjoy documenting the entire wedding day, I find myself particularly drawn to the ceremony and reception. During the ceremony, there's an incredible energy as two people commit their lives to each other. I love capturing the raw emotions - the tears, the smiles, the laughter - as the couple sees each other for the first time and exchanges vows.

The reception, on the other hand, is where everyone lets loose and celebrates. It's filled with genuine, unscripted moments of joy. I love capturing all that big and small moments between the couple and their guests, creating a visual story of the day - like I mentioned above on my photography style!

What makes these parts of the wedding so special to photograph is the opportunity to document real, unfiltered emotions and connections. These are the images that will transport the couple back to the feelings of their wedding day for years to come.

Thankyou so much to Carlos for sharing these insights with us. You can find out more about his wedding photography over on his website , and for any other wedding planning questions or venue queries please just contact our team.

Wedding Menus at Priston Mill

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 12:07:53 GMT

Priston Mill is one of the leading wedding venues in Bath and Bristol. We are so proud of the reputation that we have built over nearly 20 years (gosh time flies!!) hosting special events, weddings and occasions in Somerset and there are so many elements that contribute to this. One key element to our continued success is the passion and attention to detail when it comes to the food. Our Head Chef, Martin Jackson , has been working his magic in the Priston Mill kitchen since 2007, using fresh, local ingredients from quality suppliers, always cooking from scratch. We live by these principles.

Wedding food ideas

We understand how tricky it can sometimes be to select the perfect wedding menu, that will be loved by both you and your guests - especially when there are so many delicious options to choose from, and so in this blog we will be telling you about some of the wonderful wedding food that we can create at Priston Mill.

One of our favourite photographers Albert Palmer recently came to Priston Mill on a day when Martin and our team of Chefs had created sample dishes of many of our most popular menus. All of the images in this blog have been taken by Albert and so huge thanks must go to him.

So, let's get started, and show you some of our delicious wedding menus...

Starters

Harrisa marinated chicken, mint yoghurt with roasted pumpkin seeds - To Dine Menu

Grilled Halloumi with a bulgur pilaf, crispy kale and lemon oil (vegetarian) - To Dine Menu

Carrot and cashew nut pate, pickled radish, carrot and cucumber and a rye bread crostini (vegan) - To Dine Menu

Hot smoked, flaked salmon with pickled cucumber, watercress and dill aioli - To Entertain Menu

Somerset beef bresaola with shallot, caper, hazelnut, Parmesan and rocket - To Entertain Menu

Main Courses

Think about seasonality when selecting all courses of your wedding menu, but particularly, your main course. Let's be honest, a rich and filling main course, may not go down very well on a warm summers day. Lamb is fabulous in the spring, Duck would work best between October and December, and Salmon is a delicious option for a summer wedding. It's not to say that you can't have these things at other times of year, but it should be a consideration when choosing your wedding menu to ensure that it's both appropriate for the time of year, and ideally, in season.

Roasted sea trout, sauteed new potatoes, samphire and a lemon chive butter sauce - To Dine Menu

Chargrilled Somerset chicken with tomato and basil orzo and a chimichurri sauce - To Dine Menu

Pork loin with crackling served on champ mash with a sage and apple puree and cider cream sauce

- To Dine Menu

Butternut squash, ricotta and herb rotolo with crispy sage and a lemon ricotta cream sauce - (vegetarian) - To Graze Menu

Gressingham duck breast with thyme sweet potato fondant, braised red cabbage and a port reduction - To Entertain Menu

Rump of lamb with sweet potato fondant, kale and pine nut buckweat with a rosemary yoghurt - To Entertain Menu

Fillets of sea bass with sun blush tomato kibbled wheat and sauce vierge - To Entertain Menu

Desserts

This is always the hardest decision to make - simply because the desserts are all so yummy !! If your starter and main course are more on the heavy side, perhaps opt for a lighter dessert. In summertime something with a touch of fruit in it works really well - but, if you just have to go for the cheesecake because it's your all-time favourite...do it!!

Strawberry mousse, strawberry basil salad, yohurt and white chocolate pistachio bark - To Dine Menu

Baked white chocolate cheesecake with a salted caramel sauce and fresh raspberries - To Dine Menu

Strawberry, mascarpone and caramel tart with a white chocolate and pistachio bark - To Entertain Menu

Glazed lemon and elderflower tart with blackcurrant sorbet - To Entertain Menu

And there we have it! We hope that this month's blog has given you lots of food inspiration for your wedding day (sorry if we've made you feel hungry!!).

Don't forget that our wonderful Event Managers are here seven days a week to answer any questions that you may have when it comes to choosing your wedding food. The menu that you decide on, really will be a big part of the overall impression and vibe for your wedding and so it's important to take some time to think about it, and of course ask the advice of our team who will be more than happy to help.

Happy planning !

Team PM.

5 Minutes with Chris – Manager of Priston Mill

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:44:53 GMT

Chris has been leading the team at Priston Mill since March 2019, after leaving London where he had been for a large part of his career. He moved back to Somerset and joined Priston Mill and has been at the heart of our little family since. Having worked in events for years he certainly knows how to ensure our couples have perfect day.

Before our busy summer starts, we managed to track him down for a 5 minute catch up.

Chris, what is your favourite part of being the Project Manager here at Priston Mill?

I have to say working with the amazing team we have here at Priston Mill from our office team who look after couple so careful too our kitchen team who ensure that every piece of food that leaves there kitchen is to the highest standard it can be.

I regularly come down to the venues early in the morning as it is always a special privilege as it allows to me to watch the wildlife without disturbing them. We currently have lambs in the fields surrounding both our gorgeous venues and to watch them play together is always a treat to see!

This then leads me into the venues and being able to be the person who gets the venue ready for a wonderful and magical day where we can make dreams come true really does make it worth it!

What invaluable lessons have you learned so far in your career?

I always think it's good to get any of the important details in writing. Whether that is from us as your venue or from the other suppliers that you have hired for the day. This can help with things like how you wish the day to look like such as in photos taken, or how the decorations need to be set up. This also ensures that you as the couple are happy and can be fully confident in knowing what the venue and suppliers are doing on your behalf on the big day so you don't need to worry about anything and can just enjoy it!

What would be your top tip for future couples getting married with us at Priston Mill?

I would create a realistic plan and budget and stick to it, don’t panic, and add last minute purchases if they were not part of your original mood board. These are often not needed and end up being a waste of money. It is a cliché, but less really is more, both our venues have lovely rustic styling, and you only need to enhance this do not try and change it too much for a few hours. The summer months you have the lovely outside space and scenery and during the winter months, candles, the fireplace and dimmed lights really make for a magical experience. For those December weddings you get the extra special treat of the lovely Christmas tree!

Do you have a favourite season for saying I do?

Weddings hosted here at Prison Mill in Bath are gorgeous all year round. Autumn and Winter weddings in such a rural countryside area are simply stunning with the frost covering the fields and making for those beautiful crisp photos, you also get to see all the lovely festoon lights that much earlier, and candles really come into their own. That is my favourite time of the year, the fires are on, the lights are twinkling the early morning mist is so beautiful to watch rolling into the valley and the deer running through the fields.

What would be your advice to a Groom and his Ushers for the morning of the wedding?

All I would really say is just to leave plenty of time to get ready, so that you don’t have to rush and don’t feel you have to arrive too early. Enjoy the anticipation of the wedding morning together, and the experience the fun and excitement together - a great opportunity for some brilliant photos as you get ready for the day ahead. And most importantly, don’t forget to wear clean socks!!

Thank you Chris. We've loved hearing all about your insights into weddings at Priston Mill.

Chris is always around and happy to answer any questions that you may have about your wedding so don't hesitate to give him a call on 01225 447323 if you need reassurance, ideas or queries.

Insights from an Event Manager

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 16:44:40 GMT

Chloe joined our team of dedicated Event Managers in October 2023 and has very quickly become a valuable member of our close-knit team. She is no stranger to weddings and hospitality, having previously been the Deputy General Manager at a country house, co-ordinating weddings and events.

Chloe has slotted straight into the Priston Mill family and has one key advantage as she is also planning her own wedding in November 2025! This means she knows well the challenges that come with planning a wedding, and has a key insight to what our couples are truly going through, and is on hand every step of the way.

We caught up with Chloe and asked her some questions about weddings at Priston Mill.

What is it you love most about being an Event Manager at Priston Mill?

I know it sounds cheesy, but it is helping the wedding couple making their dream day come true. A lot of hard work and effort goes into the day (from both the Event Manager and the couple) so its lovely to see it come to life and go so smoothly.

What is your top tip for on the day itself?

A sweetheart top table is something to consider. It’s a long day with a lot going on and you feel like you have a lot of people to meet, greet and please. Remember, it is your day and there is nothing wrong with spending some quality time with your loved one whilst you have your first meal together as a married couple. This is the biggest top tip my wedding couples have given me!

If you could save your couples one worry, what would it be?

Pleasing your guests too much. I see too many couples worrying about their guests and not enjoying the day themselves, you must try and relax. You want to be able to look back on your day and smile and remember how enjoyable it was.

What is your favourite time of year to say I do?

I prefer an Autumnal/ Winter themed wedding. Personally, I’m not great in the summer months with heat so I’ve chosen my wedding date for November. It’s quite a romantic time of year, when the leaves are starting to fall and there’s nothing better than getting cosy on the sofa with a hot chocolate. Bring that cosiness to your wedding with hiring a firepit and providing your guests with marshmallows. You could also combine your table favours into this by giving your guests s ’mores!!

You’ve seen a lot of weddings here at Priston Mill. Are there any particular trends you think work well?

Games! Don’t make it too cheesy or too much like a children’s party, but it’s nice to engage your guests in your day and make them feel included. Providing some light-hearted entertainment is always a good idea. Also, a photobooth is always money well spent. If your budget is a little less, buy a polaroid camera and a scrapbook or a tripod with a ring light attached.

Thank you so much Chloe! We love having you on the PM team and wish you all the best with your very own wedding planning!

Rachel And Angus's Real Winter Wedding At Priston Mill

Thu, 22 Jun 2023 10:55:20 GMT

As we are now in the height of summer, we wanted to have a look back at our first wedding of 2023! Rachel and Angus wanted a cosy Winter Wedding here at Priston Mill and lucky the weather was perfect for just that! From the fairy lights to the sparkler exit it had cosy winter wedding written all over it. We have since asked them for there thoughts on the day.

Why Did You Choose Priston Mill As Your Wedding Venue?

We went to look around a few venues before the wedding and we genuinely cannot tell you how excited we were as soon as we drove into Priston Mill. We almost danced around the venue as we had a look around as it was just perfect. I think almost to the consternation of those who showed us around! We were buzzing.

It truly is the most stunning setting and perfect for a winter wedding with so much room to accommodate everyone inside. There is a real warmth and comfort to the place; sofas next to a roaring fire, a gorgeous mezzanine overlooking the main barn, a bar easily accessible to all the guests. And of course – and most importantly – a huge amount of space for the dancefloor in the evening!

It was a no brainer to choose Priston Mill.

Tell Us About Your Wedding Dress And The Big Day Fashion

Rachel: I got my dress from Blush & Ivory in London and it just so happened to be the first dress I tried on! Standing outside the shop with two mates, I described the design of dress I imagined suiting me. As we walked in, the gorgeous lady who runs the place said “I know exactly the dress for you!” Lo and behold, it was exactly as I described!

I loved the simple, classy, timeless vibe to the dress so looked to replicate that across the whole day. As it was a winter wedding, I needed a fur coat to go with the dress and was advised by Blush & Ivory to go for a coat that isn’t white/off white as it’d never match perfectly. It was great advice from them as the tan fur coat I found was great! As for bridesmaids and groomsmen, I love when there’s a theme and colour scheme, but we put each person in an individual outfit (different dresses, same colour; same waistcoats, different colours) to bring a bit more colour to the day.

Angus: I think the groom has it easier here! Within a week of getting engaged, Rach had already gone wedding dress shopping, shed tears at the dress she chooses and sent pictures to all her best pals. I, on the other hand, was not allowed to know a thing… I think it’s a little less exciting picking the colour of your waistcoat and tie and which outlet to hire out your tails from (Moss Bros if you’re asking).

The Decor

Rachel: As with the dress, we love themes that are classy, peaceful, timeless and full of joy. Given the time of year, we needed as much light as possible, so we had a hint of gold across all name places, table numbers, lights and candles. Other than that, Priston Mill and the church we got married in are beautiful canvases to let the guests’ outfits and flowers bring a lot of the spark.

Angus: Lololol. This was a question raised early on in the process and I honestly did not have a clue what to contribute. Warm and wintery with a hint of sparkle is what I’ll say.

Rachel: When we got engaged, my Dad suggested that we go with Bloomingdale Flowers. It’s run by a lady who spends half her time helping the homeless with a huge charity in the Southwest, and the other half doing stunning floral displays. We loved that she is so passionate about helping the homeless, so it felt right to go with her! She did some of the most stunning flower displays I’ve ever seen at a wedding – especially impressed considering the time of year and reduced variety of available flowers.

Angus: Again, an area that was not my strong point. I quickly learned that I couldn’t just say colours but needed to know the names of a number of different plants. I’m afraid to say I hadn’t spent my childhood in the garden or my 20s buying flowers for my numerous girlfriends (of which there were none) so this was a very educational experience… Gyp I think is what we landed on?

