Italian Villa announces 'bride and groom go free' as fears grow for a double-dip recession As fears grow that a double-dip recession could grip the country, the management team at the Italian Villa, one of the most elegant and stunning wedding venues in Dorset, has responded by launching a range of 'recession busting' options for the forthcoming autumn/winter season to ensure couples do not scrap plans for a luxury wedding. During the off peak season (October to April)* the bride and groom will be entitled to go free and can also take advantage of substantial discounts for a wedding that takes place during the working week (Monday to Thursday) or during 'out of season' weekends (autumn and winter months, avoiding any major holidays). By getting married in January or February a further 15% discount for the exclusive hire of the Italian Villa will be given.
Set within the beautiful Grade-II listed gardens of Compton Acres, the Italian Villa is an ideal location for those in search of a truly romantic and memorable setting. Combining modern facilities with classic architecture to provide a stylish wedding setting, the Italian Villa has direct access to a spectacular Italian Garden which is complete with authentic statues, an ornamental pond, plants and flowers which fill the garden with colour.

The Villa is the largest venue in Poole to hold civil ceremonies, with permission to host marriages and civil partnerships for 250 people in the Medici suite. The venue also holds a license for ceremonies with up to 120 guests in its Verona suite.

The venue is comprised of three function suites arranged over three floors: The Verona suite for the main ceremony, the Medici suite for the wedding breakfast and downstairs the Siena suite for the evening reception. The Verona suite has the advantage of a balcony that overlooks the Italian garden, and direct access to the garden is available from both the Medici and Siena suites.

Bespoke menus are designed and created by distinguished in-house caterers, Beales Gourmet, one of the fastest growing catering and event management companies on the south coast. Founded by Michelin-star trained chef, Tony Beales, Tony and head chef, Kelvin Mullins, bring a stylish and contemporary approach to catering using fresh seasonal ingredients and locally sourced produce. During the special event, front of house manager for Beales Gourmet, James Matthews, will ensure an excellent first-class service is delivered throughout the event. Laura Hart, manager at the Italian Villa, says: "We're pleased to introduce a range of recession busting options for the forthcoming autumn and winter season. The Italian Villa at Compton Acres really does offer a very special setting for a very special day."

For further information about the Italian Villa at Compton Acres please call 01202 816074, email info@the-italian-villa.co.uk or visit www.the-italian-villa.co.uk. -Ends-
Notes to editors
* - Offer does not apply to last 2 weeks in December and Easter weekend

Off-peak prices (October to April)
Mid-week prices
Monday to Thursday: £5,600 inc VAT for 80 guests at £70 per person. Children (under 12) at £20

Weekend prices
Friday to Sunday: £6800 inc VAT for 80 guests at £85 per person. Children (under 12) at £20

January and February bookings - a further 15% discount

What's included:
. Exclusive hire of the Italian Villa and Italian garden from 2pm-midnight
. 1 glass of bucks fizz per guest for the reception drink
. 3-course wedding breakfast with coffee chocolates
. 2 glasses of house wine per guest with meal
. Glass of Prosecco per guest to accompany the toast
. Evening cheese board with nibbles
. Bottle of Champagne for the top table
No charge for the bride and groom

Bijou Weddings, which owns and manages five exclusive country estates, is delighted to mark the opening of its new wedding venue - Botleys Mansion near Chertsey, Surrey with a launch event on Saturday 10th July 2010, 11am-4pm in association with confetti.co.uk.

The launch event

With an open house for prospective couples, their relatives and everyone with an interest in luxury wedding experiences, the launch event will give visitors the opportunity to sample this unique and stunning new wedding venue first-hand. Representatives from both Bijou Weddings and confetti.co.uk will be available throughout the event to offer guidance and advice on every aspect of planning a wedding, from scheduling to seating, carriages to catering. Canapés and drinks will be served on the lawns and experienced Bijou representatives will provide guided tours of the estate and venue so visitors can see all the special features of this exciting new wedding venue. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore Botleys Mansion and see the opulent reception rooms, stunning atrium, grand ceremony room, Banqueting Hall and luxurious, ultra-high specification accommodation and bathrooms. Botleys Mansion

Only 30 minutes from London, Botleys Mansion is an impressive 18th century Grade II* listed Palladian mansion set amidst rolling Surrey parkland between Chobham and Chertsey. It has recently been totally refurbished and provides the ideal venue for 40-400 guests. It has 12 stylish bedroom suites with two master suites. Extensive investment by Bijou Weddings has resulted in a venue that brings together state-of-the-art catering facilities, breathtaking entertaining spaces and a unique 'at home' feel. The detail fits the whole - priceless antiquities and chrystal chandeliers throughout and immaculately presented formal grounds. The final restoration phase saw the construction of the impressive new atrium, which provides a spectacular setting for banqueting or evening entertainment.

