Help! Venue disaster - need to find a new one, Herts/Essex based in Bishop's Stortford

I read disaster and thought your venue had burnt down or something!!

This isnt a disaster at all!! Why cant you have it at the same venue?

My cousin got married at Ponsbourne year before last and it was gorgeous!

My friend got married at Ponsbourne 2 years ago...

I am getting married just down the road at Theobalds Park (part of the DeVere group like Hunton Park)

Hunton Park is nice, but I associate it with work now!

Another friend got married at Fanhams, amazing grounds - I still think you could both have your weddings there and it look amazing and different...

I know it's not a 'disaster' in the typical sense, but I don't want to have my wedding in the same venue - it just won't feel very special if I have been to a wedding there two weeks before and so have lots of my guests. Don't worry though, I haven't cancelled my booking yet, but I am trying to find somewhere else (apparently so is my cousin, although I don't want to rely on them).

Soooooo, I would really appreciate any ideas! xxxx

May2be - thank you for that! Ponsbourne looks lovely...see this is what you get for cancelling a perfectly lovely venue just because it doesn't feel quite right! xx

Hi Katie

I haven't photographed the other two so can't compare but I know Ponsbourne Park as it is only 5 min from me and I have done many weddings there. It is a beautiful venue with lovely building and grounds. I don't think you would be disappointed there. If that helps I have an album from one of the weddings I have done there which you can see on my website in the album gallery section (www.epwphotography.co.uk) . It will give you an idea...

Good luck.

Evelyne x

Poor thing, you are having a really hard time of it venue wise!

Fingers crossed your cousin will fall in love with a different venue.

Theobalds Park and Ponsbourne which have already been mentioned are both stunning venues.

Other choices you might want to have a look at: Down Hall (my venue), Sopwell House (may be a bit too far away), Hanbury Manor, Three Lakes, Ware Priory, Knebworth House?

Good luck!

I'd be tempted to put your wedding before your cousins and have the same venue, you did book it first and would be gutted to lose out on a deposit. Is there any chance you could bring your date forward and give a reason to guests (something about time off work etc) why you changed the date? x

There are loads to choose from! Blake Hall, Parklands, Down Hall ... they're all gorgeous and have great reputations for food, etc. I'd say spend a day visiting them and then decided.

Brocket Hall Golf Club is beautiful with stunning grounds and they have accommodation as well, around 12 rooms I believe.

They are doing a Sunday promotional package at the moment which we've found to be a lot more reasonable than Fanhams Hall...

I'm having my reception at Ponsbourne!! It is beautiful and the food was lovely when we went there for our tasting. Also, you're the only wedding on the day.

Ponsbourne is being refurbed in the autumn I think, but they're not closing, as far as I know.

I would definitely do this, but the problem is, I am secondary school teacher and so I need it to be during the school holidays so that we can then go on honeymoon (also, if we did it during term time, I would have to work the day before my wedding which might be very tiring!).

My cousin and his fiance are going to look at venues tomorrow so I am just praying that they like somewhere else, and that they have availability for 2012 as everywhere is getting booked up so quickly!

Evelyn - I had a look at those photographs and it made me feel much better - Ponsbourne looks lovely, I was so worried I'd never top Fanhams! xxx

I'm having my reception at Hanbury Manor which probably isn't too far for you. Maybe Hatfield House could be another option?

We were looking at Ponsbourne Park and spoke to one of the wedding staff there who said they are closing June this year to become a Tesco conference centre, just to warn you - I had my heart set on it for next year and was in tears when i found out!! We're now getting married at the Barns in bedford, maybe a bit far but its lovely. Also what about Leez Priory - our friends got married there last year - beautiful!

xx

Have a look at this link it lists all the licensed venues by area hope it helps

https://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/comdirectory/register/marriages/where/bwedven3y/

Hello There, I would like to suggest that there are a lot of rumors going around about Ponsbourne Park. Tesco are indeed looking to refurbish the property however no decision has been taken as to when the Hotel will close. We are now open until minimum end of August 2012 and have extended our package accordingly. I am sorry that you might have been given the information you did at the time and this may of been correct then and I am only sorry we have missed the oppertunity for you to have your wedding with us. I wish you all the best for your big day later this year and every happiness for the future.

Simon Standing - Sales Manager

Ponsbourne Park De Vere Venues

If you can afford Brockett then I would definitely, definitely say go there, it is STUNNING!

PK xx

Did she book the same part of Fanhams as you wanted? There are two possibilities there.

Peter