The Cake

We both thought that a wedding cake is one of the stranger wedding traditions… a lot forked out for what is essentially a photo opportunity. However, we did ultimately decide it needed to happen – if only to please the traditionalists. So, M&S we went to and they duly delivered. Just ahead of the cutting of the cake, we made it clear to a few of our friends that we weren’t too fussed by it. Mistake… they quickly ran into the other barn, shouted that we were cutting the cake and looked to gather as many people as possible. Was the cake worth it? Yeahhhh it was delicious

Tell Us A Bit About The Photographer?

The Redmans! Ahhh we loved Tom and Lizzie. They were mutual friends of ours and we got on so well. From the first zoom call we had with them (which was meant to last 30 minutes. An hour and a half later…) to the final edit, it really was the ultimate joy having them photograph our day.

They put us so at ease, we loved our time with them just having couple shots and they captured the day in the most stunning way. They really didn’t feel like our photographers but our friends who happened to have a camera by the end of it all.

We should also say, we were unbelievably lucky on the day. The risk of a winter wedding is always the weather and it looked on the morning of the day – when we drove to the venue in horizontal rain – that we would be forced indoors for the whole thing. But from 11.30 (half an hour before the service) to 2.30 (when the last of our photos was taken), the sun suddenly poked out from behind the clouds, and we were bathed in sunshine. Our pictures captured what genuinely felt like a miracle so well

What Was The Best Part Of Your Day?

Rachel:I really struggle to answer this question as I loved it all. In the run up I was torn between the excitement for the ceremony and the dance floor – two bits that ended up far exceeding expectation! Priston Mill is a great venue for hosting a whole host of desires – mezzanine for chills; dancefloor for a prolonged boogie; ‘canapé barn’ for natters on the sofa with a cheese board and cake; and outside for some much-needed fresh air after the DJ did his thing.

Angus: That is genuinely impossible to pinpoint. We loved our church service. We loved the dinner and the speeches. We loved the dancefloor. To be surrounded by all our family and friends on the day throughout it to be honest was just so special. In many ways, it’s a very strange day, having your whole world under one roof, but my word was it so full of joy.

Words Of Wisdom

Rachel:Your wedding day is one of the most exceptional days of life! But it is just a day after all. It is a day to celebrate with your loved ones, so include them in as much of the day as possible – give an extra speech to a non-traditional person as they have the remit to bring something fresh. In the planning, remember that your relationships with your family and friends will well outlive the wedding planning, so don’t make any rash decisions that put the relationships through the mill!

Angus: Thank everyone who has been on the journey with you. Enjoy every second of it. Love and back your wife to the hilt. Take a moment to stand on the mezzanine and look down at the worlds you’ve gathered and be grateful. Dance until you don’t think you can dance any longer.

If you are still looking for your dream wedding venue, we would love to hear from you to plan your big day! To come and explore please do contact our team on 01225 4230894 or drop us an email at hello@pristonmill.co.uk

Suppliers

Photography - Tom and Lizzie Redman - https://tomandlizzieredman.com/

Flowers - Bloomingdale Flowers - http://bloomingdaleflowers.co.uk/index.html

Dress - Blush & Ivory - https://blushandivory.co.uk/

DJ - Beats in Abundance- https://www.beatsinabundance.com/about-us

Jessica And Josh's Real Wedding At Priston Mill In Bath

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:56:01 GMT

Hosting a stylish and cosy winter wedding in January, to beat those post-Christmas blues has got to be the best way to start the year! Jessica and Josh thought just the same when they tied the knot on Saturday 14th January 2023 in the Tythe Barn. We caught up with Jessica who told us all about their winter, countryside wedding.

Why Did You Choose Priston Mill As Your Wedding Venue?

We choose Priston Mill near Bath as our wedding venue because the moment that we walked into the Tythe Barn we were completely blown away. We had seen photos, but nothing compared to walking in there and seeing it in person - there are no words to describe how amazing it is. The minute we saw it we both just knew it was the one for us.

It was the first and only venue we looked at because we knew nothing would even compare and I personally didn’t want to waste any time looking at alternative wedding venues as I had my heart set on Priston Mill. The whole place is incredibly scenic and beautiful, you just feel so relaxed and calm while you are there.

We knew we wanted something modern but with character and Priston Mill was exactly that! It was so homely and cosy but stylish and elegant. Just everything we were after; it ticked every single box for us and more.

Tell Us About Your Wedding Dress And The Big Day Fashion

For my wedding dress I had my appointment at Find a Dress Bridal Wear in Chippenham with the lovely lady Nicola who owns the shop, and she was incredible from start to finish. She helped me so much and made me feel amazing every time I visited. She has every single style available and overall, I had a wonderful experience there.

At my first dress appointment, I tried on the exact dress I had been picturing in my head but I didn’t feel like I thought I would trying on this dress. It’s so true what they say, you end up picking the complete opposite, which in my case was exactly that!

When the second dress come out on the hanger (the one I ended up choosing), I was not convinced but I tried it on and when I walked out I just knew this was the one. Even my family and friends who attended the dress fitting were crying and gave me the complete opposite reaction to the first dress, so I knew they all agreed how special this one was.

I felt so incredibly confident and comfortable in it, and it was very surreal! I knew I didn’t want anything sparkly, glitzy and lacey but more elegant, stylish, timeless and classic. I wanted to look back at our wedding photos in twenty - thirty years’ time and still love my dress.

When it came to Josh’s suit I tried to step back as much as I could as I wanted Josh to wear what he felt most comfortable in. Luckily enough he had the same idea as I did, and went for a dinner tuxedo and wow, I’m so glad he did! Again, something that just went with the vibe and style of the wedding. It couldn’t have been a more perfect fit and overall look. Everyone complimented how great he looked!

Tell Us All About Your Hair And Makeup!

So my sister in law Natasha who is a self-employed hairdresser kindly did my bridal hair and the entire bridal party. It was never an option to have anyone else for hair as she is confident in what she does and also incredibly good at it. I wanted something very elegant and classic to match the vibe of my dress and the day in general and Natasha went above and beyond to make sure it was exactly that! She even made a pocket in my hair so my veil would sit perfectly and would occasionally stop me to check my hair and kept it perfect throughout the day. All my bridesmaids looked incredible, the little flower girls also looked beautiful. I can’t thank her enough for what she did.

The bridesmaids and flower girls had navy dresses as I felt it was the appropriate colour for the time of year being a winter wedding. I also wanted the little flower girls to match (I didn’t want to stick to traditions) and it ended up working out perfectly.

We had the most incredible lady, Bridal by Bex for our makeup and wow she was incredibly talented. I found Bex on Instagram and after the trial, I couldn’t get over how insanely talented she was. She was faultless and I would never use another make-up artist again!

The Decor

Josh won’t mind me saying that he didn’t have much say in the decor department and just let me do what I wanted, thank you Josh! I had originally picked some bits for the decor but after the planning meeting with the team at Priston Mill I decided that less is more. Priston Mill is so stunning that it spoke for itself, and I didn’t want to take anything away from that. An incredibly talented family friend helped me bring this vision to life and my word it was spectacular.

I originally wanted lots of foliage and greenery, but we ended up with pampas grass as I felt it gave that timeless, elegant touch.

Seeing the little snippets our incredible photographer Ryan took of them just made me burst with excitement and how incredible, and fitting for the venue they looked.

The Photographer

When we got engaged and started planning the wedding it was no question that Ryan Goold was going to be our photographer. When it came to booking Priston Mill and deciding on a date I said I must wait first to confirm with Ryan, because if he wasn't available I would have moved the date to make sure he was! I couldn’t have our wedding day without him.

When Ryan arrived at the Bath Mill Lodges where we were staying at, he immediately lit up the room. He is just like one of your friends and we didn’t feel awkward having our photos taken - we were just having a good laugh and generally chatting and enjoying ourselves. He is just the most genuine human being and nicest person ever!

I feel so lucky we had Ryan to photograph our special day and trusted him 100%. He knew Josh and me were a little awkward with posed photos but he just managed to capture the most natural and amazing moments. He certainly went above and beyond and I’ll forever be grateful to him for everything he did on our special day! I couldn’t recommend him enough to anyone looking for a photographer! Thank you Ryan, so much for making our day so special!

Darren The Magician

We booked Darren for our evening entertainment and wow is all I can say!

Our guests were completely shocked at how insanely talented and entertaining he was. Darren brought pure enjoyment to our evening and everyone still to this day keeps saying how unbelievable he was. We didn’t stick to tradition throughout our wedding, and we wanted something to entertain our guests and Darren definitely did that. He will always play a huge role in wedding and in years to come we will all still speak about how incredible he was.

When I mentioned to people, we were having a magician I think they instantly think like a rabbit in a hat vibe, but that was the complete opposite it was mind blowing and jaw dropping. Thank you Darren for making our evening magical and the memories we will cherish! If I ever go to any wedding now, I want to see Darren there!

What Was The Best Part Of Your Day?

I mean where do I even start? It’s so hard to pick an exact moment because we had so many. I know when people say it was the most perfect day but honestly hand on our hearts it truly was, nothing went wrong, and everything went so smoothly and in our case that is something that rarely happens!

A few moments that certainly stood out were when our little girl ran down the aisle to her daddy, when our guest Chris got up after dinner to sing and none knew. I love watching the videos back from that moment. Of course, the ceremony but I feel like anyone who has been married would say it’s the most verve wracking time but of course a favourite and main moment. However personally, after the ceremony is when we felt a bit more relaxed as the most important part is over. I feel like you can enjoy it more and really start to soak in everything.

Priston Mill played a huge role in making it all happen, from start to finish they were faultless and went above and beyond for us. The team were incredible and absolutely smashed it! The professionalism from all of them didn’t go unnoticed and they made the day run so smoothly. I would like to also mention our Event Manager Katherine. She is incredible at her job and I felt like she knew me so well and just delivered on everything. I trusted her 100% and throughout the day she was amazing! I felt privileged to have her as part of the process and having her run the day, I couldn’t have asked for anyone better and I’m so grateful and thankful to her.

Priston Mill, I couldn’t recommend you highly enough, I’m so gutted the wedding is over and I don’t get to come over and have planning meetings with Katherine and get everything sorted. I truly miss it but you guys are amazing at what you do and we are so lucky we got to have the most amazing day of our lives with you at Priston Mill, so thank you so much for everything.

Words Of Wisdom

To anyone planning a wedding if I learnt anything it would be do what you want to do, it’s no one else’s day other than yourself and your partners. Don’t try please everyone because you won’t, you will have the people that love you and show up for you and just enjoy every moment when you can. I know it’s so stressful at times but when your day comes, and you watch everything you have planned fall into place it will all be worth it. I truly learnt so much from planning our wedding and it opened my eyes to a lot of things and I’ll be grateful to that always. You won’t get this day back so truly embrace it, remember who the day is about and enjoy it!

Venue and Catering - Priston Mill

MUA – Bridal by Bex - Professional Bridal Makeup Artist | Bridal By Bex | Bath

Photographer – Ryan Goold - Bath, Somerset and Cotswolds Wedding Photographer (ryangooldphotography.co.uk)

Magician – Darren Campbell - Darren Campbell Magician | Magician for Weddings & Corporate Events Bristol

Florist – Pinkgin_and_Pencilcases – as found on Instagram.

Wedding Accommodation Near Priston Mill

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 13:31:41 GMT

Welcome to our first blog in 2023! A very exciting year for all our wonderful couples who are going to tie the knot with us. We hope you are as excited as we are!

With two stunning wedding venues, our couples often require accommodation options, either for the bride and her bridesmaids to pamper themselves the night before, the distant relatives who need to stay after a long journey to the countryside, or for the wedding couple themselves on the night of the wedding!

In order to help you pick the best option for you and your guests we have put together some great local options, check them out below:

Hampton By Hilton – Bath

Hampton by Hilton Bath City

With the Hampton Hotel being in the centre of Bath and only a 7-minute walk away from Bath train station it is the perfect place for the out of town guest, who wants to explore Bath after the whirlwind wedding day. With Bath city on the door step your guests have the opportunity to explore the Bath Abbey , the Roman Baths and even have a spa day at the Thermae Bath Spa with its rooftop pool looking over the Bath skyline. What better way to relax after a wedding! Priston Mill is located a 22-minute drive away and with the Hamptons digital check-in your guest can head straight to the wedding and leave at midnight and not have a single stress. Many couples hire a coach to transport your guests to and from Bath city centre and takes away the hassle of each couple organising their own taxi!

The Bath Priory - Bath

If you would like something extra special for the night of your wedding, to treat yourself after months and months of planning The Bath Priory could be the place for you. The Bath Priory is one of the perfect places to unwind with the choice of 33 rooms, onsite spa, both outdoor and indoor pool and restaurant – you really can stay in the wedding bubble for as long as you wish! You might be the heart of Bath but with the country house set within 4 acres of beautiful grounds you will feel like you can truly escape and enjoy that quality time as newly married couple!

The Apple Shed – Farmborough

With the Apple Shed only 10 minutes away from Priston Mill it is only a short journey back for the newlyweds, and a lovely place to rest after the biggest day! Located in the nearby village of Farmborough it is self-contained granny annex with private outside space to enjoy your first morning together as a married couple. This cosy little hideaway is the perfect place for the day after to look through all the lovely cards and messages while reminiscing about all the little details from the big day!