Bijou Weddings, which owns and manages five exclusive country estates, is delighted to mark the opening of its new wedding venue - Botleys Mansion near Chertsey, Surrey with a launch event on Saturday 10th July 2010, 11am-4pm in association with confetti.co.uk.

The launch event

With an open house for prospective couples, their relatives and everyone with an interest in luxury wedding experiences, the launch event will give visitors the opportunity to sample this unique and stunning new wedding venue first-hand. Representatives from both Bijou Weddings and confetti.co.uk will be available throughout the event to offer guidance and advice on every aspect of planning a wedding, from scheduling to seating, carriages to catering. Canapés and drinks will be served on the lawns and experienced Bijou representatives will provide guided tours of the estate and venue so visitors can see all the special features of this exciting new wedding venue. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore Botleys Mansion and see the opulent reception rooms, stunning atrium, grand ceremony room, Banqueting Hall and luxurious, ultra-high specification accommodation and bathrooms. Botleys Mansion

Only 30 minutes from London, Botleys Mansion is an impressive 18th century Grade II* listed Palladian mansion set amidst rolling Surrey parkland between Chobham and Chertsey. It has recently been totally refurbished and provides the ideal venue for 40-400 guests. It has 12 stylish bedroom suites with two master suites. Extensive investment by Bijou Weddings has resulted in a venue that brings together state-of-the-art catering facilities, breathtaking entertaining spaces and a unique 'at home' feel. The detail fits the whole - priceless antiquities and chrystal chandeliers throughout and immaculately presented formal grounds. The final restoration phase saw the construction of the impressive new atrium, which provides a spectacular setting for banqueting or evening entertainment.

Book your wedding July 2010 & August 2010 and in addition to the romantic setting and intimate ambience of this captivating Victorian Manor House you will benefit from the following extras: Civil Ceremony Room Hire Glass of Summer Pimms/Fruit Cup served with Warm Cheese Straws Set Three Course Meal from our selected Wedding Breakfast Menu* Half Bottle of House Wine per person Glass of Sparkling Wine with Toast 2 Bottles of Mineral Water per table Chair Covers with Sash of your choice Evening Room Hire Charge Evening Thai Buffet (Thai Green Vegetable Curry, Chicken Curry, Rice) Bridal Suite with Complimentary Access to our SenSpa Facilities the next morning. £5300.00 all inclusive*

(Minimum 60 Day Guests, 80 Evening Guests)

*Offer valid Monday - Thursday from 26th July - 31st August excluding bank holidays.

Extra Day Guest £89.00

Extra Evening Guest £18.50 On the night of your wedding we are happy to offer 5 Double Manor Bedrooms at the discounted rate of £120.00 B&B per room.

Additional bedrooms can be booked for one night at £149.00 B&B

Win Wedding Venue Hire at Doddington - Sunday 01 August

Are you thinking of getting married and can think of no better present than winning your venue hire here in the romantic setting of Doddingon?
Every couple visiting our wonderful Exhibition of Unusual, Interesting & Historic Wedding Dresses in August and early September is invited to enter our draw to 'win a wedding' at Doddington Hall. The draw offers the lucky couple free venue hire of our stunning, environmentally-friendly Green Wing wedding venue - worth £2500 - which is currently being built as an extension to our charming former coach-house Littlehouse and will be ready next summer. What could be lovelier than a 'green' wedding in the shadow of the Hall and with many beautiful spots for perfect photos? Doddington Hall offers an exclusive, special and memorable wedding venue.
Entering is easy. Complete and hand in an entry form which you will find in the Long Gallery during the Exhibition.
Good luck!
Conditions: Admission applies to visit the House & Exhibition and enter the draw. The draw is for wedding venue hire only worth £2500. No cash alternative is available. The wedding must be for a minimum of 60 guests. The date of the wedding must be between August 2011 and August 2012, but the exact date is subject to availability. The wedding must be arranged using the services of our wedding co-ordinator (no additional cost) and our catering and drinks package (additional costs will apply). The draw will be made on Monday 13 September 2010, and the winning couple will be notified by telephone shortly afterwards.

