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!

Wilderness Weddings

If you're looking for a Woodland Wedding with a bridged Island, Party Barn, Luxury Lodge, Glamping, Camping and a hot tub then Happy Valley is the Venue for you. You can create the Wedding YOU want at this hidden gem in North West Norfolk. An unspoilt part of the Norfolk countryside with magic written all over it. Natural Springs a plenty and enchanted forests engulf .

Forget the restrictions and embrace the woodland wilderness for a festival Wedding. Hired for 3 days and 2 nights you can be assured that the memories made will last you a lifetime. Here at Happy Valley taking your time is at the top of our ethos. 

There's no funny extras like Corkage fees or restrictions on caterers and bar. You really do have the blank canvas to create whatever Wedding you desire. We've seen Festival Weddings, Bohemian and Free Spirited Weddings, Traditional Style Weddings, Woodland Weddings, Vintage Weddings, Neon Weddings and everything else in between! 

Love these images of the Barn by Craig Williams for Becky & Wills special day

Here we have the band on the island, weeping willow line the island providing a secluded and intimate space.

You can't have a woodland wedding without a tree swing.

I've taken a few pics from a variety of Weddings at Happy Valley. Set in the heart of North West Norfolk this wedding venue is surrounded by Woodland and has magic written all over it. Unspoilt surrounds on a Norfolk Wildlife Trust you sure to feel super serene even on your Wedding day.

Wedding Prep

Caraz zagni photography cake Ellies Cakery

Happy Valley by night.

You can find recent pics of Happy Valley over on the instagram page - https://www.instagram.com/happyvnorfolk/

A Jane Bourvis Gown a Lovettes’ Rustic and Whimsical Woodland Wedding

Recently we welcomed back the gorgeous Carragher Family as they grabbed a weekend away with their beautiful baby girl.

This Wedding was one of my favourites. Since then we've added the Glamping cabins and Dutch Party Barn and Hot Tub to the Venue. 

 Posted by Annora Sutton For Love My Dress Blog

Our couple held their reception in a marquee at the wonderfully named Happy Valley…

“Finding Happy Valley was such a relief and a joy. It was brilliant discovering that our wild and natural venue actually existed – a beautiful house surrounded by trees, fields and a pond with a ‘secret’ island.”

Hannah, a doctor, married Chris, a project manager, on the 11th of July, 2015, at All Saints Church in Thornham, Norfolk, followed by a reception at Happy Valley. The couple’s big day was captured on camera by Red on Blonde, but let’s begin by taking a look at the couple’s captivating wedding film – and by the way, be prepared to wipe a tear or two away as the film was created by one of our absolute favourite film makers in the universe, the utterly wonderful Jon Aleksander of Happy Wedding Films.

“I had always dreamed of a wild and natural forest wedding (think Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves!). The venue initially proved elusive but once we found Happy Valley, the rest fell into place (with a lot of hard work, obviously). Our videographer was one of several Love My Dressfinds. We chose Jon of Happy Wedding Films after spotting a film of his on the blog. We received our trailer last month and we adore it – we are so very lucky to have such a special reminder of our day. I also love the music Jon chose – as soon as the first chords started I was in tears. He is such a very talented man.”

Hannah looked absolutely stunning in an ethereal gown crafted by the one and only Jane Bourvis. Our bride fell in love with Jane’sbespoke creations after spotting one of her gowns on Love My Dress…

“I came across Jane Bourvis after seeing this real wedding feature on Love My Dress. Jane and her lovely assistant, Edel, were so very patient and welcoming. Jane creates all of her dresses as one-offs, mostly from vintage lace. My dress was created using a 100 year old veil.”

“I loved the fact that it had a story, a ‘past’, but that it was now part of something more, something new and unique, just for me – It was such a special feeling and a total privilege. Maybe one day I can hand it down a generation to add to its story.”

Isn’t that naked cake below just the most spectacular? It was created and decorated by a friend.

“Chris and I met at a Scotland rugby game when I was at university in Edinburgh – my stylish tartan trousers obviously made an impression! We had been together for around four years when Chris proposed on a boat while we were sailing the Whitsundays. It was a total surprise, only my dad had been pre-warned.”

Hannah finished her look with Rachel Simpson’s mint green, ‘Mimosa’ T-bars and her scent was Orange Blossom Cologne by Jo Malone.

Hannah and Chris knew they’d found the perfect photographers for them, after spying this real wedding, captured by duo behind Red on Blonde, on Love My Dress. You can find Red on Blonde listed in our Little Book for Brides, a carefully curated directory of wonderful and hardworking wedding suppliers.

“Han and Toby were great on the day – inconspicuous enough to capture some super natural shots, whilst making their presence known enough to organise our families for group pictures – not an easy task! They embraced our craziness and fit into our day as though they were guests, whilst being total professionals. Our photos came beautifully presented and I will always remember watching the slideshow with Chris and both laughing and crying (happy tears of course!) at their attention to detail.”

“My mum had arranged with my friend, and riding instructor, Sarah, a surprise four-legged guest in the form of Harvey, the horse I learnt to ride on from the age of 13, and had competed on and had on loan. He is the epitome of ‘not judging a book by its cover’ – the most special horse and he scrubbed up so well.”

“For our décor, we collected lampshades from charity shops, recycled bottles from a local café and encouraged everyone we knew to stockpile jars for the flowers. We borrowed vintage teacups and saucers from my auntie and a talented cousin made the hessian bunting and table runners.”

