Spellbinding Wedding Venues

As we step into the wedding season, we spoke to four very different, yet equally enchanting wedding venues. We asked them how they go about choosing their wines, which have had the biggest impact and of course we delve deeper into what makes their wedding space so unique.

Saddle Rooms

Tupgill Estate, situated in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales with 513 acres of glorious Yorkshire countryside, is home to The Saddle room restaurant and the famous Forbidden Corner, Yorkshire’s largest tourist attraction. It is one of the region’s most picturesque wedding locations!

When we asked Leo, the general manager, what makes this venue so unique he enthused “We have the best views of any wedding venue in Yorkshire!”

When it comes to choosing the wines, the bride and groom are invited to attend an exclusive private tasting where they get to taste the wine alongside canapés and menu options. Food and wine pairing is important to many of the couples and they select the wine which will enhance the wedding experience. Firm favourites with wedding couples at the Saddle rooms are the Don Jacobo wines from Rioja, Spain and the Veramonte range from Chile. Leo worked in the wine trade for many years before the Saddle Room venture and has fond memories of both wineries and the people behind the wines.

Champagne always has the biggest impact at a wedding because it is usually the first glass of wine enjoyed as a married couple, so it has to be extra special. Taittinger is the house champagne which has beautiful elegance and finesse due to the high Chardonnay content. Prosecco is also a big hit with wedding couples, especially Bottega Gold Prosecco with its golden bottle which adds a touch of glamour, luxury and bling!

St Pancras, Renaissance Hotels

The luxurious St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel London has become a Victorian icon and model of hospitality. St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel is a sparkling gem in the capital, standing as an architectural feat in the local area. A luxury five-star hotel with distinctive character, it offers a truly unique place to get married.

When asked which of their wedding wines had had the greatest impact, St. Pancras explained their couples usually go for a bespoke wedding package that includes their house wine and Veuve Clicquot champagne reception, “these are our top sellers”. They told us that guests also like to pick Chapel Down wines because of its story, emphasising the importance of having a great local British wine option to present.

When asked how they approach wine selection, St. Pancras explained there is always a consultation and menu tasting for the couple with their Chef prior to the celebration. St. Pancras aim to be ultra-flexible when it comes to food & wine, explaining that guests like to make their wedding day personal by requesting wines or Champagnes they had the day they meet or got engaged. Seasons can make a difference as well. In the summer, it’s mostly light, and in the winter, most prefer something a little more full-bodied. It’s those little extra touches that turn any major event into a truly special day, “with Matthew Clark it’s a great help when it comes to weddings as they have a large selection of wines and help us with every special request”.

Boclair House Hotel

Boclair House Hotel is a stunning building with a fascinating and opulent, art deco interior and history, set in Glasgow, Scotland. The building dates back to 1890, where it was then known as the Buchanan Retreat. It later became the official home of East Dunbartonshire Council. Fast forward to 2017, it now boasts luxury hotel status, with retained character and unique historic features. Boclair House has been operating for just over a year, yet it has already amassed an envious list of awards, including ‘Scottish Boutique Hotel of the Year’ and ‘Most Romantic Venue’.

We asked Boclair House how they go about choosing their dishes and how this impacts on the wines they serve. They explained, that with a restaurant that is reminiscent of an art deco French bistro, their food offering seeks to combine the best of classic Scottish cuisine with an added French flair. They have also recently launched a new wine menu which features a number of French classics including Chablis, Sancerre and Beaujolais, along with very on-trend selections such as a Picpoul de Pinet and even ‘Les Hipsters’ Barbe from Cotes de Bourg!

When asked which of their wines have had the biggest impact, Boclair told us; “Matthew Clark and our Champagne partner Lanson have supported with training and other initiatives for our wedding coordinators, which has had a really positive impact on our customers trading up to premium wines in general, but especially from Prosecco to Champagne for wedding parties.”

Boclair House Hotel's staff taste and select wines. “We place huge importance on this initiative, as it helps our key staff to feel more connected to the wines from the get-go, which means they take great pride and confidence in their wine list.”

We think you’ll agree, that while each venue has its own take on what constitutes a great wedding, each is equally magically, with a unique approach to delivering arguably one of the most important days in people’s lives.