Country weddings on-trend for same sex marriages

News
24/07/2017

Same sex couples tying the knot this year (2017) are going for rural venues says one award-winning Somerset boutique hotel.

The Bower Inn near Bridgwater, which is a boutique B&B with restaurant, bar and wedding marquee, says it is seeing more bookings for same sex marriages than in previous years.

Candida Leaver, who co-owns the business with her husband Peter Starling, explained: “We’ve become a bit of a magnet for same sex couples who wish to host their engagements and nuptials with us. In the past year, we’ve seen a 20% increase in bookings and customer feedback is very much that people want to have a rural wedding in a country setting.”

The Bower Inn has provided the venue for more than 100 weddings in the past seven years and has a private marquee seating 78 people, or 140 for a buffet, within its own private walled garden.

“We get lots of out-of-town bookings and one of the benefits of our set up is that we have 16 rooms, so most of the main wedding party can stay in the hotel and it’s like having a big house party with everyone together. It’s fabulous fun!”

Candida and Peter took on The Bower Inn in 2010 when it was a rundown and empty country pub.

“We’ve spent the past seven years revamping the inn’s fortunes and creating a highly successful pub, restaurant and boutique hotel with an excellent reputation for ambience, customer service and food.”

All the bedrooms feature vintage furniture and accessories, some dating back to the 1820s, but have all the requirements a modern guest would expect.

“We provide the perfect setting for a country-style wedding with lovely backdrops for photos. The inn is 18th century and is set in a pretty cottage garden with a huge weeping willow and sweet peas and roses in the summer.

“We create menus that let the quality of our local produce shine through, we only use free range meat and Westcountry busy hens lay our eggs and our own bees work hard to make us honey

“We offer a beautiful venue away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s perfect for a simple, yet sophisticated party in the beautiful, quintessentially English setting.

“Each celebration is tailored to the wishes of the couple, not an anonymous package. We allow flexibility so couples can make it their own thing! Nothing is ever too much trouble.

“We can cater for a wedding breakfast or reception, whether a bijou affair or something a bit grander.”

For further details about The Bower Inn, which is on Bower Lane on the outskirts of Bridgwater just off junction 23 of M5, please call 01278 422926 or visit www.thebowerinn.co.uk.