The Perks of a Spring Wedding

Havelock Ellis once said “The absence of flaw in beauty is itself a flaw” and to us, this perfectly surmises our feelings about nature but in particular, about Spring and weddings in springtime.

Guests have no problem envisaging Happy Valley in the perfect heat of summer, their skin tingling from the warmth of the sun while simultaneously feeling a cool glass of Pimm’s in their hand. Brides picture themselves roaming the grounds with their heads adorned in a crown of flowers, watching children tempted by the tantalising image of our pretty lake, wrapped around Willow Island, wishing, if only they could jump in.

Though we love the venue with each changing season there is a magical transformation at Happy Valley in the springtime. Like an undiscovered secret, it is during the month of April that we almost feel the trees holding their breath with the anticipation of what is to come. Full of potential and on the cusp of a glorious showcase of nature, Happy Valley in springtime is a stunning display of subtle sophistication and it gives us so much pleasure to watch it unfold before our eyes.

Five reasons we choose Spring Weddings over any other

1. Climate Change claims Spring as the new Summer - according to ScienceNews, climate change has triggered earlier springs, resulting in warmer and greener climates with summers becoming drier and arid. The UK government acknowledges that “17 of the 18 warmest years on record have occurred in the 21st century and each of the last 3 decades have been hotter than the previous one”. With England experiencing extreme weather events and dangerous heatwaves, Spring is the goldilocks of weather - not too hot - not too cold but just right.

2. Demand and Supply - wedding suppliers have greater availability at a more affordable price, our grounds are in full bloom and there are a variety of stunning global and local honeymoon destinations at an off-peak price.

3. Spring Cleaning refers to more than just cobwebs - spring is the time to step outside, make plans and rejuvenate. As well as grabbing mops and polish, people want to dust off their party frocks and have an excuse to feel the fresh air again. With the start of Bank Holidays and Easter breaks, this is a time for friends and family to reconnect and what better way to bring everyone together than a wedding?!

4. There is a colour palette of endless possibilities - pastels, 50 shades of green or bright florals, in Spring, anything goes. The options for wedding bouquets are limitless and unlike other seasons, Spring doesn’t seem to be as confined. No-one expects you to have a pumpkin themed Halloween wedding or a burgundy winter wonderland, you are free to just be.

5. Spring stands for new starts - instead of seeing spring as a transitional season, we embrace it as a symbol of renewal and rebirth and what better time to start a brand new adventure with the love of your life than during a season that celebrates new beginnings?

In Spring, Mother Nature wakes from her wintery sleep, stretches out her arms with green lands, lets out a sigh of chirping birds and fresh breeze, opens her eyes to blue skies and smiles to display a full sunrise. When every living creature is opening their hearts to new possibilities, we invite you to join them and embark on a new chapter of your life with a perfectly imperfect Spring Wedding.

With love, Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

The Wedding Wolves

There’s no better time to grab your attention than when we’re on an enforced, three week lock-down and in need of distraction so we felt it was high time to tell you a story:

A grandfather sat his grandson down and decided to impart some words of wisdom.

“A fight is going on inside of me,” he said to the boy. “It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents darkness - he is regret, anger, sorrow, selfishness and self-pity and everything negative in the world.”

The grandfather looked at his captivated grandson, took a breath and continued, “The other wolf represents the light - he is peace, hope, understanding, compassion and faith and everything positive in the world. We all have the same two wolves fighting within us.”

The grandson, a fan of everything to do with war and battles turns to his grandfather and says, “which wolf will win?”.

The wise, old man simply replied, “The one you feed.”

What do wolves have to do with weddings?

During this time of uncertainty, there are understandably a lot of emotions running high and these are valid and necessary feelings for us all to be having.

Each of us is fighting an internal battle between wanting to help our neighbours, friends, family and local businesses and at the same time worrying about what it might mean for our own finances, health or future happiness. We all want to be kind and understanding but we also all have fear and frustration.

Is our advice to feed the positive wolf and let the negative wolf starve? No, it would be an impossibility. They’re both there and they both have to eat. What we can do, is acknowledge that whilst we are having to face great disappointments and insecurity, we can also show the capacity for compassion and forbearance. The beauty of humanity is often found in the grey areas where despite the doubt and fear, we surprise ourselves with our own strength and resilience.