The Apple Shed offer a 10% discount to Priston Mill clients if they book with Estie directly on 07884 318842.

The Cottage - Dunkerton

Looking for something to fit in with your countryside wedding? The Cottage in Dunkerton can certainly help. You’ll have the unspoilt views over the stunning Somerset countryside for up to 8 people to enjoy the night before with the BBQ and hot tub available to make your final night before marriage one to enjoy. The open plan kitchen and large living room will then give you all the space you need to get everyone glammed up ready for walking down the aisle and only an 8-minute drive away from Priston Mill, you won’t have to wait long!

The Courtyard – Bath

Looking for something different like a large Georgian townhouse in central of Bath. The Courtyard could be the perfect place for yourself and either your groomsmen or bridesmaids to get ready in! With space to sleep up to 6 people and a large open plan living room and kitchen it gives you enough space to have all the glam team to get ready to in. The added bonus of original Georgian features such as the exposed cobble wall and decorative fireplaces is the perfect place to have some pre wedding pictures done!

Tyndall Villa – Bath

Do you have some out of town guest that you would like to wow with this boutique bed and breakfast which has that extra touch of something special! Tyndall Villa is a luxurious B&B in the heart of Bath, offering either individual rooms or exclusive use. It is a classically charming Victorian house, built in 1874 that has recently undergone a luxury refurbishment. It has 16 beautifully decorated ensuite bedrooms to choose from, inspired by traditional English decor with mixed with classical Chinese influences and modern furnishings. Tyndall villa is just a 10 minute stroll from the centre of Bath and a 15 minute drive or taxi to Priston Mill! Bath Spa Station is 14 minutes by foot and Oldfield Park Station is 15 minutes away.

If you would like to dig a little deeper for the perfect option for you, please have a look at all of our recommended accommodation options on the link below:

Priston Mill Accommodation near Bath

Or for more ideas of how to spend a wedding weekend in Bath – head to our previous blog

The City of Bath - what to do on your wedding weekend (pristonmill.co.uk)

For any couples that are still searching for your dream wedding venue in Somerset, whether that’s because you were born and bred there or you’ve simply always loved the thought of tying the knot in the beautiful countryside near Bath, you really will be spoilt in this stunning area around Priston Mill.

Priston Mill is set within the Duchy of Cornwall’s Newton Park Estate, surrounded by acres of countryside and incredible, far-reaching views. The Tythe Barn and Watermill are at the heart of Priston Mill and offer two settings for civil ceremonies and wedding receptions.

To book your exclusive tour around our two exquisite wedding venues at Priston Mill please call the team on 01225 423894 any time between 9am and 5pm, 7 days a week or drop us an email at hello@pristonmill.co.uk

Vegan And Vegetarian Wedding Menus

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 13:08:35 GMT

Thinking Of A Vegetarian Or Vegan Wedding ? Read On!

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Priston Mill blog! After what has been a busy, and really enjoyable summer and autumn we thought it’d be great to give our lovely readers an insight into some of the trends that we've seen this season, and of course provide a little inspiration for those of you planning to get wed in the coming months.

We have noticed a a huge increase in the number of fully vegetarian and vegan weddings recently, with at least one taking place per month at Priston Mill, which is our charming countryside wedding venue, just outside of Bath. We must say we absolutely love the challenge, and the chefs are not only incredible at creating delicious plant-based menus, but they also enjoy the variety that a fully vegetarian or vegan wedding brings.

Here at Priston Mill we have a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan options. Check out a selection of our favourites below:

Starters:

Mushroom and chestnut pate with tarragon, picked cucumber and crostini

Sweet potato, spinach and carrot falafel, spiced cauliflower puree, cumin yoghurt

Sourdough bruschetta, burrata, asparagus, peas and radish

Mains:

Puff pastry case of wild mushroom and asparagus spears with a lemon and chive butter sauce

Spinach pumpkin and chickpea curry with rice and winter vegetables pakoras

Beetroot, squash, lentil and kale wellington with a mushroom cream sauce

Desserts:

Dark chocolate torte, raspberry gel and pistachio crumb

Lemon posset, poached rhubarb, lemon and tythe shortbread

Raspberry frangipane tart with white chocolate shards and raspberry sorbet

Due to the popularity of full vegetarian and vegan weddings we have added some new delightful dishes coming to our dedicated vegetarian and vegan menu ‘To Graze’. Some that we are excited to see soon in 2023 are:

Starters:

Sichuan fried cauliflower with salsa matcha and mint yoghurt

Chickpea patty with carrot purée and crispy kale

Beetroot and minted peas with charred feta

Mains:

Butternut and sage soufflé with crispy sage and a pecan and apple salad

Mushroom and asparagus risotto with truffle oil *

Desserts:

Chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis and an almond and chocolate soil

Lemon cheesecake with blueberry gel and meringue

However, we are also seeing that more and more brides and grooms and their guests are choosing to adapt their diet to meet their personal preferences such as having a gluten free and dairy free diet. Due to the numbers of alternative ingredients being widely available to us now our wonderful chefs Martin and Rosy can adapt more and more of our dishes to meet these needs so you and your guests can have an enjoyable meal on your special day!

However, don’t just take our word for it. These are what our past brides and grooms have to say about our wonderful wedding breakfast dishes:

"We were a bit nervous about how people would respond to all the food being vegan, but all the food was delicious, and we had great feedback from our guests."

"A huge thanks needs to also go to the chefs for the most amazing food. We have had so many people come up to us to talk about how amazing the food was throughout the day!"

"The food was plentiful and extremely tasty. As 6 of us are vegan we would also like to thank the chef for the quality and deliciousness of our main courses and the sublime dessert"

"The venue looked beautiful and again so many of our guests have commented on how lovely the food was. Thank you also for making me feel confident with my gluten free food, which tasted amazing! "

"Please may you pass our massive appreciation and thanks to the catering team too, the food was incredible from start to finish."

"Everyone commented on how amazing the food was and it honestly was so delicious I wish they would do a pop-up restaurant so we could have it again! Even the vegan aubergine item we chose was adored by meat eaters and vegans alike, and my sister claims to have dreams about the potatoes"

"Our guests haven't stopped raving about how delicious the meal was, some even calling it the best three-course meal they've ever eaten! ALSO so many we spoke to said the food was incredible and was the best wedding food they'd ever had! If you could pass that on to the chefs, we would be so grateful. It was so so good!"

Now you’ve heard about our vegan wedding menu options, its time to think about vegan wines for the wedding breakfast and toast drinks!

Our most popular white wine which is popular amongst all our couple and is vegan friendly is the Dominio De La Fuente Organic Verdejo, Spain. But we can’t forget about those red wine lovers, the Five Ravens Pinot Noir, Romania would be the perfect match for your vegan wedding!

Now for speeches, what better drink but the Bouvet Saumur Rose Brut NV, France to finish off the wedding breakfast just before the evening entertainment and evening food!

Now onto the late-night snack to get you through all that dancing! A new addition to our 2023 ‘To Munch’ menu is

FALAFEL PITTAS

The middle eastern street food classic. Warm pittas are stuffed with falafels then served with a selection of salads and accompaniments for you and your guests to choose from.

Accompaniments to include:

Hummus, Tabbouleh Salad (bulgur wheat with herbs, tomatoes, peppers, spring onion, lemon and paprika), spiced chickpeas, pickled vegetables, fresh carrot salad, tomato and cucumber salad, feta.

Dressings to include:

Mint yogurt, citrus dressing, chipotle mayo, tzatziki, tahini dressing, chilli dressing and sriracha.

What better way to finish off the day!

No matter what you decide to serve your guests on your wedding day, with Priston Mill as the wedding venue and our chef’s Martin and his team in the kitchen, you cannot go far wrong! Embrace the sense of occasion and choose something that will leave your guests reminiscing for years to come!

We would love to help you to plan your Somerset countryside wedding here at Priston Mill. To find out more and discuss your special requirements, call our Events Office on 01225 423894 or email us at Hello@pristonmill.co.uk

5 Benefits Of Booking A Mid-Week Wedding

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 09:46:37 GMT

With many couples choosing to book that traditional Saturday, it can be difficult to imagine telling your guests you have gone against the grain. However, if you would rather save that budget, and put the money towards food or drink upgrades for example, you are likely to be considering saying the vows during the week.

Nowadays, couples are discovering a huge range of advantages to getting married midweek! If you still need convincing, read below our top 5 reasons why we think you should consider booking that mid-week wedding date.

1. Cut The Costs

With so many incredible deals on midweek wedding dates it is so hard not to be tempted. Here at Priston Mill we offer two special prices midweek.

The charming Watermill is available for a hugely reduced £1275 venue hire midweek (Monday through Thursday) from January through to and including the third week of July (excluding May half-term and the Easter period). Also available from September until the third week of December.

We also offer a smaller venue hire price of £1,550 during the May half-term and the Easter period, and the last week of July through to the end of August.

Our larger Tythe Barn is also available for a hugely reduced £1,700 venue hire midweek (Monday through Thursday) from January through to and including the third week of July (excluding May half-term and the Easter period). Also available from September until the third week of December.

We also offer a smaller venue hire price of £2,550 during the May half-term and the Easter period, and the last week of July through to the end of August.

Image by Storybox.

2. The Family & Friends Benefit

Not only is the venue going to offer some serious money-saving options for yourselves, your guests could also save money. As we do not currently have accommodation on-site, your wedding guests may need to stay in a local Airbnb or hotel overnight, and room rates even at the most luxury hotels may drop during the week. Transport may also prove significantly more pocket friendly, with less traffic on the roads, more available taxis and cheaper rates and fares!

For recommended local accommodation options, follow the link for our personal favourites! LINK

Images by Storybox.

3. More Last Minute Availability

Looking to book your wedding venue less than two years in advance? You may find that your wedding venue is booked up for all Saturdays a long time in advance. We find that Saturdays, followed by Fridays and Sunday get booked up quicker than that reduced Thursday wedding day!

So if you’re looking for a more last minute date, you’re likely to find that the venue actually has availability for you mid-week if you are willing to bend the rules!

You’re also more likely to find that that ever so talented photographer you’ve had your eye on, actually still has availability on the date too! Similarly, have you got your eye on a particular band you want to create the perfect party for you?

Or perhaps you are in love with how a particular florist dresses weddings and are simply desperate for them to style your venue? The best wedding suppliers will always be in highest demand over a weekend and it would be a huge shame losing out on such a key element of the day simply because of what day of the week your wedding is on. Choosing a mid-week date will mean your wedding suppliers will likely have far greater availability.

On top of all that, you may be the only wedding that the supplier has booked in for the day, in which case, you’ll receive their whole and undivided attention!

Fill your venue with candles...everywhere....on the dining tables, on the window sills and in all the nooks and crannies, perhaps guide your guests to the entrance of your countryside wedding venue with a simple path of hurricane lanterns. You can take full advantage of what this season has to offer and bring the outside in with simple but very effective foliage decorations too.

Image by Chris Bailey

4. And Hey! Your Guests Get An Extra Day Off Work!

Ensure to send out your Save the Dates as soon as you book the venue, and your guests should have no problem taking a day off work (or maybe they work in a business which isn’t centred around the weekend anyway?) Your guests will more than likely be delighted to take an extra day out of the office and with stunning World Heritage City of Bath on Priston Mill’s doorstep, they may want to turn the wedding it in to a mini-break away!

Image by Chris Bailey.

5. Celebrate On A Special Date

Why not have the wedding booked on the day you first met, or perhaps the anniversary of your engagement? Limiting to a weekend wedding may make this more difficult (especially with dates getting booked up so quickly!) A significant date could make things even more magical for you, and less confusing when it comes to remembering the anniversary!!

Image by Chris Bailey.

For more information on mid-week weddings and availability, why not drop the team a message on hello@pristonmill.co.uk . We’re more than happy to help and even book you in to come for a non-committal in person viewing of the venue to help advise and plan your special day.

5 Top Tips For Including Children In Your Wedding Day

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 10:50:29 GMT

Flower girls and page boys

A truly magical day for you can equally transpire as a pinnacle moment in a childhood. Why not ask those special little ones to do the honour of being part of your ever so important wedding party. As well as creating no doubt some of the *cutest* images for the photographer, walking down the aisle and tossing petals is truly a beautiful way to begin the ceremony procession.

What better excuse to ask a special little one to be your ring-bearer?

Image by James Fear Photography

Image by Kerry at Tall Long Legged Bird

Keep them entertained!

If you are planning to invite the little ones along to the big day, do think about those moments where the “grown-ups” are going to be more than happy swilling wine, and chatting, and the children are meanwhile itching for something to do!

Our beautiful grounds offer plenty of space for lawn games in the summertime. A simple game of giant Jenga is always a sure winner, or how about a spot of mini golf? Equally we have a small children’s playground available behind the venue for children to enjoy – supervised of course!

Some super fun (& cost effective) activities we have seen recently include organising a mini treasure hunt – why not draw up a list of things for them to spot throughout the day and they can work together to tick them off the list! Alternatively hand out mini disposable cameras to each of them at the start of the day, and give them a list of things you’d like them to capture for you!

Images by James Fear Photography

Include them in arts and crafts.

