Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be married in a forest as the sun goes down? Or to have an owl deliver the rings to you on your special day?

There is one team at a venue in Cheshire who can make these happen.

The dedication of the team at Cheshire Woodland Weddings to help people create special memories has turned this venue into one of the county's most unique places to get married.

 

And in recognition of their efforts, they were recently named ‘Best Outdoor Group Activities Company’ at the prestigious Corporate Vision Awards 2022.

Northwich Guardian: The venue offers some unique opportunities for photographs (Michael Barrow)The venue offers some unique opportunities for photographs (Michael Barrow) (Image: Michael Barrow)

Located in the private 15-acre Kennal Woodland close to Blakemere Craft Centre, Cheshire Woodland Weddings offers a ‘whole festival day’ of activities for wedding parties, including falconry, archery, air rifle shooting and axe throwing. 

The venue hosts more than 60 weddings each year throughout their relatively short April to September season.

Wedding co-ordinator Ebony Hughes and managing director Steve Birchall talked to us about the business, their award, and about what makes a woodland wedding so special.

“Some couples see the woods as the perfect location for a ‘fairytale’ wedding,” said Ebony.

“A lot of people grow up with that as their ideal.

“As one of the only venues in the UK licenced to hold a wedding in the woods, we get customers coming from all over the country.

“Often people choose to have their ceremony just as the sun is going down, and the beams of light are coming through the trees.

“With the fairy lights, it’s all a bit magical. And the photographs come out amazing.

Northwich Guardian: Woodland wedding arch (Emma Wilkinson)Woodland wedding arch (Emma Wilkinson) (Image: Emma Wilkinson)

“Sometimes people use us for themed weddings too. We have three Viking ones booked next year.

“Jess, our teenage barn owl, is our ringbearer, and she is understandably popular. She’s quite a character, and her services are included in the package.

“We also have a falconer’s guard of honour, where guests are met at the gates by our white-tailed eagle, Aran. And there’s an interactive falconry display, which is quite cool."

Director, Steve Birchall, was delighted to have been named 'Best Outdoor Group Activities Company.'

“We’re very pleased to have won the award," said Steve.

"I really think we are unique. You hire the whole venue, which is 15 acres of woodland, and you get a whole range of activities too.

“It’s more than a just a wedding. What we offer is a whole festival."