DRESS EXHIBITION MARRIES PAST & PRESENT, UNUSUAL & HISTORIC

An exhibition of unusual, interesting and historic wedding dresses will be taking place during August at Doddington Hall near Lincoln, promising a fascinating collection of approximately 45 dresses from around the county and further afield. The exhibition is supported by a grant from Renaissance East Midlands. Stately homes from around Lincolnshire will be represented. As well as dresses from the Jarvis family at Doddington including Victoria Jarvis' 1960s Hardy Amies dress and current owner Claire Birch's 1983 Droopy & Brown 'Princess Diana-Inspired' dress, visitors can see the 1997 Ben de Lisi silk and crystal dress belonging to Miranda Rock of Burghley House; both the wedding dress and wedding kimono belonging to Rie Day of Fulbeck Hall; the white silk Princess-line dress with hand-sown pearls and train later used for christenings worn by Easton Walled Garden's Lady Ursula Cholmeley and a dress designed by Miss Sara Perceval for the daughter of Shervie Price, owner of Harrington Hall near Spilsby. Also included is the wedding dress gifted to Lady Ursula d'Abo of Belvoir Castle - cited as one of The Queen's most beautiful Maids of Honour at her Coronation - by the Maharani of Jaipur in 1946/7.

Dresses of historical interest are included. As well as exact copies of the dresses worn by Lady Diana Spencer and Lady Jayne Grey, also secured is the dress worn in 1820 by the illegitimate daughter of George IV, who was just 12 years old when she married. The tiny dress is edged with ribbon and net lace with leg o'mutton sleeves. Unusual & local interest dresses will be displayed. These include a black wedding dress, a wedding dress for dogs, a knitted dress and a dress made from Lincolnshire Longwool by a shepherdess. Dresses worn in recent years at weddings held at Doddington Hall will be making a return. Dresses belonging to staff at the Hall have also been loaned, including the Nepalese dress belonging to Gauri Limbu. A 1907 silk dress owned by a lady from Skellingthorpe is included, as is a 1940's gold silk dress worn at a Horncastle wedding. One Skegness dress was worn twice - firstly in 1947 by Mrs Tebb and then again in 1995 by her granddaughter Nola Shaw. A 1939 dress from Boston will be displayed - made of silk painted with flowers the dress was worn many times afterwards as was the practice in post-war Britain. A 1920s dress has been lent, as have a couple from the 1960s.

'Old, New, Mostly Borrowed & One Blue' will be held in the Long Gallery at Doddington Hall & Garden every Wednesday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday 1pm to 5pm 1 August to 10 September. Exhibition included in admission. For more information, please see www.doddingtonhall.com or call 01522 694 308.

You can follow organiser Fiona Baker's fascinating blog on http://www.doddingtonexhibition.blogspot.com/

Are you thinking of getting married and can think of no better present than winning your venue hire here in the romantic setting of Doddingon?
Every couple visiting our wonderful Exhibition of Unusual, Interesting & Historic Wedding Dresses in August and early September is invited to enter our draw to 'win a wedding' at Doddington Hall. The draw offers the lucky couple free venue hire of our stunning, environmentally-friendly Green Wing wedding venue - worth £2500 - which is currently being built as an extension to our charming former coach-house Littlehouse and will be ready next summer. What could be lovelier than a 'green' wedding in the shadow of the Hall and with many beautiful spots for perfect photos? Doddington Hall offers an exclusive, special and memorable wedding venue.
Entering is easy. Complete and hand in an entry form which you will find in the Long Gallery during the Exhibition.
Good luck!
Conditions: Admission applies to visit the House & Exhibition and enter the draw. The draw is for wedding venue hire only worth £2500. No cash alternative is available. The wedding must be for a minimum of 60 guests. The date of the wedding must be between August 2011 and August 2012, but the exact date is subject to availability. The wedding must be arranged using the services of our wedding co-ordinator (no additional cost) and our catering and drinks package (additional costs will apply). The draw will be made on Monday 13 September 2010, and the winning couple will be notified by telephone shortly afterwards.

DRESS EXHIBITION MARRIES PAST & PRESENT, UNUSUAL & HISTORIC

An exhibition of unusual, interesting and historic wedding dresses will be taking place during August at Doddington Hall near Lincoln, promising a fascinating collection of approximately 45 dresses from around the county and further afield. The exhibition is supported by a grant from Renaissance East Midlands. Stately homes from around Lincolnshire will be represented. As well as dresses from the Jarvis family at Doddington including Victoria Jarvis' 1960s Hardy Amies dress and current owner Claire Birch's 1983 Droopy & Brown 'Princess Diana-Inspired' dress, visitors can see the 1997 Ben de Lisi silk and crystal dress belonging to Miranda Rock of Burghley House; both the wedding dress and wedding kimono belonging to Rie Day of Fulbeck Hall; the white silk Princess-line dress with hand-sown pearls and train later used for christenings worn by Easton Walled Garden's Lady Ursula Cholmeley and a dress designed by Miss Sara Perceval for the daughter of Shervie Price, owner of Harrington Hall near Spilsby. Also included is the wedding dress gifted to Lady Ursula d'Abo of Belvoir Castle - cited as one of The Queen's most beautiful Maids of Honour at her Coronation - by the Maharani of Jaipur in 1946/7.