“We dismantled pallets for signage and hired some amazing festoon lights and garden games from Penny at The Little Lending Company(who have recently joined Little Book For Brides). Penny has such an amazing selection of props to hire out and was so helpful with our last minute additions.”

“During the afternoon, our brilliant band, The Woodleys, played some covers as well as their own songs. A lasting memory is when they played Mumford and Sons ‘I will Wait’ for the second time (as an encore) and we all piled onto the dancefloor and grass outside the marquee and danced and danced – my mum, in particular, showcasing some ridiculously high quality moves!”

Hannah and Chris’ relaxed wedding breakfast was catered by Purple Plum and their gorgeous flower covered, naked wedding cake was lovingly made by a friend.

“During my dad’s speech we released some Tortoiseshell butterflies that my dad had nurtured through the summer, in memory of those that couldn’t be with us on the day. It wasn’t until we saw our photos that we realised my Dad and I each had one on our shoulders during the rest of the speeches.”

Words of Wedded Wisdom

“Surround yourself with positive people, who know you best – the sort that will listen to you patiently when you need to download. Don’t be too disappointed, or take it personally, when some people don’t behave with the social ‘etiquette’ you perhaps expect.

Go with your gut on suppliers, don’t try to cut costs at the expense of your own sanity. Find your creative friends and relatives and harness and celebrate their talents, without abusing them. And, as many brides before me have said, take a moment to breathe it all in together on the day itself.

And Love My Dress was a great resource throughout the planning process. A huge thank you to Annabel and Lyndsey for fielding various queries and stresses. It was an honour to be a Lovette!”

Great advice from our lovely Lovette! A huge thanks to Hannah and her husband Chris for sharing the details of their big day, as well Red on Blonde for documenting it so very beautifully. If you’d like to see other bride’s wearing Jane Bourvis’ beautiful gowns, please follow this link.

Have a great week!

Annora x

Photographer – Red on Blonde
Film – Happy Wedding Films
Venue – Ceremony at All Saints Church in Thornham, Norfolk, followed by a reception nearby at Happy Valley
Wedding Dress + Veil – Jane Bourvis
Headpiece – Fresh flower crown created by Jo Flowers
Shoes – ‘Mimosa’ by Rachel Simpson
Bride’s Scent/perfume – Orange Blossom Cologne by Jo Malone
Groom – Kilt and jacket purchased from The Kilt Company
Bridesmaids – H&M dresses
Flowergirls – ‘Estella’ dress from Monsoon + gold sandals from Debenhams
Florist – Jo Flowers
Cake – Created by a friend of the bride
Transport – A vintage Jaguar from The Marriage Carriage Company
Entertainment – Dave Harper + The Woodleys + 

Rings – Tustains
Catering – Purple Plum
Décor – Favours, signage and guest book from Stag Design; festoon lights and garden games from The Little Lending Company; petal confetti from Shropshire Petals
Stationery – Created by the couple, using a Noolibird stamp and printed by TW Printing, Leamington

23-SEPTEMBER-17

Happy Valley Wedding Festival

Wedding fever is sweeping through Happy Valley this September! So assemble your bride tribe and grab your stags - this is one for everyone!

Never one to stick to the norm we are taking the traditional wedding fair and turning it on its head & hosting our very own ‘WedFest’. With all the essential Wedding fair elements and then some not so usual! The magical surrounds of Happy Valley, will give you a taster into your special day and then there is so much more for the whole family to discover! 

Please Join us for a FREE day of relaxed, enjoyable wedding planning, followed by afternoon of scrumptious food at our Street Food Supper, a chance to try the best that Norfolk caterers have to offer and then dance the night away as Twisted Melon Productions present an incredible line up of live local music. (from 5.30pm - late = tickets required)

The gates to our truly unique venue open at 11am for a magical day of wedding planning for which, Pia Plum Events have enlisted the help of over 40 of their favourite suppliers. They will be available to show you their wares and discuss how they can create a day tailored to you.

From Beard Preening to Props, Petal Confetti to Vintage Wedding Dresses. If it's a Hair Artist you need or a cake fit for the queen we have all the little extra’s you didn’t even realised you’d need.

Castle Acre Canvas will be housing the Wedding traders in their beautiful multi peak capree tents. You can peruse the fabulous Norfolk Wedding suppliers and create your bespoke happily ever after or you can discover concierge services who will do all of it for you.

As the sun starts to set over a wonderfully productive day, our venue takes on a new life, so have you dancing shoes at the ready and discover your perfect wedding entertainment as at 6pm the first band will be set to grace our stage. What better way to pick your wedding band than under our woodland canape, surrounded by friends with your favourite tipple in hand.

There is free entrance and all are welcome to the wedding fair during the day 11am - 4pm.

Tickets for the evening of live music are £10 and available from http://twistedmelon.bigcartel.com/product/happy-valley-wedfest

For more information head to www.happyvalley.co.uk or www.facebook.com/NorfolkWeddingVenue

You'll be able to see the Glamping accomodation Happy Valley has on offer thus far before the big tree house build completes at the end of the Year. 

Huge Thanks to WE SIGNS for their sponsorship & wonderful signs you see throughout the roads of Norfolk.

EMAIL - HELLO@HAPPYVALLEYNORFOLK.CO.UK

TEL NO- 01485 600719

WWW.HAPPYVALLEYNORFOLK.CO.UK

XXX