This is the perfect opportunity to complete tasks from your very long wedding checklist and simultaneously plan an arts and crafts activity for the children! Is there anything little ones enjoy more? Depending on age, why not have them help you out with simple tasks, like hand-writing place cards, filling confetti cones or if you think they are up for the task, why not involve them in creating something like the traditional 1000 paper cranes?

Image by Kerry at Tall Long Legged Bird

Perhaps your children are of the furry variety?!

We absolutely love having dogs at the wedding! Should you wish to bring along your little one, please check out our recent blog for all our tips and tricks on how to ensure both you and your pet have a great experience!

Image by Natalie J Weddings

Nanny to the rescue!

Perhaps you’ve got some very helpful grandparents at hand to help with the childcare on the day, or perhaps you’d like your real nan to sit back, and just enjoy. If so, why not book a private nanny to come and help out on the day. We can recommend the following local and well-loved childcare companies who’d be delighted to help out!

Images by James Fear Photography

Pitch Up and Play - hello@pitchupandplay.co.uk - Headed up by Isabella, who works as a Private Nanny and has been in the Childcare Industry for 11 years, Pitch Up and Play is made up of highly qualified and highly awesome Play Workers, all of which are fully qualified or training in the Education or Childcare sector. All Play Workers are DBS checked, experienced, and fully referenced.

Freckles Childcare - info@freckleschildcare.co.uk – Lucy Brown offers well recommended and bespoke childcare options with her team at Freckles. Why not give her a call on 07776 508863.

If you are planning your special day, why not get in touch with the team. We’d love to hear from you and discuss all of your plans – including how many children you’ve decided to invite!!

Email us on hello@pristonmill.co.uk or give us a call 01225 423894.

How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Cake

Tue, 26 Apr 2022 11:48:00 GMT

Wedding Cake Ideas And Inspiration

When planning your wedding day, you have so many questions to ask and decisions to make, and one of those important decisions has got to be choosing the perfect wedding cake!

The cake is a focal point for a photo-op and of course a midnight snack, so it's got to stand out! Do you want a big cake towering above your friends and family or maybe something smaller as a token gesture to your guests for being a part of your special day? You could have a cup-cake tower, macaroons, brownies or whatever your heart desires.

Maybe you want to have your own personal touch on your wedding cake iced with your favourite colour, your pet(s) or just like in the photo below - a gingerbread sleigh with yourself and your fiancé also made from gingerbread inside! You can't get more unique than that!

Image By Jade Touron

What Filling Should I Choose For My Wedding Cake?

Once you have decided on the aesthetics of your cake, you’ll need to decide on those all-important flavours. And this is really the most fun part – most wedding cake makers now offer a tasting! Are you crazy for chocolate fudge cake or refreshing and zingy elderflower and lemon? Do you want to play it safe and go for a simple Victoria sponge, or wow your guests with a honey and pistachio? Red velvet, rainbow cake, carrott cake or fruit cake...whatever the flavour you decide on, be sure you choose your favourite! The cake is as much for you as it is for your guests.

Image by James Fear

Give Us A Slice

The next thing you will need to decide is how you would like to cut the cake. Do you have a family heirloom you would like to use, a cake knife that has been used in many successful marriages before yours? Or maybe a sword to give a nod to your profession and years in service? Most importantly, remember that you won’t have to cut and serve the whole cake yourself! The cake cut is purely a photo opportunity for the album - your Event Manager will happily do all of the cake cutting and ensure the cake is displayed beautifully, along with any flowers you may have had on your cake originally.

Image by Navid Mughal

Time Is Of The Essence

What time do you usually cut the cake at a wedding? Well, this is up to you...would you like guests to wash it down with a lovely cuppa after the Wedding Breakfast, or grab a nibble alongside your evening food as a sweet treat? When it comes to wedding cake, we want to ensure that the guests fully enjoy it. We would therefore advise cutting your cake either at the end of the wedding breakfast alongside speeches, or, our favourite option is to cut the cake just before your first dance so that your evening guests can be a part of it too. We'll then serve your cake a little later alongside your evening food. This gives guests time to get hungry again after what is sure to have been a scrumptious wedding breakfast.

Image by Simon Withyman

Savour The Moment

Once your cake is ordered and everything is ready to go, there’s just one more decision to make. Would you like to take any home? Here at Priston Mill, our countryside wedding venue in Bath, we will often cut around half of each tier initially and top it up as required throughout the evening to save it all going stale and to waste. If you would like us too, we will happily keep some of the cake back for you to have the next day or even keep a whole tier aside for you to share with friends and family over the coming week of celebrations.

Image by A Tall Long Legged Bird

Baked By The Best!

When it comes to choosing your baker to make the wedding cake for your special day, we appreciate it can be a little overwhelming. We have pulled together a list of local suppliers below, who have a proven track record of creating beautiful (and delicious!) cakes and cake alternatives for our lovely couples here at Priston Mill.

Image by James Fear

The Cake Architect

www.thecakearchitect.co.uk

Sandra Monger Cakes

www.sandramongercakes.co.uk

The Choux Box

www.thechouxboxpatisserie.com

Anna Cake Couture

www.thisisanna.co.uk

Posh and Cake

www.poshandcake.co.uk

The Macaroom

www.macaroom.co.uk

We are sure that you will find your dream cake by speaking to one of these experts!

Thank you for reading our blog this month - why not explore more wedding planning topics here.

Priston Mill holds two beautiful wedding venues in Somerset, just outside of Bath. To come and explore please contact our team on 01225 4230894 or drop us an email at hello@pristonmill.co.uk.

Image by Whoisbenjamin

Wedding Dress Trends To Watch In 2022

Tue, 22 Mar 2022 13:49:59 GMT

As we move closer and closer to Spring and that eventual Summer, we thought it’d be fun to chat with you about the summer trends set to blow us away this coming season!

One of the first things a Bride thinks of when that wonderful question is asked, is when can I take the girls dress shopping?! What with all the different styles and options, we thought we’d do a bit of the leg work for you and research the hottest trends set for the summer.

Now of course, a lot of the decisions may be made for you, depending on your theme, colour scheme, time of year, wedding venue it may make it more, or less likely you’ll choose to go for a particular style.
Will it have a stylish square neckline or beautifully exposed shoulders and a low back? Will it have the longest train you’ve ever seen, or will you dare go for a cheeky leg slit? While some things may already be a definite for you, some will of course be determined by the bridal trends of the year. Taking note of the trends is a must for a fashion-conscious Bride, not only do you want to look utterly gorgeous, but those images are going to be displayed in your home for a good long while to come!

Image by Heather Sham

If you are currently planning your dream wedding day, well then Congratulations! We, more than most, know that you are just ever so busy, choosing your floral table centrepieces, organising a seating plan to suit *most* of your guests and dealing with the stationery! So, let’s get into it, here are some of the hottest trends of Spring/Summer 2022, take some notes, and keep in mind for the next time you’re sampling fizz at your local bridal dress shop…

The Floral Motif

We simply love a Spring floral and isn’t it about time! This S/S season, floral motifs are sure to dominate, and we just love it! With a style for every aesthetic, we simply adore the beautiful motifs we’ve been seeing, especially those adorned with feathers creating the floral look with an extra dimension. Thanks to Brad Wakefield for the below images of one of our stunning Bride’s last summer who was clearly ahead of the trend!

Images by Brad Wakefield

Veil Capes And Wings

An elegant addition to your gown without the added stress and weight of having your veil fixed to your hair. It is also unsurprisingly, on trend for this coming wedding season. Veil capes are very much a cross between a veil and a cape giving you those gorgeous Elsa from Frozen vibes. Wings are two miniature ‘capes’ attached to each shoulder adding another dimension to your dress. Just the perfect way to add an additional train to your gown, perfect for your walk down the aisle and of course, the photographs. The added benefit of it often being detachable means you are free of your extra train when you are busting moves on the dance floor later in the evening. Credit to Simon Withyman for the images below of one of our gorgeous bride who married in the Watermill gardens in July.

Images by Simon Withyman

Bridgerton Vibes… Puff Sleeves And Frills!

Probably the BIGGEST thing to come out of 2021, the return of Regency. Is it any wonder we are now all obsessed with a puff sleeve? Lucky for you, wedding dress brands across the country seem to be picking up the Bridgerton vibe and there are so many stunning gowns on the market right now just full of frills – the perfect nod to the Regency era in our charming England. Gemma shows off beautifully this fabulous ruffle detail at her wedding – thanks Neil Atkinson for the shot!

Image by Neil Atkinson

90s Minimalism

The ‘90s influence appears to be going strong for the year ahead as minimalism, square necklines, and slim silhouettes continue to dominate in bridal dress shops. Just perfect for those of us who don a slip dress at every possible occasion! A simple, yet beautiful pared-back look will simply never look dated in your wedding photos years from now. We thought Leanne looked absolutely stunning in this image captured by Robin Godland .

Image by Robin Goodlad

Tied With A Bow

We are so excited for this romantic theme we’ve seen adorning backs, shoulders, and waistlines. We just love the bow to be super extra larger-than-life! Although every designer will interpret the bow in a different way – modern – retro – huge or even tiny! We are so here for this ultra-feminine bow detail, ever so romantic. Images by Heather Sham .

Images by Heather Sham

Colours Are Back

Who says you have to wear white on your wedding day anyway? Top celebrity designers are all incorporating fabulous floral prints and pastel colours into their S/S 22 bridal collections, and we are here for it! Inspired by the likes of Christine Quinn (everyone’s favourite from Selling Sunset!) and her incredible black sequinned dress, 2022 just screams “wear what makes you happy”!! After over a year and a half of uncertainty, lockdowns and wedding day postponements, this season looks set to push the restraints of “your classic” wedding day colour palette and ready to start experimenting! Why not break out of the wedding comfort zone and explore blushes, champagnes and lavender, what about a pistachio or dusky blue?

We hope that this has given you lots of wedding dress inspiration. Happy wedding planning !

Just Engaged? Here's The Top 10 Questions You Need To Be Asking When Searching For Your Venue...

Aimee@rockbearemanor.co.uk (Aimee Carveth) — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 14:13:37 GMT

We know how daunting it can be when you first begin to look at wedding venues. There are SO many different things to consider; location, season, guest numbers, catering, the list goes on! It can be difficult to know where to start and what to ask. We’ve pulled together what we think are the most important questions to ask when searching for your dream venue.

1. What is your availability like?

Although it might feel a little early on to be asking about availability – especially prior to a visit at a venue – it’s a really important question to be asking. It’s good to get an idea of availability, particularly if you aren’t flexible on your desired wedding date to avoid disappointment. Venues can often get booked up far in advance, and if you’re dedicating time to travel to venues, you want to make sure they have at least one date that could work for you!

Here at Priston Mill, we are lucky enough to have 2 beautiful venues, so double the availability! We host weddings every day of the week, and our team of dedicated Event Managers are here 7 days a week for private tours and to answer your questions.

Image by www.nataliejweddings.com

2. What is included The Venue Hire Price?

There are so many different kinds of venues out there, and it’s important to make sure you know what’s included so you aren’t doubling up and buying things you don’t need. Or worse, not buying the things you do need! This can be a big factor when choosing your wedding venue, so don’t be afraid to ask exactly what you’re getting for your venue hire cost.

At Priston Mill, we supply everything you will need to host your wedding with us, minus the decorations. Whether you book the Tythe Barn or the Watermill, the venue hire includes the use of cutlery, crockery, glassware, white table linen, white napkins, our beautiful Chiavari chairs and our round banqueting tables. You will also have the use of two easels, and cake stand and knife at no extra cost.

3. Is the venue licensed for a legal wedding ceremony?

This sounds like an obvious one, but not all venues are licensed for wedding ceremonies. This means you can hold a ceremony there with a celebrant, but the actual legal side of it would need to be done at the registry office. Either option is totally fine, but make sure to find out what the possibilities are at the venues you’re looking at.

Priston Mill is a licensed wedding venue, with Bath and North East Somerset being the registration that cover our area. We also have a list of recommended local celebrants should you choose to have this kind of ceremony, or you may even choose to get married somewhere else entirely, arriving at Priston Mill already married and ready to head into your Drinks Reception!

4. Can we provisionally hold a date, and how long can we hold it for?

Holding a date provisionally is always advised if you like the look of a venue and you have a specific date in mind for your big day. This gives you time to discuss with friends and family about your decision to book, have time to think about any other logistics you may need to consider and of course, create that all important Pinterest board of your vision!

At Priston Mill, you can hold a date of your choosing for a period of 7 days, free of charge, no strings attached. In this time, we encourage you to come in for a second look around and ask any more questions that you might have.

5. What time can I have my ceremony, and when will the end of the night be?

Your order of the day will likely be one of the first things you will need to start planning once you’ve booked your venue, so ask your venue what their timeline guide is, and their recommendations for timings throughout the day.

Suppliers at Priston Mill can access the venue to decorate from 9am, our recommended ceremony time is 2pm, and our event finish time is 12 midnight. Our Events Team are here to help advise you on a timeline for the day, so don’t be afraid to ask what timings work well for each part of the day.

6. Do you have a preferred suppliers list?

You may already have an idea of the suppliers you’d like to use for your wedding day, make sure to ask your venue if they have a preferred suppliers list that you need to select from, or if you can bring who you want!

At Priston Mill, we have a recommended list of suppliers that we frequently work with and so know and trust, though you are of course welcome to bring whichever suppliers you wish to.

