Thrifty Venue: Smallwood Manor

Smallwood Manor is a true gem of a venue that I discovered in 2012 when I was booked to shoot the wedding of Tim & Ruth. It's a beautiful Victorian School in the heart of Staffordshire, built in 1886 it was until 1997 a boarding and co-educational preparatory school. 

Nowadays the school no longer has borders but the accommodation it offers is HUGE. This place can sleep upto 140 of your nearest and dearest and is available to book for weddings in school holidays at the insanely affordable price of £2500. So if you work that out it's £17.50 per person for the whole weekend!

Asking your guests to chip in £20 for the accommodation for the weekend would not only cover the entire cost of your wedding venue but it would also leave you with a tidy £350 to start the bar fund or supply wine on the table for dinner. Charging for the accommodation might seem strange but your guests will be hard pressed to find more reasonably priced beds locally, and if your venue choice was the average swanky hotel they would be looking at up to £150 a night!

Did I mention it has a pool?

The School is a beautiful example of Victorian Architecture

with hidden charms all over the place

They even have an on site chapel where you can legally tie the knot (with special permission if you're not from round these parts mind)

The school has extensive grounds with football pitches and tennis courts to keep your guests entertained for the whole weekend there's even an adventure playground... for the kids...

The dining hall has a beautiful aesthetic and a fully kitted out kitchen for your caterers

The school hall has a stage and lights in situ and is perfect for the reception party (and you don't even have to shove a load of tables out of the way before you can have a dance)

I literally can't rate this place highly enough, I loved it so much I tried to book it for my 30th Birthday party but left it too late. Smallwood Manor books up quickly so if you like what you've read get in touch with them asap and book early to avoid serious disappointment!

Shelley
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