When someone asks 'How was your day?' I've heard a lot of brides recount tales of how stressful the morning was, or how last minute set backs befell them. We got married at Houchins in November 2022, we were engaged for around a year. I knew I wanted a 'wedding weekender' to give me a bit longer to spend with my nearest and dearest but I wanted a lot of flexibility and privacy but also the least amount of work on the weekend, as was possible. When we initially walked in to Houchins (for a wedding fair), it was a winter's evening and it was cold outside, but with the braziers outside burning, the venue itself lit up with beautiful warm tones and the lights around the grounds shining, it immediately felt inviting. We looked around on the first night extensively, had a good look round the house and more or less decided then that it was where we wanted to get married. Every contact with Houchins was effortless, every meeting was straight forward and our co-ordinator Eloise was exemplary, We sourced all of our suppliers from Houchin's wedding fairs and they were all outstanding and if we had any issues with any supplier that was on the recommended list from Houchins, Eloise was quick to offer help or to contact the supplier on our behalf. Fast forward over the summer (and several fairs) to November. We arrived on a Friday, got married on Saturday and left the venue on Monday morning. On arrival, the house was stocked with bread and milk and pastries and even essentials like dishwasher tablets. The heating was on. We went straight to the barn as our caterers were setting up the tables and Elouise helped us dress the venue and finish it all off. Friday night in the house was an absolute blast! We had quite the pre-wedding party. Everything we needed, we found - glasses, crockery, cutlery, bottle openers. We ate, drank and danced the evening away. Saturday - The Day - went flawlessly, Jason and Elouise appeared frequently throughout the day (we even got a room changed over as someone has stayed Friday and someone else was using that room Saturday) and saw to every detail. I had zero worries about the day because I knew they had it in hand. When it came to the registrars seeing us in the house, the team made sure no-one got a peek at the dress before the ceremony, they ushered and corralled seamlessly. They changed the ceremony room over to the party room without anyone noticing, Elouise's compering skills are second to none. They organised people where they needed to be. The bar staff deserve a mention at this point, because they were great guys! We had bought a drinks package and put money behind the bar and when the day became evening, Houchins staff put all our unused wine from the day onto the bar which resulted in us not using all of our tab. They cleared up around us at the end of the night, and helped carry presents back to the house. Whilst our party went back to the house, we went to the honeymoon suite, drank champagne and finally slept after what was just, an amazing day. That house is like a giant hug; it wraps everyone up and nestles them in, in complete comfort.
Sunday was a beautifully relaxed affair, we wandered over to the barn and retrieved all the things we'd left the night before (flip flops anyone? An easel perhaps?) and spent the rest of the day, eating, chatting and reminiscing. We lit the fire in the drawing room in the evening, drank wine and laughed so much! This weekend will live long in the memory, the best time, the best staff and the most reasonable management I've ever come across. I'd leave 6 stars if I could!
We fully intend to rent the house again one weekend when it's free, to gather together with our friends and have another amazing time. This is what you earn your money for, this is why you should spend it here, there will be not a single penny you part with, that doesn't return to you threefold, in the form of outstanding memories, great photos and zero hassle.