The best of Lancasters’ wedding venues, both grand and rustic

So we were looking forward to Melissa and Craigs’ wedding knowing their ceremony would be at the stunning Ashton Memorial. Then we met them at their wedding reception venue, Forrest Hills and we were looking forward to it even more :) Two amazing venues, both very different. The strong lines and grandeur of Ashton Memorial against the rustic countryside feel of the straw bale almost hobbit-esque buildings and surroundings at Forrest Hills – all boxes well and truly ticked! As if that wasn’t enough Melissa and Craig didn’t scrub up too badly either!!

On the banks of the Lancaster canal

So the day began in the tranquil surroundings of Conder Mill, with a very calm and timely bridal prep. Melissa’s nerves calmed by her four bridesmaids and three very cute flower girls. Champagne flowing, excitement brewing, all in all a great pre-wedding morning. At Ashton Memorial the boys had found the beer, bow ties on, shiny shoes gleaming in the sun and all was set for a wedding to begin.

A surprise in the skies

The big secret of the day was a fly past and acrobatic display by a friend of Craig’s, so to the skies everyone looked when they heard the noise of aircraft overhead. A few loop the loops, half a heart or two of vapour trails, guessing it was too windy up in the clouds, but everyone loved the skyward show. As friends and family headed off for more fizz at Forrest Hills we did our own loop the loop of Ashton Memorial to make the most of this magnificent building.

A Forrest Hills wedding reception

At Forrest Hills, Melissa and Craigs’ choice for a marquee reception on the edge of the lake had paid off. The weather was amazing and it felt almost like a wedding abroad with the marquee open to the cooling breeze. A duck egg blue theme ran through the day and this perfectly complemented the marquees summery feel. The wedding favours were welcome too with straw Trilbies for the men and very useful fans for the ladies.

New wedding traditions?

These guys didn’t want all the old fashioned traditional bits of a wedding to take over – we always say be yourselves and do your own thing. So instead of the cake cutting there was a ceremonial opening of a magnum of champagne….Not quite a Grandprix style explosion, but everyone was thankful of this when they got to sample the contents rather than it filling the lake, but perhaps the swans would have preferred this ;)

An absolutely amazing Lancaster wedding, congrats to Melissa and Craig – here’s to more weddings like this!

Forrest Hills wedding bridal prep