Image by Aga Hosking .

7. Do We Need To Book A Master Of Ceremonies?

Sticking to the timings of the day plays a huge part in how smoothly your wedding will run. Having a dedicated wedding coordinator will allow you to enjoy your day with your loved ones without having to ever check your watch!

At Priston Mill, our wonderful team of Event Managers are on hand to guide the guests to where they need to be and at the right time. Alternatively, if you would rather a groomsman or other member of the wedding party take on this role, we are happy to assist them. You can Meet the Team here

8. Do We Have To Set Up And Take Down All Our Decorations On The Day?

Setting up and taking down your decorations is important to think about when planning timings for day. Ask your venue how this works and if you need to consider asking a family member or two to help you do it!

At Priston Mill, where possible, if there is not a wedding or event taking place the day prior, you are welcome to come in and decorate between 11am and 3pm at no extra cost. Alternatively, where this is not an option, you can drop decorations to us the week of your wedding on a pre-arranged day with your Event Manager and we will get everything set up on the morning for you. We will then pack everything away for you at the end of your event and pop it in our collection store to be collected by 11am the following morning.

Image by Jodie Hurd.

9. Can we leave our cars overnight?

Your guests will inevitably all be asking you the same questions, so when sending your invites or creating your wedding website, consider the things your guests might want/need to know. This will hopefully also lessen the volume of questions your guests will be asking you directly, too! The main thing is directions to your venue and transport options.

You and your guests are welcome to park overnight at Priston Mill, the cars will simply need to be collected by 10.30am the following morning.

10. Do You Have A Sound System for background music, and a microphone?

You might choose to have live music all day for your wedding, but if not, there’s nothing like a well thought out Spotify playlist to set the mood for the day. A microphone can be handy for if you decide to book a Master of Ceremonies, and of course for speeches!

We have one wireless microphone at Priston Mill, and are happy to play your background music playlists throughout the day, prior to evening entertainment.

Image by Brad Wakefield .

Image by www.nataliejweddings.com

If you’re recently engaged, then Congratulations! We know it can be a little daunting navigating your wedding plans, with so much to consider… Hopefully we’ve answered some useful questions for you as you begin your wedding venue search but if you’ve any more questions for us, we are open 7 days a week between 9am and 5pm, so feel free to give us a call on 01225 423 894, or simply drop us a line on hello@pristonmill.co.uk.

Lauren And Ed's Stylish REAL Wedding At Priston Mill In Bath

Thu, 27 Jan 2022 11:54:50 GMT

After the year we’ve all had, we were absolutely thrilled to be hosting so many big and beautiful weddings over Summer 2022. 130-day guests? Sure! A live band? Why not! We simply love all of the little personal touches that each individual couple choose to enhance their special days with us here in the Somerset countryside, and we are so happy to be able to say yes, yes, yes to all of them!

In this month’s blog we wanted to feature a very special couple who got married with us with *no restrictions* back in the late summer of 2021. Friday 20th August in the gorgeous Tythe Barn at Priston Mill in Bath, it was a wonderful day in glorious Somerset, prepped and ready for the talented Navid Mughal ’s camera! A selection of photos so stunning, we thought it’d be rude not to share…

Once the wedding ceremony was completed at the local St John’s church in Bath, and the guests had drank their fill of fizz and bottled beers, we sat them down to dine in the spacious stone walled wedding Barn. To the eclectic sounds of Cotswold Wedding Guitarist Matt who brought his awesome Jukebox set-up, the guests enjoyed a scrumptious feast, followed by speeches, and of course, more fizz! The fact that both Lauren and Ed work in the events and weddings industry was more than likely one of the factors that led to such a wonderfully well thought out and executed wedding day!

We asked Lauren and Ed, the new Mr & Mrs Grace for some words on their day, and Gabby, one of our Event Managers at Priston Mill was over the moon to be sent the below email after the happy couple returned from honeymoon:

"Thank you SO much for everything you did for us on our wedding day!! You have been an absolute star throughout the final stages of our wedding planning. We had such confidence in you just from emailing, but when we met you the day before the wedding we knew we were in the best hands.

We had the most amazing day and your endless hard work throughout the entire wedding made this happen. You (and your staff) were simply outstanding. Your smiley, calm and professional approach to your job is a real asset to Priston Mill and we couldn’t have wished for anything more from you, a truly fantastic Event Manager!!! The venue looked amazing and exactly as we had pictured it, our decorations were set up perfectly, we really appreciate your efforts in the morning! A big thanks also for sorting the cake when it eventually arrived. We had no idea it was being set up, but when we did see it we were so impressed it had just happened with no interruption to our day.

Thank you once again!! Ed & Lauren Mr & Mrs Grace (20.08.2021)"

Lauren and Ed, thank you again for such a wonderful day, and of course allowing us to enjoy your beautiful photos! On behalf of the whole team here at Priston Mill in Bath, Somerset, we wish you a lifetime of happiness.

For inspiration on Ed and Lauren’s magical summer wedding please see their list of wonderful local suppliers below…

If you are looking for your wedding venue of dreams, we would love to hear from you and show you around our two exquisite venues at Priston Mill which is near both Bath and Bristol. Call the team on 01225 423 894 any time between 9.00am and 5.00pm 7 days a week, or drop us an email at hello@pristonmill.co.uk.

Suppliers:

Venue and Catering: Priston Mill, Priston Mill Farm, Priston Village, Bath, BA2 9EQ

Photography: Navid Mughal - contactme@navidmughal.com

Flowers & Venue Decor: Nicole Gamlin – hello@thefloralstudiopurton.com

Reception & Wedding Breakfast Live Music: Matt (The Cotswold Wedding Guitarist) – cotswoldweddingguitarist@gmail.com

Evening DJ: Sean ( Euphoria Entertainment ) – sean@euphoria-entertainments.com

Evening Band: Will Blake Band – willblakeband@gmail.com

4 Top Tips For Including Your Dog At Your Wedding!

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 15:04:13 GMT

Ask the majority of dog owners and most will tell you that their pets are more like close family members! So, when it comes to one of the biggest days of your life, it’s a no-brainer that a lot of you would of course want to share the big day with your dogs as well!

With the beautiful backdrop of our dog friendly Somerset wedding venue, we love to share the day with special canine wedding guests too…

Like all aspects of planning the big day, working your pet into the timeline of events is totally do-able, but it’s important to always investigate the logistics first.

Doggy Do's & Doggy Don't At Your Wedding!

To help you on your way, we have put together a couple of dos and don’ts for including your dog in your wedding – featuring a few snaps of dogs who we’ve hosted previously, and of course, our adorable mini mascot, Priston’s own Pug Pedro!

*Pug and table not included!

Do, Remember To Think About What Will Be Best For Your Dog!

You’ve decided you’d love to have your pup right by your side on your wedding day. But before we get too invested in the planning the grand entrance, let’s think about what the experience will feel like for your pet.

Some dogs love to be around people and will probably greet every one of your guests as they go down the aisle! But one thing to bear in mind is if your pet is easily upset, or stressed in an unfamiliar environment? Are they at ease with people they don’t know or do they find this very distressing? If so, putting them in the limelight may not be the best idea.

Don’t forget, you are going to be very busy yourself, getting ready and you’ll most likely need to recruit a member of the wedding party to help ensure your pet is happy and cared for. This ideally needs to be someone who knows your pet really well, can keep them calm. It’s also a good idea if this person is not a key part of the day as they may need to be freely able to look after your pet at any given moment.

Do, Think About Their Outfit!

If you know your dog will love the spotlight, now you just need them to look that part.

Making sure they have been to the groomers and had a beautiful blow dry and trim if required is the best place to start. You can even buy your pooch some doggy Pawfume to make sure they smell their best too!

Now for the outfit, you can go for something simple like a cute bowtie, get them to join your flower girls with a beautiful flower collar, or you can go all out with a bespoke matching tux to become an additional groomsman. There are so many different options to choose from so make sure you shop around and get them something that they will both feel comfortable in and look adorable in!

If you do adorn them with flowers just remember to make sure they are dog friendly. Let your florist know that they are for your lovable pooch and they will help to advise and pick the best ones to make sure they are both dog friendly and won’t cause an itch!

If you’re thinking about spending a little extra on something beautiful for your pet to wear, or having them carry the rings, just remember to have a trial run! We wouldn’t want them to get to the end of the aisle and find that are no longer carrying the rings….oops!!

No matter what you choose we know that they will look adorable and get lots of attention from both your guests and your photographer!

Don’t Forget To Ask Your Wedding Venue What Their Rules Are When It Comes To Pets…

Most wedding venues will have some sort of rules or regulations in place when it comes to bringing pets along to the premises. This also may depend if the ceremony is taking place inside or outside.
Here at Priston Mill in Bath, we are a dog friendly wedding venue!!

We happily allow couples to have their dogs participate in their wedding ceremony and drinks reception so you can grab those all-important photos. In order to keep things as fun and relaxed as possible, we do request that someone is assigned to look after the dog while it is on the property, and to take the dog home after the formal photos are concluded and we seat you for the wedding meal. We normally find that the pooch is ready for his own dinner by that time!

Whether you have booked with us, or another wedding venue, always be sure to check with your venue to make sure that they are 'dog friendly' and to see what they require when it comes to having pets on site, as it could differ vastly from one place to another.

Do, Go With The Flow!

Dogs are like children in their own way, they can be a little unpredictable! If you are planning to include your fur baby in the wedding ceremony, you must accept the fact that things may not always run entirely smoothly – and that’s just fine!

Make sure to be realistic when it comes to your pet and ready to laugh when something doesn’t go quite how you may have expected. If you’re thinking about spending a little extra on something beautiful for your pet to wear, or having them carry the rings, just remember to have a trial run! If they’re not used to having something around their neck you need to make sure this is going to work before the big day comes round.

Your dog may be very pleased to see you when you eventually begin your walk down the aisle, and this may be just the thing to break the tension and help you feel more comfortable, however depending on the size of the dog you may want to think about this when choosing your gown – it would be a shame if it ends up being pounced all over!

Even the best-behaved pets can have their moments, so it’s important to keep a sense of humour and know that whatever happens you are both there to enjoy!!

We hope that you have found our 4 top tips for including your dog at your wedding useful!

If you’re recently engaged and looking for a dog friendly wedding venue near Bath and Bristol, why not give the team a call - we'd love to meet you and your fur-baby!!

We are in 7 days a week between 9am and 5pm, the number is 01225 423 894, alternatively drop us a line on hello@pristonmill.co.uk.

2022 Menus At Priston Mill

Aimee@rockbearemanor.co.uk (Aimee Carveth) — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 14:30:44 GMT

It’s the most exciting time of year… no, not Christmas just yet! It’s the time we have all been waiting for, we have received our brand new 2022 wedding brochures in the post! We hope that all of our wonderful couples have enjoyed this last year and are now looking forward to their wedding with us in 2022 or beyond.

Over the last couple of months, we have been working closely with our Chefs to update our wedding menus for 2022. We take enormous pride in the food that we serve and like to keep it imaginative, perfectly presented and therefore creating food that you and your guests will remember for years to come.

We're pleased to say that the new menus have now all been finalised!

The feedback that we have had this year from our guests has been really positive and so many dishes from our wedding breakfast menus have remained on menu for this reason.

Drawing on our wonderful local surroundings, we try to keep things as locally sourced as possible, for example, our hugely popular Cheeseboards which include Somerset’s own Brie and of course, the gorgeous Wyfe of Bath.

This is one of the popular evening options we decided to keep, however we are excited to announce that we've also added a brand-new dish to our evening menus in the form of Pie and Mash! A firm favourite and one that everyone will be sure to enjoy in between those dance moves.

We have also added some options to help quench your guest’s thirst, our Gin Basil Smash is very much enjoyed by us and we're sure your guests will love this twist on the classic too.

If you are looking for a great feature to your drinks reception why not include our new Bathtub of beer, a selection of delicious beers served in our vintage bathtub. Or if you’re looking for a British classic why not try the gorgeous English Gusbourne Sparkling from Kent?

Alongside these exciting additions, we have also extended our 'To Graze' Selection to include many new vegan options. With an array of starters, mains and desserts these options are sure to entice all guests, not just those with vegan or vegetarian requirements.

We believe, food and drink is one of the key elements to a successful wedding day, and place high importance in ensuring all of your guests are happily fed and watered through the day.

To check out our wedding menus in full head to the cuisine page of our website.

Should you be on the lookout for your dream wedding venue, we’d simply love to chat through all of the delicious options we have on offer here at Priston Mill in Bath! Simply pick up the phone, or drop us an email at hello@pristonmill.co.uk.

Our delightful team are in the office 7 days a week between 9am and 5pm and would love to hear from you.

Your Wedding Ceremony At Priston Mill

Mon, 31 May 2021 12:39:19 GMT

Here it is: the moment you've been waiting for, all this time. You're about to walk down the aisle at Priston Mill in Bath for your grand entrance, the music is about to begin... two family’s unite for the start of unforgettable memories.

Your wedding ceremony will be the most idyllic, special moment of your lives and to help you enjoy the planning for your day in the Somerset countryside, we have compiled everything you will need to know.

Wedding Music Ideas

Have you considered live music? Or a simple playlist? A traditional classic or something a little different? Always remember to consider your options may be slightly more limited if you’ve chosen a Church ceremony.

