We interviewed the team at The Orchard at Munsley
Q – Tell us about your venue.
The idea started in 2010 when we got married in the orchard. It was a boiling hot day in June, and 180 friends and family joined us in a marquee for one of the best days ever. We had lots of comments from friends about how beautiful it was and had we thought about setting up a wedding venue. We finally took the plunge and moved back to my family’s farm in 2018 when the diversification began, and The Orchard at Munsley was launched in September 2019.
As the name suggests, it's set in an apple orchard in the heart of rural Herefordshire, overlooked by a beautiful old church and pretty duck pool. It oozes rustic charm, beautiful scenery and peaceful surroundings. We give couples the flexibility to create a wedding that is bespoke to them, even down to the structure to ensure it is a unique and personal day. Couples are welcome to hire the space for a long weekend to give their guests the ultimate festival experience.
We tend to create bespoke packages for each couple based on their ideas and budget, or we have three options available – the Braeburn, the Gala or the Jazz (full details in our brochure). We provide a stocked and manned bar as well as organise the basics, including the tipi/marquee, the generator for power supply and toilets. We offer a list of recommended suppliers, from caterers to photographers, and we are always there for the set-up and on the day itself. We work closely with a wedding planner who offers a full planning option or on the day co-ordination. Couples who wish to have a church wedding can get married at Munsley Church and then stroll down the drive to The Orchard.
We run a limited number of events a year, which enables us to really get to know each couple and offer a personal service to them. We are open to ideas and listen to our couples to ensure it’s their wedding, their way. My husband and I are there on the day, ready to roll our sleeves up and get stuck in with whatever needs doing.
I love hearing about the couples’ ideas and how we can bring them to life. Seeing how all the pieces fit together on the day is so exciting and being part of such a special day. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it and takes me back to our wedding and all the happy memories that are created on your wedding day. I get a real buzz from each booking, thinking they chose our venue, on the family farm, to host one of the happiest days of their lives.
Q – Do you have any tips for an outdoor wedding?
- Be armed with your guest list, as this will decide what size structure you need.
- If you’ve never stepped foot in a tipi/marquee, get yourself to an open day to get a sense of the space.
- Think about footwear, especially if it's wet. Stilettos tend to sink into the soft ground, so bring a spare pair of flats (your bridesmaids can be in charge of those!)
- If you’re struggling with décor, sign up to Pinterest or speak to a stylist who can pull it all together for you. We can recommend some amazing stylists.
- Lots of couples ask about the weather and older guests getting cold. Hiring a small tipi for a snug/chill-out area with an indoor fire pit, sofas and blankets will keep them super cosy, while still being part of your special day. You could always offer mulled cider as an option when the sun goes down!
Couples should contact us as early as possible as we only run 15 weddings a year from May-October. We have limited availability for Summer 2022, so do get in touch, and we’ll check the diary for you.
Drop Jayne an email at jayne@theorchardatmunsley.co.uk or visit www.theorchardatmunsley.co.uk
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