Hello,
We're hoping to marry next year. We are going for a church ceremony, which is Mawdesley, so we need a venue no more than a 20 minute drive away.
We've got Plan A and Plan B at the moment..........and can't find venues to suit either!
Plan A is to go for a small, immediate family and a few close friends reception. This will be about 40 people all together. We considered a nice restuarant where we could just book a table; or going to a small function room and having a traditional afternoon tea.
Plan B is to do it the conventional way, with a sit-down meal for say 50
We both love the idea of a proper, old fashioned afternoon tea and we also like the idea of something informal like a hog roast.
So far, we've not found anywhere that really makes us excited, apart from the Inn at Whitewell, which is miles too far away 
Between us, we've come up with our 'Non-Negotiables' list, which will probably shrink as the months go on - but here goes for now....
1) Absolutely no more than 20 minutes' drive from J27 of the M6
2) Must not have a 'conference centre' style polystyrene-tiled ceiling! (mine)
3) Must have a nice fireplace (his!)
4) No sticky / conference centre / travel lodge style carpets (both of us!)
5) Children welcome (up to 6 children under 10 years old) preferably with somewhere outside to play (but we know that's pushing it!)
6) Ideally, some kind of lounge area where people can chat and mingle after the meal / afternoon tea
We love Croston Old School - lovely room, children's play area in the woods next door and local caterers - but nowhere for people to relax after the meal.
We liked bits of Heskin Hall, but we both thought it needed a good clean
There's planty of time, but any ideas are appreciated!