The musical element of your wedding is such a personal and emotional step that can really help you to bring your unique ideas to the day! We are delighted to be able to offer a personalised service in which we will receive your playlist (via Spotify please!), download onto our iPad, and play for you via our Sonos system. This totally takes this stressful element out of the day and means you can relax knowing it’s in good hands and you can simply concentrate on that long walk down the aisle.

So how many songs do we need? Generally we will require 4 songs altogether, one beautiful entrance song, two songs in the background for the signing of the register, and one lovely upbeat song that we can crank up nice and loud for your wedding ceremony exit!

If you’re lacking inspo or simply wondering what sort of songs might work well we thought we’d create a list of some of our ultimate favourites!

AISLE SONGS

La Vie En Rose – Emily Watts

Heartbeats – Jose Gonzales

Toothpaste Kisses – The Maccabees

I Won't Give Up – Jason Mraz

How Long Will I Love You? – Ellie Goulding

Sweet Disposition – Temper Trap

All Of Me – John Legend

EXIT SONGS

Wouldn’t It Be Nice? – The Beach Boys

Marry You – Bruno Mars

Could You Be Loved – Bob Marley & The Wailers

Everywhere – Fleetwood Mac

Everybody Dance – Chic

Happy – Pharrell Williams

Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) – Stevie Wonder

Wedding Ceremony Decoration Ideas

You’re going to be far too busy being pampered on the morning of your wedding, to be hanging up bunting and setting out candles. Our team are happy to lay out your decorations, by agreement, just as you want them, so when you arrive everything is as you’d dreamt of without you having to skip breakfast!

With suppliers able to access the venues from 9am, there will be plenty of time for your florists and our staff to put the finishing touches to your idyllic wedding ceremony backdrop.

Wedding Ceremony Timings

Whilst there is no 'one size fits all' to wedding day timings, our guide will hopefully help you start building your unique timeline, and your wedding day will run like a dream! Starting with the main moment you've been waiting for ....the ceremony!

Timings for the Bridal Party:

Groom and Groomsmen to arrive 1 hour before the ceremony so that they are ready to greet guests as they arrive

Arrival of guests – 45 minutes before the wedding ceremony

Bride and The Bridesmaids – 15 minutes before the wedding ceremony

How long should you allow for the ceremony? Civil Ceremony - 30 minutes

Whatever The Weather

The Watermill wedding venue at Priston Mill, offers the most amazing option of getting married outside, an idea so many wouldn’t dare believe could come true. However, we cannot predict the weather and we will often set up seating for a wedding ceremony both in the garden and in the Watermill venue itself. We wait until as a late as possible before deciding because we understand how important your vision is to you. Rest assured, whether you say ‘I do’ inside or out, the setting for your ceremony will look magical.

The ceremony is one of our favourite parts of the day, we simply love seeing a Bride for the first time in her dress, or watching the happy couple dance back down the aisle simply over the moon!

If you have any questions or queries about timings for the ceremony, how to get that perfect confetti shot or any questions regarding sharing your Spotify playlist, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our Events Team who will be more than happy to help.

Call us at our beautiful wedding venue in Bath, on 01225 423894 or email hello@pristonmill.co.uk .

Your Special Day, Your Menu Choices

Fri, 30 Apr 2021 13:23:07 GMT

Here at Priston Mill in Bath, we pride ourselves on being one of the most picturesque wedding venues nestled in the Somerset countryside. Planning our couple’s days alongside them is the most enjoyable part of our jobs by far!

We often find the part that many enjoy the most is choosing the menu for the wedding day... will it be the traditional three course To Dine or the relaxed charcoal cooked Barbecue menu ?

Fortunately, our experienced Events Team, not to mention our fantastic Head Chef, Martin Jackson, are here to help and advise you with your food and drink conundrums, to ensure that your guests have the most enjoyable meal possible.

To make sure that you enjoy this element of the wedding planning process, we have put together some helpful tips to help you along the way!

Vegetarian Or Vegan?

If you and your partner are either vegetarian, or vegan, there is no reason why your menu couldn’t be predominantly this way too, and we love nothing more than the opportunity to experiment with vegetarian and vegan choices!

We are proud of the variety in the menus that we offer and our aim is always to help you select a menu based around what you think your guests will also enjoy but most importantly, that you and your partner will love! Martin has picked some of his favourite dishes as ideas for those that are considering a fully vegetarian or vegan menu.

Starters

Polenta crusted halloumi, sweetcorn puree, tomato relish

Mushroom and chestnut pate with tarragon, pickled cucumber and crostini (ve)

Pea and lemon chickpea fritter, fennel salsa, beetroot ketchup (ve)

Main Course

Cannelloni stuffed with beetroot, walnut and Tor goats’ cheese mousse, with an arrabbiata sauce

Double baked Bath Cheddar and leek soufflé with pickled apple and walnut salad

Chargrilled aubergine with roasted squash, Puy lentil and dukkah salad with a yoghurt dressing (ve)

Desserts

Sticky toffee pudding, butterscotch sauce, vanilla ice cream (ve)

Dark chocolate torte, raspberry gel, pistachio crumb (ve)

Lemon posset, poached rhubarb, lemon and thyme shortbread (ve)

Not A Fan Of Wine?

What do you want to drink at your wedding? Whether your favourite beverage is Pimms No.1 or pink lemonade, serve what makes you happy.

Perhaps you don't want alcohol at your wedding, but you still want people to enjoy holding a cocktail glass while they chat at dinner. Our sparkling elderflower pressé is always a great option. Or, if you’d prefer a completely bespoke mocktail, our inventive front of house team are always happy to put their creativity to good use. Gabby, one of our Event Managers at Priston Mill, suggests the West Country Cooler as a lovely non-alcoholic alternative, with flavours of apple, vanilla, mint and lime.

The champagne toast is one of the conventional ways alcohol is served at weddings, but you don't have to feel tied to that tradition either. Pop open sparkling cider, Thatcher’s Family Reserve instead. The first gently pressed juice of the Katy apple is used to create this dry sparkling subtle cider. Served in flutes this could add a little Somerset surprise for your guests!

Options, Options, Options...

Our experienced events and kitchen teams have put many hours into refining our menus, constantly improving them and seeking out those quirky ideas that will make your wedding totally unique! Why not consider our mini-afternoon tea stands for your canapé reception? Something a little different and so in keeping with a quintessential English wedding day in the countryside! Alternatively, why not upgrade and offer Ice Cream served from our vintage Pashley tricycle. A choice of three luxury local flavours in sugar cones with chocolate flakes and praline, delicious!

Gluten Free?

Nowadays we have a wealth of knowledge to be able to tweak menus to accommodate dietary requirements, especially Coeliac disease and Gluten Free. Our Chef’s work with lots of different requirements each week and so are very good at accommodating these.

As an example, the below menu is entirely gluten free and would make for an incredibly impressive wedding breakfast menu for all of your guests.

Starter

Flaked smoked trout, fennel and red onion salsa, rocket and watercress salad with a horseradish dressing

Ham hock and apple terrine with grape chutney and apple crisp shards

Main Course

Rump of lamb with sweet potato fondant, confit tomato, red onion and rosemary dressing

Pork loin with crackling served on champ mash with a sage and apple purée and cider cream sauce

Dessert

Warm chocolate fondant with honeycomb, raspberries and salted caramel ice cream

Iced mango, passion fruit, honey and yoghurt terrine with granola

As all of our food is made from scratch, our Chefs can simply amend the recipes where necessary, using gluten free flour in our cakes and desserts for example. And, if you ever want proof of how yummy they are, you must visit and try some of our famous gluten free chocolate brownie!

No matter what you decide to serve your guests on your wedding day, with Priston Mill as the venue and Head Chef Martin in the kitchen, you cannot go far wrong! Embrace the sense of occasion and choose something that will leave your guests reminiscing for years to come!

We would love to help you to plan your Somerset countryside wedding here at Priston Mill. To find out more and discuss your special requirements, call our Events Office on 01225 423894.

Spring Into Your Wedding Planning Meeting

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 11:59:06 GMT

The sun is shining down on us here at Priston Mill in Bath, the flowers are beginning to bloom in the Somerset countryside and we are springing into wedding season. I’m sure many of you will have planned and re-planned your big day in your heads countless times over the last twelve months, but now, we are so excited to be able to invite you all back to our beautiful Bath wedding venue and put pen to paper.

We know that wedding planning isn't easy and the idea of keeping everyone happy on the day can be overwhelming, so we have it covered for you! You will have a dedicated Event Manager to look after you and all of your guests on your special day, ensuring everything is taken care of. From setting up and bringing your décor vision to life, to announcing your first dance and bringing all of your guests together, we're on hand all day.

Our planning meetings are generally held 3 – 6 months prior to your wedding day, so if you’re lucky enough to have your wedding booked with us this year, this is the perfect time to get in touch and arrange to come for a catch up.

Your wedding planning meeting will be a great opportunity to ask any lingering questions you may have as to how your wedding day will run. Whilst we’ll cover everything from the itinerary and room layout, to drink quantities, napkin fold and everything in between.

We often find the most enjoyable part of planning can be choosing the food and drink for the day, although if you or your guests have any particular dietary requirements, this process can be more difficult, as you try to ensure that the needs of all of your guests are met.

Fortunately, our experienced Events Team, not to mention our brilliant Head Chef, Martin Jackson, are here to help and advise you with your food and drink dilemmas, to ensure your wedding breakfast is remembered for years to come.

Music is so important in creating a mood and memory. We've no doubt you would have thought about your aisle song and the song that will play during your first dance, but have you thought about background music? In each of our venues we have a fully integrated Sonos system, where we can play your music easily so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

As we come closer to your special day, we’ll require your final details 3 weeks in advance. Whilst we’re more than happy for you to deliver your decorations and table plan a few days before your wedding. Our Event team will then set everything up as per your requests, leaving you free for some much-deserved pampering and prosecco!

As always, we are here 7 days a week and always happy to pick up the phone, respond to emails and answer any of your questions or queries.

For more information about holding a wedding at Priston Mill near Bath in Somerset, please visit our wedding venue page or call us on 01225 423894 - we would love to show you around and find out all about your plans.

10 Top Tips For Visiting A Wedding Venue

Fri, 29 Jan 2021 21:35:35 GMT

Advice From The Team Here At Priston Mill In Bath, Somerset

It has been known that some couples that visit our wedding venues in Bath first, book straight away, but we have found that the majority of Brides and Grooms will visit a handful of wedding venues around Bath and Bristol before confirming a date, and we totally understand that. After all, hunting for venues for weddings is all part of the fun and excitement of the wedding planning process. As a newly engaged couple, why not indulge yourself and take the opportunity to look around beautiful wedding venues? We would certainly encourage you to try on a selection of wedding dresses, so why not look at a few different wedding locations as well!

Here are our top tips and what to ask when visiting wedding venues:

Do Your Research

Have an idea of time of year for your big day before you look at locations, and when you do always look online. At Priston Mill in Bath, we have the most beautiful hardcopy brochures that we love sending out to newly engaged couples. It is so nice to have something in your hand to look through in the comfort of your own home. Most websites these days are a great source of information, and give a good idea of what kind of wedding venue you are looking it. Take your time and look through social media sites, read reviews and check out any videos.

Be Visit Ready

Before you arrange your visit or virtual tour, make a call to the wedding venue and collect all the information that you need at that stage. We love to have a good chat with our couples prior to their visit, to get an idea of what they are looking for so that we can tailor the venue visit to your needs. If you have decided on a specific date in advance, make sure that it is available. If your wedding venue must have disabled access, a late license, or a team who will decorate for you, ask those questions. Before you visit somewhere, it is always good to know their stance on minimum numbers, catering options, access and finish timings and availability.

Don't Rush It

During your visit, don’t rush through. This is a huge decision and one you should enjoy making, so don't be afraid to ask all of your important questions, and even ask to take another wander around on your own through to ensure you get a real feel for the wedding venue. Be sure to make notes, and ask all the questions you have prepared. Feel comfortable when it’s finished that you have a good idea of the venue space, location, and the people in charge. There are acres of countryside to explore around Priston Mill so feel free to bring your walking boots if you fancy an adventure!

Trust Those In Charge

At Priston Mill, our countryside wedding venue in Bath, we pride ourselves on our experienced team, and the service that they offer. We believe every single wedding is as important as the next, and must be treated as such. We take time to get to know each couple, see their vision and understand their wants for the special day. This is your wedding, you must feel comfortable putting your trust into those who are leading the charge. We are always more than happy to answer any queries, by email or phone call, remember, there are no silly questions!

Lucy And Kristian's Vibrant Micro-Wedding In Somerset

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:54:25 GMT

Wedding Venue In Bath, Priston Mill

2020 has certainly been a challenge so far, with many 'spanners being thrown into the works'. Here at Priston Mill near Bath, we have still had the absolute pleasure of hosting some gorgeous, intimate and romantic micro-weddings.

In our blog this month, Lucy and Kristian tell us more about their wedding day, which was brimming with love, laughter and personal touches.

Did you visit a variety of venues before deciding on the Tythe Barn at Priston Mill or were you quite set on a barn wedding venue?

Priston Mill was the first and only wedding venue we saw, and we fell in love with it instantly! Our biggest discussion was about how to choose between The Watermill and the Tythe Barn!