So, if each wolf is being fed at a time where food is being rationed and supermarkets are in short supply, who gets what?

That part is down to us but how we respond and which wolf we feed the most will define how we are viewed when this chaos is over. Our time in the grey area is now and our actions will show which wolf ate all the metaphorical pies.

Even though you’re justifiably worried about your future wedding plans, there are still ways we can lift each other up. Here at Happy Valley, we invite you to look at the following acts of kindness to show your wedding suppliers some support:

• If you’re pleased with the service you’ve received during this difficult time, consider leaving a positive review on their website. If you’re not, perhaps take into account unprecedented stress?

• Like, comment and share posts. Why not shine a light on some suppliers in need of encouragement?

• Make future reservations. For most suppliers, it’s not just the next few months that are of concern but their whole calendar year - show them some light at the end of the tunnel.

At Happy Valley, we hope you feel our negative wolves have been put on a strict diet of kale and lentils (not least because stress represses the immune system and we need to stay healthy right now!) and our positive wolves have been given the full, fine-dining experience.

We would like to thank our 2020 couples for their thoughtfulness and appreciation and are excited to give you the happy ending you all so deserve.

With love,

Katy, Kirsty and the team at Happy Valley xx

hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

01485 600 719

Instagram - @HappyValleyNorfolk

Facebook - Happy Valley Norfolk

Memories of happier times. A woodland wedding photoshoot at Happy Valley.

Finding the Silver Lining in this Covid Cloud and changing our “What ifs?” to “Even ifs”…

At Happy Valley, we’ve always been firm believers in the health benefits of the great outdoors and have promoted the healing powers of nature when offering couples our woodland wedding packages. Unfortunately, the consequences of Government enforcements can’t be cured by fresh air alone and some of you may be facing tough decisions with regards to potentially postponing your big day.

It’s certainly unchartered territory for families and businesses alike and while we face this storm together, through understanding, patience and kindness, there will be moments we can all learn to dance in the rain. 

Before we cover the more practical points, we want to send you some positive thoughts to hold on to. Despite everything, there is the hope and optimism of a brighter future. Come rain or shine, Summer or Winter, we’re with you and if you’ll let us, we’ll stay with you all the way until “I do”. 

The Gorgeous Tom & Fiona at Happy Valley - Ben Chapman Photography

An outdoor ceremony on the willow Island

Changing my “What ifs? to “Even ifs” 

Instead of asking “What if I have to postpone my dream, summer wedding?” hold onto the thought that even if you decide to change your date, you still have each other and you will be able to celebrate, surrounded by your loved ones at some point in the future. No matter what happens, we will make your day beautiful. Here at Happy Valley, we promise you that regardless of any decisions made or plans altered, we will do everything in our power to create a magical, once-in-a-lifetime memory that you can treasure forever. We are currently offering all of our early 2020 couples the opportunity to keep their actual date in case Covid-19 has been defeated by then but we are also pencilling in a “back-up date” so we can manoeuvre from plan A to plan B without any problems. Please look out for our upcoming blog on Autumn and Winter alternatives. One way or another, love conquers all and trust us when we say we want nothing more than for you to marry the love of your life. 

We’ve heard your concerns and to alleviate the stress and worry of “what if my suppliers can’t make it to our new date?”, we’re working on a plan that even if one supplier can’t attend, we will be able to work some magic. Happy Valley has the good fortune to be surrounded by incredibly innovative, flexible and passionate suppliers who are doing their utmost behind the scenes to work around your schedules and accommodate last-minute changes. For our couples, we are in the process of contacting all of their suppliers and are collating a list of their availability. We are trying to coordinate a mutually convenient date for both you, your suppliers and the venue so you can sit back and relax (preferably with a glass of wine or G&T). If, for any reason, a supplier can no longer provide you with a service, we have a team of legendary people who are all bending over backwards to fulfil your dreams and we will help you find suitable alternatives. 

