Weddings and Wellies - Information and ideas
We are located in the village of Norristhorpe in West Yorkshire, close enough to civilisation - but tucked away, unseen from the road in our own little oasis. The village is a 30 minute drive from the centre of Leeds, Bradford, Wakefield and Halifax, a 10 minute drive from Junction 25 (M62) and 20 minutes from Junction 40 (M1).
Settings
We have three wonderful choices of marquees-all very different but equally as beautiful, set in two lovely locations around the farm:
"Cloverfield":offers an open aspect with 360 degree panoramic views over the rolling countryside to the sunset in the west.
"Streamside": at the bottom of our valley in the corner of our big field, this location is more sheltered by trees and is located next to a natural stream.
MARQUEES:
"Party Style": a very pretty marquee, looks breathtaking when we dress it in a country living style. With a mix of country English fabrics for table linen and bunting and vintage china and crockery, a mix of glassware, candles, lanterns and simple meadow flowers. Comes with dark green carpet, dancefloor, simple pea lights and spots, clear arched windows and furniture. Complete the look with sofas and low tables making a reception/quiet area.
"Traditional": creates a very elegant, English summer style party setting and looks really special with crisp white linen ware, china, crystal, chandeliers and candles. Comes with lots of choices for finishes - linen and swags, carpet, dancefloor, furniture, lighting. We add a reception area too.
"Kata": the Scandanavian tipi is something totally different and is sure to create a wow factor for you and your guests. Again, there's lots of choices for dressing, but they look especially beautiful when we use rich, sumptuous jewel colours for table linen and bunting, cushions, coloured glassware, loads of candles and flowers in matching colours. Comes with solid wood furniture, matting floor, dance floor, open fire with smokeless logs. Complete the finish with a mix of benches with reindeer skins and big, squashy cushions, as well as floor cushions to create a 'chill out' zone.
All three options come with our large feature oak bar-fantastic, luxury loos (usually placed at the rear of the tents), a catering tent, generator/power and a walk way all around the marquee - to/from the loos and to/from the car parking field.
Please note that if weather is inclement, or the land is particularly wet, we'll shuttle you and your guests to the tents using our farm mule (buggy), a 4x4 or tractor (trailer hay ride). We can also park your cars too, to avoid getting stuck or messing up your best frocks (unlikely to be so muddy - but we'd like to tick all the boxes just in case).
Loads of extras:There's lots of things we can add to make your day even more special...Some things, we'll throw in for free - like our lovely topiary trees, flower tubs and tubs outside the marquees.
We can offer you a hay ride from the top of the lane (not very glamorous-but loads of fun), and around the farm for your photos etc.
Creche marquees are becoming very popular and you may like the idea of a separate tent for kids activities, baby sitting or picnic area.
See our Ideas Page.
Catering Styles & Ideas
Anything goes, just about - but we do endeavour to offer something different from the usual wedding fayre. Most important, we source most of our ingredients locally, using lots of our own farm produce - our free range meat and fruit, vegetables and herbs from our kitchen garden. Most of the cooking is done by me but, from time to time, I do call in the services of a very good local chef who also celebrates local , free range and organic produce in her cooking.
Here are some of our recommendations:-
Cocktails and Canapes:
A great way to get you and your guests into that party mood with drinks like pimms, bubbly, elderflower cordial and fruit punch - there's something for everyone. Mix these with some lite bites - like handfried crisps, sticky sausages, bajis and samosas - or push it up a notch with tempura king prawns, chorizo and sweet pepper parcels, feta and spinach samosas, sticky ribs...
English Afternoon Tea:
Proving so popular, especially in the Spring and Summer months. There are a few variations - but typically, try a selection of dainty sandwiches with a mix of traditional and deli fillings, some savoury pastries and tarts, English strawberries with cream, homemade scones with jam and clotted cream, a selection of cakes and sweet pastries and an English cheese board with chutney, water biscuits and fruit cake. Recommend free trade tea and fresh coffee, spring water and rose wine.
Tapas:
Our tapas meal offers a liesurely, continental style dinner with lots of little courses - using lots of Mediterranean influences with a few local dishes and ingredients too. Typically, a 10 course menu would consist of: mix of continental breads with butters, oils and dips, a homemade seasonal soup, homemade pate with chutney, cajun spiced salmon with mint raita, a mix of salads including Greek and tomato & basil, potatoes bravos, churizo sausage and sweet pepper salsa parcels, feta and spinach pie, king prawns piri piri, assiettes of three desserts (Belgian chocolate torte, cherry frangipane, treacle tart). We'd recommend some table wines, spring water and tea/coffee too.
Bistro Meal:
If you'd rather go down the traditional route of a three course dinner, then we can oblige with a selection of dishes - all with gastro flair. There's lots of dishes to choose from and a menu can be tailored to suit.
Hog Roast:
Our hog roast is so popular and be re assured that we use our own free range saddlebacks - superb flavour and most amazing crackling. (You can even choose your own). Our pigs are fabulous and have a superb, happy life here - roaming, rooting and foraging naturally as they used to do. The hog roast is a great choice as a main meal with loads of great salads, breads and potatoes or as a supper dish to re charge the batteries!
Jackets:
For a great supper dish, we can offer proper roasted jacket potatoes with a great choice of fillings from our deli. Try bacon, brie and cranberry, ham and mango chutney, cajun chicken and sweet chilli, chicken n' grapes, roast veggies with feta and chutney, tuna with red onion...
Children's Picnics:
For younger or choosier children, we're happy to make up individual picnic baskets with yummy and healthy favourites plus an activity or toy to occupy them. How about a trio of sandwiches in lovely soft bread (farm ham, strawberry jam and cheese), some Yorkshire crisps, some grapes and strawberries, a chocolate fudge square, a fromage frais....we'll tailor to suit.
For further ideas and menus - go to my catering/deli site: www.continentalcuisine.co.uk