We did a lot of research into other wedding venues but none seemed as all-encompassing as Priston Mill near Bath. As busy working professionals with a toddler in tow we were keen to have a venue that was established and organised to help!

We totally understand how crazy it must have been for you reorganising your wedding during a global pandemic! What was the biggest thing you took from the whole experience?

Oh, it was certainly crazy. We both proudly work for the NHS and working throughout the pandemic certainly put a lot of things into perspective for us. We realised that as long as we had each other and our health; we were some of the lucky ones. It was during that time we decided that we wanted to be married more than anything. As soon as restrictions were lifted we went about trying to plan a unique day that would still keep people safe.

What were some of your favourite and most memorable moments of the wedding day?

The vows! Making that pledge to your significant half has an indescribable magic to it that I will never forget! We also got lots of time with just the two of us, which was amazing as we felt totally elated that we did it!

We got married! It was official!

Having a smaller number of guests there meant that we could really relax and enjoy spending the time with our nearest and dearest!

And of course, having a few bubbles afterwards went down well! Especially when combined with the adventure park around the back!

You had so much fun with your photographer! How did you go about sourcing your suppliers for the big day?

Olga was amazing! We had so much fun! Our original photographer ( Tasha Park ) was unable to attend our new date (which was a little short notice!) so she recommended her second photographer Olga, who was brilliant!

We found most of our wedding suppliers very flexible and considerate giving the situation; especially as we were downsizing from a 90 people wedding to 25. Also, because we were now not providing for such a large formal wedding, we could be more creative on personalisation, design and decoration!

What was your original colour scheme and general theme for the day and how did you adapt things to fit your new day?

Our original day had a pastel-colour rustic scheme. Which I think the new micro-wedding still encompassed! Luckily Priston Mill is such a beautiful barn wedding venue not much is even needed! Flowers to me are super important at a wedding. Ours were credited to Sophie at Flowers at the Conservatory , who was incredibly dedicated to detail and manage to create some stunning rustic displays!

Of course, we had to adapt to be very mindful of infection control, but my brilliant bridesmaids came up with some wonderful ideas such as personalised lunch boxes, name pegs and places. This only made the day more relaxed and we felt that we had tried to keep our love ones as safe as possible.

Thank you so much for choosing the Tythe Barn at Priston Mill to host such a wonderful wedding day! Have you any good advice for some of our brides and couples going forward with a smaller wedding?

I would say going with your intuition of what suits you and your love one the most! It’s your day after all! We found that we totally loved our smaller wedding! It suited us and a couple and a family much more than our original wedding plan! We would not have changed it for the world!

The world is a crazy place right now but a wedding, regardless of size, will always be a joy because love always wins!

Guest Blog With Wedding Photographer Martin Dabek

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 10:39:38 GMT

This month we have invited Martin Dabek, one of our recommended wedding suppliers to guest blog for us. We've worked with Martin for many years and so he knows Priston Mill wedding venue like the back of his hand, which always shines through in his imagery.

So Martin, over to you...

Hi, I'm Martin Dabek, a documentary, Bristol & Somerset wedding photographer , who loves photographing weddings at Priston Mill wedding venue.

Let me tell you why returning to shoot wedding photography at Priston Mill in Somerset is always a pleasure...

The venue describes itself as an idyllic countryside wedding venue, with far-reaching views and the utmost care and attention to every detail (which comes with over 20 years' experience of hosting weddings and events). Having shot many weddings at Priston Mill over the years, I couldn’t agree more with their description. I absolutely love it! The atmosphere is wonderful, the food is outstanding, and the staff are always so welcoming.

Priston Mill's philosophy is simple: " We want both you and your guests to have the time of your lives". This is so true, every time I visit the wedding venues at Priston Mill I am blown away by the lengths that the team there go to making each wedding day a total success.

Below are 5 reasons why I love photographing weddings at Priston Mill in Bath, this beautiful countryside wedding venue.

1. TWO STUNNING VENUES TO CHOOSE FROM

Firstly, I really like that the couple has a choice to host a wedding either in The Watermill or The Tythe Barn , or even use both venues on your wedding day! Both have a unique character and are very picturesque.

Imagine exchanging your vows in an ancient, yet still working, Mill, and dance the night away in a spacious stone-walled barn under the high beams! The option of using two different venues adds to the variety of photographs for sure. During the warmer months, you can opt for an outdoor ceremony and exchange your vows under the attractive pagoda. A very romantic option indeed.

2. LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

Secondly, there are plenty of stunning backdrops. My couples love the sunset pictures on the rolling hills in the Somerset countryside, and the well-kept, distinctive gardens are perfect for group photographs. The pergola, with its fairy lights, looks especially stunning in the evening and is my go-to place for some romantic and creative night portraits. They really are beautiful wedding venues in Bath!

3. CUISINE

Priston Mill, which is located just outside of Bath, and only 10 miles from Bristol, takes great pride in their long-standing reputation for excellent cuisine . I have had a chance to experience this many times - thank you very much! The unique presentation, taste and fresh, locally sourced ingredients, really stand out - and I always hear lots of positive comments from guests after their meal. Very often I witness the wedding couple or guests coming to the kitchen to thank the chef and the kitchen team in person. Enough said!

4. WEDDING VENUE: SPACIOUS INTERIORS

The Watermill and The Tythe Barn come together effortlessly to create a rustic charm. Both have retained their elegant, historic character, and yet are furnished in a comfortable contemporary style. I really like to capture the ancient waterwheel at The Watermill and photograph the ceremony and party from the Tythe barn's mezzanine (a great vantage point). So in case, the weather doesn't play ball, the spacious interior of both wedding venues give you an alternative for some creative wedding photography.

5. THE TEAM

The team really look after all suppliers and are very professional. Not only from a photographers point of view, as I get the same feedback from the florist, DJs, bands, and the list goes on. It really makes my job even more enjoyable when I know that I will be working with a team who are brilliant at what they do and really care about their couples and all their guests. Great to see that the same values, and professionalism, was passed on to Priston Mill sister wedding venues: Coombe Lodge and Rockbeare Manor (where I also photograph on a regular basis).

To sum up, over the ten years I have been working as a Priston Mill wedding photographer , I have witnessed and captured lots of fabulous weddings. If you are still looking for a wedding photographer, please get in touch - I have a great midweek offer for Priston Mill weddings!

Thank you so much Martin we really appreciate your insight.

For all wedding enquiries please get in contact with our team we would love to show you around our stunning exclusive use wedding venues in Bath.

Autumn Inspiration For A Countryside Wedding Venue

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 13:46:08 GMT

The romance of Autumn is spellbinding - there is a depth of colour to be found in the countryside like no other, natural beauty at every turn in the trees and landscape, with an emerging carpet of newly fallen leaves as the season evolves.

For many, Autumn is the only choice as it offers so much variety for a unique countryside wedding. Rich and warm colour palettes, crisp mornings, quite often blue, cloudless skies and a wonderful array of florals to choose from.

Even when the gardens are seemingly entering hibernation, there is still so much interest and texture creating a sense of natural beauty that is only heightened when in the countryside, with so much open space surrounding you.

There are many brides and grooms that although had planned for a wedding in the earlier seasons of this year, are now faced with the prospect of changing their wedding date to later this year or early next, due to the unfortunate situation surrounding the Coronavirus pandemic. A complete change of season can present its own set of challenges but however tricky it may seem, rest assured an Autumn wedding in the countryside will be magical!

Imagine the candlelight, the warmth of the venue as you enter, the sight of magnificent wild flower arrangements and aroma of Autumnal foliage.

Brollies and heel stoppers are always a wise choice so that you are as prepared as can be, but there will always be chance to have those all-important photographs outside at some point on the wedding day. Another top tip for the Bride and Groom is to have some lip balm to hand, just incase your lips are drier than normal!

If you have already picked a colour scheme of soft pink or pastels, don't worry - with a few little tweaks it can be perfectly suited to an Autumn wedding. How about the addition of a gorgeous faux fur or sequined shrug or bolero to keep your shoulders warm, and the Groom could look incredible in a velvet tuxedo jacket with complimenting bow tie. This would definitely add a bit of glamour to the bridal party and change the overall look just enough. If you had your heart set on soft roses or peonies, perhaps you could consider mixing some garden roses and ranunculus with some richer coloured flowers such as dhalias and chocolate cosmos - they smell divine!

Make your food and drink offering seasonal to suit this time full of culinary delights. Spiced mulled cider could be the perfect welcome drink to warm chilly hands, ideally suited to wedding venues in the countryside and then you could follow that with a feast in keeping to the season and surroundings too.

Martin Jackson, Head Chef at Priston Mill , our wonderfully idyllic wedding venue in the heart of the countryside near Bath, would suggest the following where seasonality and local produce are at their best:

Starter

Ham hock and apple terrine with grape chutney and apple crisp shards

Carrot and cashew nut paté, picked radish, carrot and cucumber and a rye bread crostini (vegetarian/vegan)

Main Course

Gressingham duck breast with thyme, sweet potato fondant, carrot and caraway purée and a port reduction

Beetroot, squash, lentil and kale Wellington with a mushroom cream sauce (vegetarian/vegan)

Dessert

Pear frangipane tart with fig jam and cinnamon ice cream

For more inspiration for your wedding menus, you could take a look at the rest of Martin's mouth-watering dishes, which can be found on the Wedding Menus page of the Priston Mill website.

The seasons this year have been nothing short of spectacular and we have no doubt that Autumn will be the same.

There is one very important thing to remember...your wedding day will be amazing come rain or shine, and whatever the season. If you are one of those couples that are having to wait a little longer for your big day, don't lose hope, your day will come and when it does it will be worth the wait!

For any more information about Autumnal wedding inspiration at Priston Mill , please do get in contact, or if we can support you in any way to ease the pressure at this challenging time our team are here and ready to help! Our team can be reached on 01225 423894 or click here to email us .

Josh And Charlotte's Chic Countryside Wedding

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 11:53:20 GMT

On Saturday 31st August this year the lovely Charlotte and Josh said I do in front of their nearest and dearest, and like all our occasions, it was absolutely beautiful. Their engagement was brief, allowing just under 5 months to plan the day of their dreams! Knowing how organised and savvy Charlotte is, I thought I'd ask her to regale a little of her special time with us so I can share those memories with you.

Congratulations Charlotte!

I Hope Married Life Is Treating You Well. Tell Me, How Many Venues Did You Visit Before Deciding On Priston Mill?

Believe it or not, Priston Mill was the only venue we visited! I had emailed other venues, Priston Mill responded so quickly and appreciating the short time frame I was hoping for, accommodated a visit on the same day. And so it was that I booked The Watermill having fallen in love with the venue, people and setting.

How Did You Know The Watermill Was Right For You?

I knew I wanted water at the venue and lots of light and windows - I think such things look so pretty. The Watermill ticked these boxes and was absolutely the right place for us. The great service we got from everyone with regards to planning, help with set up/take down and communication throughout confirmed we had hit gold with the venue. The rolling hills, blue barn does and beautifully kept grounds with pretty flowers and tinkly fairy lights all provided the perfect backdrop for the day and some stunning photos too - dreamy!

Did You Have A Colour Scheme/Decoration Theme In Mind?

We chose to keep everything very classic and simple to fit with the location, but also wanted to show off our passions and personalities. Our flowers were a combo of white roses and gypsophila with different types of greenery all around. The bouquets were created by the wonderful Diane from Garden Room Flowers and my Mother-in-Law created a beautiful archway. For added decoration we made Lego figurines, found some old books to stack on the tables, white pillar candles and bunches of eucalyptus.

Tell Us All About Your Suppliers.

Our photographer is a friend of mine, Flora Westbrook , I was thrilled when she said she could photograph our wedding. She is amazing, so kind and talented. My gorgeous dress is a Paloma Blanca. I purchased it from a boutique shop in Keynsham called Lace & Grace . They are so lovely and helped me find a dress I loved in my short time frame. The band, The Vinyls, were absolutely fantastic and worked well with the style of the venue. They got the dance floor filled from the moment they started playing. Josh' friend Ethan runs a graphic design business called New Rhythm and he kindly did our stationary for us, totally bespoke and beautiful we were so happy with each tiny detail. We had a three-tiered chocolate cake with delicious white chocolate icing and Lego toppers! Sam from CakeCakeCake made it for us, our friends still rave about how amazing it was.

How Did You Decide On Your Menu? Did The Food Live Up To Your Expectations?

Before even booking, we had heard that the food at Priston Mill was fantastic. For that reason we chose our menu without a tasting, and we were super impressed on the day. When the food came out it looked amazing and tasted delicious. We had a lot of dietary requirements to cater for and these were accommodated for superbly.

How Long Did You Leave Yourself To Plan The Big Day, Was It Enough Time?

Josh and I got engaged, found Priston Mill, visited and booked all in the same week - we couldn't let the opportunity pass! This did mean we only had about four and a half months to plan the wedding from the moment we were engaged. Some might call us crazy but it was fun to make instant decisions and get organised quickly - we did have to make a beast of a spreadsheet to keep on top of everything.

What Are The Main Points Of The Day You Remember The Most?

