Norwood Park Summer Wedding Fair review — by a Nottingham bride-to-be
Our new Tying the Knott column
It’s officially wedding season – and whether you’re planning your own big day or simply love all things weddings, Norwood Park’s Summer Wedding Fair is a brilliant source of inspiration.
As a Nottingham-based bride-to-be, I visited the free entry fair with a keen eye on what Norwood Park might be like as a wedding venue. I also had the chance to chat with a range of local suppliers, from hairdressers to musicians. This is the first review in my new column, Tying the Knott.
If getting married is on your Nottingham to-do list, I highly recommend visiting one of Norwood Park’s summer wedding fairs or open days. The next event is the Wedding Open Day, which takes place on July 26 and is free entry (norwoodpark.co.uk). For more reviews, subscribe to The Notts Edit and receive our articles straight to your inbox for free.
Tying the Knott — Norwood Park Summer Wedding Fair Review
Words and photos by Misha Zala (mishasimagination.com)
As a Nottingham bride-to-be, one thing I’ve been excited to do is attend a wedding fair. So, when I found out that Norwood Park (norwoodpark.co.uk), a Georgian country estate in Southwell, was hosting a wedding fair, I knew I had to sign up.
After a meandering drive through acres of stately grounds, we took a moment to appreciate how grand this quintessentially English venue is – it felt like we’d stepped straight into the pages of an Austen novel. Norwood Park has been in the Starkey family since 1881, and today it hosts all sorts of events and celebrations.
On arrival, we were greeted with elderflower prosecco and iced biscuits from local baker, Southwell Cakery (southwellcakery.co.uk). They were delicious and would make lovely wedding favours. Wedding shopping is very much associated with glasses of free fizz, but after two previous venue viewings and one bridal appointment, this was actually my first glass. Unfortunately, I did clink my fiancé’s glass too vigorously and spill a reasonable amount down my dress. The Clumsy Bride trope is something I’d been hoping to avoid!
Next, we explored ceremony options. If I were getting married here, I’d choose the Bandstand – a beautiful outdoor option with views of lush greenery. Indoor options include the Long Gallery or the most historic option, the Drawing Room. All spaces had plenty of natural light and personalisation options. Seeing the venue styled with props helped me visualise what it would look like on a real wedding day. Lots of spots around the gardens are filled with flowers and would be perfect for photography, as is the house itself, dressed in ivy and roses.
Following the captivating music, we found The Chapel Hill Duo (chapelhillduo.co.uk) in a ceremony room playing for guests. From their list of recommended songs, how could we not request All The Small Things and Pink Pony Club? Both songs sounded extremely dramatic on the cello and violin.
We sat down with Olivia from the events team for a bespoke quote. She guided us through weddings at Norwood Park, from in-house catering (amazing canapés!) to dry hire options. Everything felt transparent – so many venues have hidden costs. We got our quote in an envelope at the end, which felt well organised without being pushy. It’s valid for 14 days to take away and consider.
Next, we ascended the spiral staircase for a self-guided accommodation tour, which is where it all became very opulent. Some of the rooms – such as the Duke and Duchess suites – were enormous, and lavishly decorated with four-poster beds, statement wallpaper and even double showers in the en-suites. Endless portraits serve as a reminder that Norwood Park is truly a family home.
One of my favourite vendors was Cake & Thistle (cakeandthistle.co.uk). Its creative cake bar concept involves mixing and matching all the elements of a wedding cake. Rather than just desserts, your guests also get an interactive experience. We chose vanilla cake with almond buttercream, chocolate curls and raspberry sauce, which was so tasty. Another cake vendor had truly impressive Art Deco icing and delicious-sounding options, but sadly, no samples without signing up for a £37 letterbox pack – so, I suppose I’ll never know what I’m missing.
We know about bridal hair and make-up, but what do long-haired grooms like mine do on their wedding day? In the Orangery bridal suite, Robyn from Perfect Silhouette Hairdressing (perfectsilhouttehairdressing.com) shared some of her tips: argan oil-infused mousse helps to define waves and protect against static. This step, combined with hair oil, keeps long tresses nourished and photo-ready. Grooms can also choose to have their hair professionally styled.
Our goodie bag included a copy of I Do magazine alongside handy toiletries and biodegradable confetti. As a freelance journalist, I wanted to buy wedding magazines for inspiration after I got engaged, but it turns out these aren’t as widely available as I thought.
Initially we thought that there weren’t many vendors, but we kept turning down corridors and finding more rooms to explore. I’d been picturing an exhibition hall with lots more, but the way the Norwood Park fair was arranged gave me a good insight into how a group of Midlands suppliers can work together to help you make the day extra special. We ended up staying for the full four hours.
Overall, I thought this wedding fair was a fantastic way to start the wedding planning process. There was no pressure from any vendor to book on the day, which I appreciated. I came away from Norwood Park feeling relaxed and excited for what’s to come.
While I’m more likely to go for a barn wedding, I’ve heard it’s useful to see a completely different style of venue, and Norwood Park is the most beautiful country house venue I’ve ever seen. I’d love to attend a wedding here as a guest, stay in one of those stunning rooms, and pretend I’m in a period drama.
The next wedding event at Norwood Park is the Wedding Open Day on July 26. norwoodpark.co.uk
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