Even if you postpone – please don’t cancel. Pause but don’t give up. Reflect but don’t retreat. Delay but don’t be defeated – you get where we’re going with this! We’re here for you and if you’re here for us too, we’ll all meet on the other side and celebrate the love and awesomeness of humanity, hopefully with a glass of bubbly and a beaming smile. Sending you all of the virtual love in the world from our anti-bacterial sprayed screens. 

With love, Katy, Kirsty and The Happy Valley Team xx

hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

01485 600719

Instagram - @HappyValleyNorfolk

Facebook - Happy Valley Norfolk

Autumnal Wedding Season at Happy Valley

Every season has its own naturally rich offering and Harvest Season is no exception. Witnessing the trees turn from a uniform green to all varieties of gold, yellow and red is a spectacular scene at Happy Valley. The fiery brilliance makes for a striking backdrop when it comes to Wedding photography! During October our colourful canopy welcomed Ange and Den for their Autumnal Wedding celebrations.

Ange and Den opted for an intimately stylish Wedding with a party of 50 closest family and friends. Making the most of our cosy Hay Barn for their on-site ceremony and dressing the Dutch Barn for their Wedding Dinner. LilWall’s Hog Roast a catering company from Norwich looked after guests appetites, ensuring they were all well fed with hearty locally reared food!

Wedding Catering by Lilwall’s Hog Roast

Flowers & foliage artfully arranged by Wild Folk

Bow ties & Button holes

The autumnal florals were artfully arranged by Norwich based Eco Florist WildFolk. Natalie from WildFolk specialises in Wild and Seasonal Wedding flowers with each bloom lovingly home grown. WildFolk’s flowers are perfect for eco-conscious couples who have an appreciation for the freshest sustainable florals that are chemical free and in season!

The Little Lending Company - a West Norfolk based alternative hire company, styled our Dutch Barn to create a rustic laid back vibe with their range of decor accessories. Penny’s background in fashion design trained her creative eye and now she lends her styling talents to anything a little bohemian, authentic and cool in the world of weddings. Here at Happy Valley we have an eclectic mix of props to co-create your dream wedding vision, from benches and barrels to wooden trestle tables and chairs for sipping and grazing.

Props by Happy Valley Norfolk // Accessories & Styling by The Little Lending Company

With so much creative talent on offer in Norfolk it’s of no surprise to see that couples of supporting local wherever possible and opting for more sustainably stylish Weddings. As a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site we are all about eco-friendly and welcome weddings for the more conscientious couple throughout the seasons. Although the Autumnal Wedding trend is very much in season!

We have some availability left for 2020 Weddings during September to December. To arrange your viewing of our unique barn venue and glamping accommodation please contact our Wedding Team:

Telephone: 01485 600719

Email: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Instagram: @happyvalleynorfolk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue/

Simply stylish eco-friendly florals

Limited Availability for 2020 Wilderness Weddings

THE VENUE - A Norfolk Wildlife Trust Site….

Happy Valley is the perfect Norfolk Venue for an enchanting Woodland Wedding. A laid back rustic Venue where you can enjoy a whole weekend of celebrations sprinkled with a touch of Luxe. Set on a Norfolk Wildlife Trust site, there’s an abundance of beautiful back drops to hold your ceremony whether its in the towering fir forest, on the willow island surrounded by water, the open glades bathing in sunshine or in the Historic Hay Barn. A licensed Venue with Duo status so you can hold your ceremony inside or out. Your dream of a whimsical woodland wedding can become a reality here in North Norfolk as not only is Happy Valley set in 9 acres of wilderness it also houses luxury glamping accommodation for your guests with the option to add additional camping should you want to accommodate more. The Dutch Barn is the perfect place to toast your loved ones and dance the night away or there’s the option of the Hay barn to transform into the night club, the creche or the chill out area. A super flexible Venue where you can create the Wedding you want.

Outdoor drinks ceremony & lawn games

Boho Inspired Wedding, Keeping it Green

Stunning Capture next to our Dutch Barn by Alice Cunliffe Photography

THE VIBE….