It might sound cliché, but it is really difficult to pick main highlights since the whole day was just so incredible. I love saying the vows and getting to have everyone we loved all together in one place was one of my favourite things. Also being able to enjoy the food and drink, seeing everything we had chosen come together was so lovely. As soon as the couple photos were taken I remember thinking, 'Right now it's time to play!' I ran straight over to the zip line and monkey bars!

Was There Anything You Were Anxious About, That Looking Back You Needn't Worry?

I don't think I was anxious about anything as I had such confidence in those working at Priston Mill. The most nervous I felt was when I was about to walk down the aisle with my Dad. From the moment I was at the top of the aisle holding hands with Josh, I felt completely at peace and after that it was the most joyful and beautiful day.

And Finally, What Would Be Your Top Tip For Our Future Priston Mill Couples?

For future couples my top tip would be - plan for your marriage more than your wedding. For the process of planning a wedding, try and have fun doing it together, enjoy it and don't get bogged down in the details. Finally try and make it personal to you and your partner, add some character, I think that is what makes a wedding that little bit more special.

Fall For Priston Mill This Autumn

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 10:22:43 GMT

The seasons this year here at Priston Mill , our two stunning wedding venues near Bath, have been nothing short of spectacular. Who can forget the ‘Beast from the East’? Our team certainly won’t, as we had three weddings that weekend and all worked extra hard to make sure each occasion went exactly as planned. Our summer was a scorcher, the gardens looked beautiful and the heat made for some very happy couples on the day.

Now Autumn is upon us, the nights are drawing in and the leaves are turning. This time of year is especially magical when surrounded by nature as we at Priston Mill are. The oranges and reds set against a cold cloudless sky can create the most beautiful of days, perfect for a wedding.

Take full advantage of what this season has to offer and bring the outside in with simple but very effective decorations.

With the nights falling darker that much sooner, soft lighting and clever use of candles cast an almost mythical spell. And for something special to serve your guests during the reception, perhaps try our Mulled Cider.

The Watermill is the perfect place to appreciate the English countryside. In this unique venue we can accommodate a minimum of 50 to a maximum of 90 guests during the day, and up to 130 in the evening. We still have availability for some weekend dates in September or October next year. If you’re looking for something in school holidays, October half term could work perfectly for you!

The Tythe Barn provides some beautiful backdrops for family photos among the foliage should you be blessed with a little sunshine on your special day. The larger of our two venues, here we can look after 80-150 guests during the day and up to 200 during the evening.

Autumn gives us so many gorgeous ideas for decorating your wedding venue. Our venues suit a relaxed, rustic vibe and bringing the outside in can work really well. Pumpkins of all shapes and sizes are a clever nod to the season, whether they be filled with flowers or used as a simple but effective candleholder.

Fairy lights and candles create atmosphere, as the days are likely to be cooler and the nights darker. Bridesmaids look beautiful in darker colours, and the many options of seasonal flowers are stunning.

We are always happy to discuss your menu choices before the big day and we have some perfect dishes to offer your guests this season.

From our ‘To Dine’ menu , we could recommend a starter of sweet potato, roasted garlic and thyme soup followed by Pork loin and crackling served on a pesto mash. An upside surely, to getting married in Autumn/Winter has to be indulging in Sticky Toffee Pudding for your dessert!

Fairy lights and candles create atmosphere, as the days are likely to be cooler and the nights darker.

Bridesmaids look beautiful in darker colours, and the many options of seasonal flowers are stunning.

We are always happy to discuss your menu choices before the big day and we have some perfect dishes to offer your guests this season.

We would love to meet you and discuss your Autumn wedding. Please do give us a call or send us an email, we'd love to hear from you.

Let's Make Things Personal

Sun, 16 Sep 2018 11:00:25 GMT

Your wedding day is the perfect opportunity to show your friends and family who you are as an individual and as a couple. At Priston Mill we love seeing how each couple create their special day. No two weddings are the same and every time we are amazed at how much the venue can change with just a few little touches.

Here are some ideas of how to make your special day, all about you.

Lay it on the table

Table names are a great way to show off a shared hobby or interest. If you’re keen travellers perhaps name each table after a particular destination, it’s personal and will get your guests talking. Perhaps you are a music enthusiast and want to name your tables after your favourite musicians. If you like the idea of numbering you could add a photograph of you and your partner at that age, to make a simple ‘Table 3’ feel more unique.

Decorate the space

Neither of our venues here at Priston Mill need a lot of decoration as the space itself is so full of interest and history. However some candles or a few small jars of flowers on the tables and window sills can look lovely. You could make it personal with your favourite flowers, or perhaps individually decorated vases (as seen below). In recent years we have noticed couples adding favourite photos of them and their loved ones, which becomes a great talking point.

Make it your song

Music is so important in creating a mood and memory. I’ve no doubt you would have thought about your aisle song and the song that will play during your first dance, but have you thought about background music? In each of our venues we have a fully installed Sonos system, where we can play your music easily so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

A lot of our couples hire a band or DJ to entertain in the evening, but on occasion people who want something a little tamer have created their own playlists and simply bought in some speakers. You could have such fun coming up with each track, and after the day itself you have the soundtrack to your wedding at the touch of a button.

We are in the process of creating Priston Mill Playlists on Spotify. We want to help guide our couples as much as we can, and so we’re taking the time to put together some songs we feel fit perfectly into that special day.

Take a favour

Traditionally each guest would receive a small bag of sugared almonds on their place, as a little something to take away from the day. A wedding favour is the ideal outlet for expressing your personality and the options are endless.

If you are a keen gardener why not gift each guest a packet of seeds so they can grow your favourite flower? Perhaps your mum makes the best lemon curd in the South West, so pop some tiny jars at each name place.

Often a favour can be a subtle nod to a couple’s hobby or interest without the whole day becoming ‘themed’. We have had various Harry Potter styled weddings over the years; we thought this favour of ‘Quidditches’ especially creative in an elegant and classy fashion.

We would love to hear from you should you have any ideas on how to make the space your own, equally if you would like any more images or inspiration please get in touch.

Drinks - What To Provide, When.

Tue, 24 Apr 2018 10:12:10 GMT

The late great Bette Davies once said, “There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.”

Your wedding will probably be the first time you have to think about providing drinks for a large group of people, and so understandably it can feel quite overwhelming. Whether its a "glass of champagne" or not, at both of our unique Priston Mill wedding venues near Bath, we are here to help you before and during your very special day.

The Wedding Reception is held after the ceremony and starts with drinks and canapés. You are more than welcome to hold your ceremony with us beforehand as both of our venues at Priston Mill are licensed. The Watermill has the stunning possibility of an outside civil ceremony (Somerset weather permitting!). If you choose to say your vows elsewhere as soon as you arrive we are here to greet you with a drink.

A drinks reception usually lasts about an hour and a half, and often takes place whilst you are being photographed and your guests mingling. We would advise you provide a minimum of one drink per person for the reception, perhaps add a little extra to cover top ups.

The options for your drinks reception are such fun; you need not stick to the traditional glass of fizz. In Spring/Summer you might opt for a glass of Pimms or perhaps a Berry Bellini. The Gin and Elderflower Fizz is a lovely refreshing tipple on a hot Summer’s day. In Autumn/Winter you may want to go for something warming such as Mulled Cider or Winter Pimms. You could offer your guests a couple of different options, perhaps a glass of fizz and a bottle of Peroni? If you do, we would recommend catering for a little more than one drink per person. If you give someone a choice quite often they will choose both!

During the wedding breakfast, we would recommend you allow for half a bottle of wine per head. This guide tends to work out, as those who are not drinking much will be offset by those enjoying a couple of glasses or more.

Our Event Managers are extremely knowledgeable, and can recommend a wine to best compliment your chosen dish.

Jugs of iced water are set at each table free of charge, but bottled water is available if you would prefer.

We have discovered that a small touch which goes a long way is a ‘soft drinks tab’. For a very reasonable amount you can pop a tab behind the bar so that during the meal, should your tee total guests fancy something other than water, they do not have to pay for it themselves. You can also set up a tab for your guests in the evening if you wish.

Finally, you can’t forget to include a toast to the happy couple. A glass of fizz is the traditional toast drink during the speeches, and we have an extensive list of sparkling wines and champagnes for you to choose from.

Our team here at Priston Mill would be delighted about any drink or food queries that you may have for your wedding or party. Please don't hesitate to call.

01225 423894

Why We Love Winter Weddings

Thu, 11 May 2017 12:20:52 GMT

It is still surprising to us here at Priston Mill that Winter Weddings continue to play second fiddle to the Summer events.

Perhaps it is our outlook on what a wedding can mean, but after watching the Bride and Groom exchange vows in a beautiful venue in a beautiful dress, surely it is then all about the eating and dancing!

It is not that we need an excuse, but Winter does seem a little more forgiving to the gluttony of a generous wedding.

You and your guests can indulge in a delicious 3 course meal with wine. And although sticky toffee pudding is acceptable all year round it does seem slightly less naughty when there’s a chill outside.

The days are shorter so candlelight or fairy lights are a must, which makes everything look so special and sparkly. Your guests will so enjoy attending a wedding ‘out of season’, something to look forward to!

Also it is no secret that Winter in the UK is summer somewhere else, perhaps somewhere tropical? It is then perhaps the perfect time for your dream honeymoon?

Here are four reasons why we love a winter wedding!!

The honeymoon of dreams

Have you dreamt of a honeymoon on a magical island far far away? This is the time to go. And if you’re thinking of tying the knot in 4-6 months’ time, there are some amazing offers through various travel companies so you can have the dream holiday without the nightmare price tag.

***

Decorate the perfect day for less

If you get married just after Christmas you can take advantage of the End of Summer sales, and if you can wait till January just imagine the offers on fairy lights! January sales are amazing for decorations, favours, attire and accessories.

***

Your dream venue at a reduced rate

We have the most amazing Winter Wedding venue hire offer. The Watermill is yours for just £1775* and The Tythe Barn can be hired from £2175*. This offer runs through January to the end of March and we also have special rates on a few of our April dates. Choosing this time of year means you can save considerably on your budget.

***

Book a date in January or February and banish those post-Christmas blues

The festive season has come to a close, the children are back at school and work beckons. It is the perfect time to have something to look forward to! Your guests will thank you for the welcome distraction and should be available with no summer holiday plans.

***

We have various winter dates available so do give us a call and we can discuss your options.

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Jenny And Sean's Real Summer Wedding At Priston Mill

Insights from Carlos Azevedo Photography

Wedding photography at Priston Mill in Bath

How would you describe your photography style?

What do you love about Priston Mill as a wedding venue?

Wedding Menus at Priston Mill

Wedding food ideas

Starters ﻿

Main Courses

Desserts

5 Minutes with Chris – Manager of Priston Mill

Chris, what is your favourite part of being the Project Manager here at Priston Mill?

What invaluable lessons have you learned so far in your career?

What would be your top tip for future couples getting married with us at Priston Mill?

Do you have a favourite season for saying I do?

What would be your advice to a Groom and his Ushers for the morning of the wedding?

Insights from an Event Manager

What is it you love most about being an Event Manager at Priston Mill?

What is your top tip for on the day itself?

If you could save your couples one worry, what would it be?

What is your favourite time of year to say I do?

You’ve seen a lot of weddings here at Priston Mill. Are there any particular trends you think work well?

Rachel And Angus's Real Winter Wedding At Priston Mill

Why Did You Choose Priston Mill As Your Wedding Venue?

Tell Us About Your Wedding Dress And The Big Day Fashion

The Decor

The Cake

Tell Us A Bit About The Photographer?

What Was The Best Part Of Your Day?

Words Of Wisdom

Suppliers

Jessica And Josh's Real Wedding At Priston Mill In Bath

Why Did You Choose Priston Mill As Your Wedding Venue?

Tell Us About Your Wedding Dress And The Big Day Fashion

Tell Us All About Your Hair And Makeup!

The Decor

The Photographer

Darren The Magician

What Was The Best Part Of Your Day?

Words Of Wisdom

Wedding Accommodation Near Priston Mill

Hampton By Hilton – Bath

The Bath Priory - Bath

The Apple Shed – Farmborough

The Cottage - Dunkerton

The Courtyard – Bath

Tyndall Villa – Bath

Vegan And Vegetarian Wedding Menus

Thinking Of A Vegetarian Or Vegan Wedding ? Read On!

5 Benefits Of Booking A Mid-Week Wedding

1. Cut The Costs

2. The Family & Friends Benefit

3. More Last Minute Availability

4. And Hey! Your Guests Get An Extra Day Off Work!

5. Celebrate On A Special Date

5 Top Tips For Including Children In Your Wedding Day

Flower girls and page boys

Keep them entertained!

Include them in arts and crafts.

Perhaps your children are of the furry variety?!

Nanny to the rescue!

How To Pick The Perfect Wedding Cake

Wedding Cake Ideas And Inspiration

What Filling Should I Choose For My Wedding Cake?

Give Us A Slice

Time Is Of The Essence

Savour The Moment

Baked By The Best!

Wedding Dress Trends To Watch In 2022

The Floral Motif

Veil Capes And Wings

Bridgerton Vibes… Puff Sleeves And Frills!

90s Minimalism

Tied With A Bow

Colours Are Back

Just Engaged? Here's The Top 10 Questions You Need To Be Asking When Searching For Your Venue...

1. What is your availability like?

2. What is included The Venue Hire Price?

3. Is the venue licensed for a legal wedding ceremony?

Starters