Dresses of historical interest are included. As well as exact copies of the dresses worn by Lady Diana Spencer and Lady Jayne Grey, also secured is the dress worn in 1820 by the illegitimate daughter of George IV, who was just 12 years old when she married. The tiny dress is edged with ribbon and net lace with leg o'mutton sleeves. Unusual & local interest dresses will be displayed. These include a black wedding dress, a wedding dress for dogs, a knitted dress and a dress made from Lincolnshire Longwool by a shepherdess. Dresses worn in recent years at weddings held at Doddington Hall will be making a return. Dresses belonging to staff at the Hall have also been loaned, including the Nepalese dress belonging to Gauri Limbu. A 1907 silk dress owned by a lady from Skellingthorpe is included, as is a 1940's gold silk dress worn at a Horncastle wedding. One Skegness dress was worn twice - firstly in 1947 by Mrs Tebb and then again in 1995 by her granddaughter Nola Shaw. A 1939 dress from Boston will be displayed - made of silk painted with flowers the dress was worn many times afterwards as was the practice in post-war Britain. A 1920s dress has been lent, as have a couple from the 1960s.

'Old, New, Mostly Borrowed & One Blue' will be held in the Long Gallery at Doddington Hall & Garden every Wednesday, Sunday & Bank Holiday Monday 1pm to 5pm 1 August to 10 September. Exhibition included in admission. For more information, please see www.doddingtonhall.com or call 01522 694 308.

You can follow organiser Fiona Baker's fascinating blog on http://www.doddingtonexhibition.blogspot.com/

With Stoke Park's South Terrace now licensed to hold civil ceremonies, be the first to marry here followed by creating a perfect country garden reception with a stunning twist. The South Terrace area located opposite a magnificent water Fountain overlooking 350 acres of landscaped gardens with views of Windsor Castle in the near distance is the pinnacle place to be wed this summer. The South Terrace supplies guaranteed sunshine all day (weather permitting) providing a breath taking photo opportunity for those very important and memorable wedding photos. There are many private rooms to choose from in case of bad weather making the venue a very flexible place to create the ultimate wedding. Michele Connelly, Stoke Park's Wedding Coordinator quotes 'I am very excited about creating a new dimension for couples wanting to marry at Stoke Park. Being able to offer couples the South Terrace area for their civil ceremonies is wonderful news for us.

Wedding Fayre - September 12th 2010 11-4pm

Bring the family to meet with suppliers and members of the Latimer Place wedding team to discuss all aspects of the big day whilst enjoying our views, grounds, BBQ, Bouncy Castle and entertainment. Admission is £5.00 per couple and includes canapés and glass of bubbly on arrival and complimentary entry into our prize draw to win amongst others free room hire. All proceeds from the fayre will be donated to the Variety Club.
For more information about Latimer House's Wedding Fayre or any other enquires please contact Caroline on cheavisides@deverevenues.co.uk or 01494 545550. De Vere Venues, Latimer Place, Latimer, Nr Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1UG

Wedding Fayre - September 12th 2010 11-4pm

Bring the family to meet with suppliers and members of the Latimer Place wedding team to discuss all aspects of the big day whilst enjoying our views, grounds, BBQ, Bouncy Castle and entertainment. Admission is £5.00 per couple and includes canapés and glass of bubbly on arrival and complimentary entry into our prize draw to win amongst others free room hire. All proceeds from the fayre will be donated to the Variety Club.
For more information about Latimer House's Wedding Fayre or any other enquires please contact Caroline on cheavisides@deverevenues.co.uk or 01494 545550. De Vere Venues, Latimer Place, Latimer, Nr Chesham, Bucks, HP5 1UG

We are delighted to announce that on Friday 22nd January 2010, Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire was voted 'Best Wedding Venue' at the 2010 Wedding Ideas Awards- the UK's only consumer wedding awards. The awards are nominated and voted for exclusively by the readers of Wedding Ideas Magazine and show testament to hundreds of happy Brides, Grooms and guests- what it is all about for us!

For more details on Clearwell Castle or this award, please contact Emily Bramer on 07711 659934 or visit www.countryhouseweddings.co.uk