A Great British Summer of Weddings

The leaves are on the turn and the smell of Autumn in the air, so we decided it's the perfect time to reminisce about the beautiful summer weddings we’ve had...

Our hearts have been full this summer watching the venue come alive once again! After so much uncertainty in the wedding industry, I know not only for us but for all of the wonderful suppliers we work with - it has been a pleasure and relief to get back to doing what we do best! 

It’s been a particularly special season as not only have we had some magical weddings - we have been the destination that these families reunite. It has been so lovely to witness the joy on each couples face as their dream wedding comes together and to see the love on the faces of families who have spent 18 months apart. 

And with the Great British Summer comes the array of Great British weather. One word of advice when planning your wedding day is to have every weather eventuality covered. Here at Happy Valley there’s a beautiful space come rain or shine for every aspect of your day. This year we’ve seen it all but in true HV style the sun has shone down for all the outdoor “I dos”.

We want to share with you our favourite moments so far…

The Courtyard

Alfresco dining in the most colourful setting you can imagine, the barns as the backdrop and the sun shining down. This really is the spot for outdoor lovers - there is no better way to appreciate the outdoors than to sit, eat and revel in its’ greatness.

The Dutch Barn

It was so refreshing to see the Dutch Barn full to the brim with love and laughter on this special day!

The Dutch Barn is the ideal place to gather and watch the sun go down…the golden haze captured here encapsulates the warmth we hope every couple experiences on their big day.

With space to seat 175 people, it’s a great spot to escape the weather and admire the panoramic views of Happy Valley.

The Hay Barn

The snug ambience of the Hay Barn is the perfect place for intimate weddings! We were and still are completely in awe of the Hay Barn set up for this micro-wedding. The walls have such character that only minimal decor is needed to make it a really special place.

Throw open the doors and dance until your heart in content no matter the weather! The cosy atmosphere of the Hay Barn is perfect for when the nights draw in and the air becomes frosty.

Photo Credits - Aurora Grey Photography, Tori Hancock Photography, Sam Gee Photography, Killer Filler Workshop

Suppliers - Wildfolk Flowers, Hannah Hunnam, Charlotte Rowland,

Eco-friendly Weddings at Happy Valley

What a Summer Season we’ve had so far at Happy Valley Norfolk.  We love to see that Weddings are becoming increasingly sustainable with couples adopting a few eco-friendly ideas. How we build our cabins at Happy Valley encourages natural habitats and we use environmentally friendly products on our Glamping site. We’ve built bird and bat boxes to encourage wildlife in our ancient woodland as well as planted fields of Sainfoin for the honeybees. We use all of our own natural filtered water from source on site too!

At the end of July it was the turn of the gorgeous Hannah & Peter, a local Bride and Groom who fell in love with our Dutch Barn to create their dream wedding canvas.  With Hannah’s background in floristry we knew the flowers would be breath-taking and Jam Jar Flowers of London pulled out a show stopper.

Jam Jar Flowers have an impressive selection of lovingly sourced antique vases, cut glass and Jam Jars of course. We adore Jam Jar’s eco-friendly ethos of working with seasonal flowers and foliage to reduce their wedding carbon footprint. The simple charm of flowers displayed in a natural and unfussy way, along with a love of native flora, informs Jam Jar’s style of beautiful, natural arrangements where seasonal flowers are celebrated.

Here are some flower suggestions for each season:

Spring: Tulips, white daffodils, lilac, ranunculus and guilder roses.
Summer: Peonies, larkspur, nigella, sweet peas, sunflowers and roses.
Autumn: Dahlias, calla lilies, hydrangeas and snapdragons.
Winter: Hellebores, berried ivy, jasmine, narcissus, poinsettia and anenomes.

IMG_1789 2.JPG

The greatest carbon footprint of your wedding is from travel, so if you can find a place you love near the majority of your guests, that will make the biggest eco-friendly impact… think local! Instead of transporting and constructing a venue like a marquee or tipi, choose a permanent building like a barn, we have two onsite at Happy Valley with plans to convert a third in the near future. We have the infrastructure set up to adapt to your eco wedding and good contacts with local suppliers.

DIY your eco-friendly favours! Use reusuable jars to serve up homemade preserves, a herb cutting or handmade chocolates for your guests. Cute bags of confetti are a colourful addition to the table and you can make your own by drying out rose petals collected from family and friends’ gardens. You can also buy natural, 100% biodegradable petal confetti from Mitre Farm a local West Norfolk supplier.

IMG_1907.JPG

Our personal favourite at Happy Valley are gifts that keep on giving back to the environment like Wildflower seeds. To contribute towards a local charity at the same time you can make your own birdseed favours effortlessly from seed bought from our local RSPB

Dressing your Bridal party can be an expensive task, not to mention hugely costly in terms of environmental impact. The solution is quite simply vintage! Vintage styles flatter all shapes and sizes so it makes sense to be eco-chic on your wedding day. Vintage Deli in Norfolk stock some gorgeous pieces which are available for fittings by appointment.

12006448_10155992526445542_3052676943457039495_o.jpg

These are just a few sustainably savvy ideas but there are many many more to mention. Including email invites which can be RSVP’d to instantly. Ensuring if you do send paper invites they are suitable for recycling and have been made from recycled card in the first place. Seeking out a catering company with an eco-friendly ethos and good relationships with local farmers will also help to reduce your carbon footprint on the day… in season food is always a tasty touch! Avoiding disposable dinnerware will help to reduce waste and compostable cups to replace plastic glassware would be another eco-friendly tip. Car-sharing between guests will also help to reduce those carbon emissions, so to will hiring a double-decker bus to bring everyone together in a fun way to travel to the venue. When it comes to decor, plastic balloons are a no go for eco friendly weddings, think lanterns, candles and biodegradable materials.

The marital motto for your eco-wedding - Reduce. Reuse. Recycle!

Wedding Venue Testimonial By Hannah Hunnam, on 31 Aug 2019

‘We were fortunate enough to hold our wedding reception at Happy Valley, an idyllic and peaceful spot hidden in West Norfolk's beautiful countryside. The venue has it all: a lake with a bridge to a little island in the middle (you can also get married on this island), magical woodland accommodation and facilities (including hot tubs), huge party barns and all surrounded by nothing but peaceful woodland and glorious Norfolk sunsets. It really is the perfect, private wedding venue and you will be spoilt for choice with photograph opportunities. We had our drinks reception and canapés on the edge of the pretty lake, using the lean-to of the Dutch barn as our outside bar area, and had a band playing outdoors near the willow trees to accompany. We then moved inside to the incredible Dutch barn which has stunning views across the lake, to eat and party the night away - it was just amazing. There's a built-in bar area already in the Dutch barn which is a lovely touch, a stage was set-up for the band to play on in the evening and our caterers set-up camp in the Hay barn. We were very lucky with the weather, but both barns at Happy Valley offer great (and dry!) spaces to be in whatever the weather. Katy and Scott, the owners, really are the most fantastic hosts, and we couldn't thank them enough for everything they did to help ensure we had the perfect day. None of us wanted to leave at the end of the weekend, and it will forever remain the most special place for us. We can't recommend Happy Valley highly enough, and have spent most days since wishing we could do it all over again. The venue really is a gift that keeps on giving.’

If you’re looking to plan a sustainable style wedding we’d love to hear from you and support you to make your eco-friendly day a reality.

E: hello@happyvalleynorfolk.co.uk

T: 01485 600719

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.

CL-LR-134.jpg

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!

CL-LR-194.jpg

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.

CL-LR-67.jpg

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.

CL-LR-42.jpg

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!

CL-LR-237.jpg

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!