Describe the best wedding that happened at Farnham Castle?
All the weddings at Farnham Castle are so special I couldn't possibly answer that question. One ceremony which does however stand out from this summer, is one which took place in our beautiful Bishop's Palace. It's an intimate space and is used only a few timeT per year. the decorations were so personal to the couple and the setting so atmospheric, it was a real pleasure.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Choose a venue where the staff understand what you are looking for from your day and will make it as stress-free as possible so that you and your guests can enjoy every moment.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
Every wedding is different, at the moment though we are seeing a trend of charity pin badges as favours. Often it is a charity very close to the hearts of the couple and means a lot to them to give back and include them on their special day.
Describe Farnham Castle in 5 adjectives
Stunning, historic, unique, exceptional and elegant.
Where’s the best photo spot at Farnham Castle?
We are lucky to have a fantastic grounds team who keep our five acres of gardens looking beautiful all year round. Plus being an 11th century castle, there are some fabulous architectural features. The rose garden is a favourite location for wedding pictures as is the ancient Keep, and the Fox's Steps for those all important confetti shots. One of my favourite pictures though is a chance photo of a Bride and Groom stealing a moment and sharing a kiss in the doorway to our reception area. It's an intimate moment in time captured forever.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at Farnham Castle?
Everyone, guest or bride or groom is a VIP at Farnham Castle. Last year though, Rod Stewart and his charming wife Penny Lancaster attended a wedding at the Castle. In true celeb style, they arrived by helicopter.
What’s your favourite canapé?
Our chefs are passionate about the food they create and the taste sensations which come with canapes. We have over 40 to choose from on our menu so this a very tough question to answer. I loved fish so I guess I'd have to go with the Salmon and herb fish cake, fried quail egg and dill aioli. Although I am quite partial to our chefs take on traditional favourites such as Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding and horseradish cream and the Rich shepherd’s pie with creamy mashed potato.
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Again, our chefs are really creative when it comes to evening food. We have a huge choice of:
Wood Fired Pizza
American Diner
Firepit Barbecue
Paella
Spit Roast: Chicken or Lamb
Hog Roast
Street Food Noodle Bar
Burrito Bar
Southern Fare
Sausage & Bacon Rolls
Cheese Board
Charcuterie Board
Cheese Stack Wedding Cake
What is Farnham Castle most unique feature?
Farnham Castle was built for the Bishops of Winchester so, as well as five areas licensed for civil ceremonies, we also have two unique and beautiful chapels for ceremonies or blessings.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Our team. They keep everything running like clockwork and always strive to make sure that each couple has the wedding day of their dreams, surrounded by their loved ones. They are all so helpful and smiley, we get a lot of comments about how they have made a wedding so smooth, stress free and enjoyable. That's down not only to our Wedding Specialists and hospitality team, but also our housekeeping, chefs, reception and our maintenance staff. They are the beating heart of Farnham Castle.