Nikita & Neezam’s Wilderness Wedding at Happy Valley, Summer 2019

Photo credit to Alice Cunliffe Photography

Happy Valley encompasses the Wilderness vibe with lashings of luxury. The hand made shepherds huts are all insulated and heated with real beds and many of your home comforts. Toad hall makes for the perfect bridal suite with king size accomodation, private sunken hot tub, incredible views, wet room and fully functional kitchen. It even boasts underfloor airforce heating and wine fridge.

Happy Valley encapsulates everything you could want from an outdoor wedding – a private rural location, hidden away in the idyllic Norfolk countryside with a forest of firs, ancient oak trees, a beech wood, weeping beech tree, meadows, a picturesque lake with a bridged island and rolling countryside as far as the eye can see.

STEP INTO THE WILD….

From the minute you arrive at Happy Valley nature is your canvas. Couples and their guests feel at ease and relaxed in the natural surroundings as they begin to set up for their day their way. Nikita and Neezam kept it green with a boho florals inspired by their wild wedding setting.

Petite Verte a Norfolk based botanical florist specialise in using greenery for your Wedding as an alternative to flowers. Eucalyptus plays a leading role with other green harvests complementing the bohemian rustic floristry.

Botanical Floristry & Design by Petit Verte

Woodland Wedding Ceremony at Happy Valley

A FEW DATES LEFT TO SAY I DO….

Happy Valley’s Wedding Diary is almost fully booked for 2020. There a just a few weekend dates left to make your Wilderness Wedding a rustic reality. Mid week Weddings we have more availability.

6th - 7th June 2020

4th - 5th July 2020

14 - 16th August 2020

19th - 20th September 2020

26th - 27th September 2020

2nd - 4th October 2020

If you would like to secure one of the dates above please call one of our friendly team to make an appointment 01485 600719 or drop us an email to hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Flowers by Petite Verte

Festoon lit Willows

T: 01485 600719

E: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

Instagram: @happyvalleynorfolk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue/

Autumnal Woodland Weddings in Norfolk

The season of Autumn at Happy Valley Norfolk is a truly magical one.  With dappled sun lighting up the turning leaves in the ancient woodland and a natural canopy of confetti on the forest floor.  We are set up to host 150 wedding guests and more! A transitional time which marks the end of the Summer Season as we ready ourselves for Winter. October is seasonally temperate with a backdrop of golden leaves, oranges and ever greens – creating a breath-taking palette for your photography scenes.

Reinvent and revolutionise the traditional barn venue at Happy Valley Norfolk. We have two stripped back barns, for those who appreciate a more natural vibe. The rustic nature of the Hay barn, is the perfect setting for your ceremony. Yes… you can legally say ‘we do’ on site too! The wood burner will keep your guests cosy and comfortable, whilst candlelight will complement your deeper, richer florals. The Dutch barn is a boho-inspired space, with panoramic views of the mystical lake and meadowland. The larger of the two, our Dutch barn has hosted many a wedding party, creating the celebratory feels for flavoursome feasts, bands and beats, ensuring all guests find their dancing feet!

The nature-inspired Glamping at Happy Valley, brings your nearest and dearest together in a relaxed Norfolk way.  With an eclectic choice of Handmade Cabins, Shepherds Huts and Bell tents to kick back in.  Each with their own colourful character and stylish comfort. We have taken care of your every need, leaving you and your Wedding party to make the most of your time together.  We love to see our guests connecting with nature in the Whimsical Woodland sheltered by the canopy of pine trees.  The Wood Fired Hot tub is a peacefully picturesque spot to take a dip and drink in the changing hues of the season.

If you would like to luxuriate further as Mr & Mrs, Toad Hall is the intimate yet spacious lodge you will never want to check out of.  Sleeping up to 6 people, with its own Hot Tub and absolutely every detail covered, we ensure your wedding is the kind that dreams are made of.  What’s more?  The entire site is exclusively yours to unravel and re-wild in during your stay.

We still have some limited availability for Wedding Bookings this October, 2019.  If you would like to say ‘I Do’ and make your Wedding wishes come true, we have a super friendly team to support you every step of the way… ensuring your Wedding Party is the one that everyone remembers as the most naturally dazzling day!

E: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

T: 01485 600719

Instagram: @happyvalleynorfolk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue/

We look forward to co-creating the most magical Norfolk Wedding imaginable with you!