I was lucky enough to meet the lovely Emma Sargeant recently, and learned a little bit about Balcombe Place - a new wedding and events venue in West Sussex. (Take a look at their website for information about the fascinating history of the house and family - www.balcombeplace.com)
When she invited me to come along and see it for myself, I absolutely jumped at the chance. The house is set in beautiful countryside, and has so many wonderful possibilities for a wedding ceremony that I really don’t know where to begin!
The building itself is completely fabulous: grand without being overwhelming, and each room has a warm and welcoming feel to it. If, like me, you love a good fireplace, then you will definitely be spoilt for choice, as just about every room has a fantastic feature fireplace - including the bedrooms. Here are just some of them:
The five reception rooms are all magnificent and each has something particularly attractive to offer, so any would be perfect for a wedding ceremony. I think my personal favourite would have to be the Music Room, with its wood-panelled walls and wonderful minstrels’ gallery: it is something so special and unique that it really is quite breathtaking!
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The ground floor has a lovely flow to it, so whichever room you chose for your ceremony, your guests could comfortably wander from one stunning space to another; allowing real flexibility in the way you choose to celebrate your big day.
And the grounds ……! Of course, as a Celebrant, I can’t help but think about the wonderful outdoor ceremonies which could be held here, with the house itself as an incredible Plan B in case of inclement weather.
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The house is set in an elevated position with views for miles around, including the amazing Balcombe Viaduct (or Ouse Valley Viaduct, as it’s also known) - just imagine your wedding photographs against such a backdrop! (Obviously, this is a reverse view from Borde Hill, with Balcombe Place on the right, but you get the idea!)
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And you could go for the quintessential English country house feel with your choice of outdoor events in such wonderful surroundings (see www.quintessentialfetes.co.uk for some ideas) - the possibilities really are endless: just like the views!
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Emma is a warm and friendly person, with a passion for the house, and a genuine wish to make your day truly special. A stunning house and grounds and, in Emma, the ideal person to look after every aspect of your day - so, what are you waiting for? Go and see it for yourself - you really won’t be disappointed!